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
118 Responses
Your 38th birthday letter brought me here. It’s so sweet! You’ve always been so brave and vulnerable with us, and though I’m walking a different road your down-to-earthness reminds me that every one of us is dealing with things and doing their best and once I’m doing mine that’s ok. Cheers to you Joy, to more full living and more dreams coming true.
I’m dying to know where this is. This looks like the most adorable place ever.
I JUST GOTTA KNOW WHAT KIND
OF CAMERA YOU HAVE!!!!!!!!!!!
all of the pics. are so lovely.
hi crystal.
i have a canon rebel with a 50mm lens.
That photo of you in the mirror is really lovely. Your hair looks great!
Glad you had a good time!
Just found your blog and absolutely love it! And can I tell you that I completely agree with the whole buying a couch thing. That’s how I felt about purchasing a new matress. But can I tell you that I haven’t regretted the purchase once..! Oh the luxuries of being a “real” grown up! Can’t wait to see your book!
I’m so jealous, I didn’t get to do much of that before the kids and the husband, and the mortgage. I smiled reading your post :)
Hurray up with that proposal, can’t wait to read what will sure to be a wonderful book.
A book proposal??? Sign me up! I want one for sure!
I’m jealous! And soooo hoping for a book! Best of luck!
So magical!!
lovely post! inspiring and soooo true! happy new year. :D
Beautiful home! Just so sunny and bright, like you! And I would kill for that bathtub! Well, maybe not kill, but you know what I mean! :)
Thank you so much for this post! I have been very down the past couple of weeks, having that “29 and still single” during the holidays pity party, along with the news that my last single girl friend got engaged at Christmas. so thank you for helping me see that i really should be enjoying this time, not whining and crying about it. maybe i’ll plan me a little solo trip too. :)
Wow, good luck with your book proposal!
Looks like 2010 is kickin’ off in a spectacular way.
Happy New Year.
Hi Joy, I can’t wait til your book comes out–I will definitely buy it! You go girl!
Love, someone who has written many letters to her future self :)
I love the idea of this post….I like the idea of talking to my past and future Anna..because she IS my best cheerleader.
GORGEOUS PLACE! And yes, that bathtub is divine!
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.
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.
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! :-D
~Tyhitia
wow, darling girl! so lovely! i am so glad for you to have days in that beautiful place. scrumptious.
Wheeee! A book proposal?! Exciting…love the letter. Inspired me to do something simlilar…Happy NYE!
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!!
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!
I love your blog.. Happy New Year
!!! Book proposal?!
Here’s to THAT this new year! Yowie-zowie!
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. : )
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!)
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.
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!
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
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!
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.
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
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. :)
I will buy your book!!
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
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
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
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!
That was delightful. Thank you for sharing with us.
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!
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
Oh! And congratulations on the book deal…can’t wait to see it!
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
Congrats for taking a wonderful vacation that you will remember for a lifetime. Good luck with your book proposal.
Loved your post :)
You’re deep. I like it. It’s what makes this cooking blog more than just another cooking blog. :)
I will be buying your book as well!
Really beautiful post. You have such a beautiful vision on life it is admirable.
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!
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.
To the present and future Joy the Baker,
That was lovely.
Thank you,
Corrina
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
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 =)
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
i’m excited for your book!! :)
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
Dear Joy,
Happy New Year! Where are you staying? It looks amazing!
I love reading your blog, thanks!
Elizabeth
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?
Book deal? How did I miss that? anyway, wish you all the very best for it. And enjoy your small vacation!
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!
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!)
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.
What a lovely post! I love your blog and have ben checking in for a while now. And those drapes ARE gorgeous!!!
What a great post!
Joy,
You rock!!! I love reading your blog each and everyday!!!
Happy New Year!!
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!
Why are you so awesome? The End.
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.
Have a great time alone. It sounds fabulous!
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
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.
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. . .
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!
This was such a touching post Joy..I even got a bit misty-eyed. So excited for you regarding the book!! Yea!!
You should really save these future letters. They rock.
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.
Beautiful. And oh my, that tub! Have a great vacation and best of luck on the book!
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! :)
Wow. This is such a lovely post. I love the pics!!!!!
I love the letter….so beautiful!
I love the way your place is decorated. Have fun!
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.
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???
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! :)
I’m so happy you’re enjoying your vacation. It was fabulous meeting you, and good luck with the book proposal!
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…
relax & renew…
& gratitude for making me stop & reflect.
a book proposal… very exciting…enjoy your time & luxuriate!
Looks fabulous! Next time, take me with you! :)
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!
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-your house is absolutely gorgeous. love your vintagey style.
This is so darn sweet. It is these small things that make life more memorable.
green with envy….
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful time!
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.
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!
just so you know…mortgages aren’t all that. ha ha.
good luck with the book proposal…you’ll do it.
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.
Enjoy your time – wishing you all the best in 2010!!!
I covet your bathtub… *want*
That bathtub kicks ass. I wouldn’t get out either.
Yay Joy! What a beautiful spot, and a well-deserved break. SO excited for your book!!! :)
This is a wonderful, wonderful letter to yourself. Good luck with your book proposal and have a wonderful new year!
Wow, what a beautiful place you are visiting!! Where is it? That tub! THAT TUB!! Omigoodness, dreamy…
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!
that looks divine.
and for the record, wrangling toddlers into car seats should be an olympic event. they’re crafty little suckers.
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!
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 dreamy indeed! Where is it?
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.
What a wonderful post, Joy! I love the pictures; that tub looks amazing!
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! :)
nice dreams for sure but yes moms do need little vacations too
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 :-)
how special! I went to school in SLO, it’s a wonderful place. Hope it’s all you ever needed right now.
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!