Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Guess Where We Are?!

Last Monday, a surprise snowstorm (in the middle of a super mild winter) made for this picture out of our living room widow:

  Last Monday Window

And Clara went outside and had fun doing this:

  Last Monday Clara

Fast forward about a week, and our view looks more like this:

  This Monday Window

And Clara’s sporting a different kind of outfit:

  This Monday Clara

Yup, true to our anniversary resolution, we snuck off to Maui, Hawaii to celebrate finishing our book, our impending five year anniversary (in July), turning 30 (I will in March and John already checked that box in November), and any other celebration-worthy excuse that we could think of (Clara’s first four syllable words: escalator, helicopter, and anemone!). It’s actually the first time we’ve flown somewhere on a real vacation since our honeymoon to Alaska back in 2007, and it’s the first time we have ever announced that we’re taking a week off from blogging in the entire 4.5 years since we started this whole shebang.

We know – gasp!

We do plan to post a pic or a quick note here or there throughout the week about our little island adventures (and a few things that we wrote up to share before we left, like some small kitchen progress). And we lined up a pretty sweet giveaway (valued at nearly $500!) for you guys, which will go up sometime tomorrow (Monday) – although not necessarily at 10 or 2 (we’re 5 hours behind our normal schedule here in HI). But our main goal is to relax, unplug, show Clara a great time, and just generally seize the week that we’re here.

This Monday Flower

So we’ll return to our regularly scheduled home improvement programming next Monday and will just be popping in every once in a while until then (so please forgive us if we’re not actively answering comments). We can’t wait to come back refreshed, inspired, and ready to tackle everything from the cork floors in the kitchen to the three untouched bathrooms, the walk-out deck we want to build, our big carport-to-garage conversion, the crown molding and wainscoting we’re planning to add, a complete sunroom makeover, a total playroom makeover, and all of the other major projects mentioned at the bottom of this post that we chatter endlessly about when we lay in bed at night (yes, even here in Maui).

This Monday Ocean

Oh and since Clara’s here with us we’ll have to share all the how-she-traveled and how-she-adjusted-to-the-time-difference details soon (maybe next week on Young House Life). Due to quarantine regulations, we couldn’t bring Burger, which is why he’s at home snuggled up to our house sitters (we have some friends and family members who are taking turns moving in to hang with him the whole time we’re gone). You know we call him and talk through the phone at least twice a day though, right? Heck, maybe he can somehow inspire our house guests to lay some cork flooring while they’re there (he’s a pretty persuasive chihuahua). Here’s hoping!

To any Maui natives or fellow vacationers: you better say hi if you see us out doing the whole dorky tourist thing! Just look for the girl whose legs are so pasty white that they actually look blue and there I’ll be.

This Monday Legs

And yes, my skirt is twisted about three inches too far to the right. I can’t be the only one who fights skirt-spin, can I?

Comments

  2. Lesley L says

    Wow! You guys so deserve this! I stayed at the Four Seasons in Wailea when I graduated from college. Wonderful place. You do need to check out Mama’s Fish House in Paia! Awesome food! Have a wonderful time!

    Reply

  4. Sara says

    Have fun guys! Will have a hard time staying away from YHL for a week but can’t wait to see the most adorable family having fun in HI. Hope Burger doesn’t miss you guys too much.

    Reply

  5. Emily@Decorchick says

    Sherry we just got back from Maui about 2 weeks ago! I blogged about it too–oh gosh I miss it. But anyway, I’m begging y’all to please go eat at the Gazebo restaurant. It’s a little hut in Napili right on the beach. The wait will be long, but if you go around 12;30 the line slows down a lot. But they have THE best macadamia nut pancakes and fried rice you’ll ever eat. We will go back to Maui just for this restaurant. But if you want to go for breakfast, the wait in line is definitely worth it.

    And if y’all do the Road to Hana, I hope y’all still come back married. haha. Just turn around once you get to Hana and go home that way. DO NOT go home the back way! Torture for me, but my husband loved it. :)

    Have fun in paradise. Aloha!

    Reply

  7. Karen says

    Have a wonderful vacation! I’m sure it’ll be full of wonderful photos and memories. You deserve it so, so much.

    My husband and I are going to Maui in less than 2 weeks, and I am beyond excited. I think that I’m even more excited after having read through all these comments. so I’ve been making a list of everyone’s recommendations. Thanks, folks!! Love this blog, love the bloggers, and love the readers! :)

    Reply

  8. Trish says

    ENJOY!!!! Just got back from 2 weeks in Hawaii. Maui and Kauai were my favorites. If you are in the Lahaina area – try checking out Bamboo Fresh. All locally sourced organic foods. They may be changing locations but offer take out. It’s a start up a friend is working on! Tell Michelle – Keith and Trish from Jersey sent you!

    Reply

  9. diane says

    Was “mauied” in Maui 25 years ago this coming April and you couldnt pick a better place on earth to visit. However, as a so california girl I prefer the view of snow out your windows…what can I say? Aloha!

    Reply

  12. Kayla says

    Have so much fun!! I’m a teacher and I don’t know what I’d do without my one-week vacations in the middle of the school year. Please renew, relax, and refresh! I’m seriously so excited for you guys I can’t stand it :)

    Reply

  13. Laura says

    Good for you guys!! You deserve the break! You have been sooo busy with the blog, the book & Portland trip (lovely to meet you then, by the way! You two are so normal and likeable).

    My husband and I were in Maui in September, and it was one of the best vacations ever! Whaler’s Village and Lahaina are both great for eating and shopping. Make sure you try some Shave Ice too, there’s nothing like it. Also, the Maui Ocean Center (Aquarium) was super cool… I’m sure Clara would love it. They have unusual species there, and very friendly sea turtles who love to show off. Enjoy!

    Reply

  14. Stefani says

    I’m excited that y’all are taking a vacation and unplugging for a week! Seriously, after your “Day in the life of…” series during your blogiversary, I seriously don’t know how you two do it! You’re both like the Energizer Bunny!! Hope you have a blast!!

    Reply

  15. Erin @ His & Hers says

    1. Good for you! I can’t imagine going 4.5 years without taking a vacation away from work.
    2. Spinning skirt + pasty legs = my kind of outfit.
    3. CLARA’S WINTER HAT. I want one for myself. And everyone I know.

    Hope you guys have a great time!!

    Reply

  16. Stephanie N says

    Well, I’ll miss your blog this week but if anyone deserves a break from the computer it is you two! :)

    Have fun and don’t get sunburned!

    Reply

  17. Jen D. says

    So awesome! We went to Maui on our honeymoon and would love to go back. ENJOY!!!!!!

    (Also, totally jumping on the Mama’s Fish House bandwagon. Delicious food and a wonderful view.)

    Reply

  19. Rhune says

    omg, so jealous!

    Must try Hawaiian Papaya – fresh and chilled of course, none of that canned or dried stuff!

    Are you guys planning on surfing?

    Reply

  21. HeatherM says

    I’m SO PROUD of you guys! I’ve been leaving (probably rather obnoxious) comments for the last month or two saying you NEEDED and DESERVED and EARNED a vacation, and we would all still be your readers when you came back. And you DID IT! (probably not because we told you to but because you really and truly needed it). This is actually a really big step for you guys- learning the art of work-life balance. Congrats and enjoy your time off!

    Reply

  22. Randy says

    Enjoy! Highly recommend Hana Highway, Bobs Snorkel gear, and the black and red sand beaches at the end of Hana Highway! Amazing place!

    Reply

  26. Elaine says

    Hopefully y’all won’t read this anytime soon, but I had to comment! I’ve only ever commented on giveaway posts before but wanted to say I’m so glad you’re taking a break and I hope y’all have a blast. I love reading your blog and look forward to it every day. I’ll miss it this week but that’s a small price to pay for y’all to keep your sanity and keep blogging! :)

    Reply

  27. Jaz says

    Oh, wonderful!

    My dad lives on Molokai (the island you can see NW of Maui) and we were out there last winter. You can take the ferry over – might see the humpbacks on the way – and back 50 years in time. Seriously, no fancy hotels or good eats on Molokai but plenty of empty/near empty beaches to enjoy.

    Your pictures really capture the essence of Hawaii – thanks for sharing & ENJOY your stay ‘in paradise’!

    Reply

  29. Nicki Lucenti says

    Have a wonderful time. Your white legs look perfect just the way they are! Be careful of burns and tans. I had a melanoma scare- Hate to preach but I never thought it would happen to me and I don’t want it to happen to you.

    Reply

  30. Lynn says

    So you guys being on vacation now gives me license to put on my fat stretchy waistband sweatpants and catch up on your 2010 year o’ blogging. Thanks guys and have tons of fun!!! (waving emphatically like Forrest Gump on that boat)

    My best, Lynn

    Reply

  32. Sayuri says

    Welcome back from paradise! (I’m hoping that you are NOT reading your blogs until you return). I hope that you had a FABULOUS time (Maui is one of my favorite places on earth!) Try not to get depressed about returning to stateside. :)

    Reply

  33. Monika says

    Have a wonderful, warm, and most importantly, well deserved vacation.

    Looking forward to hearing all about it upon your return!

    :)

    Reply

  34. Sheena says

    I’m so excited for you guys!!! Warm weather while its snowing at home sounds perfect! I didn’t realize, however, that i would feel a sting of sadness learning about a blog break! Ha I knew I LOVED your blog, but now I’m thinking its boarderline obsessive…take a long break, I need to learn to deal with this feeling :)

    Reply

  35. Elle B says

    Drats! You are so close, but on the wrong island! We could compare pasty white legs, even though I live here, I just can’t tan. You should come visit the big island–we have snow…surely you are missing the snow, right?

    Reply

  36. Mrs.Ronso says

    Good for you!!! I hope you all enjoy your well deserved vacation.

    Way to go on the planning – combining your trip to Portland with a secret getaway.

    Can’t wait to hear all about your adventures when you get back.

    Reply

  37. Amanda K says

    Loved loved loved Maui, you’ll discover a week is not nearly long enough! We went there last year and the whales were amazeballs. Also if walking along front street in Lahaina stop by Ulu Lanis Shave Ice, it really is just the best!!

    Reply

  38. Kari says

    I think the universe is telling me that I need to take a vacation to Hawaii–this is the 5th or 6th time it has crossed my path, I even looked up airline flights last week.

    Good on ya for taking a full-fledged vacation! Have a great time.

    Reply

  40. Leilani says

    Aloha from Oahu! You should take an inter island trip over here, I could use some design advice on our upcoming home renovation :). Enjoy your vacation!

    Reply

  42. LindseyR says

    I didn’t even want to comment, don’t want you to have to keep up with so many comments while you are in paradise!! But couldn’t help myself…you guys deserve such a wonderful vacation and time away together as a family! Enjoy!

    Reply

  48. Callie says

    It looks like y’all are in Lahaina from one of the pics above! If you get a chance, you should go check out the Banyan tree in Old Lahaina. It’s really amazing!

    Reply

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