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
Yolanda
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.
rosepetals
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. . .
Heather
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!
andrea
This was such a touching post Joy..I even got a bit misty-eyed. So excited for you regarding the book!! Yea!!
Jen-
You should really save these future letters. They rock.
Pat
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.
Misty
Beautiful. And oh my, that tub! Have a great vacation and best of luck on the book!
Melanie
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! :)
Miranda
Wow. This is such a lovely post. I love the pics!!!!!
I love the letter….so beautiful!
Maria Trader
I love the way your place is decorated. Have fun!
Sandy
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.
Katie
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???
Melanie Stuff
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! :)
Cate
I’m so happy you’re enjoying your vacation. It was fabulous meeting you, and good luck with the book proposal!
Marisela Cabrera
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…