Dear Future Joy,
Once upon a time, probably a good handful of years ago, you took yourself on vacation.
This was at a time before you had kids or a husband. When you would treat yourself to the expensive shampoo and conditioner. When you were convinced that only super rich people get to own houses. When you couldn’t exactly afford to take yourself away on a fancy vacation… but you did anyway.
Future Joy… you should know that the Joy of 2009 is totally cheering you on. She wants you to have the happy husband, and the crazy kids and the mortgage and the life that makes you want to do backflips and rejoice. But with all that… I’m sure some things will just drive you batty. You might need to remember this time… this time that happening to me right now.
See… it’s quiet here. There are little napkins with embroidered animals on them.
The drapes are gorgeous.. and you never even notice drapes.
Drawers have little keys.
Matchbooks have little painted typewriters on them.
You’re working on your book proposal. Your freakin’ book proposal!!! Yea… you’re pretty excited.
Working in between making fires…
and taking baths.
There’s art in the garden. Art. In the garden!
Hot Dang! You’re living the good life and it feels dreamy. This is the sort of thing you’re going to need to draw upon when you’re getting a root canal, or standing in line at the DMV, or trying to wrangle toddlers into car seats. Remember that once upon a time you took yourself on a big, fancy vacation, and you felt so blessed and enjoyed every single moment of it. Remember.
Love you. Mean it.
Present Joy
{ 114 comments… read them below or add one }
how special! I went to school in SLO, it’s a wonderful place. Hope it’s all you ever needed right now.
Dear Joy,
You really touched my heart with this post. Or rather letter. So simple , so beautiful. I hope You’ll have wonderful and dream-alike time in SLO. And keepin’ my thumbs on your book proposal. I’m sure it’ll be a piece of cake to make for You. Tasty one of course
I wish I’d done 10 years ago what you’re doing now, before I had my own kids and a husband and a mortgage and worked for “The Man”. You are so incredibly lucky, Joy, and this is a wonderful way to capture that for those moments ten years from now when you’re going to need it! Mad props to you for ending 2009 on a fabulously high note!
Looks like you’re having a wonderful and inspiring time. I should be working on my book proposal too but life keeps getting in my way. I wish you the best in 2010
ps: I too think that only super rich people get to own houses and I’m not sure i’ll ever be one of them!
What a wonderful post, Joy! I love the pictures; that tub looks amazing!
This was perfect and frankly an exercise I might consider taking with some regularity. A thank you to past and forward for a delicious present. Well-said.
That looks dreamy indeed! Where is it?
love this post, joy! love that you took yourself on a getaway. (I need to follow your example …) but what I really want to know is: what cookbooks are those in the photo? please share!!
that looks divine.
and for the record, wrangling toddlers into car seats should be an olympic event. they’re crafty little suckers.
I’m also to the husband/crazy kids/mortgage stage and often look back fondly to the little things I used to do to (much smaller than an awesome vacation, of course). Enjoy the quiet time. You will miss it!
Wow, what a beautiful place you are visiting!! Where is it? That tub! THAT TUB!! Omigoodness, dreamy…
This is a wonderful, wonderful letter to yourself. Good luck with your book proposal and have a wonderful new year!
Yay Joy! What a beautiful spot, and a well-deserved break. SO excited for your book!!!
That bathtub kicks ass. I wouldn’t get out either.
I covet your bathtub… *want*
Enjoy your time – wishing you all the best in 2010!!!
nice dreams for sure but yes moms do need little vacations too
How splendid! Your posts always touch my heart. I wish you all the best in the next year & waiting for your book impatiently. It will be a masterpiece.
just so you know…mortgages aren’t all that. ha ha.
good luck with the book proposal…you’ll do it.
You’re in SLO? As in, San Luis Obispo? That’s where I live! Let me know if you need any suggestions on what to do…there are so many wonderful things to see here!
You totally made me cry. I have been in your shoes – oh, maybe 15 years ago – and I do remember them wistfully.
Are you in SLO??? Are you serious? I love that town! My husband and I were married in Harmony. My parents still spend time there – as much as possible, actually.
The art in the garden has me hooked.
Enjoy!
Thank you for reminding us of the little things….the SPECIAL little things that are around us….even when we aren’t on vacation. And….that we need to put little things in our everyday life, like art in our garden, to bring us daily joy.
Enjoy your time away! I love SLO too! Cambria (which is just 30 minutes north) is a pretty cool place too.
green with envy….
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time!
This is so darn sweet. It is these small things that make life more memorable.
joy-your house is absolutely gorgeous. love your vintagey style.
Loved your post. LOVED THAT TUB!!!!
Thank you for the reminder to stop and take note of the wonderful little things around us. As a person that had the husband, had the mortgage, etc., etc., and now I do not, I do know that whatever life serves up, we should enjoy it and get through it. I’m thankful for my children, I’m thankful for my family & friends. I’m thankful for my blessings and challenges for they teach me to appreciate each new day.
Kudos on your book proposal. You are such a smart and sweet person. Looking forward to your book. 
Joy, how happy I am that you are having a bit of time to pamper yourself and surround yourself with beauty. And thanks for sharing some of the awesome details with us, so that those of us stuck in a snowdrift can live vicariously! Hope the book proposal soars! I’d definitely buy anything YOU produced!
Looks fabulous! Next time, take me with you!
relax & renew…
& gratitude for making me stop & reflect.
a book proposal… very exciting…enjoy your time & luxuriate!
that vacation looks absolutely fantastic! I’m so happy for you and this relaxing time and I hope I get to buy your book sometime in the near future…I love all your recipes!
like your pumpkin butterscotch cookies?? yeah I’m pretty sure my family loves me more now thanks to them…
I’m so happy you’re enjoying your vacation. It was fabulous meeting you, and good luck with the book proposal!
I love the idea of writing yourself a letter for the future! What a great way to look forward to the future and appreciate the present! Enjoy it!
This post made me happy!
It made me appreciate being in the no-kids stage…even though I have the hubs and mortgage.
PS- LOVE your recipes. Are you working on a cook book???
Thanks for the little mind vacation. I have the husband, the mortgage, the 2 crazy kids whose saving grace is their extreme cuteness, laundry, play dates, meals, baths, etc. For a brief moment I had silence and your pictures and I imagined a lovely little getaway for ME! Thanks Joy.
I love the way your place is decorated. Have fun!
Wow. This is such a lovely post. I love the pics!!!!!
I love the letter….so beautiful!
Such a great letter to your future self! I think everyone needs to take themselves on vacation from time to time..I worry I will never have the house thing either.*ack*
Wow…book proposal…so very exciting!
Beautiful. And oh my, that tub! Have a great vacation and best of luck on the book!
A very touching letter ~ thank you for sharing it! Where ever you are, it is totally wonderful and very enticing. I too love the drapes, the little keys and matchbooks, the tub rocks and art in the garden? Wow! Enjoy every moment you have there…reality comes back way too soon. Best wishes on the book proprosal.
You should really save these future letters. They rock.
This was such a touching post Joy..I even got a bit misty-eyed. So excited for you regarding the book!! Yea!!
Dear Joy, I recently discovered your website and I must say that I have enjoyed baking your recipes everyday for the past week! We are a family of seven and enjoy dessert. Great job! Can’t wait for you to publish a book, I would purchase it. Looking foward to future recipes & story telling. All My Love. . .
The tub. Oh. My. God. The TUB! I wrangle a toddler into a car seat regularly. I shall dream of that tub tonight.
Very excited about the book proposal. Definitely cheering you on.
Joy,
I have enjoyed spending time with you this year. I hope that 2010 is a wonderful and prosperous year. You are an inspiration and I hope others take your lead. Your vacation spot looks amazing! I look forward to more good recipes and lots of sharing.
Catherine
Have a great time alone. It sounds fabulous!
Enjoy that bathtub with bubbles in the tub and bubbles in tall glass. That’s where relaxation and great thoughts come to fruition. Happy New Year Joy and thanks for all of your generosity this year.
Thanks Joy for a lovely letter! I have the husband, the mortage, and even better 2 year old twins. I would never trade it for anything but there are times were I would like to go back and absorb my past. Enjoy everything while you can. Especially the silence and being you! Have a fabulous 2010! Thanks again!
Why are you so awesome? The End.
What a truly endearing and heart-warming letter!
You are one remarkable person and not just because you come up with some kick-ass recipes. Your blog posts and photos are just as amazing. I am glad I found your blog. I’ve enjoyed reading about you and what you love but I have to confess that I have yet to try one of your recipes.
Have a happy New Year!
Joy,
You rock!!! I love reading your blog each and everyday!!!
Happy New Year!!
{ 2 trackbacks }