About Me:

On July 21, 2007, surrounded by friends and family, I became a brand new wife. After our brief honeymoon, we loaded everything we owned into a truck and carted it to a new home in a new state.

I began teetering around like a baby deer on my new, unstable legs of domesticity. But our new house was a home within two weeks of moving! Everything was in its place and my husband’s tummy was full of delicious food.

Another month and a half later, we packed up to move again. Any military spouse will understand the complications of living with a guy in uniform. My husband’s Navy career might move us often, but I am sure I will quickly become an expert at setting up a household.

Join me as I chronicle my trials and errors into the domestic domain. You’re invited to follow my endeavors in cooking, baking, cleaning, home decor, crafts, and more.

May our abodes always be joyful!

Our abodes so far:

• Pensacola, FL July 2007-September 2007
• Milton, FL October 2007-May 2008
• Meridian, MS May 2008-October 2009
• Hanford, CA October 2009-Present

About Joyful Abode, the business:

Emily Chapelle launched Joyful Abode in 2007. Her line of illustrated goods focuses on recipe cards, writing kits, and military stationery. Each image is hand-drawn with ink before it is digitally colored and manipulated into the finished products.

BS Early Childhood Education, Winthrop University ‘06
(Self-taught artist; coloring with children every day is wonderful practice!)

Military affiliation: Emily’s husband is in the US Navy and in awe of military aircraft. As a supportive wife, Emily encourages this and takes part through illustration.