With the equinox less than two weeks away, spring is in the air, quite literally. It smells of change, a watery freshness that has beckoned the migrating birds, the slumbering bears, the silent buds. The ground was speckled with an ethereal frosting of something this morning—teensy hail? powdery snow?—that's already dissipating as I write this. The first sign of the new season, fragile yet hardy snowdrops, have popped up beneath the river birch. I leave for Hawaii on Sunday. With a couple of posts in the hopper, the blog won't be completely silent this week, but travelogues won't post until my return. This is a vacation, and vacation I will.

In anticipation of all there is to do on Hawaii's Big Island, I'm packing binoculars (birds), flashlight (caves), hiking boots (volcanoes), bathing suit (black sand beaches), mosquito repellent (rainforest) and Euell Gibbon's Beachcombers Guide (foraging). It should be an action-packed 10 days.In the meantime, I've compiled a few links for you; some inspiration, a little food for thought. May you be transported!This new online travel magazine looks promisingA great way to know what to read nextStart planning your gardenI'm obsessed with these pillowsI hear this will put some hair on your chestThese look ideal for getting organizedSome unusual combinations for excellent breakfasts or snacksA sustainable resource reinvented for the 21st century......though I'm loving the book backlashSome adorable things on sale here, perfect for springxoxo