30th Anniversary = Diamonds (Modern)
We found some in Mexico!
Water sparkling like diamonds.
Diamonds in architectural elements.
We even walked on diamonds.
And found a refrigerator magnet souvenir!
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30th Anniversary = Pearls (Traditional)
We weren't really looking, but found a big one in Mexico!
I like this photo of us...
...but this one shows the pearl better.
This was on the waterfront promenade in La Paz, filled with all sorts of sculpture! It was a fun stroll.
I love this shawl, and wear it most often as a scarf! It was perfect for traveling and perfect for Mexico!
I've started another for Alison in almost all the same colors -- I've switched out (and began with) another of my Make.Do hand-dyes in place of the very similar Eden Cottage, followed by the Great South Babes (which is where I am in the project right now); I'll probably follow that with the Undyed, the Celeste Polvere, then a slash of RED, and probably another Undyed (or maybe one of the bolder colors) to finish.
Or who knows!?
Details and a few more photos are on the Ravelry project page.
Did I mention that I love it?
Photos were taken by Rusty at Casa de Piedra, Las Tunas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This is the home we stayed in for our week's vacation, booked via airbnb. (You may click that link to sign up and receive a $25 credit, if you're so inclined; I'll also get a credit if/when you book or host).
This was my third airbnb experience: the first was an adorable 2BR walk-up in Glasgow, second was a cute little A-frame in Door County for a cycling weekend. I'm sure there are some not-so-great experiences, but I don't even look at a listing that doesn't have at least one recent review or have a known connection to the owner.
We stayed 7 nights in Mexico at $200 night (including all fees) -- the entire gorgeous home (inside & out) to ourselves for less than a "deluxe suite with garden view" at a nice hotel in the area -- and we had spectacular views of the ocean, the desert, the mountains, the pool, and the garden. 5 Stars!!
It was SO hard to leave...
It's never too late!
Through the magic of blogging, I know exactly when I started knitting this bag -- it was well before the dawn of Ravelry!
A WIP for 10.5 years, it's finally finished, and I couldn't be happier.
I have run across this WIP many times (whenever I'd "organize") in the past 10 years; I've ripped out or even thrown away other projects, but always spared Tasha. I really liked that project and wanted to finish... eventually! All the pieces were knit except for the strap, and I was about half-way on that piece.
This year, it's as much about what's taking up space as it is about anything else, and I didn't want this project taking up space anymore.
Also, wouldn't it be perfect for Mexico???
It slid right into the #1 spot in the rotation. I finished the knitting, washed and dried all the pieces. I did about half the sewing up at Knit Night on Thursday, the remainder on Friday evening at home.
And now I have a "new," perfect little bag to take on vacation. Just right for my wallet, sunglasses, keys. Serendipity at work.
It began with a desire to get away to someplace warm this winter. It was two years ago that I went to Brazil in January and I have not forgotten how good that felt. Good and fun and oh, so warm.
I realized that we'll be celebrating 30 years of marriage this month... how in the hell did that happen? And, it got me thinking...
The traditional and modern gifts for a 30th anniversary are pearls and diamonds. I already have a pearl in my wedding ring (from a ring that was my mother-in-law's), and I can count on about one finger the times in the past 30 years that I've wished I had a diamond. There must be another way...
"Diamond Head" came to mind and fits right in with the "experiences, not things" philosophy that I love more and more! It's unisex, one-size-fits-all, and HAWAII... so warm.
Pretty much decided on Maui, with a trip over to Oahu to visit Diamond Head, we could easily have booked an all-inclusive package and be done, but that's not how we roll 'round here. Personally, I can see the advantage of an all-inclusive resort, but it is so NOT Rusty! It wasn't coming together very well, and it was adding up!
Where else could we go?
Mexico had been on the table all along -- Rusty's especially wanted to visit Baja. Plus, it turns out that he'd already visited Maui -- the exact location I was looking at -- on his first-marriage honeymoon. And, well, NO... not this time, anyway.
VIVA MEXICO!!
We'll spend a week at Todos Santos. Flight - check! Car - check! House near the beach - check! And, man, what a nice, l-o-o-o-o-o-ng beach. Perfect.
I was able to book our flights with miles (thank you Brazil, Scotland, and L.A.), which leaves almost all of the budget for lodging and doing... though I'm leaning way toward not much. So excited.
I haven't found the "diamond" angle yet, but we'll get creative!