In My Haven: July 2022
This July in my haven I'm thinking about traveling. We just hit the road for a short family vacation, but my family also has plans to visit family this summer and be tourists in our own city. In this month's journal I'll share my favorite and least favorite aspects of traveling. Also, I have some items from the Haven Handmade shop that can be great to have when traveling. Finally, I'll share links to some travel-related DIYs, recipes, and book recommendations. I hope you find something useful or inspiring here! (If you do, please let me know what it was in the comments.)
My Thoughts: What I don't love about traveling and what I do
In the Haven Handmade Shop: Terrific for travel
Make it Yourself: Crafts that travel well
In the Kitchen: Travel snacks
To Read: Stories to transport you
What I Don’t Love About Travel and What I Do
As a homebody, I have to confess that I don't love everything about traveling. For example, I get tired of eating in restaurants after a few days and long to shop for groceries and prepare a healthy meal myself. Another thing I don't really love about travel is sharing a different bathroom. While most people tend to mention being happy to be back and sleep in their own bed after traveling, I am always happy to take a shower in my own bathroom again. Finally, I don't have a very good innate sense of direction, so I can easily get turned around in an unfamiliar place. Always having to look up directions can get tiring since I'm usually not at our destination long enough to learn the lay of the land.
Even though I don't love everything about traveling, there are more than enough positives to outweigh a few negatives. I think that traveling, at its best, can be relaxing, educational, and bonding. There is no doubt that going on a trip can make one feel more at ease or provide opportunities for learning about other places, perspectives, and practices. While I, like most people, greatly enjoy these aspects of traveling, I don't think there is much I can say to add to that discussion. However, I do want to say a little about how travel can deepen relationships and be a source of bonding.
When I'm in a new city on vacation with my family, I am naturally going to have memorable experiences. That’s kind of the point, right? The fact that my family members have those same memories bonds us together. One could argue that you don't have to travel for this bonding experience to happen, and they wouldn't be wrong. However, the fact that I am out of my normal routine when I travel, makes these memories stand out more. Further, every time I think back on that trip, I feel that link to my family members strengthen once again simply by remembering what we did together. This chance to create new memories together and deepen our relationships with one another is what makes travel well worth any little discomforts.
Terrific for Travel
The Haven Handmade shop is a great place to find items that are terrific when it's time to hit the road or the skies!
Travel Drawing Set
A travel drawing set is perfect for doodling in the car, on the plane, or at a restaurant. It can also function as a journal for recording memories of your travels. Perhaps I could make you one that is perfectly suited to your destination?
Mini Travel Drawing Set
I took my best-selling travel drawing set and shrunk it down to fit the needs of mini-travelers. Just like the regular sized drawing sets, they come pre-loaded with everything a young artist-on-the-go needs in a compact, organized case that is just as cute as they are! They look great with my adorable animal face appliqués.
Bottle Tote
Maybe your travels are taking you to visit the homes of friends or family? Don’t arrive empty-handed! A bottle tote along with some sort of tasty libation makes a thoughtful and useful gift to give your hosts.
Crafts that Travel Well
What do you like to do while you are in-transit in the car or on a plane? I'm often content to read or listen to a podcast, but sometimes I need something to keep my hands busy and use my creativity. Here are three ideas for portable crafts that can be taken along on a trip. Bonus: They can be enjoyed by young crafters as easily as more seasoned makers.
Felt Stuffed Animals: This tutorial shows how to make a felt koala softie, but sewing up any animal out of felt would be a great project to take on the go. My recommendation would be to cut out the felt shapes before the trip, then you can just relax and stitch on the way.
Knitting Loom Projects: Using a knitting loom is quite easy to learn and there are a variety of sizes and projects that can be made on one. With just a skein of yard and a simple loom, you can make something beautiful that reminds you of your travels!
Cross Stitch Projects: Embroidery of any type is a fairly portable craft, but I think that cross stitch might be the easiest for beginners and children. This link shares some resources for kids to start cross stitching, however I personally think that numbers 1 and 6 are pretty adorable.
Travel Snacks
It’s always a good idea to bring snacks along when you're traveling, especially when you're traveling with kids. Here are a few of our favorites that help us keep up our energy on the road and are easy to pack.
Trail Mix: Joanna affectionately calls trail mix a “mix up". We usually make our own with whatever ingredients we are in the mood for instead of buying pre-made mixes. Our favorite combination includes almonds, dried cranberries, chocolate chips or m & m’s, peanuts and pretzels. What do you like in your trail mix?
Tortilla Roll Ups: Spread or layer your favorite sandwich fillings on a tortilla and roll it up in a spiral to make a tortilla roll up. We like these because they are easy to prep ahead of time and can make either a filling snack or a light meal. Peanut butter and jelly is Joanna’s go-to filling of choice (and works great if you won't be able to keep them cold). I like some hummus and veggies in mine. Breakfast-y fillings like scrambled eggs, cheese, and sausage are really good too.
Double Chocolate Banana Muffins: I like to make a batch of muffins before we travel because they make a great snack, dessert or breakfast. Banana is definitely the muffin flavor we make most often. I have a few different recipes I use, depending on how many bananas I have and whether I have sourdough starter discard to use. However, this one is the one I make when I want something that's more of a treat.
Stories to Transport You
If you've got the travel bug and can't actually go anywhere, the next best thing is to pick up a book, right? When I want to read a story that really takes me away from my usual life, I choose fantasy. Below are a few of my favorites. (They would be doubly appropriate to read while traveling too.) Let me know if you've read any of these and share any of your own recommendations in the comments!
Marvel’s Oz Comic Series: Peter got me hooked on this comic book series because it's a classic fantasy story paired with delightful artwork. I read the first one years ago, possibly before Joanna was even born, but since then I've read and reread the whole series with her.
A Winter's Promise: I've only read the first one in this series so far, but I really want to read the others. I recommend checking this series out because the main character, Ophelia, is intriguing and unique. Her powers give her special insight and her personality is not what you usually expect from the protagonist of a fantasy novel.
Shades of Magic Series: It's been a few years since I read this series, but now that I'm thinking about it, I want to read it again. Is there any higher endorsement of a book than wanting to reread it? The worlds created in this series are so well conceived and the characters are so dynamic.
Whether you are traveling halfway around the world or just around your own neighborhood, I hope this is a good month for you!
From my haven to yours,
Beth
Disclosure: The links in this post are not affiliate links. I do not receive any compensation for the recommendations I make in my journal. It's just a place where I can write about what I like and think you might too.
