Joy Wilson's Blog, page 5

Lavender Lemon Drop Martinis

This Lavender Lemon Drop Martini is a floral, citrusy twist on the classic cocktail—light, refreshing, and just fancy enough to feel like a treat. If you’re looking for an easy spring cocktail that tastes like sunshine and garden parties, this is it!

I’ve been craving a homemade lemon drop since the first bag of Meyer lemons hit the market, and while I debated saving this one for Mother’s Day, it’s just too good to wait.

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My Favorite Buttermilk Marinated Chicken

This buttermilk marinated chicken is the secret to juicy, flavor-packed thighs with golden, crackly skin. It’s an easy overnight marinade that does all the heavy lifting—I make a batch of this chicken literally every week and I need you in on this with me!

This Buttermilk Marinated Chicken isn’t just a recipe—dare I say it’s more of a life skill. I mean that in the most casual, comforting, I-make-this-every-weekend-for-Will-and-me kind of way.

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On Chicken Pot Pie, Being a Good Neighbor, and Being Just a Lil Ugly

I was reminded of this little truth this week: to have a good neighbor, you have to be a good neighbor.

This week in Bellville, I made a Chicken Pot Pie for a new friend who’s going through something hard—because what else can I do when life feels overwhelming besides wrap it in pie crust? (Rhetorical)

Just as I was standing at my kitchen counter, flour in my hair – I could feel it, crimping the crust wondering what I was going to eat for dinner… my neighbor texted.

Continue reading On Chicken Pot Pie, Being a Good Neighbor, and Being Just a Lil Ugly at Joy the Baker.

Better Than Scalloped Potatoes: Dauphinoise Potatoes

Think of these Dauphinoise potatoes as scalloped potatoes all dressed up for Easter—extra creamy, super cheesy, and just a little bit French in the best way.

Here we are, sweet friends—our Nancy Meyers Easter Menu, where every dish feels like it should be served in a sun-drenched kitchen with linen napkins and a good playlist humming in the background. We’re going classic and sophisticated this year. Cozy? Yes. Maybe a little complicated?

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How We Doing?

Hi, hello. I hope you’re having a lovely week! 

May I ask — are you doing okay? The reason I ask is that I’ve been privy to some meltdowns this week. A woman at the gym was taking forever in one of the two showers they have available (signs say to limit it to five minutes…she’d been in there for 30 minutes!) and I knocked on the door to remind her that other people were waiting.

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A Nemesis for Spring

I looked out the bathroom window this week and—boom—the trees have exploded in green buds overnight. We knew it was spring, but the absolute evidence of it snuck up on me. Time feels faster these days, which means it’s probably time to catch up. Are we spring cleaning, friends?  Do you have the mop and bucket and squeegee out?  Are we opening the windows and letting the fresh air in? (Caution: I did this the other day and spent an hour try to get to small birds out of my house.)  Are we making a list of nemeses for personal growth? 

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Texas Toast Egg In A Hole

Egg in a hole may be a humble breakfast, but when elevated with spiced butter and fresh herbs, it becomes something truly elite.

Here’s the deal, friends: egg in a hole is straight forward enough, but – what a little seasoned butter won’t do. We’re not reinventing the wheel here—just adding a little secret flair, which is entirely necessary given the price of eggs these days. The beauty of this recipe isn’t so much in the technicalities but in mastering a life skill: how to make a quick breakfast feel like it’s worth more than the grocery store receipt.

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What’s in the Springtime Bucket?

Good morning, friends! It’s that time of year when I start making ambitious plans (lol who am I kidding – there’s no time of year when I’m not trying to do the absolute most). I’ve been in the bighouse in Bellville for nearly a year (can you believe!?) and it’s feeling time for a  spring cleaning, gardening to beat back the weeds, and maaaybe even pulling out the spring dresses over winter sweatpants.

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A Wee Recap

Hi friends! Thank you for your Dublin recommendations!! I will be highlighting a few in the links below, but goodness Ireland was so wonderful. Even though it was February and the weather around 40 degrees, it was -12 in Chicago, so Ireland felt like summer.

Now that I’m back in the swing of life, March has been a bear. My girlfriend and I are moving in June and the mental prep of moving is… there are hardly words for it.

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A List of 10 Small But Perfect Things

A List of Small, Perfect Things 

(A short list inspired by this photo Will sent me of our pup Graham while I was away working this past weekend.  A list because life is just a series of tiny, wonderful moments between dishes, tax season, and flight delays)

A cold pat of salted butter melting into the warm top of a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin—some things in life should be both indulgent and dramatic. 

Continue reading A List of 10 Small But Perfect Things at Joy the Baker.