I’m writing this from a small, cozy cabin in the woods of Washington. Outside the window the leaves sway in the breeze and a squirrel darts through the trees, enjoying the late summer bounty.
Life feels slow and good.
Almost a month ago I packed a minimalist travel wardrobe for this trip — the 10-piece carry-on capsule I wrote about earlier — although I admit I added a couple of sale finds along the way. Our holiday is winding down and tomorrow we begin the trip home. I planned to blog while traveling and even made a list of posts to work on, but that plan disappeared quickly. Instead I chose to slow down, relax, and savor every part of this rich getaway.
I’ve come to think of it as the Ultimate 3-Part Vacation. Here’s how it unfolded:
Part 1: Visiting Family
I flew in to meet my sister and then we drove together on a long 14-hour road trip back to our hometown in eastern Montana.
The week went by in a blur as we packed in visits with relatives and old friends. I didn’t see everyone I hoped to, but I hugged all my siblings, caught up with nieces and nephews, and—most importantly—kissed my mom’s soft white head and told her I love her.
It’s been eight years since she was diagnosed with dementia, and each visit shows how much she’s changed. It’s heartbreaking, but my sisters and I spent long afternoons beside her piano in the nursing home, singing hymns until our voices were rough. Mom no longer speaks, but music still seems to brighten her face. As we sang classics like “When We All Get to Heaven” and “The Love of God,” I felt gratitude for the faith and love of music she passed down to us. (I’ve shared a video from one of the last times she sang with us on my blog.)
Part 2: The Kitchen Makeover Project
The second week was all about a planned home project. My sister wanted help tackling several tasks around her house, and we focused a full seven days on transforming her kitchen. We organized, cleaned, sorted, purged, painted, shopped, and decorated until the space felt refreshed and new. It was hard work and a lot of fun—wait until you see the before-and-after photos!
I took hundreds of pictures and plan to share a full makeover post soon, detailing the organizing systems, paint choices, and styling tips we used. The experience reminded me how much I enjoy helping people solve home décor and organizing challenges. I’m seriously considering turning that passion into a small business, and I’m grateful my sister volunteered to be my first client.
Part 3: The Oregon Coast Road Trip
At the end of week two my husband drove up to join us, and we began the final phase of our trip—a slow, scenic journey along the Oregon coast. We haven’t taken a summer vacation together since our honeymoon, so we decided to make this one memorable.
We celebrated my birthday (this is my last year in my forties) and our 27th anniversary while on the road, enjoying quiet breakfasts, coastal hikes, and small-town cafés.
We traveled slowly along the coastline, sampled fresh seafood, tried our first Airbnb stay, and even camped under the stars for three nights. The change of scenery, the sound of the surf, and the simple pleasure of exploring together made the trip feel restorative and adventurous.
Part 4: Heading Home and a Garage Reveal
Now we’re looking forward to returning home and settling back into our normal routines. I’m eager to start a few more projects around our house, inspired by the kitchen redo and all the ideas that came from traveling.
Before I left I wrote a guest post about our garage makeover and how I organize seasonal décor for Kenarry Ideas for the Home. If you’re interested in ideas for garage organization and seasonal storage, that post outlines what worked for us and practical tips you can adapt to your space.
While I was away, my husband tackled a major garage project. I saw photos as he worked, but I can’t wait to see the finished space in person. The reveal will feel a bit like those dramatic makeover shows—only warmer, because we planned it together.
Stay tuned for detailed posts on the kitchen makeover, the Oregon coast route and highlights, and the garage reveal. I’m looking forward to sharing before-and-after photos, organizing tips, and lessons learned from a summer of family, home projects, and slow travel.
Wishing you a wonderful late summer.
