I’m typing this at the kitchen table of a cozy cabin tucked in the woods of Washington. Outside the window the leaves ripple in a gentle breeze and a squirrel is having the time of its life leaping from branch to branch.
Life feels good right now.
Nearly a month ago I packed a minimalist ten-piece carry-on wardrobe for this trip. I may have added a few extra items while enjoying some late-summer sales, but limiting what I brought made travel simpler and more enjoyable. Our holiday is winding down and tomorrow we begin the journey back home. I had intended to blog more while on the road and even made a list of posts to write, but I chose instead to relax, soak up the moments, and savor each part of this wonderfully indulgent getaway.
I think of this break as the Ultimate Three-Part Vacation. Here’s how it unfolded:
Part 1: Visiting Family
I flew in, met my sister, and the two of us set off on a long road trip—about 14 hours—to our hometown in eastern Montana.
The week rushed by as we tried to pack in as much time with family as possible. I didn’t get to see everyone I hoped to, but I hugged each of my siblings, spent time with nieces and nephews, and, most importantly, kissed the top of my mother’s soft white head and told her how much I love her.
It’s been eight years since she was diagnosed with dementia, and with each visit she seems a little more faded. That reality is painful, but my sisters and I spent long hours sitting with her beside the piano at the nursing home, singing hymns until our voices were hoarse.
Although my mom no longer sings or communicates the way she once did, music still lights something in her. As we sang favorites like “When We All Get to Heaven” and “The Love of God,” I felt deeply grateful that she raised us with a love for faith and for music. Those shared songs carry comfort and connection when words fall short.
Part 2: A Kitchen Makeover Project
The second week of our trip was devoted to a home project I’d planned with my sister for months. We focused on her kitchen and devoted seven full days to organizing, cleaning, sorting, purging, painting, shopping, and decorating. The transformation was energizing and surprisingly fun—part therapy, part creative challenge. I took tons of photos and will be sharing a full before-and-after post soon.
Working on the kitchen reminded me how much I enjoy helping others with home décor and organization. I’m seriously considering starting a small business focused on helping people refresh and organize their spaces — and I’m thrilled my sister volunteered to be my first client.
Part 3: The Oregon Coast Road Trip
At the end of week two my husband joined us and we began the third leg of the trip: a relaxed, scenic drive along the Oregon coast. We haven’t taken a real summer vacation since our honeymoon, so we decided to make this one special.
During that stretch we celebrated my birthday (my last year in my forties) and our 27th anniversary while on the road. We took our time exploring coastal towns, enjoyed new scenery, stayed in our first AirBnB, and even spent three nights tent camping. It felt restorative to slow down, explore, and make new memories together.
Part 4: Heading Home and More Reveals
Now we’re preparing to return home and settle back into our regular routine. I’m eager to tackle a few more projects around our house and continue the momentum from the kitchen makeover. Before I left, I contributed a guest post about organizing seasonal décor and a garage makeover to Kenarry Ideas for the Home, sharing practical tips for decluttering and systematizing seasonal storage.
While I was away, my husband took on a major garage project that I helped plan and watched unfold through photos. I can’t wait to see the finished reveal in person—it will feel a little like those surprise makeover shows, except this time I was part of the planning team.
There are more room reveals and project updates coming soon. I took many photos and notes while we worked and traveled, and I plan to share detailed posts with before-and-after photos, organization tips, and design ideas that helped make the kitchen transformation so successful.
Thanks for reading and I hope you’re enjoying the last of summer. If you’re planning a road trip, a mini renovation, or visiting family, my best advice is to slow down, be present, and give yourself permission to savor the small moments—the music, the laughter, and the quiet stretches between destinations.
Stay tuned for more project reveals and travel stories!