Each year at this time, my friend Jenny and I pack up for a weekend in the woods complete with crafting, hiking, and a host of other things that make our hearts sing.
The Women’s Craft Retreat is a November tradition for us. It seems timely that Thanksgiving is this Thursday, and this retreat and everything it contains is something for which I am deeply thankful. It all started 21 years ago with a handful of friends using the summer camp facilities of Camp Nawakwa for an autumn weekend of creativity and togetherness. It has since grown to accommodate upwards to 50 women. Jenny and I have been going for the last three years. We have an unspoken agreement that we will go again next year and the year after that for as long as we possibly can.
This weekend contains a lot of my favorite things: Summer camp, crafting, nature, quality time with quality people. I don’t have to worry about what to make for breakfast, lunch, or dinner – meals are provided – and Jenny and I get to (temporarily) shirk our normal responsibilities. All I have to think about is what crafts I want to work on, and whether or not I want to take a hike or a nap (or both).
Another perk? No cell service. Even if I wanted to text or tweet or post, I could not. That really helps with the whole concept of a retreat, no?
This year we returned to Grove Lodge to the same bunks as last year. We are creatures of habit, Jenny and me. That’s right – I said bunks. Sure, the plastic-coated mattress (a leftover from summer camp) is not all that comfortable, but if you stay up late enough in the lodge stitching, knitting, and crafting with your fellow campers you can sleep pretty soundly on almost anything.
Each year there are organized crafts that you can choose to work on throughout the weekend or you can bring your own. I like to do a little of both. The big group craft this time around was peace poles. Of course, I opted to make a peace pole. Here's how mine turned out. (Thank goodness for stencils!)
I plan to put my peace pole on my front porch. Before I do that, I will seal it with an outdoor sealant so it can withstand the elements and find a pretty copper cap for the top.
It took me longer than expected to figure out what theme I wanted for this. A true peace pole should have the words “May Peace Prevail on Earth” painted on it in different languages. While peace on earth is something I heartily agree with and want, I decided to go with the theme of exploration. In other words, be more inquisitive about the world around you. Go, stretch your legs, and explore.
And on that note: Go, stretch your legs, and explore!
But come back Wednesday for Part Two of Craft Retreat.