Since we always share our road-trip adventures with the Bowers (like this one, this one, and this one), here’s a long-overdue recap of our most recent visit — full of kid-friendly fun, antiquing and crafting, and even a little luxurious mom time (plus a sweet gift idea). Let’s jump right in.
For anyone hoping to see us doing thrilling things like cutting wood and firing a nail gun: those projects are happening right now. We’ve kicked off a big board-and-batten project and are hoping to have the nail holes filled, primed, and painted — along with the hallway walls — by next Wednesday. We’re busy, excited, and can’t wait to share the progress.
One night around 11pm Katie and I got the itch to craft instead of sitting on the sofa. We raided the house for supplies and quickly cobbled together a little project using two old terracotta pots, faux-wood wrapping paper, pom-pom fringe, and craft paint. We painted the interiors and the lips — Katie chose red and I went with a soft blue — then measured and cut the faux-wood paper into a curved C-shaped sleeve to wrap around the tapered base of each pot. After fitting the paper, we used Mod Podge on the pot, smoothed the paper in place, and sealed the top with another layer for durability.
Two countertop pots later: perfect for pencils, keys, or loose change. We planned to add pom-pom fringe along the lip (pink on mine, blue on Katie’s) but it read a touch too over-the-top, so we ditched it — for now. I did pick up a remnant of pom-pom trim at JoAnn to use on a future project, so expect more pom-pom shenanigans soon.
Our visit wasn’t all Mod Podge and paint. Katie and I have a special bond from being pregnant together with Clara and Will, so we love outings where our kids can run and play. We enjoyed playground and backyard time and spent a morning at Imagine It, a children’s museum in downtown Atlanta. Clara and Will had a blast exploring trains, water, sand, and a big play kitchen — I swear Will was frying strawberries while Clara microwaved cereal.
During a miraculous simultaneous nap (all three kids asleep), Katie and I squeezed in a pedicure and a Starbucks run — a rare treat for two busy moms that made us feel like queens for an afternoon.
We also went antiquing. Katie took most of the photos, so I’ll just list my finds: two wooden doll chairs (too big for the dollhouse but perfect for Clara’s bigger dolls), an old metal moose hook (you know I love a good moose), and a small red wagon for Clara’s dollhouse with wheels that turn. The prices were reasonable — about $4 for both chairs, $3 for the moose hook, and $3 for the wagon — so ten dollars got us some charming pieces that fit right into the house.
The moose hook found a home in the hall bathroom, where we’ve needed a towel hook near Clara’s bathing area. It pairs perfectly with an old metal horse I repurposed as a towel holder, which made me ridiculously happy. The doll chairs cleaned up nicely with soap and water, so I left them as-is instead of painting them. Don’t mind the oversized clown pants on one of the dolls — Clara likes to mix and match outfits.
The red wagon may be my favorite find. The next morning I discovered Clara had staged a hilarious scene: two plastic pigs in the wagon, one “pulling” the other, watched by two dressed pigs named Olivia and Olivia’s dad. It wasn’t staged — she really did that — and it was pure kid logic and joy.
We spent lots of time eating, chatting about blog life and ordinary life, and watching our kids play in the house and yard. It was an ideal long weekend. We also made a little video and took tons of adorable kid photos while we were there.
On Monday we published the morning post and began the eight-hour drive home, approving comments as we went. Clara even treated us to an epic nap on the road, which made the drive much more pleasant.
It’s hard to believe Katie and I have been friends for nearly four years. We met before either of us had kids and used to travel, go out for late sushi, and generally be carefree. Now we collectively have three kids under three — everything has changed, but in the very best way.
One thoughtful surprise capped the trip: the morning after our last book signing I found a gift box outside the guest room. Katie had left a handwritten note celebrating the end of the tour and wishing us a calm, fulfilling new season — and she labeled each gift inside with a matching sentiment. The chocolates were “sweet and refreshing,” the notebook represented “a fresh new start,” and the mug and herbal tea were “soothing and calm.” It was perfectly timed and exactly what I needed after months of living out of a suitcase.
Huge thanks to the Bowers for hosting and for being wonderful friends. John and Jeremy even caught a movie together while Katie and I stayed home with the kids — a small thing that made us all grin. We love that our partners get along so well; it makes planning future visits feel effortless. What road trips have you taken lately? Have you received a gift so thoughtful it begged to be shared? And are you crafting or antiquing this season? We’d love to hear.
Psst — Clara’s getting funnier by the day. Hear her take on everything from baby naming to wheeling away from a yogurt raisin over on Young House Love.