we retreated to a cabin near the lake for our annual family retreat. luke’s family began this tradition when he was just a wee tot & now that i have been added to the family, it’s my favorite tradition of all- one that we will adopt when we have a family of our own. luke’s mother & i dreamed this weekend of one day having the families of all of the siblings gathered together to dream up what that year might hold. for now, though, we snuggle together, all seven of us, to dream & set goals & enjoy each other’s company.
we played games (monopoly deal, anyone?), made sushi rolls & had dessert with (almost) every meal. i knitted while luke ordered medicinal herb seeds for our summer garden. we napped & took early morning walks while it was still dark.
what a wonderful year it has been & will continue to be.
happy monday!
love,
natalie
this evening we are leaving for our family retreat & heading to a cabin nearby. we gather with luke’s parents & siblings each year, exchanging goals for the new year & reflecting on the previous. we draw & read, snack & talk, hike & play outdoor games. it’s truly the most relaxing weekend & i savor it every year.
since my first family retreat a little over three years ago, i’ve slowly perfected my packing essentials & would like to share some of those with you. if you happen on an opportunity to unplug in a cabin with loved ones, this packing list is for you!
1. snacks & tea. luke’s parents are often the ones responsible for our menu (each meal voted on & agreed by the majority with special modifications for the extra picky), but i like to surprise the family with a few snacks & special drinks. this year i am bringing popcorn with fun toppings & my favorite chocolate chip cookies when a sweet treat is needed. i also like to bring an assortment of teas along with a few of my favorite mugs to make our space feel a little more ‘at home.’
2. layers. the weather is often unpredictable so i bring a small zip-up bag of comfortable layers. i always pack a pair of jeans for hiking along with my favorite wool sweater with wooden buttons. i like to bring a handful of shirts, including my long-sleeve striped shirt & a few neutral colored v-neck t-shirts to layer on top. i always pack thick socks & slippers to cozy up on the couch along with a few hand knits for walks with my camera.
3. books & projects & cameras. i love having a few projects on hand for those quiet moments in-between family time & meals. i always bring a book & my latest knitting project. this year i am also packing a small canvas bag of scrapbooking materials to finish our vacation photo book (more on that later!) from this summer. of course, let’s not forget the several rolls of film & the three cameras i am carrying along to capture those special moments.
i am excited to see what this year’s retreat brings! see you monday, friends!
love,
natalie
this week’s been a little hard. my bones feel achy as a slow, yet persistent, sickness creeps in. i have a long list of to do’s & strict deadlines to complete before the end of the week & my body is telling me to simply rest.
in the mix of life, work, & relationships, it can be difficult to see past the challenging moments. here’s just a small list of things i am thankful for this week because sometimes, reminding ourselves of the goodness is exactly what we need:
– dinner lastnight with luke. roasted squash from the farm, sauteed local mushrooms & brussels sprouts with local brown rice.
– three eggs a day. the girls are finally laying regularly & seeing those cherished eggs in their nest makes the day much brighter.
– coffee dates & knitting group. there’s nothing quite like a friend who just gets you. thankful for my community.
– a good book. still reading & loving every minute of it.
– the light in our home. it’s magical. i wish i could invite you over for tea to enjoy it with me.
– citrus. i love grapefruits & their happy pink color. they are equally delicious, too.
join along, too, in a thankful list if that’s what you need today.
love,
natalie