3 years

 I haven’t written here in exactly a year. To be honest, without my biggest fan, it has been hard to find the motivation. Plus, life has felt so complex…beauty, sorrow, happiness, and grief all blurred together for the last few years. But, I really do miss blogging. It has always been such a gift to myself to document life and feel the connection with each of you.

Photo by Zack: 3/28/24

So in honor of this sacred anniversary, in honor of Mom, I am committed to beginning again.

To that end, I have to share this video that has meant so much to me. Out of all the things I’ve come across, this message resonates and comforts me the most.

https://youtube.com/shorts/OdsSMtnsuxQ?si=eFEXZvXMV2DcQ1x_

“So many of our favorite parts of ourself happen when we’re trying to be closer to our favorite people. And I feel close to my mom when I’m doing @#%! I want to tell her about. And I do a lot of things because I want to tell her about it.”~JP Saxe

Gail Ann Murchison Beck

8/21/43-4/1/21

❤❤❤

Missing Mom

I can't believe its been two years since we said goodbye to Mom.

While I carry her in my heart, I miss her every single day. 

There is so much I want share with her. 

And I do share in the new way, the only way I can.

But, I want her here in body to hug and touch and laugh... 

to plan our next trips to see each other... 

and to talk endlessly like we did just about every day of my life.

How much I have to miss!

Han and I started the day by rewatching the slideshow I made in honor of her. I love seeing her in these photos...always so proud of my beautiful mom and so thankful that we were such an integral part of each other's lives. 

To watch the slideshow, click here.

Doing my best to grow around my grief like I know mom would want me, too. 

Celebrating her today, and everyday, with all my heart.

🦋🦋🦋

Finn

 I’m so behind on my blog (which I’ve been missing!) but need to jump in and announce our newest family member. Introducing…..

❤️Finn Kuijper❤️

After much thought we decided to get a dog. After a lifetime of having rescue dogs who we’ve loved so much, this time we decided to adopt an “Australian Labradoodle” from a very caring and reputable breeder. With as many guests as we have, we really needed to be able to count on his temperament and we feel so lucky to have been matched up with this little sweet pea.

He was born on December 20th, 2022….

….to Manou (mother) and Kayan (father), along with three brothers and one sister.

When they were 7 weeks old, we were able to visit for “Knuffel Dag” (cuddle day) 

where we could meet them in person and let the breeder know our top 3 choices.

 It was impossible to pick. They were each so sweet. 

We knew there couldn’t be a wrong choice. A few days later we were told that we were matched with “Gruen” (green)-the smallest of the litter-who captured our hearts with his fiestiness (that you can see in this video as he jumped over his siblings to bite on my coat).

And the next Saturday (2/11), we were able to pick him up and bring him home! 

In the two weeks since, we’ve been fully immersed in all things puppy.

 It really is like having a newborn with all the sweetness and intensity that involves! 

When he is full grown he will still be small (15-16”/15-20lbs), and we know he will be a great motivator to get us out there for walks, rain or shine. He’s already helping me connect more with locals who want to stop and meet him, giving me a chance to really work on my Dutch conversation skills! 

Everyone stops us to say, “Wat een schatje!’ (What a sweetie!). It’s really fun to share the puppy love.

We think he will be a great mascot for the Mill, welcoming guests from near and far to feel more at home and grounded while they’re here.

 He’s already doing that for me in so many ways.

So welcome to the world, Finn!

We can’t wait to introduce those of you reading this to him when you visit!

❤️🐾❤️🐾❤️

Island Hopping in Croatia

After leaving Dubrovnik, we took a two hour catamaran ride to the island of Korcula. It felt like a mini-Dubrovnik, utterly picturesque, full of beauty, and so much history.

Our next stop was about an hour away by catamaran: the island of Hvar.

Each island had a distinct energy and personality.

We loved hiking up to the Spanish Fortress (construction began in 1278!) 

and taking a water taxi to the island of Jerolim (which can be seen in the above photo).

We loved this special spot!

After three nights in Hvar, we took the catamaran an hour away for six nights on the island of Brac. We stayed in a tiny little town on a bay that was just beautiful.

We rented a boat for a day and had fun exploring! 

Such a very special place!

And for our last night, we ferried over to the city of Split (and flew home from here). Another breathtaking city full of mind blowing history. We stayed steps away from Docletian's Palace (built in AD 305!!!). 

It felt so remarkable that this isn't one big museum behind ropes and glass but instead a place where people live, work, eat and get their hair cut (like Han did with a local barber):

How lucky we feel to have been able to experience so much beauty in Croatia!

To see all of our favorite photos from the trip, you can check out our Croatia album on Flickr.