Roots & Wings Retreat

A year in the planning; a new retreat involving four friends, lots of excitement leading up to and a road trip. Many conversations about what the world needs and how we can encourage well being on every level. The dream finally materialized this past week.

Packing the goody boxes at Stephanie Lee's house.

A 13 hour drive across Nevada into Utah with stops for admiring the desert scenery.

Finally arriving at the home of Lorraine Lewis, one of our hostesses for this event.

Misty Mawn and her adorable daughter India joined us there.

And here we gathered together. 

 Left to right:  me, India Mawn, Misty Mawn, Stephanie Lee and Katie Kendrick.

Lorraine's welcoming balcony where we took our meals. 

Here's what was in Carrie's goody box. Thank you to Carrie Todd, Joanna Pierotti, Katie Kendrick, Shauna Palmer and Stephanie Lee for some of these shots of yours that I gathered from various places online to help me tell the story.

We each had the opportunity to pitch in and help with the food prep.

And one evening Stephanie Lee gave us a presentation on food preservation.

Our meals were healthy and beautifully presented.

I can't believe I didn't take more food pictures. I guess I was more interested in eating than in capturing the moment.

So many fresh fruits and veggies.

I learned how to make a balsamic reduction and fruit waters among other things.

Stephanie brings conviction and enthusiasm to the subject.

 That's Lorraine above left, Stephanie above right and all of us in the bottom photo.

Lorraine's garden was picture perfect for the event.

We each took a turn admiring the flowers and vegetables and chickens.

And one evening the soulful Sara Sample came to sing for us as the sunset glowed in the distance. Most of us were moved to tears by her performance. She was wonderful and her songs were full of stories. Lives lived fully and touchingly.

Dear, dear friends, I will carry you in my heart. (hugs, Annie Hooten.)

Our foursome collaborated on several paintings during the retreat.

Here we are, canceling out each others' work - lol.

The paintings changed many times before we called them complete.

Our hostesses with their paintings. Thank you so much dear Lorraine and Heidi Nebeker for the use of your beautiful homes for our workshops, meals, and gatherings.

My class in painting and free motion stitching.

On the last night we went out to eat as a large group.

And were joined by an old and dear friend of mine. 

On the way home we had our photo taken on the salt flats by an anonymous nice guy. 

Thank you my friends for your willingness to share your stories. For coming out to play.

Quietly we returned to our homes from coast to coast. Changed and enlivened. 

Roots & Wings. Thank you.