north
last week i spent thursday thru sunday with seven other fabulous women in a cabin just steps from the shore of lake superior in northern minnesota.
it was an honor to be a part of the wild & nutty & wonderful weekend.
i am a very private person and at times felt out of place (a fish out of water?). and on the first full day there, i really didn’t know what to do with myself: it’s been a long time since i’ve had a day away from home without an itinerary…
but i got over it and i sewed some journals for the upcoming holidays. i read, i took polaroids. i went on walks and side trips with my weekend-mates. i taught everyone how to bind their own book. and we took turns cooking amazing and good-for-you but oh-so-yummy meals for each other.
for one entire day the dining table was full of supplies and words and crafts and color. for each meal we had to pull out the folding banquet table so we wouldn’t disturb the creating.
i re-learned how to do nothing and i listened to the wind blow and the waves crash. i watched a bald eagle fly along the shoreline before getting up from bed.
it was wonderful to solidify existing friendships and make new ones…
thanks liv, rachel, susie, kolleen, carissa, aimee, and lori. xo, the fish
October 27th, 2010 at 6:33 am
jen!!!!!!!!!!
gorgeous photos!!!
i’m soooo grateful your fish came out of water
& swam with us & re-learned about nothingness/
everythingness.
YOU are giftgiftgift & i adore you & you are
bound in my heartbook. xo
October 27th, 2010 at 6:45 am
Jen, Thanks for the photos and the story.
I went to a knitting circle today in my new town. I always think I’m going to enjoy these things, but it is really difficult to be myself. At least I had my knitting to look at and keep my hands busy.
I didn’t really get comfortable til the end, when there was only one other woman left, and she was very smart and interesting. If I go back, it’s because I know it’s important to make new contacts in a new town, but I’ll have to push myself to go.
I’m glad your weekend turned out beautifully!
October 27th, 2010 at 6:54 am
That sounds like heaven. I am glad you guys were there before this worst storm in mn history!
October 27th, 2010 at 7:59 am
nature, introspection, companionship, art, food – so glad you took the time and stepped out of your comfort zone!!
October 27th, 2010 at 10:39 am
this is beautiful, seeing the weekend through your mind and your eyes. i am so glad you closed the post with the fishy fish. i am so glad you came and i already miss you!
October 27th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
i’m happy to finally know you in person. you gotta put up that polaroid with the moon. that was my fave. and the giant fish of course.
October 27th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
THE FISH, THE FISH!
October 27th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
I’m so glad you were there Jen. It was an honor to get to know you and learn book binding from you. Love the pictures in this post. Where the heck was that giant fish? Must have been the outing I missed! And how cool is it that you saw an eagle?!!
xo,
Lori
October 27th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
that fish weathervane! love it!!
glad to hear about your adventure…but must hear more in person…it’s been too long!!
October 27th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I’m so glad you found your groove and were able to enjoy the down time/up time! So enjoyed getting to know you and am excited to have a new buddy in my own backyard! I find it fascinating that coming off a long weekend of supposedly doing “nothing” and just focusing on creativity, you are swamped with orders and accolades. Love it!
(oh and I adore the composition of that photo with the red chair. yum.)
October 27th, 2010 at 11:33 pm
so wish i could have been able to come…i can see how much goodness i missed out on. hopefully we can all do it again sometime.
xo
c
October 28th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
beautiful
i have been looking at all the post, yours being nearly the last. its so inspiring to see you girls meeting up and creating together- its even better to see the weekend from each ones perspective.
LOVE it
October 28th, 2010 at 6:13 pm
and you didn’t even fall into the lake (or did you?)
sounds fab, dear and you seem to have overcome your (silly silly antisocial ;P) fears of leaving the house pretty well (har har, I know.)
I want that chair. ta.
October 30th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Sounds like an amazing trip with some amazing women! Good thing it was before the snow. Lo-ove that top photo.
October 31st, 2010 at 9:25 am
How divine. I long for a creative girly get-a-way. Glad you enjoyed yourself.