The Annual Woman's Retreat

This is my dear friend, Donna, and I. We have just finished doing the "Chicken Dance." Why, you ask? The answer is simple...it was part of the frivolity of our annual woman's retreat, of course! Just a bit of nonsense that we add to an annual retreat that combines spirituality, arts and crafts, great food, walking in the beautiful outdoors and is held at a wonderful center in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.

Last year, our theme was "Nesting." We like to love to decorate to match our theme (us being Silver Bellas and all ;-)) and even have all the accoutrements match (the file folder, the name tag, the journal, the pencils, etc. etc. etc).  This lovely banner was made by Hope Mallott, my swap partner in the banner swap hosted by Kari Ramstrom, Artsy Mama. It was part of her wonderful "A Year Of Color."

Our "serious time" included journaling, discussions, music and poetry around the life cycle of the bird (metaphorically, us as women).We ended with discussions about leaving this world, including the great tunes, "Why Walk When You Can Fly" and" I'll Fly Away." This is me being serious...

In the evening, us Mama Birds, had a Mamma Mia dance contest, followed by the movie. That's where the chicken dance came in (we didn't win but we thought we were pretty cute). 

This is our tenth year of doing the retreat and it will be held in (gulp) five weeks. We are busy getting ready. Donna flew in (like a bird-haha) last week to help plan for "Walk In Beauty." We spent five days busily planning, making assignments for leading sessions, discussing and making lists for "fitting crafts" and tearing our hair out when it didn't seem it fit together. In the end (as is typical) all turned out well. Donna left on Monday (I was so sad as were the furbabies who were treated to daily walks). We both have a lot of work to do but I trust it will all fit together. I will fly to Rapid City several days before the retreat. This year (for the second time), Kat is going to assist us. We are so pleased. She is so creative, fun and a great help. 

I promise I will have pictures...you can trust that some will be really funny!
-Suz