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
Kayleigh
I covet your bathtub… *want*
Casey
That bathtub kicks ass. I wouldn’t get out either.
Andrea [bella aeats]
Yay Joy! What a beautiful spot, and a well-deserved break. SO excited for your book!!! :)
Sara
This is a wonderful, wonderful letter to yourself. Good luck with your book proposal and have a wonderful new year!
Jessi
Wow, what a beautiful place you are visiting!! Where is it? That tub! THAT TUB!! Omigoodness, dreamy…
Nicole
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!
Andrea
that looks divine.
and for the record, wrangling toddlers into car seats should be an olympic event. they’re crafty little suckers.
jenny
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!!
Kate @ Savour Fare
That looks dreamy indeed! Where is it?
To Kiss the Cook
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.
Gia
What a wonderful post, Joy! I love the pictures; that tub looks amazing!
Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home
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!
Shauna
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! :)
malgosia
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 :-)
Sara
how special! I went to school in SLO, it’s a wonderful place. Hope it’s all you ever needed right now.