this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

gladsome was filled

How can words fully express the feelings that accompany a dream come true?  I am not sure they can.  But I will try to write them, and show a few pictures too.

For almost two years I'd been dreaming of planning a women's retreat.  It began with a sprinkling of ideas jotted in a notebook.  Then more ideas came at other times, other days.

A long while these remained a collection of unconnected ideas.  Thoughts for another time.  A maybe.  Until I gained the courage to say my dream aloud to a couple creative friends.  My saying it aloud garnered their enthusiasm.  Then their support and help.

Our friendship and their incredible insight fueled more serious planning.  Then ultimately I took a leap.  A huge leap.

And those jotted ideas became gladsome a retreat to nourish your creative spirit.

Eleven amazing women joined in this leap of mine.  In a way, we took this leap together, I simply brought along the necessary art supplies.  They, however, supplied the compassion and energy that made the nourishing possible.

And gladsome was filled with nourishment, in so many ways.

gladsome was filled with creating.  Women experiencing making in ways they may not have before.

gladsome was filled with reflection.  Journaling in handmade books with prompts to move into a space of deeper understanding of our creative self.

gladsome was filled with stretching oneself.  And relaxing oneself.

gladsome was filled with music and movement and laughter.  Oh the laughter.

gladsome was filled with beauty and heart and sharing and affirmation.  A coming together in the way that only women can.

gladsome was filled with nature's perfect timing of a sunset.

gladsome was filled with quiet and peace. Night and day.

And gladsome was filled, and filled me, with a pure contentment.  Contentment beyond words or pictures.

women of gladsome

There is much to share about my weekend at gladsome.

Most will wait until another day, for I am settling back into home with a sense of energy and a feeling of deep contentment.  It is a very good feeling.

I, however, can't wait to show you some of the many amazing, creative, wonderful women who nurtured my spirit this weekend.

They are, each of them, beautiful.  And for whom I am oh so glad.

this moment {almost ready}

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

today

I was there nice and early.

The air a brisk chill, cup of warm coffee in hand.

No line, making me respect more those in this country who wait hours for this right.

I got a lump in my throat appreciating the process.

You too, get to the polls, my friends!

weekending

After days and days of rain, we are settling into what feels like deep fall.  There is a rich smell of earth and a briskness that refreshes, even as it chills.

Although delayed a number of days, trick-or-treating didn't disappoint as the characters from Minecraft and a crafty Strawberry Shortcake made their way around the neighborhood.

At the eleventh hour Lovey decided that she wasn't going to wear the Mama-made Strawberry Shortcake costume I whipped up Monday night ahead of the storm and possible power outages.  (We were quite lucky with none.  The same can't be said for friends nearby who just got power back this weekend.)  But some quick thinking by Honey and my Mom and a Strawberry Shortcake magic wand was fashioned from a wooden spoon, some ribbon and scrap fabric.  Who knew Strawberry Strawberry Shortcake carried a magic wand.  Obviously Lovey did.

Our Halloween decorations have lingered, as have our jack 'o lanterns.  We've gotten some extra enjoyment of them this year.

A couple late nights and I'm that much closer to being ready for gladsome.  Five days to go.  There too, I am lingering, getting extra enjoyment of a dream becoming reality.


Linking up with Amanda for weekending.

this moment

Joining Soulemama, and many others, in this moment. 

In Amanda's words: "A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

Please link to your moment too -- I love to see what you are enjoying this week!

Wishing you a weekend full of goodness!

right now

right now I'm

:: breathing in the damp, earthy fall each chance I get

:: saying farewell to a most excellent fall soccer season

:: saying yes to playing in the rain

:: saying yes to playing improvised hockey in the dining room since it is raining outside, let me move that table out of the way for you...

:: reaching the next level of baby proofing, Squirmy Pal is on the move my friends

:: celebrating our unseasonably warm week with a candle-lit picnic dinner

:: creating important bits and pieces for gladsome, so excited that it is all happening in less than two weeks

:: loving this Mama Scout e-Lab, it has been such a wonderful way to think about our lives as a creative family!  Amy is incredible, you must check it out!

:: crafting Minecraft Halloween costumes

:: making plans for Strawberry Shortcake too

:: carving the happiest, scariest, and coolest Jack 'O Lanterns on the block

:: keeping rain boots and rain coats close at hand

:: saying an extra prayer for those people awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Sandy

And you, what is happening right now with you?