(last minute) Re-schedule!! April 1-3

"change is inevitable - except from a vending machine"  robert c. gallagher


it's been a busy week.  the living room is piled with stacks of stuff ready to load into my car for the upcoming retreat. food preparation is underway.  itineraries and "assignments" printed and ready to go.   last minute shopping supposed to happen today.  i've been keeping my eye on the weather, but wasn't too worried.  then i got a call this morning about the fact that up on mt. palomar there is already 9 inches of snow on the ground with more expected tonight and then again tomorrow night.  the little (dirt) road that leads to our lodge is not plowed.  it may be impassible.  there could be snow/rain/slush and freezing - icy conditions.  wow.  didn't expect this!!  


they wanted to know did we want to take our chances??  or consider re-scheduling?  my heart sank.  none of us have 4-wheel drive.  what are the chances that you can give a group of women an alternate weekend and have them be available?  i had very little confidence in this (oh me of little faith!) but i went ahead and polled the group and.... miracle of miracles.... everyone can make it next weekend!  in fact, several actually preferred that.  this also opens up the possibility that those who had other commitments this weekend may be able to join us after all.  if you are one of those people, perhaps april fool's is your lucky day!!  

you can scroll down here to see more details.  in a nutshell, we will be spending time in nature and connecting with kindred souls around the topic of  "nourishment - body, mind and spirit".  we will be exploring mosaics, altered photos, collage and massage/reiki through brief targeted workshops.  throw in some photography, journaling, poetry, great food and drink, a luxurious cozy mountain lodge and many other surprises and you will have an idea of what our weekend will look like.  we arrive mid-day on friday and stay until mid-day on sunday, with a couple of trips to the state park for hiking thrown in.  if this sounds like it might be up your alley, please let me know asap, ok?  would love to have you join us and soak in all the goodness that awaits!!

Just Around the Corner!!

time is skipping right along toward spring and also to the next retreat!  (march 25-27)  i have been busy with planning.  since we have some retreat “repeaters” i am opting for brand new material for our discussions, our workshops, our folders resources, etc.  it’s stretching me a bit, but that’s good.  even new hiking trails!  yup – it’s going to be good!

 

 here is a bit more exciting news.  one of our participants is a massage therapist as well as a reiki practitioner.  she has very generously offered to share some of her expertise with us!  she will be doing a presentation on foot massage and reiki and may also practice a little of her massage technique on us!!  what a great way to tie into our “nourishment” theme.

 i am so looking forward to sharing our perspectives on this theme!  i know we will learn so much from each other.  and that, my friends, is the best part!!  so excited (as you can see...)

(we have a great group, but there is still room at the lodge for last-minute-ers! 

might that be YOU??)

(all photos taken in Palomar Mountain State Park, 2/11)

Exciting News!

just over a month from now, we will be heading up into the mountains and surrounding ourselves with nature, art, good food and drink, laughter and sharing.  can hardly wait!!  i have a few newsworthy tidbits to pass along....

carol, me, carolyn, hiking at the march 2010 retreat

sadly, since carolyn, our esteemed chef, has moved recently, she will not be able to join us at the march retreat.  the good new is, however, that carol wilson will be taking her place!  carol is a fabulous artist.  you can see some of her work here.  she also attended the march retreat last year and some of you met her at our space between holiday reunion.  now the really exciting part... carol will not only be cooking,  but will be doing a mini workshop for us on MOSAICS!  as you can see from these samples, she knows what she is doing!  i have walked through her backyard and it is quite an adventure!!  sooo excited!!

so....  add mosaics to what we will be doing art-wise, in addition to altered photos and collage.  it will be a full weekend, but with down-time too.  i am committed to that!

i have been gathering some other tidbits of wisdom to share with you as well as some fun stuff for the goody-bags.

still have a few opening for this retreat.... scroll down for more info. or email me.

Hiking in Palomar Mountain State Park

Nature as Nuture

i’m posting today almost “on location”. no, i’m not at the upper meadow lodge, but i am just down the road at a cozy cabin on mt. palomar. i came up here to preview the hikes for the march retreat. it’s been kind of cold and blustery, but then, well, it is february and it is the mountains, after all!

as i was hiking today, i was thinking about “nourishment”, the theme for the next retreat. and for me, when i think about what i find to be nourishing in my life, NATURE is right up there near the top of the list! which is why i have chosen a lodge that has over 8 acres of wander-able land. and why i think a beautiful natural setting is vital to the success of the retreat. and why hiking is such an important part of our agenda.

no one is required to hike. as with all space between activities, it’s optional. but for those who are able, i think you will find it to be a soul-sustaining activity. something to look back on and cherish. to sooth the challenges that will inevitably come your way.

i feel that the time spent quietly in nature creates spaces in our brains that open themselves to all sorts of creative inspiration. it all works together. i have seen it happen and i am a believer!

scroll down or go to "older posts" for more info.  still accepting sign-ups for this retreat!!
(all photos taken feb. 9 and 10 on mt. palomar)

Update!

the dates of the march retreat have been slightly tweaked!  instead of a thursday - saturday schedule, we are opting for a traditional weekend friday - sunday schedule to accommodate those who need it.

soooo.... the new dates are:

FRIDAY, MARCH 25 - SUNDAY, MARCH 27

so far we have been very fortunate in being able to come in earlier than traditional check-in time and stay later, so no guarantees, but we are hopeful, as this really adds to the quality time we can spend!!

one of the art projects we will be exploring is "altered photos".  i thought i would post a few that i have been working on to give you a general idea.  it's fun, easy and can go in a million different directions.  the resulting photos can then be use in a collage with other photos, other items, paint, or ????

sanded and scraped

sanded, scraped and colored

bleached

i have been working on the first (optional!) homework assignment, which follows the "nourishment" theme,  as well as an adjusted "what to bring" list and will be sending those out to participants soon.  

we have a lovely group of creative women, but are still hoping for a few more participants.  if this is something that interests you, but you just are not sure (believe me, i have been there!!) you can find my email on the "pricing" page.  i would be happy to answer any questions you might have.  

also, scroll down or click on "older posts" to see other pics and info that have been posted.  definitely getting excited!!!!!

NOURISHMENT retreat details!!

Please join us March 24-26

for the next amazing

Space Between retreat,

themed "Nourishment"

Takes place at the gorgeous 

Upper Meadow Lodge,  and surrounding area

high atop Mt. Palomar in San Diego County

2011 has arrived in all her glory and the days will start ticking by in their usual relentless manner.  now that the worst of the flood damage control and restoration is behind me, i can start to devote some time to a much more fun and exciting endeavor…. retreat planning!!!

i have been tossing around some ideas…. trying to imagine (my new word of the year!) some ways to change things up a bit since we will have some retreat “repeaters” and ways to incorporate the retreat theme of nourishment.

here are some “teasers”:

first off, let me restate the space between motto.  everything is optional.  if you choose to participate in these preparations and activities, wonderful.  if you choose not to, for whatever reason, no one will think less of you.  i promise!!

• consider bringing a recipe to share for something that is both nourishing and delicious.  (you don’t have to bring the actual dish, well, unless you want to)

•  consider some type of contribution to the retreat – this could be a poem or story or book to share, an art technique or any other kind of technique to teach to the group, a presentation of some sort, a prepared dish or meal.  you probably have other ideas…. (don’t forget, no pressure…. it’s optional!)

•  our discussions will be loosely-structured toward the nourishment theme…. body, mind and spirit.

• we will each make lists of what nourishes us (probably as homework) with optional sharing.

•  we will keep “nourishment notes” in our journals or a separate space.

•  we will have a few planned nourishing quiet times, to let it all sink in

•  we will share art techniques and have several available options for art-making

 

wow – writing all of that out is getting me excited!!  now comes the hard part… i’m going to ask for a $100 commitment to hold your space, any time but for sure by the end of the month.  as soon as i get about 4 or 5 checks, i will commit to our lodging.  just email me if you need my address.

i have updated the pricing page.

 

oh – one last note… i can’t find specific dates, but i’m pretty sure late march is included in turkey hunting season, as was the case last year.   i think the best way around this would be to avoid the national forest and hike in the state park.  that will give us some new territory to explore.  all outdoor photos here were taken in the Palomar Mountain State Park  (scroll down to see lots more photos of the retreat  lodge and area!)

Save the Dates!

True or False:

• i feel strong when i nourish my body.
• i feel sharp when i nourish my mind.
• i feel enlightened when i nourish my spirit
• creativity is an excellent source of nourishment
• relationships can nourish and enrich my life

if you answered “true” to one or more of the above, 

you would be an excellent candidate for the next  

space between creativity retreat, 

aptly themed, 

“nourishment”

come spend a few days nourishing your body, mind and spirit 

in the mountains of san diego county

join a small group of women who are interested in spending some time

hiking, journaling, creating and sharing, 

all in the comfort of a luxurious mountain lodge.

you do not have to be an artist to attend this retreat! 

in fact, you don’t even have to think of yourself as creative

(you are, but you may not know it yet!)

save the dates:

march 24-26, 2011

details to follow  

pricing will remain around the $300 - $325 level (all-inclusive) 

with discounts for previous attenders or bringing a friend

limited spots available  

no commitment required at this time, 

but please let me know if you are interested.  

 you can email me at:  patty@nomadicnotebook.com