Fall Art Camp 2014

Hold onto your seats, this might be a long one!

I am sitting at the Portland Airport waiting for my flight back to San Diego after the most rewarding and fabulous weekend at Terri Brush’s Fall Art Camp 2014. I arrived last Wednesday and here I sit on Monday afternoon, where did all that time go? So sad it’s over yet feel so thankful I have a few alone moments to reflect on my amazing week.

Most of you know I have 2 small children, 3 and 5 years old and that makes it a challenge to leave that responsibility on my family at home. I am so thankful my husband and parents pull together to make this all possible for me.

From the moment I arrived and Karen Moreno picked me up from the airport, I knew this was going to be a life changing week ahead. There are months of planning that go into making this Camp the best around. There is Project planning, kit making, decorations to be made, gifts to be designed and packaged, menus (OH MY GOODNESS THE FOOD!, yes, I was one of the cooks so I might be partial), and so much more. It just all comes together like a beautiful Broadway production.

We arrived at Lincoln City, OR right on the beach. The homes that Terri holds this retreat in are gorgeous. I came to Spring Art Camp, earlier this year as an attendee and this time as a worker. We all worked together to execute Terri’s vision. That vision is to provide this group of women with a an experience like no other. I want to tell you about what this weekend did for me….

As a wife, stay at home mom, and jewelry designer, I feel pretty well rounded. I have a full and happy life. With life’s responsibilities, challenges, and demands, we don’t always have the time to just stand back and breathe. I like to think of life as a chain. We add links to this chain when we find love, have children, get a new pet, finish a project, do something we love to do, or meet friends, these are just some experiences that can add links to our chain. This last week has put a new link in my chain of life. 

All the women that attend and work at Terri’s retreat are so creative, fun, FUNNY, interesting, and the real descriptive word would be REAL. Everyone has a story and you really want to learn more about them. When you learn someone’s story you have a trusted friendship like no other. Before you know it you can’t imagine your life without them.

I do get sad when I leave short stays like this but today was truly emotional. I miss my family so much at home but I sure miss my camp family too. We laughed from the moment we opened out eyes and closed them again! (Seriously, ask anyone sleeping near us) Laughter is so nourishing for your soul. We sometimes just get so busy in life’s demands we just don’t have the time to check in on our souls. It is important and if you go to Terri’s retreat and allow yourself to be vulnerable, you will have that time!

I have come away from Terri’s camp with a few extra pounds but I can’t imagine life without my new forever friendships. I want to thank Terri first for being such a true and wonderful person like no other. Because of her kindness, honesty, talent, and creative soul she attracts these ladies and provides us with the opportunity to all become a family.

The “workers”, Donna Kohler and Karen Moreno, were constantly tending to everyone. If someone needed something, they ran to the store, if you needed a ride, they did it. They cleaned the trashcans ;), did the laundry, helped you find your rooms, helped in the kitchen, and ran ran ran ran and ran some more. Rain didn’t slow them down for one minute!!! Amazing ladies.

The rest of the workers; Joy Bayer, Debbie Schinnell, Teresita Herrera, Edna Kainz, and myself, worked in the kitchen. From early morning to late night the food was plentiful. No one went hungry that is for sure! A few of the menu items were BBQ chicken & Apple Flat Bread Pizzas, Mexican Shrimp Cocktail, Greek Salad Cups, Chicken Tinga Tostadas, Homemade Mexican Rice & Beans, BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Apple Coleslaw, Cobb Salad, Shrimp Pasta Salad, Shrimp Diablo Pasta, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Soup (Yes it was cold and rainy this day so it was perfect), Clam Chowder, Waldorf Salad, Pumpkin French Toast, Baked Egg and Sausage Casserole, Lots of bread choices with condiments and so much more!!!! Now that wasn’t including the Desserts! For sweet treats, it was endless! Those that know me well, know that baking isn’t my strong suit but I had to put that apron on and try my best. The girls made Pumpkin Bars, Baked Apple Crisp, Crepes to order with the most delicious orange cream cheese filling and fresh berries, Ginger cookie whoopee pies, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pumpkin Fudge, and a fall themed candy bar explosion! The food was so great and so much fun to make with our crew. I love to cook at home but, this was the very first time I have shared a kitchen and cooked with other women. The chemistry we all had made it seem like we had been doing this daily for years. It was just pure bliss!!

Debbi and I were roommates with two other wonderful ladies that made us laugh when we didn’t think we could laugh anymore. Melody Pfister and Sissy. OMG these two were wonderful and couldn’t have imagined anyone better to share a room with!!! Hope we all get to snuggle again next year!

Then there is Billie Coon! Billie was all setup in a private room and provided everyone with massages. The massage was like nothing I have every experienced. It isn’t just a relaxing massage of muscles, aches, and pains which was great. It was a cleanse of emotions and a spiritual healing. Something I didn’t know I needed. You find yourself at your most vulnerable state and are at totally and complete peace with it. I have never EVER felt so amazing. I came away with a new outlook on life with my time spent with Billie. I just don’t have the words to even explain to you but it may be the closest I have ever been to really believing that I can conquer anything, let go of anything and everything is just going to be ok.

Although we all had our general responsibilities as individuals, we all pitched in to help with anything we could or anywhere we were needed. This made us a true TEAM. I have always felt that your life can’t become complete until you connect all the links. Well finding, bonding, and loving your tribe is a huge part of that linked chain. I more than added a link to my chain this past week. I bonded with women that I had just met, some I have known for a few years and now we will all be friends for a lifetime. Please do yourself a favor and save your pennies, rub a nickel together, or just figure out a way to get to Terri’s next Art Camp!!! We will all bond, connect, support, and love one another! This was so beyond what my words can express, you need to EXPERIENCE it! Join Terri’s new Academy at http://terribrushdesigns.ning.com/  She has the most wonderful online classes too!

Some relationships say, “we will always have Paris” I say, “we will always have camp”! Until next time….. Love you all and thank you for completing me.

XOXO,

Carly