The Renewal Retreat

“When you find your tribe, you find your power.”
— Grandmother Elder

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The Poem Susan Read:

John O'Donohue: "The Inner History of a Day"

No one knew the name of this day;
Born quietly from deepest night,
It hid its face in light,
Demanded nothing for itself,
Opened out to offer each of us
A field of brightness that traveled ahead,
Providing in time, ground to hold our footsteps
And the light of thought to show the way.

The mind of the day draws no attention;
It dwells within the silence with elegance
To create a space for all our words,
Drawing us to listen inward and outward.

We seldom notice how each day is a holy place
Where the eucharist of the ordinary happens,
Transforming our broken fragments
Into an eternal continuity that keeps us.

Somewhere in us a dignity presides
That is more gracious than the smallness
That fuels us with fear and force,
A dignity that trusts the form a day takes.

So at the end of this day, we give thanks
For being betrothed to the unknown
And for the secret work
Through which the mind of the day
And wisdom of the soul become one.

 

ACCOMODATIONS

The Katy House

201 Ramona St, Smithville, TX 78957

 

SCHEDULE

Check back for regular updates.

Friday

3 pm Check-in at The Katy House

4 pm New Friend Bingo in the living room

5 pm          Leave for Storehouse Dinner 

evening Sharing Circle in the living room

Mingling in the living room and sleep 

Saturday

9 am    Breakfast at The Katy House

Family style: blueberry pancakes, maple bacon, gf cheese grits, yogurt, GF granola, berries, avocados, eggs, toast

10 am       Guided Meditation in the Katy House living room 

Move into the dining room for Clay Class #1

noon      Quilt Picnic Sandwich Lunch if weather permits. Otherwise, in the dining room 

1-2 pm        Heather’s painting meditation class in the dining room

2-4 pm Clay Class #2

4-6 pm Free time. Local antiquing, exploring + nap time 

6 pm Bone broth + Thanksgiving  Dinner in kitchen and dining room

7.30 pm    Evening Photography + Mindfulness workshop (sunset is at 8:12) 

Mingling in the living room and sleep 

Sunday

9 am    Breakfast at The Katy House

Biscuits and gravy, eggs, sausage, cheesy breakfast potatoes, avocado, yogurt, granola, berries 

10 am        Stone Cabin at Bastrop State Park 

Get settled in the cabin

Walk in the woods for Forest Bathing + Sit Spot Altars 

Forage walk for nature pieces to stamp on clay 

noon        Lunch of homemade chili two ways and cornbread

1 pm Clay Class #3

Gelli plate block printing class 

6 pm Pizza Party at the cabin  

evening Energy Balancing Ceremony at the cabin 

Return to Katy House to mingle in the living room and sleep 

Monday

9 am Breakfast at The Katy House. Gf Heavenly hash country ham, avocado toast, granola, yogurt, fruit   

10 am      Closing Circle outside if the weather is nice. Otherwise, at the kitchen table  

11am        Checkout

 

Snacks always on hand: coffee, teas, water, nuts, chips, and fruit

FAQ

Q: How many women will be there?

A: For this retreat, 11 women are attending from all over the country.

Q: What types of food will we be eating?

A: All food is prepared by the best team of local female chefs. Sonia, Cammy, Mandy, Tiffany, and I meet several times to create a tailored menu for attendees. We accommodate dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian needs.

Q: What is the vibe of the weekend? What should I wear?

A: I am SO excited to share my small Texas town with you! The vibe here is relaxed, welcoming, loving, and laid back. You can be yourself here, 100%. If you are fancy, be fancy. If you want to wear your pajamas the entire time, that’s great, too. Everyone here is genuinely accepting. Make sure you don't mind anything you wear getting stained! We will be making art and immersing ourselves in nature all the time.

Q: Will we have free time to nap and rest?

A: Nothing during this weekend is required. You can absolutely step away at any moment to rest, read, take a long bath, or do whatever your heart needs.

Q: What sorts of Creative Workshops will we be doing?

A: We will work with clay, photography, gouache paint, natural pigment foraging and painting, and printmaking.

Q: I’m not very good at pottery or photography. Will I be ok?

A: YES! My entire approach to creativity is process based. Creating together during the retreat restores your heart, regulates your nervous system, connects you with others healthily, and fills your toolbox with new skills that last long after the weekend is complete. I promise we will have so much fun making “ugly” things together!

Q: Will I need a professional camera and lenses for the photography workshop?

A: If you have professional equipment, great! If all you have is your phone, that is also great! The focus of this workshop is on using photography as a tool for mindfulness.

Q: What is the cabin like in Bastrop State Park? Will I be able to access a private bathroom?

A: “The Bastrop State Park Cabins were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)). These historic cabins have been kept in the 1930s era condition as much as possible to preserve the craftsmanship of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).” It is very rustic and primitive, and magical. There is a private bathroom and a tiny kitchen.

Q: Is there a washer/dryer at The Katy House?

A: No. There is a laundromat in town.

PACKING LIST

You are not required to bring anything on this list! I am providing this based on previous retreats in case you need help packing. Make sure you don’t mind getting clay, paint, grass, or mud stains on any items you pack. We will be making art and spending lots of time in nature.

  • pants

  • t-shirts

  • sweatshirts/sweaters

  • underwear

  • socks

  • bras

  • pajamas

  • shoes

  • wallet

  • plane tickets/documents

  • things to read on the plane

  • phone

  • phone charger

  • camera

  • camera battery charger

  • lenses

  • memory cards

  • memory card reader

  • laptop

  • laptop charger

  • medications 

  • tampons/pads 

  • deodorant 

  • body lotion

  • face wash/cream

  • wallet

  • toothbrush 

  • toothpaste

  • floss

  • mouthwash

  • nail clippers

  • your kid's dirty socks or your husband's dirty shirt so you can smell them when you miss them

  • shampoo

  • conditioner

  • a smaller bag for keeping stuff together while we go on field trips, such as a backpack or tote  

  • sneakers or shoes you can walk in the woods with. If flip-flops are your jam, that's cool, too! 

  • some clothes you've always wanted to be photographed in (just in case!) 

  • hair brush 

  • elastics for your hair 

  • bobby pins

  • sunglasses

  • snacks you can't live without

  • bathing suit 

  • sunblock 

  • bug spray 

  • items from the natural environment around your home to use and share with others

  • diary or journal