Hello and happy Monday! I just returned from a blissful trip to San Miguel de Allende, and while the travel bug in me is still buzzing, I have to admit—it feels so good to be home. As much as I thrive on adventure and love exploring new places, there’s something deeply grounding about returning to the everyday comforts that make our house feel like, well, our place.
While sipping my morning coffee today, I found myself reflecting on what makes home so special, and why those small comforts mean even more after time away. Here are a few of the things I missed most while traveling—and the little joys that keep me anchored whenever homesickness strikes.
1. The Pets (and Their Personalities)
Our household is anything but quiet thanks to our pack: three dogs and one cat, each with quirks that keep life endlessly entertaining.
- Melanie, our three-year-old chihuahua/rat terrier/dachshund mix (we’re still not exactly sure), is uncannily smart. I’m fairly certain she could learn to drive if given the chance.
- Stella, our nine-year-old German Shorthair Pointer, takes her role as toy guardian and sous-chef very seriously. She always manages to be underfoot in the kitchen at precisely the right (or wrong) moment.
- Jimmy, the sweet little soul of the group, brings his own kind of quiet balance to the pack.
- And then there’s Winston the cat—the self-appointed villain of the house. His ongoing “assassination attempts” (on both humans and dogs) are equal parts maddening and hilarious. I’ll admit, I missed his schemes more than I expected!
While away, I found myself binging on pet Instagram accounts to fill the void. Steve’s account (he lives with eight dogs and a pig named Bikini) felt like pure comfort food for my animal-loving heart. I also adore Susie’s Senior Dogs, though those sweet rescue stories have a way of tugging on my tear ducts.
2. The People Who Make Home, Home
Homesickness, I’ve realized, has little to do with four walls and a roof. It’s really about missing the people who fill that space with love and laughter. My boyfriend, my family, and our friends are the soul of “home” for me. Traveling is wonderful, but being apart reminds me just how lucky I am to have people I’m excited to come back to.
Thank goodness for FaceTime, which makes distance feel shorter. Now if only someone could invent a way for the dogs to send text messages… imagine the chaos.
3. The Kitchen (and the Meals We Create Together)
Food is one of the biggest things I crave while traveling—not just the meals themselves, but the ritual of cooking at home. Our kitchen is always bustling, with dogs circling underfoot as we dodge tails and paws while chopping vegetables. It’s chaotic, but in the coziest way.
This week, I’ve got a few dishes on my “must-try” list: kung-pao chickpeas for something spicy and bold, and a roasted garlic soufflé (yes, I’ve become mildly obsessed with soufflés lately). But tonight? Tonight feels like a snack-dinner night. For us, that usually means a spread of cheeses, meats, and veggie sides.
I’m already dreaming of creamy St. André cheese (which, fun fact, is 75% butterfat—basically the most indulgent thing you can spread on a baguette), paired with crisp pear slices. Add a side of garlicky sautéed asparagus, and I’ll call that the perfect “welcome home” meal.
Coming Home, Appreciating More
Travel fills my soul with stories, colors, and memories I wouldn’t trade for anything—but coming home always teaches me how much joy lives in the everyday. A mischievous cat, a chorus of dogs, the clatter of pots in the kitchen, and the people I love most in the world—that’s the magic.
Sometimes it takes a little homesickness to remind us that home isn’t just a place. It’s the rhythm of life with the ones (and the pets) who make it uniquely ours.
