Our First Mother-Daughter Retreat

Last May Gracie and her other kindergarten cohorts celebrated with a very simple moving up ceremony. As part of the celebration of her moving up to elementary, I promised her an art retreat. That was back in May. I figured, I have all summer to make the arrangements. 

Summer has come and gone. Last week, I realized that this very well may be the last nice weekend before we venture into winter months. So, I gave Sr. Janet  at Eco-Justice a call to see if  The Hermitage was available and it was.  Gracie was tickled when I told her that the time had finally come. 

It was truly a beautiful time together - art, prayer, nature, alpacas...

We woke to a crisp, colorful morning. Gracie and I sipped our hot cocoa and coffee on the screened-in-porch. We watched the chick-a-dees and squirrels play. We may have said a few Hail Marys too...

It took a bit of coaxing, since it was a bit chilly. But once we ventured out of the Hermitage, she gave way to the excitement of exploring.

Our first trip out we found a few notable things.

And a few new friends.

Gracie was intent on getting back to The Hermitage to document all that we had seen.

Our day went on like this. Explore then come back to The Hermitage and document our findings.  With each exploration we always went back to visit the alpacas.  Somewhere along the way, the notion of building a Fairy House came up. Much of the day was taken up with this endeavor.

The hunt was on for perfect building materials.

A Fairy Feast - A Black Walnut Husk for a Caldron, Bark for a Table -

 a feast of wild berries, seed pods and petals...

Resting time - We spent some down time finishing up Roald Dahl's The Fantastic Mr. Fox.

 And it would not be a proper rest without a cup of coffee.

It was time to finish up the Fairy House, which eventually became a Fairy Village.

Then back out for one last visit to the Alpacas.

A group photo before we go.

Aren't No Trespassing signs much more prevalent? No doubt, hospitality is high on the Racine Dominicans' list. And Thank God for that! 

Over the last two years Justin and I have used the Eco-justice Center as a place to pray and be together in a place where we can just be in the Presence. And now Gracie is learning the art of what it is to be in the Presence. She has already informed Justin that the two of them will be going together for a Hiking/Nature Retreat.

Thank God for this time to relish in His Presence together.