what is real (october 7)

mirror self-portrait (straight out of the camera) . frog creek lodge

one year later.

after everyone had gone to bed friday night, i stood in front of the mirror and couldn't help but smile wide at this girl i saw before me. she looked lighter and maybe even more real. and she looked beautiful.

these are the thoughts that went through my head: this is why i choose to seek the joy. this is why i let laughter in. this is why i know that all you need is love. this is why. this face of light and love is why.

hello you. hello me. it is so good to see you.

one year later.

yes.

*****

::what is real:: is a mirror self-portrait photo + a few words series that began in july of 2010. during the last year, i have noticed that the act of taking these photos feels like a meditation practice. before i take the photo, i stand in front of the mirror and think about what is real in this moment and let my face relax to wherever that truth lies. then i snap.

i document the series over on flickr but share them here from time to time.

today, i am...

heart path . penrose state park, wa

today, i am giving myself the space:

to eat hot biscuits right from the oven while standing at the kitchen sink
to not get to all the emails quite yet
to sit with the beauty that was hosting five retreats this year
to rest during ellie's naptime
to tuck this real, true poem right inside the pocket of my heart 
to listen to music with my eyes closed
to know that it doesn't have to be perfect 
to remember to choose love 

the re-entry part is a bit different each time. this time it has included a pretty thick layer of exhaustion combined with such profound, deep gratitude. i can still hear their laughter and stories and brave truth sharing and silliness. i am sitting with the memories and unpacking them a bit at a time as i also rest and honor all that has been and all that is to come.

more soon...

*****

Create Space is an online experience that invites you to give yourself the gift of being present in this moment. During this four-week course, you will slow down, take a deep breath with intention, and notice what you need. Through video and audio lessons, stories, writing and photography prompts, and weekly creative adventure assignments, we will explore self-care and being-present practices to use in your everyday life.

Come along this fall and connect with the space within you that houses your true nature. Find out more here.   

mingle and other good things

a glimpse into article about Be Present Retreats in the new, fantastic Mingle magazine

I am delighted to share that the article shown above is in the current issue of Mingle magazine. It is written by my dear friend Jenna McGuiggan, and she beautifully captures the feel of these retreats with her words as she shares about the 2011 Pen & Paper Retreat. (Thank you Jenna!) And the photos (oh those photos!) taken by Vivienne McMaster and Kate Inglis are gorgeous. A big thanks to all, including Christen Olivarez of Stampington. I hope you will head to your local bookstore and find a copy (or order one here). 

In this moment, I am in the midst of the Create Magic Retreat, and again, I find myself so steeped in gratitude to be doing this work. Truly looking forward to sharing more in a few days...

Coming in 2012

I am also working on the retreats for 2012. My partner in crime Kelly Barton is getting used to me saying to her first thing each the morning here at Frog Creek Lodge, "I had another brainstorm...." We are really coming up with some juicy ideas for the 2012 season. My current plan is to send out a newsletter late next week that will include dates and sneak peeks of several of next year's retreats. The best way to get a heads up about future retreats and workshops (along with Etsy shop news and other happy things) is to sign up for the newsletter.

Hope your day is full of light and wonder in your corner of the world...

Liz

a september afternoon at the fair

words

words written on a window . susan wooldridge workshop . fall 2010 be present retreat 
(steal a few and write your own poem. dare you.) 

A year ago, I was in the midst of the Fall Be Present Retreat while being days away from Ellie Jane's open-heart surgery. A year ago, I sat in a room in Frog Creek Lodge surrounded by so many souls living with their hearts wide open, souls who would teach me so much, souls who would become friends. A year ago, a dear friend came along on the retreat to support me and take care of Ellie Jane. A year ago, I had no idea what the first few weeks in October might bring. A year ago, I wrote these words during Susan Wooldridge's poetry workshop.

*****

parched bones

outside, i am a tree's sturdy blueprint
inside, i am a swollen canyon of january choices

outside, i am a balanced seasaw of chocolate happiness
inside, i am shattering, shifting parched bones

outside, i am a mute, screeching fire 
inside, i am sunlight's twirling laughter

inside, i am breath
i am space
i am light

*****

I am over here getting ready for Create Magic, the last Be Present Retreat this year. As I was bustling about a few minutes ago looking for safety pins in the random places they might be hanging out in this messy wondrous house of ours, I came across this poem written on the back of a page from a draft of one of Susan's writing projects. It was tucked in a drawer that was also housing receipts from 2009 and 2010 (don't tell the new accountant), adorably small pink tags I used for price tags when doing craft shows a few years back, polka dotted ribbon, a scale for mail, random bits of tissue paper, about $10 in change, safety pins, and a few other "why do I still have this?" little things.

And before I head off to bed, I just really need to tell someone this: I love poetry. Big.

september through the instagram lens

a peek into the last 30 days through a few of my instagram photos. i think i once said i would never need an iphone. ahem. love being able to so easily document our world over here using it. 

(you can find me on instagram as lizelayne.)

simple ::one bead:: necklaces {in the shop}

new simple one bead necklaces for layering now in the shop

While working on orders over the weekend, I decided to create a new simple necklace for myself. Something in a favorite color that I could wear all the time (and maybe not ever take off); something that would lend itself to layers when I want to wear one of Kelly's girls or a necklace by Jen or something by my other dear friend Jen or my current favorite necklace by Nina or one of my own soul mantra lockets (or all of them layered); something that would remind me of beauty and joy and make me smile.

So I pulled out this blue bead because this shade of blue makes me so very happy, and I created a simple "one bead" necklace. And after wearing it for several days and falling more in love with it, I thought I would add a few like it to the shop. Five colors are available at this time (two blues, green, purple amethyst, and red), but if you see a bead in the shop that you would love on a simple necklace like this, send me a note and we can talk about it. 

Please note: I will be closing the shop on October 3 for about ten days or so while I get ready for and host the Create Magic Retreat. When the shop reopens, my plan is to have a bit of a reorganization of things, including a few new locket designs and a plan for holiday season custom orders. If you have questions while I am away, just send a note as I will be replying to emails as I can.

Thanks for your continued support of my little shop. I am so blessed to be able to do this work...

Blessings and light,

Liz

::we stood::

puyallup fair . september 24, 2011 . instagram iphone photo

on saturday, as we stood in the midst of the laughter and the bright hot sun and the elephant ears and the sheep and the chickens and the rainbows of color everywhere and the root beer floats and the "you must try these oh my goodness they really are that good" scones, i suddenly could feel summer saying good-bye.

i want to remember how this summer pushed me to let go and open my heart to joy.