here and there

I am still mentally swirling from my extended weekend trip to Virginia. As expected, the whole experience was both invigorating and exhausting, filling and depleting. I had forgotten the simplicity of traveling alone, the refreshment of an unplugged life, the disorientation of mingling in a sea of people I didn’t previously know in the flesh. That last part, of course, has now changed. Over the weekend, we heard several different stories of motherhood. Naomi discussed ways to live in joy in the hard parts; Kelsey shared about the importance of community/sisterhood instead of competition; Kirsten gave us direction for environmental consciousness in our parenting; Tiffany talked about protecting our time/life margins to focus on what’s really the most life-giving and important; Terri shared several “pillars” or foundations for their homeschool; and I shared about the importance of vision as an educator and mother, the ways we set goals in our home, and how most importantly, we focus our attention to the day–“now is now,” a phrase from the last part of Little House in the Big Woods. In the afternoon, Michelle shared about the power of art and Stephanie shared about the myth of the balanced life.  All weekend, we mingled together over delicious food, including vegetable lasagna with music by The Last Bison followed by s’mores in a garden courtyard the first evening and a garden party dinner the last. In the afternoon, I enjoyed leisure conversations with other mothers in the hotel gardens and lounges and then packed into a tiny car with new friends and headed to the misty, windy coast.  The weekend details arranged by Ainsley were thoughtful and dreamy–I am so grateful.

It seems weird that I didn’t take many images last weekend. Leaving home, I knew my soul needed to recharge, to restore. I wanted perspective and vision for our family, as an educator, a mother, a woman. I needed to put aside my shared visual and written experiences to allow the words and images to soak in through my other senses. To hear. To taste. To feel. I wanted the varied wisdom, stories, and connections to percolate within me, without needing to immediately process them. Each will certainly impact our home. Bit by bit. And I am grateful.

This weekend, I plan to move slowly, lingering in PJs, making some treats with the kids, and setting more specific goals for our academic year. That’s right. Even in near October, we have yet to move fully into our school routine. A younger version of myself might have been panicked, but I’m learning with age and maturity to move and plan with the seasons life brings us instead of artificially imposing my own.  My children have spent more time creating through art and food and mess these last several months. They have read/listened to books and practiced their math a bit, too. The rest will come soon. For now, we’re right where we need to be.

There and elsewhere:

• Danielle shared these encouraging, FREE printables last week
• currently inspired by fall layers and wanting to try these fresh ways to tie a scarf
• planning to use this idea to help encourage my kids toward sewing and keep their little hands busy
• dreaming to revisit Scotland after watching this gorgeous video
• adding this soup to my list to make soon

Happy weekend, everyone.