Day Four εїз Hope

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

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

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 2015mightycreative 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 Two εїз the Beauty Way

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

woodland walk mca 2015I 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 2015diybangles 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

Opening Day εїз Wings to Fly

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

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….

DSCN0663

DSCN0657DSCN0645

DSCN0768   DSCN0648 DSCN0650   DSCN0649 DSCN0647 DSCN0651

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.

DSCN0679   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.

DSCN0762

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

your questions answered

enjoy the journey mca with floral

Hello Mother, Hello Daughter!

Everything is coming together beautifully–blissfully– for this summer’s inaugural Mighty Creative Adventure.

We still have room for a few more adventurers and we’d LOVE to welcome you to our opening circle on July 9th in our enchanted woodland sanctuary. This retreat is for mothers of all ages and daughters ages 8 to 14.

Today we launched our Mighty Creative community on Facebook. We will support our online community by sharing ideas that support and nurture girls, mothers and creativity. If you are on Facebook and would like to join us, please LIKE here, then click the arrow next to LIKE to Opt-In to Receive Notifications in your feed. We share only beauty and noteworthy ideas!

We’ve had a few private emails with some excellent questions, so we thought we’d take a moment to share here.

Can I bring more than one daughter?
Yes indeed! Some mothers are bringing more than one daughter, and others with more than one of-age-daughter are choosing to come with one daughter to focus on their special bond.

I want to register but prefer to pay by check, or to pay in two payments.
You may pay by check. Get in touch with us HERE and we’ll send you payment details. And yes, you can break payments up. We do not want finances to hinder your participation

What airport is nearby and is there a shuttle service?
Our retreat is about 40 minutes from the Asheville (AVL) airport in North Carolina. Our retreat site host may be able to pick you up. Shuttle service from airport to our enchanted forest is $50.

What time will we finish on Sunday (June 12)?
Most of our guests have to journey home, and some girls begin a new school year the day after our retreat. With this in mind, our closing circle will be at 930 Sunday morning, intending to be done by 11. You are welcome to stay longer and enjoy the gardens, or go after our circle.

We are honored to be breathing life into this creative adventure.  With love we offer you the very experience that we’ve longed for as girls, a women’s circle for mothers and daughters that is nearly extinct in our world today. We are offering a safe and loving retreat experience for mothers and daughters to come together for activities that nurture connection, creativity, intuition, and wisdom. If this speaks to you, we hope we will see you around our Mighty Creative fire!

You may register and find more details HERE.
See the available rooms and shelters HERE.
And contact us HERE for more info or questions.

your loving guides,

b and w sigp.s. scroll to the bottom of page if you’d like to subscribe to Hello Mother, Hello Daughter and receive notices, updates and our retreat reflections from camp.

p.p.s here’s linky to our new Mighty Creative facebook community!