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
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What a great post!
What a lovely post! I love your blog and have ben checking in for a while now. And those drapes ARE gorgeous!!!
I love this idea of writing a letter to your future self. I will be fun when your ‘past’ self reads this:-) Happy New year and I look forward to more wonderful content on your blog in the coming year. Always a pleasure to read you.
Oh Joy! I am in love with your blog. It is funny and fresh and so in tune with where I am in my life as well. I think it’s awesome you took yourself on a great vacation. You will remember it forever! You made me rethink vacationing with my friends this summer. Sometimes you should do things simply because the memories are worth it.
PS–That tub, the art, the sweetness of the small keys, and real drapes….what an inspiration to have around while writing your proposal (I will totally buy that cookbook, so get on it!)
You brought tears to my eyes, Joy. How did you get to be so wise at such a young age? Your parents must have seen into the future when they named you so aptly. Even after the husband and babies come into your life, continue to carve some time out to nurture yourself. You’ll be a better mother, a better person for it. And I will be preordering your book as soon as it’s available. “Joy, the Goddess of Baking” sounds like a good title to me. Enjoy your vacation and have a happy new year. 2010 is going to be a fabulous year for you!
Book deal? How did I miss that? anyway, wish you all the very best for it. And enjoy your small vacation!
This is poetry. Coming from a mama (me) with 4 little kidlets, enJoy every single moment as your childless, unwed, present Joy.
Your home (I’m guessing that’s what it was? or maybe some vacay spot?) is gorgeous.
It would only take one small child (and I could loan you a few, easily) to have fun with all that pretty stuff.
PS: I have some pretty stuff, too, but tucked up places very high like the top of my armoir (home to my MacBook Pro, StarBars chocolate stash, and Scentsy stuff).
PPS: Keep us posted on your book deal. Do you have an agent?
Dear Joy,
Happy New Year! Where are you staying? It looks amazing!
I love reading your blog, thanks!
Elizabeth
Dear Joy, your photos are lovely, i particularly liked the colour scheme, do you know that this summer my husband and I painted the bedroom walls turquoise?
I’m excited about your book, I will certainly buy it, keep on baking please.
Love
i’m excited for your book!!
Dear Joy, I think taking a vacation is the best gift you can give to yourself. It will center you and make everything right again, or at least put everything into perspective. I’m simultaneously cheering you on and living vicariously through you. Best, Beth
Yea!! Vacation!! Yesterday I was dreaming about taking vacation – looking up hotels, dreaming about comfy mattresses – though it may take me a while to get there. Enjoy!!! Enjoy some for me too =) Happy New Year Joy =)
I love that you post these letters to your future self, so sweet! And good luck with the book proposal, I will definitely be purchasing your book!! <3
To the present and future Joy the Baker,
That was lovely.
Thank you,
Corrina
This is such a touching letter. And what a beautiful place to spend your vacation! Good luck with the book proposal. I’m looking forward to reading your future book.
I love that you are so in tune with your future. It is refreshing to see someone that hasn’t been there yet look at it with such optimism as well as realistic expectations. You are such a breath of fresh air and I hope one day you find yourself just as happy and busy as you imagine you will be. Enjoy this vacation, you deserve it!
Really beautiful post. You have such a beautiful vision on life it is admirable.
I will be buying your book as well!
You’re deep. I like it. It’s what makes this cooking blog more than just another cooking blog.
Loved your post
Congrats for taking a wonderful vacation that you will remember for a lifetime. Good luck with your book proposal.
Hi Joy! Been following your blog for quite some time, but this is the first time I have said “hello”! I just had to comment on this post…it really touched me and reminded me to pay close attention to the small and exciting changes that are going on in my own life right now. Thank you for that wonderful thought! Wishing you a fabulous end to 2009, and an even more fabulous 2010! Hope to have the opportunity to meet you one day! Warmest regards…Jacqueline
Oh! And congratulations on the book deal…can’t wait to see it!
Joy-I have been reading your blog for awhile now and its really about time I tell you that I adore it! I tried one of your recipes this morning (without much luck) but it still made me happy. Hope 2010 is amazing for you and your family.
fellow LA girl, emma
What a beautiful post. Your writing is what sets you apart from other blogs. The pictures are beautiful as well. I never know if I’ll get teary or giggle when I read your thoughts. Any book you come up with will be a huge success. Can’t wait!
That was delightful. Thank you for sharing with us.
GOOD FOR YOU!!! Life has so much to offer at every stage and way to go for doing good stuff now and recognizing that other (different) good stuff will come later… and I have to tell you good times and fun stuff never stop coming!
I tried your recipe for the granita.
Instead though, I used cherry and lime :9
YUM!
I also used Splenda instead because I am trying to cut down on the sugar (sigh).
It turned out really well though!
Thanks for the recipe!
<3 Emily
Very neat vacation!
I have to say, I saw you post on what you hope Santa got me this year, and he DID get me a sparkly kitchen aid mixer! I love it. It is my friend. It is red. And sparkly.
Enjoy your vaca!
=)
Megan
Dear Current Joy – I am easily 20 years older than you, yet you are SO much wiser. I wish I had stopped, when I was your age, to notice and enjoy the beauty around me instead of always worrying about what was next.. what I was or was not getting right… how to get to the next place. I now have the mortgage, the husband and the kiddos, and the bliss and frustration that accompany them. I wouldn’t trade them for all the anything in anywhere. Now I look back on my free, single days with affection and love, but I wish that, like you, it had occurred to me to enjoy it then.
Keep up the great work, wise young friend, and may you be blessed in the New Year.
ox
Julie
I will buy your book!!
Joy-
I love your honesty…with yourself and with us. Thank you. You are such a gorgeous person!!!! (and i’m not saying any of this only b/c you own a Mac). *ahem* but that makes you super duper cool.
Hi joy! I’ve been following your blog for a while now, and I have to tell you that it has inspired me! Especially this post, I’ve been looking to the future, getting married, having kids etc, and wanting all of that right now! But you reminded me that I’m young and happy and have so much time now, to stop and look around and just enjoy where I am. Thank you!
Happy New Year!
Robyn
Thank you for all of your great recipes this year. Have a great New Year’s celebration and I look forward to visiting your site in the future.
dear joy,
i’m making your grandmother’ s applepie, combined with some berries and sour cream with cinnamon for new year’s eve!
and i’m spelling ‘2010′ in little doughy letters on the top…
your blog is always so welcoming and charming to me, thank you so much for that.
everything of the best in the new year!
Dear Future Joy,
I hope you will find the time to keep blogging in between the family stuff
or at least put out an awesome cookbook or two 
! I’m so glad I found your blog in 2009. Here’s to a great 2010!
Colleen
I don’t think this is the first time you’ve written yourself a letter and I love them each time. This one, however, is particularly enjoyable
I think it’s awesome that you took yourself on vacation. In fact, I’m hoping to do it one day. And, a book proposal?? How amazing! Good luck Joy the Baker!
Loved your letter to future Joy, Congrats for your book it will be smashing I’m sure, and this place …..how cute… enjoy. And Happy 2010.
Happy 2010! What a brilliant idea – the vacation and laying it to film (and cyberspace) for you to remember. Thank you for sharing it with us. You are right – it will be those moments that you can feel, smell, taste and close your eyes and see that will help you in those crazy, challenging moments to come. Enjoy!!! (I am yelling “Boys, please stop jumping” as I write this – ah, to be where you are at this moment!)
Haha, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I wonder how I’ll ever give up the time and freedom that I have now, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it. And hopefully we’ll all still have some art in the garden. : )
!!! Book proposal?!
Here’s to THAT this new year! Yowie-zowie!
I love your blog.. Happy New Year
Hello Joy~
I hope this note finds you nice and pruny from your long soak in the tub.. perhaps you are in the tub as I write.
I just have to say that i finally made your banana pudding ice cream and it is amazing! I am going to serve it tomorrow on top of Belgian waffles – that i will make with my new waffle maker
….. wait! stop the press! My friend just suggested serving it on hot brownies. I think I’ll make those- RIGHT NOW. I can have it with breakfast too, if there is any left- with fresh bananas and whipped cream and a sprinkling of crushed, salty macadamia nuts (cept i’m fresh out of those.. truth be told, i don’t ever have those on hand. Tho, it would be worth it to stock up now)
Happy New Year Joy! Thank you for all your wonderful blogging- looking forward to much more and of course, your book!
Joy, What a beautiful spot you found up there in San Luis Obispo. Good for you getting away while you have the chance. Dad and I are a bit envious- ok,I am. Health and prosperity in 2010 for you. Love ya!!
Wheeee! A book proposal?! Exciting…love the letter. Inspired me to do something simlilar…Happy NYE!
wow, darling girl! so lovely! i am so glad for you to have days in that beautiful place. scrumptious.
Hi Joy,
I accidentally stumbled upon your blog and I’m glad I did. I’m going to bookmark it and come back often.
Happy New Year and your vacation sounds awesome!
~Tyhitia
Happy New Year Joy! I love that you wrote that note to yourself, your wisdom and insight is correct. You WILL need these memories to remind you of how simple and calm life used to be, treasure it, then move back into the chaos of a husband and kids all looking to you to make their worlds make sense and be perfect and you will realize how much sweeter the future Joy has it because the past Joy did take time to understand her life and enjoy the present. You give good advice. We all should take time to cherish our present, and leave a note for our future selves to remind us just where we were 5 or 10 years back and that poopy diapers, runny noses, neverending piles of laundry, all those things mean you have kids that you love without measure, a family. They grow fast. I did take time to soak in the past and leave notes for myself too. I keep them in a book. I remember when I was a new mom holding this tiny little person and hoping I was ready for the journey of parenthood. Funny, she went to college this fall. I cry still, because I think that they grow up too fast. So my message to future Joy is that when you are a mom someday. Don’t ever blink. YOu might miss something. Treasure each milestone. DOn’t look constantly forward to the “oh I can’t wait until they walk” and then look forward to the day they start preschool or kindergarten. Stay as you are now. Stay in the present and enjoy the hell out of it.
am whimpering at the mere sight of that bathtub. would you mind sharing the name of where you are? it sounds like such a lovely treat.
GORGEOUS PLACE! And yes, that bathtub is divine!
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