Mother Daughter Retreat: Year 6

This last week Gracie and I honored our tradition of the Mother-Daughter Retreat at Eco-Justice Center in Racine, WI that began when she was 6 years old! This was our 6th Year! (You can see the chronicle of our other years here.)

This year was by far our best yet.

As we drove out on Sunday night, I was feeling unsettled. I should be working. Gracie should be in school. It cost so much to care for our animals while we are away.

I didn't voice any of this to Gracie, but she was feeling it too. I miss home. I hope Izzy is ok in the kennel. Mom, I almost asked to go home, I feel like we need to be home.

We fell asleep Sunday night offering prayers for a peaceful retreat and care over our house and animals while we were away.

We woke up Monday morning feeling refreshed. Quickly, I realized something really important. Gracie rarely gets all of me. This was 36 hours we set aside to give to one another. I had no other distractions. It was just Gracie and I, a pile of art supplies, and a load of trails to be explored.

There are loved ones in our lives that deserve us, all of us. It is the gift of self. I have to be really, really intentional to do this....

*****

reunited with the swing!

These Guinea Hens followed us every where, I think they wanted to play soccer

At the start of the trail

We have our adventurin' boots on

we 💗💗💗 rocks

watercolor painting

there is nothing like conquering the tree stump

our watercolor creations

there was a fair amount of crocheting, ukulele playing, and singing

#mondaymotivation

the sound of rushing water off in the distance

the view of newly naked trees and exposed nests built with mastery

the intense reds, yellows, orange - even brown

***

Monday mornings I have a gift of free mornings. It's quite a challenge to keep the mornings free. In my mind it's an extra 4 hours that are easily filled up with the "need to do" things. 

But the last few Mondays I have held firm. Free to be - alone in the woods with my dog. I take deep breaths of fresh air; I listen to the singing birds, the krinkle of fallen leaves beneath my feet, the rushing water.  I think, I pray, I ponder. I hug my dog. 

As I type this, there is a twinge of guilt. It feels so luxurious to take an hour or two once a week of freedom. Then there is the other side of the coin of guilt - there are so many things I should be doing. 

Stop.

What does God want for me?

God wants my time. God wants my heart. God wants my happiness.

Two hours a week of time devoted to just be with him in His creation - there should not be and will not be any guilt. 

This is not a commitment to myself. This is a commitment to Jesus. I will be with you for two hours on Mondays - free unstructured time.  

This is my #mondaymotivation. What is yours?

Carefree Timelessness

Every night, well, almost every night, I ask Gracie, "What do you need to tell Jesus thank you for today?"

Her responses always span the gamut.

Last week, one of her responses stopped me in my tracks, "I loved walking Izzy [the dog] with you. It was just me and you, together. Not worried or rushing."

Ahh... Carefree timelessness.

We were together for 20 minutes. We walked down to the end of our road and watched the creek. We walked back. I have no idea what we talked about. It was just a normal day. Those 20 minutes of mom and me time are what Gracie was needing that day and she thanked Jesus for it. 

Thank you, Jesus.

Humans in the United States are generally over scheduled, over committed, over tired humans. And we instill that into our children. What a legacy.

It is important that if we leave our children this legacy, that we also leave them the legacy of thankfulness and intentionality. 

I want Gracie to find gratitude at the end of each day.
I want Gracie to relish in the moments of carefree timelessness.
I want Gracie to be intentional in each of these tasks.

***

Some carefree timelessness in Buffalo, NY with old friends.

Feisin' in Buffalo

Gracie with 2 new instant friends - Colleen's kiddies Lauren & Ryan

Colleen and Gracie - The Falls all lit up!

The Cave of the Winds

They are suited up and ready for the deluge

Bridal Veil Falls is behind us

Under the Falls

Just a little wet - Justin stood right under the falls and looked up!

We had a wonderful weekend of Carefree Timelessness with Colleen and her family. 

Such blessed times with old friends!

Growing your Own

Back in September we harvested Strawberry Corn. This was our first attempt at corn of any kind. I was very happy with the returns for it being the first time in a not super ideal spot in the garden. We all took turns shucking the corn.  Then we promptly stored it away in the pantry.

This week, it was time to pull out the strawberry corn for a snack. And boy was it delicious.

It's absolutely true. It tastes so much better when you grow it yourself!

 The Happy Taste Testers!

Life in Pictures - Summer 2016: Episode 1

Crunchy Catholic Mom - Celebrations of daily life of this radical Catholic, wife and mother, Catholic Worker Farm Girl, House of Hospitality Host, and Catechist...

For these summer months, I will be posting weekly pictorial posts - documenting life. Life truly is beautiful.

***

Feisty, the Rooster

Tulips are blooming. Planted by volunteers last fall. 

Remembering all the friends that support Nativity House.

May 7 - First Eucharist for 75 children at St. Dennis.

 

Farm Life = Lot's of Brush Fires, Burning out Stumps

Mother's Day Tradition - planting in the Mary Garden with my mom

Bike ride - one of many on these fair spring evenings.

Harvest

Holy Door - Holy Name Cathedral

Some of my partners in ministry

Holy Name Cathedral

Friend in the Garden - First Harvest

BFFs prepare flowers for the Mary Garden.

Two Grandmas - Planting for the Mary Garden

Preparing for Mass of  Confirmation - Come, Holy Spirit Flowers