Day Four εїз Hope

Posted on July 24, 2015July 25, 2015 by becky suzik

Hope is the thing with feathers—
That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all— …
~ Emily Dickinson

July 12th, 2015

Hello Mother, hello Daughter,

As I walk to hot kettle this morning I am particularly struck by the sounds around. A few girls have risen and are playing. Birds are calling each other by name.

Take a deep breath, or a few if you like. Turn up your speaker volume and click box turtle photo below. Indulge yourself with this aural gift—should you choose—and join us in the sounds of this ancient forest.

My heart now feels twice the size it was than when we arrived. Full. Joyfull. Blessed. Grateful. Today is a day for greeting each moment with complete gratitude, knowing that each mighty adventurer—all 17 of us—shall leave this special place having become more of who we are meant to be, each carrying with us memories of woodland magic.

mca md butterflies 2015

To all our retreat goers, I am deeply grateful to have been a co-creator with you for this very special time in our lives.

I am grateful to our secret retreat host for having the vision, intention and for being a caretaker of such a sacred gathering place.

To the Mighty Creative Girls, I thank you for the blessing of seeing you natural and free. I saw you caring for the wildlife, and watched how your concern and reverence grew everyday. Because of each of you, I am assured our world is raising the healers we so desperately need.

Wendy, I thank you for the creative inspiration you so freely shared though out our visioning. Birthing this adventure together with you served to more deeply activate within me a wilderness–my human wildness–that I aspire to remember for all my days.

em wendy mca 2015

And to the Mothers, thank you for trusting Wendy and I, for sharing your precious daughters with us. Thank you for listening to your instincts. The memory of our girls running together barefoot amidst the rabbits, snakes, butterflies and hummingbirds is tattooed upon my soul.

emma hope mca 2015

Emma–my daughter and one of my greatest teachers–has a beautiful ability for naming things. Throughout the weekend she offered her gift by naming many of the creatures that came to her; names not as species but known fully by her heart. In the photo above, she discovered a butterfly with a small bend in its wing. She looked at it for a moment and said, “This is Hope.” She perched and clung onto Emma’s finger for a few moments… and then Hope flew up and away.

It was a moment that took my breath away, moving me completely beyond the moment.

While embracing each and every girl and woman in departure, I could feel within us lies the great Hope: I could see the possibility for our human wing-ed flights.

Thank you.

I will never forget our secret forest, or our mighty creative adventure.

in gratitude & love,

❤ becky

Farewell :: Wild Present Tense

Posted on July 24, 2015July 23, 2015 by Lifted Lorax

Little spider weaves a wispy web
And stumbling through the woods it catches to my head
She crawls behind my ear and whispers secrets
Dragonfly wiz by and sings now teach it…

Gimme some of that wild fox medicine!
But, keep me here in this wild present tense…
Dawning adventures sparkle get some rest!
Dawning adventures sparkle get some rest! – Nahko Bear

July 12, 2015

Hello mother, hello Daughter….

Alas it is time to say goodbye and begin the long adventure home. I am watching the girls exchange email addresses solemnly on the porch of the lodge – and – sharing heartfelt hugs with new friends in celebration of a Mighty Creative Adventure co-created together by a circle of kindred spirits.

butterfly goodbye

wendy butterfly becky

Thank you Cheryn and Becky for capturing this butterfly goodbye – and to Ana for the vid below!

So…what was my intention…what did I hope to give and receive?

I hoped to give creative tools and contemplative tools to express your beautiful self in new ways.
I hoped to receive the joy in getting to know you better, in hearing your laughter, in witnessing the magic that only you can make.

I am blessed in innumerable ways and I thank YOU for that.

(The girls say good bye and chase my car.)

Made so & rooted by….

love edit NC ,

Wendy

Day Three εїз the Butterfly Effect

Posted on July 23, 2015July 24, 2015 by becky suzik

Hello, sun in my face.
Hello, you who make the morning
and spread it over the fields…

good morning, good morning, good morning….

Watch, now, how I start the day
in happiness, in kindness.

~ Mary Oliver (excerpt from her poem, Why I Wake Early)

July 11th, 2015

Hello Mother, hello Daughter,

Top of the morning to you, Turtle … or Terrapin? Here you are, whatever we humans call you… gliding in the forest. Delectable synchronicity! Were your ears ringing the other day? Uhh, do you have ears? Oh yes, sorry, of course you have, they just look a little different than mine. Hmmm, I was just talking about you few days ago in Raleigh; did you hear me? I was telling my friend about how I had never seen a terrapin before, and … well…HERE you are turtle? terrapin? perhaps to teach me about discernment? Taking your turtley time walking through the forest on your way somewhere important I’m sure. Oh, it was so very considerate of you to pop by and to time your stroll at the exact moment I was going get my first morning tea. We are so happy to meet you, oh and to gently put you back in the same exact spot we found you so you can continue on your way.

mighty terrapin mca 2015 mightycreative terrapin 2015

Oh and moth, aren’t you extraordinary? Oh yes, I see you…. You with your contrasting stripes and swirls, making quite the fashion statement… making other moths–a bit well–perhaps more edible? moth mca 2015

And MMMMMadame Butterfly: Taking your sweet time, fanning your wings, sunbathing while dining on a lily. Oh the life! Have you heard what some people say about you and the Butterfly Effect: that the beat of a your wings can be felt around the world? Right now as I am with you–you and your splendid magnificence –how could I possibly believe anything but…. butterflies? I do believe in butterflies. I do. I do. I do.

wings to fly mca 2015

and look, look, look at the beautiful humans: friends, smiling, and up to something curious, yes?!

mighty friends 2015

and oh, my… more butterflies… Eastern Swallowtails or Spice Bush are you? I beg your pardon if I am mistaking your species, but a butterfly by any other name, perhaps smells as sweet? I have to ask you, why do you always come to this particular patch of dewy grass every morning for your proboscis full of morning dewcoffee? Something about the shade? The sun? I wonder…I marvel…I believe.

spice butterflies mca 2015

Oh, and look … that Mom is eating more hummus. Good thing there was lots of it. Earlier there was a discussion about the gourmet Sriracha Mango flavored hummus that mysteriously vanished quicker than you could say “Sriracha!” (Thank you Roots for generously gifting the girls and moms plenty of hummus and chips for our adventurous palettes. Delicious!) roots hummus 2015 mca

Hmmm.

There are more messengers and teachers in the forest than I could ever have imagined. Nature and animals teaching, if we pay attention and open our awareness to what comes into our space. And–even though we are leaving this enchanted place tomorrow–thankfully back at home, nature is everywhere there too–around us, before us, above us, beneath us. No lack of teachers, even those of us who live in cities… Mama Nature is everywhere. I am so grateful for these teachers.

εїз on butterfly wings εїз
love & creatiful blessings,

❤ becky

Day Three :: Dreams Into Realities

Posted on July 23, 2015July 23, 2015 by Lifted Lorax

In the moon of the budding trees
I was gifted new eyes to see
All of the shifting shape and ways you can be
Wake the dreams into realities – Nahko Bear

July 11, 2015

Hello Mother, hello Daughter…

I rise early once again, the sound of the river that lulls me to sleep at night now lifts me from slumber at dawn. Soon the birds will begin to sing. I like the quiet of dawn and being the first to wake.

Today we explored a trail outside the sanctuary.

There I found a tiny snail on the forest floor and pondered these questions.

What will I see today?

What will I notice in myself?

What will it teach me?

Where will I see it reflected in my own life?

*Thank you Cheryn Odolecki Bolasci and Ana Garcia for the snail and butterfly photos!

Today the moms made special spoons to bless the meals that they make to nourish their families…

While the daughters stamped pencils to bless the words that they write.

There was a new visitor who brought us much laughter.

Our wood rounds that we prepped yesterday were now dry, so we began rubbing away the paper pulp to reveal the image that we transferred to the wood. The wood rounds were a gift from Walnut Hollow. You can read more about them here! We are very grateful for their generosity!

It’s was a day filled with creativity…

and connection…

and playfulness…

and some heartfelt talking…

and ceremony…

The mothers and daughter painted wooden bracelets to exchange during our closing ceremony. The bracelets were donated by the generous folks at DIY Bangles. DIY Bangles is a pioneer in unfinished wood bangles made from high quality tropical hardwood.

Thank you, DIY Bangles, for your generosity and support!!!

Made so & rooted by love,
Wendy

Day Two εїз the Beauty Way

Posted on July 22, 2015July 22, 2015 by becky suzik

I walk in Beauty,
Beauty before me.
Beauty behind me.
Beauty inside.
Beauty all around.
I walk in beauty all around.
~ Kathleen Hannan, inspired by a sacred Navajo Prayer

July 10th, 2015

Hello Mother, hello Daughter,

Wendy and I bunked together on the 2nd floor of Narnia; Emma in the loft above, and Abbey in the hammock bed below. Each night when we went to bed, we talked and giggled… the 13-year-old in me was more than content.

It had been a dream of mine to work together with Wendy on a project intending love and creativity for girls and their mothers, and now we were in full flow and beauty of it.

Today was a day for creativity and drinking in the beauty all around us.

That morning, we went and sat on the rocks beside the stream and made river talismans. Time was unhurried … time seemed almost to stop. That morning could have been 200 years ago, women and girls sitting together, cotton in hands, hand tying and present with our handwork, intention and each other. (One of the enchanted forest’s secrets is that time perception changes here.)

river talis mca 2015

After our timelessness beside the stream, we went for a hike to explore the Pisgah National Forest. This forest is one of the oldest in America, so much diversity, so many rare species. The rewilding continued…

woodland trail mca 2015

We walked with our awareness in the full present moment; looking, sensing, smelling, and feeling our way up straight up the woodland trail. We looked to nature as our teacher and guide…

tree roots mca 2015

I felt supported and surrounded by the strength and splendor of mother earth and inspired by the curiosity of the wildly wonderful humans beside me.

When we returned to our camp the girls played in the bamboo, swayed in the tree swings and found more butterflies.

mca 2015 butterbush

Beauty all around.

The girls and moms discovered beautiful natural wood bracelets and crushed velvet bags sent from our creatifully-charged contributor DIY Bangles. At dusk we gathered on the grass to painted them. Thank you so much for your generous gifting!

tree circle mca 2015 diybangles mca 2015 diybangles 2 mca 2015

We played and created so much beauty today. There is more joy and beauty to come tomorrow. Now off to get some beauty sleep….

love & creatiful blessings,

❤ becky

Day Two :: Do Things From Your Soul

Posted on July 22, 2015July 20, 2015 by Lifted Lorax

When you do things from your soul,
you feel a river moving in you, a joy. – Rumi

July 10, 2015

Hello Mother, hello daughter,

Rising early to the sound of the river and to the butterflies sipping dew drops from blades of grass. Today was a busy day….

Our first project of the day was a Talisman Necklace. Similar to the simple knotted rope plant hangers of my childhood, we used the same pattern to create our necklaces.

IMAG1004

We worked up an appetite and enjoyed a scrumptious lunch that included the most delicious assortment of artisan hummus imaginable. The hummus was gift from the generous people of Roots!

Thank you, Roots for your generosity and support!!!

There was much excitement about a resident bunny and the girls were delighted to discover that the bunny had a baby.

They named her, Melody.

Later Mothers and Daughters gathered ’round to explore various types of transfer printing techniques for embellishing the pages of the journals that they received from ecojot. Thank you again, ecojot!!!

Mighty Creative Adventure would like to thank Chartpak Professional Ad Markers for their generosity and support!

Then we began prepping our wood rounds. Tomorrow we will be exploring transfer printing to wood.

Our rustic wood rounds were a gift from the generous folks at Walnut Hollow! Walnut Hollow grew from a small, family-owned business into an internationally renowned wood manufacturer. They are well know in the wood products industry for their high standards and environmental initiatives.

* Our next post will reveal what what the girls and moms created!

Thank you, Walnut Hollow, for your generosity and support!!!

In between all the doing and making there were moments of great joy and wonder. One such moment came in the form of a lovely gift sent to us from Hum-fi Hummingbird Feeders!

Hum-Fi is the brilliant creation of Lisa Durante. Hum-Fi feeders provide an opportunity to connect with nature in a most beautiful and delightful way, by allowing hummingbirds to eat from your hand!!!

It was indeed a full, fun, wondrous and beautiful day!

Made so & rooted by love,
Wendy

Opening Day εїз Wings to Fly

Posted on July 21, 2015July 24, 2015 by becky suzik

What will
our children do in the morning?
Will they wake with their hearts wanting to play,
the way wings
should?
…
What will our children do in the morning
if they do not see us
fly?

~ Rumi

July 9th 2015

Hello Mother, hello Daughter,

The day began courtesy of woodland magic: I was awakened by the sound of wings flying near and above my bed… a grand and gentle start to the day. I didn’t see fluttering bird, but I said good morning and wondered if there could be a more magical way to awaken naturally? I lay in bed listening to the cascading stream beside our shelter–Narnia–which had only recently been built. Smelling of wood and earth (new Narnia smell) I felt safe, although the woods and nature were a hand stroke away.

river mca narnia

I got up as we had much to do before our Mighty Creative Adventurers’ arrival.

I walked barefoot across the earth towards the Lodge where a hot kettle and tea awaited.

The grass feels different here, i thought. Older. Moist with mountain dew. Sweeter. Perhaps more sacred, if that is possible.

walk in the woods mca 2015

Wendy, my daughters and I began our loving bustle, putting the gift bags together, taking turns smelling and using the lovely gifts from our generous contributors, planning how the bags would unite with the girls and moms. It was a delight to play in this creative way with Wendy, to see our loving intentions and planning blossom from our imaginations and ideas and take new form as the beginning of the physical Adventure. We decided to leave the Mama journals out for them to choose. (Thank you so much to Ecojot for these beautiful gifts for our moms and girls!) mca tree 2015 ecojot

Throughout the day I walked around in trancey joy. It all was coming into BEing now. Our new friends–moms and girls–were on their way via planes and cars–intended and destined–heeding the magical call of the mountains. Each Mom and every Girl arrived safely and joyfully, some travelling more than 10 hours by car.

We had our opening circle: 17 smiling faces and open hearts ready to adventure, create, learn and share — together.

We grounded our gathering by sharing a meal tenderly made by our entire group, taking turns stirring in our thoughts and intentions for the days to come, with our blessing spoon.

Food is love that becomes us.

In the evening we gathered in the dark. Using air-dry clay, Moms secretively made tiny clay totem owls to perch in the heart of the luminatriums their daughters were making. We talked, laughed and listened, as we used our hands in loving intention for our daughters.

whimsical-owls white

We offered our owl creations to our daughters.

We were ready for fireside story and s’more celebration but we were in need of a fire. My daughter Abbey, carefully crafted a fire for our group, under near complete darkness, but for the light of the lanterns the girls had just made. I was in awe of her strength and disposition–her humility and simultaneous conscious way of working–as she followed her instincts on what best to add or not, making a healthy glowing fire to feed our adventurers and light our night.

mca 2015 fire keeper

Full of chocolate and sense of loving community, we headed to bed feeling grateful for new friendships… anticipating more woodland days and nights to come.

love & creatiful blessings,

❤ becky

(some pictures shared courtesy of Emma and Abbey, my daughters)

Opening Day :: Maps in Hand

Posted on July 21, 2015July 22, 2015 by Lifted Lorax

Little spider weaves a wispy web
And stumbling through the woods it catches to my head
She crawls behind my ear and whispers secrets
Dragonfly wiz by and sings now teach it…

Edge of the west where water touches land
You are the east with folded maps in hand – Nahko Bear

July 9th, 2015

Hello Mother, hello daughter…

Welcome! Take a map and compass to find your way in the world. Find your shelter first, then go to the lodge to stir your offering into the soup with our blessing spoon. We’ll meet you at the opening circle in the garden at dusk. We will be eating al fresco and we’re making lanterns when the sun goes down. We have a story to share with you by the fire tonight….

After dinner we made mason jar Forest Lanterns by the light of the moon and the stars and the fireflies that sparked the sky.

The jars were a gift from the generous folks at Ball brand Canning Jars. Ball brand Canning Jars was founded by five brothers, Edmund, Frank, George, Lucius and William, in 1880. They began by making wood-jacketed tin cans for products like paint and kerosene. The brothers began making glass home-canning jars in 1884.

Thank you, Ball brand Canning Jars, for your generosity and support!!!

*The jars, LED lids, handles, and embellishments can be found at your local craft store.

DSCN0848

We then made feather pens for our journaling exercises. The beautiful turkey feathers were a gift from Moonlight Feather! Moonlight Feather is a family owned company founded by husband and wife team Justin and Joey in 2008. The company was inspired by the headband designs that Joey created for their infant daughter. Joey sold her handmade headbands on etsy. Their dream grew from an office in a spare bedroom to a 3500 square foot facility and a staff of 15 employees.

Thank you, Moonlight Feather, for your generosity and support!!!

*To make your own feather pen, simply snip the tip off your turkey feather, then slide a pen refill inside the quill. You can decorate your feather using dye or water soluble oil pastels, glitter or even rubber stamps with Stayz-on ink. You can purchase beautiful feathers from Moonlight Feather! Pen refills can be purchased from an office supply store and all other embellishments from your local craft store.

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We gathered ’round the fire for a story and s’mores before a good rest after traveling far and wide for our Mighty Creative Adventure. Tonight we contemplate our intentions for this adventure. What do we hope to give? What do we hope to receive?

DSCN0683

Made so & rooted by love,
Wendy

into the woods εїз becky and daughters’ arrival

Posted on July 21, 2015July 24, 2015 by becky suzik

Into the woods-
It’s time, and so
I must begin my journey.

The way is clear,
The light is good,
I have no fear,
Nor no one should.
The woods are just trees,
The trees are just wood….
~ Stephen Sondheim

Wednesday, July 8th

Hello Mother, hello Daughter,

We left our home in Raleigh, our minivan chocked full with gifts, surprises, art supplies, and food enough for five days for 17 of us. My heart trembled with realization … as –together with my daughters now ages 14 and 12– we had embarked on the pilgrimage I had been dreaming of for nearly a year to the day.

This journey represents multiple dreams coming true: the dream of my daughters experiencing for themselves the secrets of the woods, the dream of co-creating an artful retreat with my dear friend Wendy Cook, and the dream of offering loving time and space for sacred sharing between mothers together and their daughters. Blessings Womanifest!

After several hours of sunshiny driving, we hit an intense patch–an hour of driving in torrential rain –yes, think cats and dogs. I took it as a cleansing (and bonus–the minivan needed a good clean 😉 ) Eventually the clouds and rain lifted as my daughters and I began the off-road portion of our journey, closer to our secret place in the the woods. mountain driving mca 2015 With Sondheim’s musical lyrics Into the Woods singing in my mind, I began thinking about how far removed so much of our modern culture has become, distanced away from the very nature that sustains our lifestyles.

♫♪ Into the woods it’s time we go ♫♪ … to rewild our bodies and souls. rewilding mca 2015 All at once we noticed so many things…. just how many variations on green are there? and oh so many different plants! Our senses awakened feeling each bump in the dirt road, slowing down to keep up with the butterfly fly-bys guiding our way. We arrived at the secret location where our Mighty Creative dream was about to come true. I can’t wait to see the girls’ reactions to this magical place. I can’t wait to greet the moms and tell them they are home. flowergarden mca 2015 What wonder awaits?! What joys will be discovered?! What secrets will nature reveal? What new friends will arrive to share our adventure?! butterflies postcard 2015 Butterflies abound all around and within. Feeling wildly blessed. til tomorrow…

love & creatiful blessings,

❤ becky

The Preparations :: Gift Totes

Posted on July 20, 2015July 20, 2015 by Lifted Lorax

You’ve been so kind and generous
I don’t know how you keep on giving
For your kindness I’m in debt to you
For your selflessness, my admiration
And for everything you’ve done – Natalie Merchant

July 9, 2015

We arose early to the sound of the river that runs beside Narnia. Becky, her daughters and I excitedly prepared for the arrival of our guests. We packed the tote bags full of goodies from our gift sponsors. We are so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors. It is a joy to introduce to our guests an array of consciously made products created by real people. Each one of our sponsors is a testament to creativity, artistic vision, beautiful craftsmanship and manifesting a dream. We teach our children that we all have unique gifts to share with the word, that we have a purpose and our own path to follow. We believe that our sponsors are a good example of what is possible when one masters their craft and turns their dream into a reality. That said, it is a privilege to introduce you to the generous souls that have touched our lives and filled our hearts (and totes) with joy and gratitude. We are certain they will inspire you….

Demeter Fragrance Library is a family owned company that creates layered scents which evoke memories of time and place. Demeter uses ingredients derived from natural or renewable resources, no artificial colors, binders, emulsifiers, or phthalates.

We chose the scent “firefly” because it’s summertime after all, and because the sanctuary is literally aglow with these tiny luminous wonders.

In Greek mythology, Demeter is the goddess of the earth, and associated with the seasons. Her daughter was Persephone, the goddess of Spring and rebirth.

Mighty Creative would like to thank Demeter Fragrance Library for their generosity and support!!!

Persephenie is a body care line that uses fresh ingredients meticulously crafted in small batches by the hands of the beautiful and brilliant Persephenie Schnyder.

Thank you, Persephenie, for your generosity and support!!!!

Ecojot is a brother-sister team found by Mark and Carolyn Gavin in 2007. Ecojot creates eco-friendly stationery, paper goods and custom products that feature whimsical and inspirational designs.

Thank you, Ecojot, for your generosity and support!!

Little Moon Essentials is known for their 100% natural Earth-honoring products and life-altering remedies.

Thank you, Little Moon Essentials, for your generosity and support!

Style Me Up is a fashion forward line for creative tweens who thrive on Do-it-Yourself fashion projects, and self expression.

Thank you, Style Me Up, for your generosity and support!!!

LUSH makes bath and body products from organic fruits and vegetables, the finest essential oils and safe synthetics. Lush sources their ingredients only from companies that do not conduct or commission tests on animals. Their products are fresh and handmade, using little or no preservative or packaging, using only vegetarian ingredients.

Thank you, LUSH, for your generosity and support!!!

Peelu makes a natural chewing gum created from the fibers of the peelu tree, used for centuries in Asia and the Middle East for cleansing and whitening teeth.

Thank you, Peelu, for your generosity and support!!!

FIG+YARROW is an artisan line of small-batch, handcrafted organic botanical health and vanity products created by Brandy Monique. She has developed many unique formulations designed for physical radiance and overall vitality. All ingredients are from roots, leaves, flowers, minerals and oils.

Thank you, Fig & Yarrow, for your generosity and support!!!

Captain Blankenship is the creation of Mirjana Blankenship. Her products are made with love by Jana herself using only organic, wildcrafted or natural ingredients.

Thank you, Captain Blankenship, for your generosity and support!!!

L ucy Pearce is the author of four books and a publisher at Womancraft Publishing. She is a vibrant artist of the lost feminine, red tent leader, creative mentor and teacher of transformational women’s workshops. She is the mama of three young children. She lives and work in Co. Cork, Ireland.

Thank you, Lucy, for your generosity and support!!!

Vintage Bee Honey began as a beekeeping hobby in 1985 then launched into a brand by Laura and Van Tapp. Their signature line of creamed honeys is all the buzz.

Thanks you, Vintage Bee, for your generosity and support!!!

Badger is a small, family-owned & family-friendly company nestled on the banks of the Ashuelot River in rural Gilsum, New Hampshire. Badger company was born in the family kitchen of Kate and Bill. Badger products are uniquely formulated blends of the finest organic ingredients available anywhere in the world. The Badger company works hard to maintain a healthy community-minded business with ethical and charitable social principles.

Thank you, Badger, for your generosity and support!!!

Herbivore Botanicals was founded by Julia Wills and Alex Kummerow. Their products are never tested on animals and always made from scratch. Because everything we put on our skin quickly absorbs into our bodies, Herbivore uses only organic, high quality, and food-grade ingredients.

Thank you, Herbivore, for your generosity and support!!!

Mighty Creative Adventure

A WOODLAND RETREAT FOR MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS

adventure postcards

Day Four εїз Hope

Farewell :: Wild Present Tense

Day Three εїз the Butterfly Effect

Day Three :: Dreams Into Realities

Day Two εїз the Beauty Way

Day Two :: Do Things From Your Soul

Opening Day εїз Wings to Fly

Opening Day :: Maps in Hand

into the woods εїз becky and daughters’ arrival

The Preparations :: Gift Totes

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