what do you see? ~ Melissa

Who would have guessed that inside this unassuming building...

 

in the midst of a tall stand of evergreens...

 

could be found this seemingly chaotic cacophonous clutter?

 

 It might be hard to convince the untrained eye that what you see before you...

 

 

is creativity and kinship like you've never imagined.



 

An annual gathering of friends together under one roof...

 

doing all the things they love best and doing them oh, so well!

 

 

Reconnecting & rejuvenating, teaching & learning, laughing to the point of tears.  Creating artwork and friendships that will last a lifetime and beyond.

 

We also took a break from all the fun to catch the Seahawks game ~ of course we did!

 

I came home to the mess I left behind ~ the housework undone, the laundry piled up, the heavy dose of turmoil that our life has been for 13 months now with no end in site.

 

But I came home feeling like the mess I was when I left had been cleaned up and purged.  Ready to tackle our struggles with a lighter heart and the many memories of love and friends and the joy  these three short days brought to fall back on when I need to take a deep breathe and hit 'refresh'.

 

I've got so much to catch up on at home, including full email boxes in both my personal and Ravelry accounts (I promise to get back to each and everyone that has sent me mail...please be patient!) and I will get a better post up about the retreat as soon as I finish getting all my thoughts in order and my photos processed.  Until then, cheers!

~ Melissa