Last Monday a surprise snowstorm — unexpected in such a mild winter — transformed the view from our living room window into this:
Clara went outside and had a blast with the snow:
About a week later our view had completely changed and looked more like this:
And Clara had swapped her winter clothes for something totally different:
True to our anniversary resolution, we slipped away to Maui, Hawaii to celebrate finishing our book, our upcoming five-year anniversary in July, and a few milestone birthdays (I turn 30 in March and John already had his in November). We also celebrated small victories and firsts — like Clara saying her first four-syllable words: escalator, helicopter, and anemone. This is actually our first real vacation flight since our 2007 honeymoon in Alaska, and it’s the first time in the 4.5 years of blogging that we’ve announced we’d be taking a full week off.
We know — gasp!
We do plan to share an occasional photo or quick note during the week about our island adventures, and we scheduled some posts to go up while we’re gone (including a giveaway valued close to $500 that will be published soon). Because we’re five hours behind our usual schedule here in Hawaii, the timing may vary, but the giveaway will still run. Mostly, though, we want to relax, unplug, show Clara a great time, and make the most of this week.
We’ll be back to our regular home-improvement posts next Monday, and until then we’ll check in occasionally but may be slow replying to comments. We’re looking forward to returning refreshed and inspired to tackle projects like cork floors in the kitchen, three untouched bathrooms, a walk-out deck, converting the carport into a garage, adding crown molding and wainscoting, a complete sunroom makeover, a total playroom makeover, and several other big projects we always talk about (yes, even here in Maui).
Since Clara is traveling with us, we’ll share details about how she handled the trip and adjusted to the time change soon, possibly on Young House Life. Because of quarantine rules we couldn’t bring Burger, so he’s at home with house-sitters — friends and family taking turns staying with him while we’re away. We call and check in with him at least twice a day; who knows, maybe he’ll inspire our guests to lay some cork flooring while they’re there.
If you’re a Maui local or fellow vacationer and you spot us doing the dorky tourist thing, please say hello. You’ll find the pale-legged girl (so fair her skin almost looks blue) — that’ll be me.
Also, yes — my skirt is twisted a few inches to the right. I’m sure I’m not the only one who fights skirt-spin, right?