autumn dreams

"all happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast."
~ John Gunther

This September, Squam is delighted to be hosting the first ever Taproot Gathering and let it be said, there will be much with the leisurely pace and much with the sumptuous breakfast (and lunch and dinner) as the focus on fresh, organic, locally sourced food will be at the center of this five-day retreat.  And of course, as with all Squam events, you will have a wide range of classes to choose from, each more delicious than the last. 

Oh, beauty.  I keep trying to find the words to tell you what I feel this gathering is all about and it keeps coming back to this: beauty.  Sure, it's not a total surprise that a collaboration between Taproot magazine and Squam would draw a group of extraordinary spirits to gather in one of the most physically lovely places on earth, but what I am starting to see are all the connections and friendships that will grow out of this shared experience and that vision is simply --
wait for it . . . beautiful.

I remember the first time I arrived at SouleMama and how easily Amanda welcomed me into her reflections on daily life.

There was such a sweetness of pace and a gentle mindfulness that drew me in and, all these years later, continues to draw me in despite the fact that I don't have five children, a farm with chickens, sheep and pigs or anywhere near the ability to blog with the kind of regularity that she does, ahem. 

What I quickly realized was that what Amanda was sharing wasn't necessarily always what tugged most at my heart rather, it was how she shared the events of her day that dazzled me. 

Her words and photographs illuminated moments -- deep, rich, shining moments that could so easily have been bypassed otherwise. 

And, truth be told, I am not immune to the siren call of 'gottago gottarun' so reading SouleMama each day helps to recalibrate me to a rhythm much more in alignment with how I want to live my life.

the ordinary acts we practice every day at home
are of more importance to the soul
than their simplicity might suggest.
- Thomas Moore

I share all of this because Amanda and I have planned this retreat together and it feels to me that a focus on developing and nurturing mindfulness is definitely a central part of what you will experience as the teachers have been drawn from the Taproot community.  In this moment, I want to tell you about ALL the classes and ALL the amazing teachers who will be traveling to Squam to meet you and share their gifts with you, but I suppose I should let you go check it all out for yourselves.

Still, can I just say -- paper cutting! rocket stoves! poetry! sewing the coolest clothes! visiting local farms and antique shops, making butter!  MAKING BUTTER <-- okay, I will stop now. 

bisous, e