Creative Resilience Retreat

 

I took this picture over 2 years ago….  At the time I had no idea that come 2019 there would be a possibility of hosting a retreat at the house you see there (barely!) on the left.  A truly amazing place!  As some of you know, I have been immersing myself this past year in information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on adult health and well-being.  Part of that endeavor involves exploring the avenues that create true RESILIENCE and I thought that it would make for a powerful theme for a women’s retreat.  We ALL experience adversity and we need solid tools to combat it and claim our own RESILIENCE.

Enter my good friend Nancy Osier, who is a counselor and life coach trained in ACES and their impact.  She has recently published a wonderful book, Divorced After 50, which lays out a path to navigating adversity and life transitions and finding RESILIENCE.  We are super excited to be teaming up to share some concrete information and techniques with you, all while relaxing in an amazing beach house in the most gorgeous setting you can imagine!

Yes, of course, there will be creative projects involved…. as well as beach hikes, gathering, journaling, sharing, plenty of good food and down-time to spend as you wish.  Bringing women together has been one of my true passions these last few years and it never fails to amaze me what can result. So check out the details above and join us!  And see for yourself what I mean!!

A note about pricing: Summer is high time in this area.  It's a wonderful time to go to the beach, but there are no bargains, so yes, the pricing is higher than my other retreats have been.

Discount codes: The listed basic price is for the MASTER SUITE. For a private room (non-master), code is "private" ($25 discount) For a shared space (twin or bunk), code is "share" ($50 discount) If you want to cook, the code is "chef" ($75 discount). If you can come daytime only, code is "daytimer" ($350 discount). Hope this isn't too confusing... just the way we had to set it up!

Our emails are listed above should you have any questions.

2019 Word of the Year Workshop

I’ve written quite a bit about my word-of-the-year practice over on my other (slightly inactive!) blog.  This year, as I was considering various words for 2019, I decided it would be really fun and perhaps more meaningful to work through the choosing process with other creative souls.  The more I thought about it, the pieces of this workshop just came hurdling into my brain from somewhere and I couldn’t stop!  I love when that happens… (It’s been a while). 

So… on Thursday, January 17 2:00 – 4:00, I will be hosting this get-together in my studio.  We’ll share some ideas and work through the process of choosing and narrowing down to find the perfect fit for our 2019 Words of the Year!

Then we’ll create an art piece to keep close as a reminder and talk about some creative ways that we can incorporate accountability into our choices.  There is strength in numbers and together we can do great things!  Sound like fun?  Please come if you can.  Just $20 includes snacks and all materials and a contribution to Olympic View Community Foundation, a wonderful local organization that consists of a whole bunch of fabulous non-profits.  Win-win!!

 

Creative Wellness

How do you take dual passions and combine them?  That has been my challenge in birthing Creative Wellness.  It’s a workshop/support group that seeks to foster creative expression as part of the total wellness journey that we all find ourselves on.  As we age, it’s true that vibrant wellness becomes more difficult to achieve.  But it’s certainly possible to do so!  We just have to work a little bit harder and I believe that creative expression in some form is part of the equation.   

It’s healing, it’s satisfying, it’s relaxing and it provides meaning and often connection with others as well.  Not only that, but it tends to make our efforts a lot more fun!

So with that in mind, I’ll be starting a Creative Wellness group next week.  Details above. I hope it is the first of many.  And that the community shows up and gets a taste of what it can be like to live a life that is not based on just surviving, but on long-term THRIVING.

p.s. The first 2 classes are totally free.  After that, if there is any charge, it will be minimal, just so I can cover my expenses.  I'm not selling anything!!

The Space Between 7 - Creativity Rx Re-run!!

                                         


ladies!  due to the wonderful response, i am setting up another retreat may 8-10.  it will be the same as below (but maybe even a little better as i learn so much from each retreat...) thank you!!!


spring, renewal. rebirth, healing, wellness, creativity - i’m getting excited just thinking about it!  after 2 years of living in these nourishing surroundings, the time feels right to bring women together in pursuit of wisdom, wellness and inspiration.

i want to build on what i’ve learned from my previous retreats and move forward in this new and beautiful environment. we are all creative creatures, but sometimes we need a little jumpstart or inspiration from someone else to get the ball rolling.  we have some fun and easy creative explorations planned, which can be adjusted to any level of expertise (or NO level).

and the wellness piece?  well. ever since stu’s cancer diagnosis 2 years ago, i have been immersed in wellness information.  i’ve spent 120+ hours listening to documentaries and interviews with doctors, researchers, scientists and experts about how we can take control of our own health, live vibrant lives and thrive as we get older.  i look forward to sharing a few of these tidbits and i absolutely believe that creative expression is part of the wellness puzzle, so it all works together!

everyone will contribute in some way.  this is where the wisdom comes in.  it’s amazing what we learn from each other in a comfortable, accepting and supportive environment.  every retreat has confirmed this and with a few simple prompts and activities, i have no doubt that it will happen again – part of the magic!

so… i hope you are on board to make this happen!  as long as we have 5 people, we can do it and maybe even bring in a “scholarship” woman who needs to be there (I’m working on this…) as an alternate, if you can’t make it this time, i’m going to try for another date in mid-may, so let me know! i have set up a payment site to make it easy or you can deal directly with me if you prefer. 

                                

 the price includes beautiful log cabin accommodations, healthy and delicious meals, all activities, a resource folder, goody bag and life-long memories and friendships. there are discounts for cooking or bringing a friend and for sharing a sleeping space so let me know and  i will give you the discount code.  and just a reminder - all activities are always optional.  so you can pick and choose or just hang out if you wish.  it's YOUR time!!

Contemplative Photography Comes to the PNW!

some of my happiest moments ever have been those immersed in nature with only my camera as a companion.  the experience is all the more meaningful and memorable if i’m able to let go of the chatter that normally occupies and hi-jacks my mind.

 i’ve been longing to teach my favorite class…. and this new setting is so perfect for it!   there’s this land and all its growth in the full dress of spring. trees and plants large and small, critters, bugs, life everywhere! 

The Space Between Studio

and the bay, oh, the bay…. each day it has a different mood and attire.  the water, the sky, the clouds, constantly changing, no 2 views the same.  

then there’s the water’s edge, complete with kelp, rocks, shells and a myriad of  little sea creatures.

what better place to be drawn in by the surroundings and connect with them through our cameras?  a chance to leave the pressures behind and succumb to nature’s soothing balm. it will be a day of learning and sharing and an opportunity to begin a new practice that can have a powerful impact on your life.

i realize this may be a whole new concept for you.... a couple of recaps of former classes can be seen here and here.  please email me if you have questions.  i hope you will join us on april 11!