Saturday Meanderings

Happy Saturday, friends! Not posting for the last three weeks has been such an unusual feeling! I had every intention of writing while traveling, but between some rather uncooperative electric adaptors and sketchy internet connections, as you know, nothing made it to the blog. With a promise to catch you up on the details of our trip in the coming weeks, I have plenty to share. But for now, I’m simply happy to be back here with you for our Saturday chat.

Thank you for being here after my little vacation break. I’ve missed our weekly conversations and am excited to jump back in and share what’s been happening. So, grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s get started with this week’s Saturday Meanderings!

A Little Background on Our Adventure

It’s been many years since Scott and I took an extended vacation with just the two of us. Between a big wedding anniversary and my milestone 7-0 birthday, neither of which we formally celebrated, we decided to roll all the festivities into one grand adventure! Quite honestly, I so enjoy traveling with our family that a trip with just us felt a little out of the ordinary and special.

Our adventure began in Venice, a city that holds wonderful memories from past travels. After spending a few days there, we boarded a cruise ship and made our way down the Adriatic Sea, exploring ports in Slovenia, Croatia, Montenegro before continuing onto Sorrento and Rome. We wrapped up our travels with a few days in Rome before making the long journey home to Phoenix.

I’ll share all the details, favorite stops, and travel highlights in a future post, but this trip gave me so much more to think about than just the places we visited. Along the way, I found myself reflecting on a few things that surprised me, challenged me, and perhaps even changed my perspective a bit. So here our some of my insights from our adventure.

Some Revelations from our Trip

1. I may becoming a creature of habit.

As I get older, I find myself taking comfort in routine. There is something wonderfully reassuring about familiar surroundings, knowing where everything is, and settling into the rhythms of everyday life. But I have to wonder…is that necessarily a good thing?

When I was younger, I felt the magic of wanderlust. I was spontaneous, always ready for a new adventure, and filled with excitement at the thought of discovering a new destination. The unfamiliar was part of the thrill, and I love the anticipation of seeing and experiencing something new.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have traveled extensively for work and to have exposed our children to so many wonderful places and experiences. Travel has always been an important part of our lives. Yet, somewhere along the way, something seems to have shifted. Don’t get me wrong. This trip had an incredible itinerary and took us to places I had only read about. We weren’t roughing it by any stretch of the imagination! And yet, I found myself missing Finn, my chickens, and perhaps, the very comfortable pillows on my bed.

Apparently, a beautiful hotel room can only compete with Bella Terra for so long. I think a small part of me was still back home. Well, perhaps not an entire foot, but definitely a few toes.

I’m trying to understand this shift. Is it simply that, after years of building a home and a life I truly love, being away from it has become harder? Is it that I appreciate the comforts of home more deeply now? Or have I become so accustomed to my routines that stepping outside of them feels less exciting and more exhausting? Maybe it’s a little of all three.

I don’t want to lose my curiosity or my willingness to explore the world. There is still so much I want to see and experience. But perhaps the definition of adventure changes as we get older. Maybe it’s no longer about constantly chasing the next new destination, but about finding a balance between exploring the world and appreciating the life we’ve created.

I also think the process of traveling has changed over the years, and not always for the better. The necessary airport security measures, long lines, endless waiting, delayed or cancelled flights, lack of customer service can sometimes feel exhausting even before the adventure begins. Once you get there, it’s all about navigating crowded streets alongside large tour groups, all trying to see the same sights at the same time. But I have to admit that the crowds and the constant hustle can take a little joy out of exploring.

I’m not sure I have the answer just yet. But I do know that I’m not quite ready to trade my wanderlust for a permanent place on the sofa! And I’m curious…Have you found yourself feeling differently about travel as you’ve gotten older? Do you still crave the adventure, or have the comforts of home become a little harder to leave behind.

2. I need to slow down

If there is one thing that trip reminded me of, it is that I need to slow down. And I mean, really slow down. I am a person who multitasks in my head. Even when I’m sitting still, the wheels are constantly spinning. I’m thinking about new solutions, dreaming up creative ideas, making mental lists, or pondering something that may or may not need pondering. My mind rarely seems to have an off switch. There is always a certain amount of noise happening between my ears!

So, on this trip, I made a conscious effort to move through life at a slower pace. I tried to slow down everything, from eating to walking (although my husband might disagree with that last one), to simply savoring a sip of wine or taking the time to appreciate a new cocktail concoction. And you know what? It was NICE.

We sat down to meals in some truly lovely places, without a television blaring in the background or other distractions competing for our attention. We could enjoy the food, the conversation, the atmosphere, and the simple pleasure of being there. There was no need to rush off to the next thing or mentally organize what needed to happen afterward. For once, I could just sit, look around, and enjoy the moment.

Even when I’m doing something I love, whether it’s working in the garden, preparing a meal, decorating a room, or planning a gathering, my mind is usually three steps ahead. I’m thinking about what comes next before I’ve even finished what I’m doing now. There is always another project, another idea, or something that could be done just a little better.

But why? Why do I rush through the very life I’ve worked so hard to create? Bella Terra is a place I love. I have a wonderful family, a home that brings me joy, and so many things to be grateful for. Yet sometimes I move through my days as though I’m racing toward a finish line, rather than enjoying the life happening right in front of me.

Perhaps slowing down isn’t about doing less. Maybe it’s about being more intentional and giving myself permission to enjoy it without immediately moving on to the next thing. I’m not sure I can quiet all that mental chatter overnight, but this trip gave me a glimpse of what it feels like to turn down the volume. And I rather liked it! Now the challenge is to bring a little of that slower pace home with me.

Tell me, are you someone who can comfortably sit and enjoy the moment, or does your mind constantly race ahead to the next thing on your to-d0 list? I’d love to know I’m not alone in this!

3. Take time to truly connect

One of the wonderful surprises from our trip was the reminder to take the time to truly connect with the people who contribute to our travel experiences. My husband is particularly good at this. Wherever we go, he makes a point of asking someone’s name, where they are from, or how long they have worked at their job. He has a way of looking beyond the role someone is performing and getting to know the person behind it. Whether it’s a server, a barista, a housekeeper, or a tour guide, he recognizes there is a real person there, not simply someone providing a service.

Nearly every person we encountered on this trip contributed to our wonderful memories and experiences. I honestly cannot think of anyone who was nasty or disrespectful. Well, perhaps the bartender in Venice, but she appeared to be having a bad day, and we all have those!

Sometimes, I think we forget the person bringing us an extra set of towels, driving our bus, serving our dinner, or making our morning coffee has a life beyond their job. They have families, responsibilities, worries, hopes and challenges, just as we do. They may be having a wonderful day or struggling through a difficult one, yet they show up and do their best to make our experience a little better.

And then there was our barista, Faul. Each and every morning, he prepared the most delicious and beautifully presented coffee drinks for us. They weren’t just cups of coffee; they were little works of art, delivered with a smile and a kind word. He remembered us, welcomed us, and made our mornings feel special. Somewhere along the way, this lovely young man touched my soul. There was a warmth and sincerity about him that made me feel as though I had made a new friend, even though our time together was brief. But I hope to stay in contact with him as he made our trip extra special. Isn’t that one of the wonderful things about traveling?

We are all just people, navigating our own lives, doing the best we can. And what a difference it makes when we take the time to see one another.

So, wherever your travels take you, remember to look beyond the role and connect with the person. You never know when a brief encounter might become one of your favorite memories.

A Travel Wardrobe Favorite

A few weeks ago, I shared my purchase of the super-soft, comfortable Timeless crew neck t-shirts from Banana Republic Factory. Well, after putting them to the test on our recent trip, I can confidently say they deserve another mention!

I packed a few of the long-sleeve versions, and they were wonderful travel companions. They pack beautifully, can be easily washed in a hotel sinks, and dry without too much fuss. But what I love most is their versatility.

I’m a light packer, so finding pieces that can be worn multiple ways is always a win. These tees look just as good with leggings for a day of sightseeing as they do with jeans or a skirt. Add a scarf, some pretty jewelry, or a different pair of shoes, and you can easily dress one up for dinner. Fewer items in the suitcase, more outfit possibilities.

And did I mention how soft they are? They have a flattering fit through the shoulders without clinging to the waist, which is another reason I love them. If you are looking for an affordable, comfortable, and versatile basic for your wardrobe, especially if you have some travel coming up, these are worth a look. Banana Republic Factory frequently offers promotions, so the prices can be especially appealing.

Here’s the link to these t-shirts. This is one of those purchases that has earned its place in my suitcase and everyday wardrobe. And those are always my favorite kinds of recommendations to share!

Well, we arrived back in Phoenix at 4:00 a.m. yesterday, bleary-eyed after very long and delayed flights. We had just enough time at home to unpack and tackle laundry before heading back to the airport this morning for a wedding in California. Whew! After all this traveling, I have a feeling I’ll be more than ready to stay home for a while.

But I must say, seeing Finn again and spending even a little time with my chickens has put me right back in my happy place. There’s just something about coming home to the familiar faces, furry friends and everyday comforts we love.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. May it be a slow and relaxing one, with a little time to savor the simple pleasures. Stay safe, wherever your own adventures may take you, and I’ll see you back here next Saturday!