I spent the weekend in Arkansas on my friend’s homestead – with my sister-in-law and 2 of my best girlfriends.
We had so much fun, doing everything: walking, sunbathing, kayaking, fishing, foraging, cooking, painting, playing card games, strumming the guitar, singing, dancing, hula hooping, building a fire, listening to coyotes howling in the distance, stargazing, and taking lots of photos.
On the way there (it’s about an 1.5 hour drive from Memphis) the first thing we saw was a giant grey cloud with a silver-lining, then it stormed really hard as I drove, but as soon as we reached our destination the rain stopped, the sunset was colorful and there was a faint rainbow! It was the perfect good omen to start the weekend with.
We made a delicious dinner – roasted chicken with apples, and my signature baked potatoes with fresh parsley, then for dessert we had cinnamon toast crunch shots rimmed with brown sugar.
That night the wind was so gusty and temperatures began to drop. It was the most refreshing wind – one of seasonal shift, blowing away all doubts and anxieties. My hair was wild, my skin was cold, and everything around me was moving. It was so soothing. We went to bed late, I slept in front of a window with no curtains, and was able to see the stars – fixating on a certain constellation and watching as it slowly moved out of sight, I drifted to sleep thinking about how Earth is always turning…
The next day there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, only endless blue. It was so sunny but still chilly. We all got up early and had our tea or coffee and then went outside to sit in the sun. I read a book and listened to music, then we all decided to go for a walk.
…I got to use my digital camera, and my friends were great models. I love these pictures of Lindsay ^
Annelise captured this moment of me in my element ^
Lainey & Annelise 
Lindsay’s homestead property is huge and beautiful – there are lakes, trails, forests to hunt in, and fields where crops are grown, along with her vegetable and herb garden. She and her family have an incredible thing going – I’m happy she enjoys sharing the space with friends, it’s so inspiring.
We went down to the water and hung out for a long time, strolling around and finding flowers and wild berries. A big white Egret was flying around and perching nearby, also hawks and geese making sounds. We took the kayaks out and I drifted around for a while. At one point I felt very still and just listened to the trees rustling in the breeze – I thought to myself: this is peace. There was an overwhelming notion of tranquility. I felt so loved, loved by my friends, by myself, and the nature around me. I felt God’s love, the love that made all this possible.
I’ve got such an amazing friends group. The best group of gals I could ever ask for.
Having true friends for life, knowing the real ones, which friends I can be completely myself with – is becoming more apparent to me.
There was a time when I had no close friends, no girls I could hang out with regularly, and no sister. Wow, how things have changed… my husband’s family is wonderful and because of a Park Ranger internship 2 years ago, I met my “L-Squad” (Lindsay and Lainey + me, Lili!) Now I’m surrounded by strong and supportive people who have the same goals and values as I do.
Never imagined I’d be so lucky.
After a day full of activity, we relaxed and painted, then spent the last night together mostly by the fire, it was a good night for s’mores, freestyling on the guitar, and singing. I brought my jingle skirts and belly danced with my sister-in-law while staring at the moon. It was the most enchanting ending to the weekend away.
I hope to one day live a more self-sufficient life… to build/produce something that I can pass down to my future children, to learn more about plants and how to use them sustainably. Being out in the country the way I was, the quietness, the freshness, it made me feel so alive. I do appreciate my little backyard in the city too, but when I came back I noticed again how loud the cars whooshing by on the nearby freeway are, how the air smells different from the pollution, and how my sense of creativity diminished.
After one day of rest I was ready to get back out into nature, so I went for an afternoon walk in the forest with my husband and dogs. I saw more hearts and was awestruck again at how much love there is in my life.
After an incredible and memorable weekend away, I’ve returned with an even deeper sense of gratitude for my existence, for my ancestors, for who I am because of them, and this world. I’m reminded that God’s purpose for our lives always prevails.
Channeling Passions 