last weekend we packed our bags & headed to a little cottage on the lake for our annual family retreat!
if you’ve been around these parts for any time at all, you know about our annual family retreat.
you can find a little bit more about our retreats of the past here.
when luke was just a tot, his parents decided to begin the tradition of family retreats.
we disconnect from distractions one weekend in january & reflect on the previous year. we then set new goals & intentions for the new year. the location changes based on our budget & calendar, but the goals are always the same – reflect & envision.
i believe the practice & yearly tradition of meeting together to celebrate another year of the good stuff & imagine what could be in the new year is a must for family unity. we discuss heavy topics together, laugh together, imagine together & cry together (i’m usually the only one crying. go figure!).
we slow down to just simply be together. we play games, share meals, journal, read, explore & nap.
today i thought i’d share some of the family goals luke & i have in mind for 2015-
financial family goals:
– build emergency savings account
– consolidate student debt
– purchase new truck
home project goals:
– clean out shed for luke’s workshop space
– hang clothesline in the backyard
– restore hoosier cabinet in living room
– build permanent shelves in pantry
farm goals:
– expand laying flock
– continue selling farm produce during summer/fall months
– build garden fence
our family retreats allow us to process & set tangible goals to achieve during the year. it’s amazing what can happen when we set aside time to envision the year together as a family.
do you have a family retreat tradition? what does goat setting look like for you as a family? i’d love to read your thoughts!
love,
natalie
today i am oh so excited to share with you some goodies from a new maker on the block, betsy of hank & june!
betsy is sweet as pie & i absolutely adore her flour sack birdie towels!
as a gift idea for this upcoming valentine’s day, i am gifting my gal pals a love birds flour sack towel for their kitchens! paired with a cute spatula, your favorite sweet treat recipe or even a happy flag to brighten their kitchen, this is a happy little treat!
i simply tied my tea towels with string, added a heart doily, a little happy flag & a homemade tag with their initial. i can’t wait to gift these to my dearest friends!
as a happy little treat for you, hank & june is offering a giveaway of one love birds tea towel to one natalie creates reader.
to enter, simply…
3. comment below with your email address
& a fun valentine’s day gift idea for your closest friends!
i will pick a random winner next wednesday, january 28th! happy winning!
love,
natalie
p.s. hank & june is offering free shipping on any order with the code “natalie” until february 14th! happy shopping!
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congrats to lindsay who won the hank & june giveaway! we will be with you shortly about your goodies!
i found this fun list on meg’s blog last week & thought i’d follow along!
currently…
reading: hands free mama by rachel macy stafford (a great one even for the non-mama!)
playing: the lumineers station on pandora… love!
watching: my people, do you watch new girl? we’ve watched it from the beginning & we cry-laugh every single time.
trying: to schedule time for rest & relaxation. last year was so good, but i need a little more white space on my calendar. how about you?
cooking: all the whole30 foods & i am running out of ideas. friends, share with me your favorite whole30 food ideas!
eating: apples & almond butter. bless!
drinking: coffee all day. amen.
calling: my mom & i talk on the phone every single day. i’d be lost without our conversations!
pinning: baby shower decoration ideas, cute clothes, diy projects & more.
tweeting: i just don’t get twitter. i’m not witty enough for twitter. moving on…
crafting: i made a sweater pillow at craft night with my tribe! & now i think i am addicted… make your own with me!
doing: brainstorming paint colors for my new house project… it’s top secret, friends!
going: on our family retreat! we go on a family retreat each year to talk about family & personal goals. my favorite few days of the year!
loving: this unexpected warm weather this week! hello hiking, short sleeves & sunshine!
hating: my overflowing closet. i need some serious help in this department.
discovering: that “you can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” – david allen. yes!
enjoying: quiet, cozy evenings with a good book in hand spent by the wood burning stove.
hoping (for): snow! i love being snowed in on the farm with the hubby.
celebrating: that we have finally finalized our europe trip plans! i can’t wait to share our agenda with you… yay!
smelling: nothing! dang you, sinus congestion.
thanking: the dear lord above for my lady tribe & last night’s giggles. friends are so good.
considering: adding kid-sized headbands to my shop. what are your thoughts, friends?
finishing: baby shower decorations including these fun pom pom sticks!
starting: the best yes
love,
natalie