Bonjour! It's my favorite time of year again! As summer slides into fall, leaves change color, and Halloween approaches, I start to anticipate all the fun planning, decorating (with a toddler in mind), baking, and gift wrapping I get to do in the coming months. Not only is Halloween the official kickoff of the holiday… Continue reading Recipe: Halloween Vampire Donuts
Bonjour! The change of summer to autumn always has me looking forward to seeing the leaves change colors, decorating with pumpkins, and wearing flannel anything. Today’s post features a simple recipe for a tasty apple fritter cake with maple icing - just in time for fall! Apple fritter cake I love apple fritters and had… Continue reading Apple Fritter Cake with Maple Icing
Bonjour! I started Joyful Living based on the concept of joie de vivre - a French phrase meaning “joy in living” - in 2019 so I could write about some of my favorite things, from food and travel to ways to incorporate simple pleasures to make everyday living more joyful. Over the years, my priorities… Continue reading What Is Joyful Living?
Bonjour! I'm sharing this a week later than intended, but I was making rather merry at home last week while on staycation with L'Husband and Le Chien. Better late than never, right? Le wink. Something about the end of the year makes me nostalgic, from that back-to-school feeling that starts in September (even though I’m… Continue reading 2021 Blog Year in Review
Bonjour! As I posted recently, I love to decorate my house, especially for the holidays. Just in time for Halloween, today's post shares a simple and tasty dessert inspired by the spookiest season. Hold on to your hats, because this dessert is easy, it's sweet, and it's fun! Assembled Halloween dirt cups Ingredients 1 box… Continue reading Halloween “Dirt Cup” Dessert
Bonjour! I love to bake from scratch (sometimes), but I also like to take the semi-homemade route (most of the time). Today’s post shares a recipe for almond Danish using pre-made almond paste and puff pastry... because making paste and pastry from scratch is a lot of work (le sigh) and perfectly tasty ingredients already… Continue reading Almond Danish with Puff Pastry
Bonjour! It's been awhile since I baked, and I'm ready to get back in the kitchen and have some fun. As St. Patrick's Day approaches, I'm feeling inspired to try my hand at Irish soda bread. Happy St. Patrick's Day! I tried this traditional in Ireland when I visited in 2017 (and met Winnie!). The… Continue reading Irish Soda Quick Bread
Bonjour! Happy New Year from Joyful Living! I can’t believe 2020 is over and we have a fresh start, a blank slate in front of us. I haven’t felt the turnover of the year this keenly since the 1999-2000 calendar flip, another unique moment in my lifetime. Only now, the stakes feel much higher: The… Continue reading 2020 to 2021: Looking Back, Looking Ahead
Bonjour! Sometimes, one just feels like baking and eating an entire try of brownies, perhaps when it's gray and chilly and blustery. Perhaps when the United States is mere weeks away from a contentious presidential election. Perhaps when the coronavirus pandemic, voter suppression, census shenanigans, and Supreme Court tomfoolery crush our souls (le sigh). I… Continue reading Gluten-Free Brownie Muffins
Bonjour! This week, L'Husband and I are on vacation. Though we are not leaving Vermont and barely leaving the house, our staycation has been très quiet and relaxing. We're baking, taking Le Chien for extra walks, and waiting for Borgen to finally come on Netflix. On Vacation While Staying Home “There is nothing like staying… Continue reading Vermont Staycation Hike
Joyful Living with Katie Kritikos 