Feast

Over here, I'm continuing to get things ready for the Feast Retreat that happens in less than three weeks.

Hannah is gathering feathers and other good things she will be bringing with her across the miles. Kelly is emailing me with new ideas and photos of goodies she's creating. Persephone and I are working on the menu. (Oh my gosh I LOVE having an official chef for this retreat. Something tells me if you check out Persephone's Instagram feed you will get some sneak peeks.) Boxes of goodies are arriving.And super secret Pinterest boards are a very good thing to help with brainstorming. Yes.

I've learned so much organizing and teaching at retreats these past few years and planning Feast has felt very sacred to me. I'm bringing all the knowledge of these past retreats to this one. And I've spent time really sifting through the moments that filled us up, what needs a bit of tweaking, and what new things I'd like to share.

I'm so grateful for another opportunity to circle with women in an environment of inclusion where we can beautifully show up as ourselves. Yes.

We'll be exploring ways to practice soul care through sharing our stories, creating with paper and color, journaling, photography, cooking, and being in community. Hannah, Kelly, and I will be telling a few stories about our real self-care that isn't really about taking a bubble bath but about digging deep and realizing that even in the midst of the hardest moments we can find our way to be rooted in the joy, beauty, truth, love around and within us. 

Oh and there is going to be yoga. Yes. A morning of "yoga + poetry + stories" is on the schedule. Cannot wait! And some time with self-portraits and walking along Puget Sound and cooking together and how the list goes on. We still have a couple of spots left. Join us. Find out more and register here.

Note: If you feel a longing to come to the Pacific Northwest for Feast but gathering the full payment feels a bit overwhelming right now, payment plans are possible. Please contact me for more information. 

it's about inclusion

 

When people ask me why I started the Be Present Retreats, I usually explain my deep desire to create community and a belief that spending a few days away from your daily life immersed in creativity and being present to the world around you will change your life in very good ways. I also talk about noticing that creative retreats are sometimes so filled with activities and "doing" that participants and teachers don't always have the opportunity to slow down, recharge, and listen.

Today, I want to share that over the last few years my reason for hosting these retreats has begun to come down to one thing: 

It's about inclusion.

It's about creating space for people who are longing for a deeper connection with themselves and like-minded souls but don't know where to begin to find this community, don't have this community where they live, or simply want to connect in person in a small group environment. 

It's about working with teachers who are really collaborators who show up as mentors and guides open to new friendships. Then as the retreat begins they sit side by side with retreat participants sharing their stories, giving of their time, and inviting us all to remember we are not alone.

It's about a safe space that invites you to sit in the quiet long enough that you can hear the whispers of truth that have been trying to get your attention for years.

It's about being surrounded by others who say, "me too, me too" and invite you into their lives.

Your Story Retreat 2012 (photo by Vivienne McMaster)

It's not about needing to be cool enough or creative enough or courageous enough or skinny enough or funny enough.

It's about beginning to trust
that you already are enough
when you show up as you.

The photo above, taken by my friend Vivienne McMaster after she attended the first Be Present Retreat a few years ago, represents the gathering of women who will encircle you when you arrive at a Be Present Retreat. 

In this moment, as you sit in your corner of the world, I want you to invite you to hear these words:

A community of kindreds is waiting for you.

Join us this April for Feast.

Frog Creek Lodge (photo by me)

At the Feast Retreat, we will gather at Frog Creek Lodge in the Pacific Northwest woods outside Seattle and spend time sharing, playing, resting, cooking, creating, and dreaming. Through conversations and creative self-care adventures, we will explore the ebb and flow of life and experience ways we can, as Derek Walcott says in his poem “Love After Love”

Feast on your life.

During this five-day soul care gathering, Kelly Barton and Hannah Marcotti will join me in being your guides. As a group, we will cook meals together, play in journals, make necklace and bracelet talismans to take home with us, explore ways to practice self-care, and circle to share stories and make deep connections.

Your Story 2012 (photo by Vivienne McMaster)

When you arrive at this beautiful cabin in the woods, you will find a place where you can: lean into trust and your inner wisdom, open your heart to kindred spirits, and spend time playing, resting, and sitting in the quiet.

AND I am thrilled to announce that Persephone Brown will be joining us as our kitchen guide and chef! She will help us nourish our bodies and souls through food and inspiration during Feast.

This retreat is going to be so good.

Learn more about Feast and register here. (Updated 2/18: Only 4 spots left!)

The Spring 2013 Be Present Retreat

Feast: A Soul Care Gathering
April 10-14, 2013

At the Feast Retreat, we will gather at Frog Creek Lodge in the Pacific Northwest woods and spend time sharing, playing, resting, cooking, creating, and dreaming. Through conversations and creative self-care adventures, we will explore the ebb and flow of life and experience ways we can, as Derek Walcott says in his poem “Love After Love”

Feast on your life.

Joemma Beach near Frog Creek Lodge

During this five-day soul care gathering, Kelly Barton, Hannah Marcotti, and Liz Lamoreux will be your guides as they create a safe space where you can show up as you. As a group, we will cook meals together, make necklace and bracelet talismans to take home with us, explore ways to practice self-care, and circle to share stories and make deep connections. 

When you arrive at this beautiful cabin in the Pacific Northwest woods, you will find a place when you can: lean into trust and your inner wisdom, open your heart to kindred spirits, and spend time playing, resting, and sitting in the quiet.

Note: Only 15 participant spots are available at this intimate retreat.

a peek into Frog Creek Lodge (taken at Unearth 2012 by Beth Hutson) 

Your retreat experience includes: 

• A safe environment that holds space for truth, laughter, moments of quiet, and the opportunity to share your story.
• A heart-opening five-day experience that begins with a welcome dinner and opening ceremony on Wednesday evening and ends with a closing ceremony Saturday evening and farewell breakfast Sunday morning.
• Daily group gatherings that will include creative self-care adventures in photography + writing, cooking meals together, jewelry making, and a few other good things.
• Space to connect with Liz, Hannah, and Kelly as your companions as they participate in the entire retreat alongside you.
• Time in community to explore meditation, ritual, and everyday sacredness as ways to be more present in your daily life.
• Daily meals and snacks that will nourish you and invite you to see food as a form of soul care.
• The opportunity to connect with kindred spirits who might just become life-long friends.
• Time away from your day-to-day roles where you can just show up as you.
• An invitation to come home to yourself.

Your tuition also includes: 

• Four nights of lodging, shared rooms (twin beds throughout the bedrooms with 2 to 3 people per room)
• All meals (except one dinner as the schedule includes free time one evening to explore the surrounding areas at your own pace)
• Snacks and hot tea/coffee/water provided daily
• All group gatherings led by Liz, Kelly, and Hannah
• Evening activities: Opening and closing gatherings, an art & soul brunch (which will provide the opportunity for mentors + participants to share, trade, and sell their artwork), and other activities
• Surprises and treats throughout our time together

When you come to Feast, you will want to have room in your suitcase because we will be sharing some of our favorite soul care goodies with you throughout the retreat and you’ll need some space to take them home.

Learn more about Feast, your guides, Frog Creek Lodge, and register here.