I can't believe how both how short and long it has been. Exactly a year ago, we were in Joshua Tree for our third time, making an offer on Cactus Mountain. It has been such a crazy year, with such humongous changes - both in our lives and in our environment.

I remember when we started working on Cactus Mountain, I felt like it would never be done. And yet, we managed to finish it in a period of just under 8 months. Our whole desert experience has kind of felt like that - on one hand, I can't imaging life before having this place be such a huge part of my life. On the other hand, I really feel like we've just begun - and I'm starting to feel a little impatient about the next steps!

There's a lot we've acclimated to, and relatively quickly as well. Living with fewer luxuries within a 10 mile radius (although it only takes 30 min for us to access almost anything), the dry air, and definitely the heat. This time last year, there's no way you would have caught me in longish pants or anything but a tank top. But this year, I'm totally fine with it - so far (ask me again in 3 weeks)!

Other things we've learned this year: To stop what we're doing and appreciate what is around us, to treasure the sunsets as a special, almost holy sacred of each day, that getting up in time to see the sunrise is indeed totally worth it, and to line dry everything (the Buckminster House came with no dryer and we're embracing it fully - can't get more energy efficient!).

I can't wait to see what this summer holds in store for us. Hopefully, I should get to start sharing more about our next project, which we'll take our time with a bit more - but that doesn't mean I can wait to talk about it much longer! ;)

xx,

Tienlyn

TOP / RACHEL COMEY JEANS / OLIVEVE BAG / EUGENIA KIM HAT (now on SALE) / SHOES / WATCH / BRACELET

Photos by Nikko DeTranquilli

THE REAL SUMMER