There’s always a bit of nervousness when introducing someone new to the Island, because it’s so very close to my heart and my family’s heart. It’s a different sort of place, and it’s not right for everyone, which makes it all the more rewarding when the guests that do come understand that uniqueness, and love it, too. Last week I had the joy of making one of the most special Island introductions ever, to my daughter. The week wasn’t perfect — it didn’t have to be. That wasn’t the goal. I just wanted her to love it in her own way, and despite a nasty cold and only being six months old, I think she did :) Swinging at the playground, riding in the boat, taking walks, meeting family (SO MUCH FAMILY), singing songs, grinning at her big cousin Tegan, taking a million baths to try to loosen the snot (ha!), reading books, rolling around on the grass, getting cuddled by everyone… it was a good week. The neat thing is that since we usually only go to Maine once a year, our experience with June next year will be quite different! She’ll be walking and talking and eating solid food! My parents made sure that I got the chance to go to this Island every year of my life, and I hope to do the same for June. I can only hope she gets as much joy, peace, and character formation out of it as I have. I can’t wait for all the adventures in store at our special place :) Up next: a few tips from our epic road trip! P.S. Maine 2015 and a little Maine film

The nice thing about going back to the same place every year is that even though it’s your favorite place in the world, it’s okay when you leave… because you know you’ll be back. I’ll be back next year, and the year after that, and the year after that — and that is a huge blessing. Here are a few favorite photos from our 2015 week in Maine! I have to say, after hanging out with my niece for the week, 18 months seems like a GREAT age. Like, actually legitimately fun. I think she learned 100 new words in the ten days we were together! Have a wonderful weekend, friends!!

August has NOT been business as usual, my friends. I feel a bit like I haven’t touched my computer since I finally got our home tour posted (that’s not actually at all true, but it feels like it!). We were in Maine for ten days, and then I was at a work retreat for the past three days. And on Monday I leave for a quick two-day trip! And then a week from today we’re going to Asheville for the long weekend!! All completely wonderful things, but they sure don’t leave a lot of time for typing in between. And there are so many things I would love to chat about! Maine with my family was just the best. The eight of us only get to be all together 1-2 times a year, sadly, so we make it count when we do. Board and card games galore, big family dinners every night with appetizer hour on the porch before, rainy days and open ocean, jumping off the wharf, walks every day, tennis, berry picking, boat rides, playing with our little niece, sailing, visits with friends… except for when I do things like get married, going to that tiny island is the best part of my year, every year. It’s the best place on earth. I thought I’d ease back in with a little decor update, because even though I just posted a home tour, things are always evolving in the Thomas household! We’ve been looking for a long, low banquette for our guest room (the Magnolia Room, as one of you deemed it) for quite awhile now. When a photographer I follow posted a photo of a piece she was selling, my email to her was out the door in about two minutes flat. Didn’t it look adorable in their

Goodness gracious, it’s been more than two weeks since my last post. I don’t like to comment on that sort of thing, because I try not to set up expectations for myself about how often I post, BUT, since I have been gone so long, I thought I’d do a quick update on what we’ve been up to. The day after I wrote my August goals post we flew to New England for ten days. We spent the first evening with two dear friends from college in Somerville, and the next morning we took a long walk around their neighborhood. We even saw my parents’ first apartment — in an old schoolhouse! That evening we joined many more friends from college at the wedding of another alumna. I was horribly, horribly homesick my first year of school, and Laura is the first person who made me feel at home at Wheaton. I am forever grateful to her and was so happy we could be there to celebrate with her and her new husband! An early teaser from their photographer, Tyra Bleek: As you can see, they had beautiful weather, and that turned out to be a theme of our trip, thankfully! We spent the next week in Maine, and enjoyed some of the most perfect conditions imaginable. Lots of tennis, walks, good food, games, and one very special visit from our friends Meredith and Michael. A highlight of our trip for sure! You can see their recap here. A few more of our snaps from the week: Yes, that’s a gigantic double rainbow! Since coming home we’ve hosted our small group for dinner, went out for a big dinner with my team at work, and tonight is our adventure dinner party! (Fingers crossed — the weather is still looking a