Friday, November 21, 2014

Write

Hello! How are you this fall day? I'm loving it. 

I signed up for a writer's workshop at the beginning of the year, back when I could hardly commit to a dinner date, let alone a many months in advance workshop, a plane ride, and days away. Back then, this was a leap of faith. 

In the last year I've learned to join a world I once knew. It's different now; I'm different, but yet the same. I'm finally able to plan, to commit. 

As the retreat showed itself on the calendar, I had no idea we'd be living in Tahoe! As hard as it was to now leave home, I had a feeling this opportunity would be pivotal in my life.

And it was.

The workshop, the presenters, and the people I met are what dreams are made of. 




 I've been writing a book about our journey with Aviana for awhile now. I was recently at a severe standstill. I could never concretely figure out why. I had a few ideas, but couldn't break from the holdback. For various reasons, I was more frustrated than ever before.

Everything came clear during the workshop. Upon returning home, I've become a writing machine. I previously didn't understand the process. Now it's all flowing. Filling page after page is one of the best feelings.

The people I met at Doe Bay collectively set me free. For them, I am beyond grateful!

* * *

From beginning to end - this was a trip of a lifetime.




My friend Christie joined me. We started out in Seattle a day early. For some reason, I felt deja vu.




Yes, I'm late in posting - go figure. The trip was in October.

Halloween - the most wonderful time of the year! That's how the song goes, right?




I love looking around chocolate stores!








The next day we boarded a tiny plane. Destination, Orcas Island.














Doe Bay...




Us







Doe a deer.

A female deer. I have no idea ; )

True to their name - these sweeties were everywhere. 

Me = mesmerized - hypnotized.




L.O.V.E.

I wasn't zoomed. They let you come so close. I bet I could touch them. I wanted to!




We carved pumpkins!

Best.retreat.ever.




A great man once said, "Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans." 

True!

Our plan was to go out that night and put LED candles in these cuties. We were going to take the bombest group shot ever. 

The dear deer had other ideas. We watched them pull our pumpkins off the stage and eat them instead.








This place had such great food, but most times we were cooked for. Jesse and Jen are the ones who put on the retreat. Jesse made us the best meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert too. If you ask my mom and Dave - they say there's a whole lot I avoid. 

I ate more on this trip than I eat in a week. At every meal, I went back for seconds and sometimes thirds. Jesse made my kind of food! And the way she cooked was - how can I say, of and from the heart.




Also my kind of place. The food - so good.

Mother may I? Some more, please.














Our daily walk to the retreat house.

















Thank you Doe Bay.

I will forever hold you in my heart.

12 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh, I love this! It brings back all those wonderful memories :) The pictures turned out great and of course, your words rock! You always manage to string them together so perfectly <3 <3

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    1. Thank you! I had the best time with you ❤️

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  2. I am so proud of you for going and what great pictures. Deer love pumpkins so I would have loved to watch your face as your carved yours and then watched it eaten. I have cried for days because my baby rotty, Izzy,a year old, ate my sweet potato plant as I had moved it from the window to clean it. It wasn't down long from where it was safe and in an instant it was no more. My Dave said we could go get another sweet potato but I kept saying it wouldn't be the same. I come here and see beautiful pictures and your beautiful words and comfort flows over me. Your world is writing and you are good with the camera too! I miss y'all! Julie n Texas

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    1. Oh thank you Julie! I knew you'd love the deer pictures! I love your sentiment with the sweet potato plant, and you know - that's what matters : ) Your love, that's what matters most!

      I miss you too!

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  3. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!!! Looks like a wonderful setting to regroup and get the creative juices flowing. I am so glad to hear you have been writing a book. I have always wanted to do that. I remember that being on a list one of my high school teachers made us do of a list of things we wanted to do in life. I just don't have enough stick-to-it-ness (my poor neglected blog for example). I'm proud of you for seeing it through. It is going to be great and genuine, that much I know already. Let me know when I can pre-order :)

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    1. Thank you Channe. I believe all who write have that in them, I know I do - the not-stick-to-it-ness-ness! Ha ha, I had to add an extra ness. It's been a long road and will continue to be until it's d.o.n.e! Thank you so...

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  4. What a wonderful place. I am so glad to hear you are writing a book! What a wonderful place for inspiration!

    https://www.etsy.com/shop/KayThreeDesigns

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  5. Awesome! I grew up on Lopez Island, but my Grandma grew up on Orcas! I don't know how I have possibly survived in Oklahoma after growing up in that beautiful place! I am glad your words are flowing again…can't wait to read your book! ~Beth

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  6. Wow! I had to look Lopez Island up. How neat your Grandma grew up on Orcas! I was so taken by everything I saw. Thank you very much Beth, I'm happy the flow is back too : )

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  7. Thank you for bringing me back to Doe Bay. I needed it. :)
    Katie

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