6 Days and Counting....What is ReMe?

It's hard to believe we only have 6 sleeps remaining before returning to the Outer Banks for our flagship retreat on Ocracoke Island!  We call it our flagship retreat because it is the first incarnation of our dream to provide an intimate retreat for artists and creative individuals, who crave an experience that fulfills their mind, body and soul.   ReMe provides the opportunity for our guests to Rest, Relax, Renew in a variety of ways such as: great food, inspiring classes,   peaceful and recharging 'field trips', an infusion of island history, along with plenty of time and places for the guests to be still and reflect in the midst of the comforting salty air of the sea.

 Working with our students to create personal works of art that speaks to their individual nature, its a much more relaxed pace then trying to do the same in a large crowded room.

We found that we could start recognizing each other 'by the sound of their laugh', said student Debra Gabel...so true, and we loved hearing the laughter waiver throughout the house in both our May and October Retreats.

 We found that strangers could bond as fast friends and confidants during the course of the week. There's so much truth to the saying, 'seven degrees of separation'.  The connections and coincidental experiences we discovered about one another was unreal.

We had no idea what to expect at either of our flagship retreats in 2014 but we knew each event would take on a life of its own organically because of our unique and amazing guests.  In 2015 we are sure that the magic will continue between our amazing guests.

 Sharing stories after a fabulou meal, toasting to our new friends and experiences,  was a daily occurrence after classes and events. How lucky we are to be pursuing our dreams in the company of our growing ReMe sisterhood?!  

We hope that you can continue to follow this blog and  perhaps join us in one of our upcoming new events for 2015 and beyond.  

We promise to make you feel special and help to recharge your spirit in every way.

 ReMe is more than a retreat.

It's about Connection.

It's about being Brave and stepping out of your comfort zone.

It's about friendship.

It's about Art and Living a Creative Life.

It's about pursuing dreams.

It's about laughter.

It's about creating something magical.

It will fill your well with memories to carry you through whatever is next.

ReMe is about living life and not waiting until tomorrow.

 ReMe is about being present for the moment before it slips away.

To say we are looking forward to our new 'class' of 2015 in both May and October is an understatement....but without further adieu, from all of us at ReMe-we have lots of work to do ;)

If you are interested in joining us for a ReME retreat, we have a few spaces open for our October experience. This retreat includes most everything other than your travel to the event.  Classes, food, lodging, supplies, and many extras are just some of the things you can expect at ReME.  The sidebar at the left provides a link for the down payment so you can easily join in on this R-emarably  E-extraodinary  M-emorable E-xperience.

Looking Back with Love: Penny's Recollections of ReMe Ocracoke October '14

As the month of February gives way to March, and we come one step closer to our 2nd year of ReMe Retreats on Ocracoke Island, I wanted to take a few moments to share some of my own favorite bits and pieces from our event, this past October.

First Sunset
as captured Monday, October 20, 2014

1st Group Shot
Debbie captures the group, as I capture it all

We welcomed our 2nd group of ReMe Sisters on a stunning October afternoon.  As the house filled with lovelies and their luggage, the laughter rolled in exponentially!  By the time we gathered on our sound-front beach to ogle the sunset, we were well on our way to another week of wonderments!   Tours conducted, a brief orientation, and an evening of creativity and snacks -- we were officially underway.  As early as the first night, the magic of the island was evident:  music drifted through the house along with the strains of laughter and refrains of "OH!  Me, too!"

Smiles All Around
The Class of ReMe Ocracoke, October '14
...by midweek, they look as if they've known each other for years

Our amazing guests fully embraced our class offerings, and their delight with each creation was a gift unto itself.  Painting sessions with Jodi yielded a bevy of beautiful abstracts and a colony of vibrant and whimsical lighthouses.  In their time with me, our courageous students completed two different book designs and made great strides in creating content for their new journals.  In their classes with Jean, they not only grabbed the brass rings they texturized, etched, and further embellished them, creating multiple pieces of wearable art!

Painting with Jodi
(l - r) Patti P and Victoria F, Jodi in action, Lorie G, Lynn O, Beth B. Zoe N, and Jodi

Metalwork with Jean
(clockwise from upper left) Victoria F., Kim C., and Jean - Jean's Treasures - Lynn O - Lorie G. in action - Brass Rings

Circle of Friends
Little Leather Booklaces from their class with yours truly

Journal Happy
Patti P. was one of many merry sew and sews
during my Long, Tall Book of Days class

Beyond the hands-on learning/creative aspect of our Retreats, we have dedicated time to appreciate the people and the place that make our beloved flagship events so unique.  We welcome special, local guests to evenings at the Inn with us; we are hosted by local friends and businesses for precious evenings of extended hours with wine and cheese.  From a visit to the beach to collect found objects and natural treasures for use in their classes, to outings to local landmarks (The Ocracoke Lighthouse, The Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, and Springer's Point), our guests aren't merely at a place for the week we are together, they are of that place -- fully immersed in the stories, traditions, and rhythms of where we are.  Sound like a dream?   It's all too real!

Panoramic View
Our trip to the beach was under dramatic skies

Amy Howard
Storyteller, Artist, and Administrator, Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum

(clockwise from upper left) Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, a view from the back yard,
The Ocracoke Lighthouse, historical quilt, and a kitchen vignette at the Museum

A Visit with Miss Della
(top to bottom) Jodi, Victoria F., Zoe N., Debbie, and Lorie G -- Happy Shoppers
Miss Della -- Queen of the Fig Cake and Purveyor of fine Fig Preserves and Syrup
Miss Della's green thumb on  display

Lovely Leslie Lanier
Bookseller Extraordinaire and Hostess with the MOSTest!

That is the very reason we say that ReMe is more than a Retreat -- It's a Remarkable, Extraordinary, Memorable Experience!  It is true for our beloved guests as much as it is true for each of us.  Throughout the times between these magical gatherings, our thoughts return again and again to the treasure trove of incredible memories that we share of the special time spent with the amazing women who have become a part of our living dream:  ReMe Retreats.

Final Sunset
as captured Friday, October 24, 2014

With immense thanks for all that was 2014, and great excitement for 2015 and beyond,

One Last Look
With 2014 in the rearview, Jean, Jodi, Theresa, Debbie, and I look forward
to all that 2015 *and beyond* holds for ReMe Retreats.
We hope to see you soon!

Memories of May -- Pt. Deux UPDATED With Winner!

UPDATE (06/23/2014) -- The Great Random has spoken:  Beverly Sparks, you are the winner of this weeks GiveAway!  Beverly writes:  "Am I too late to enter? :) Love the mini book..hope we don't have to have mini fingers to open it. lol Love your photos and story behind them. Thanks."  Congratulations!  Please send me your Mailing Address, and your Little Leather Booklace will be on its way to you.  Our thanks to everyone who joined in the reminiscing, this week.  Stay tuned:  we have more "Memories of May" headed your way with this weeks posts from Jean!

Greetings, Blog Land -- Penny here, for the June 16th installment of the ReMe Blog Hop.  Thanks for joining us in our revelry and recollection of a wonderful happening!  In addition to the Favorite Things that I shared over on my Blog, here are more moments that have stayed with me since that magical time in May…

Deb enjoys The Daily Dispatch

The open appreciation for all the “little things” that we planned for our guests was a balm to the anxiety-ridden nerves.  Seeing our Guests interact with one another within that ‘glow’ was what put any lingering worries away for good!

There was much sharing of the day-to-day happenings during our time together via Facebook.  One of my favorite "shares" of the week came from Patty.  After a couple of days of amazing photos posted to Facebook, a friend asked where she was, to which she responded:  "I'm at an artistic, personal growth, recharging retreat called ReMe -- it is all that and more!"  WOW!  Yes, of course we think that about our beloved ReMe; how thrilling to know that someone who came all the way from Colorado thinks so, too!  Patty shared a beautiful blog post, last week, recounting her favorite things about her ReMe Experience.  You also have the opportunity to read another guests' favorite things by visiting Deb's Blog.

Appreciation of what everyone had to offer

Another favorite thing, for me:  seeing my dear friends in their creative elements – sharing the love for and finely tuned sense of their craft.  S’Magical!

Jean shares her love of metal working

Jodi takes it to the yard

Finally, it seems that with every visit to the wonder that is Ocracoke Island I leave with another indelible memory of its natural beauty – imagery that travels with me, wherever my journey takes me next…  

Memories to treasure

The Light looms large in my memories
of this magical place!

Our giveaway for this weeks stop on the Blog Hop is one of my "Little Leather Booklace" creations!  For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post.  Want an additional entry?  We've got you covered!  Simply share this post via your favorite Social Media outlet (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.), and comment again -- telling us where you shared.  Bada-BING -- a bonus entry for you!  The drawing will take place Sunday evening (June 22nd), and the winner will be announced here on the ReMe Blog next Monday.  Be sure to join us again then, as Jean will have a passel of her own "Memories of May" to share with you!

The Little Leather Booklace
...complete with a silvery starfish and "O" for Ocracoke

There are a few seats remaining for our return ReMe – Ocracoke in October of 2014.  You can secure your spot by making a Deposit, today – simply use the PayPal Button in the upper left hand corner of this page (just below the ReMe Banner), and leave the rest to us!  Feel like you need additional information?  No problem!  Drop us a line at:  reme@remeretreats.com, and we’ll be happy to address any concerns you may have! 

That's my Motto!
...and it only gets better
with memories like these to treasure

 Until next time,

 

Announcing the "Memories of May" Blog Hop!

WOW!  It’s hard to believe that just shy of one month ago the very first ReMe Retreat actually happened!?  With nearly two years in the planning; after countless meetings & phone calls, mountains of e-mails & text messages, myriad questions & answers, and loads of second guessing our ‘caravan of 4’ headed to our beloved Ocracoke Island on the 3^rd of May to make the final preparations for the arrival of our very first group of students.  Making the turn to begin the drive south down Highway 12, things suddenly got very ‘real’…  This. Was. It.  It was really happening! 

Winding our way down Hwy 12 South...
I'm in the lead, followed by Jean, Theresa, and Jodi

   

That ferry ride from Hatteras to Ocracoke was different than any other, because this time a whole new experience awaited us.  Our anticipation, excitement, and anxiety, *and yes, a fair amount of worry* were all for naught – daily, we were exhilarated by the response of our Guests.   From their arrival and welcome on Day 1 straight through the week, their enthusiasm for the programming and planning made our transition from “planners” to “providers” an incredibly amazing reality!  We convened as virtual strangers, parting company 5 days later as virtual Family – truly Rested, Relaxed, and Renewed!

Together again on the Ferry
...from Hatteras to Ocracoke -- funny how something you've done
SO many times before can instantly be made new again,
depending on what awaits you at the other end

To mark the occasion, and to more adequately share the both the bounty of memories and the powerful discoveries and connections that were forged in that magical week in May, we are staging the 2^nd ReMe Blog Hop!  Jodi, Jean, Theresa, and I will recount our adventures from ReMe – Ocracoke, May ‘14 with a rollicking hop about the interwebs to share our Memories of May every Monday in June!  Along the way, we’ll also introduce you to our wonderful Students; sharing their favorite parts of the ReMe Experience alongside our own.  As if all of this weren’t enough to tempt you along on our Journey of Recollection, there will also be prize drawings each week, featuring the work of each of our Hosts/Instructors!  *talk about a Win/Win proposition!*

The Three Amigas!
I can't imagine this adventure with any better partners
...these smiles tell much of the story of our happiness

How do you partake in this revelry of our ReMe reminiscing?  That’s the easy part!  Hop along with us every Monday in June.  We’ll each share our favorite memories and photos of the week on our individual blogs. The fun, stories, and photos will continue on the ReMe Blog as we highlight the recollections of our Guests throughout the month, as well!  Each weeks offerings will provide an opportunity to win unique works of art by the ReMe Hosts/Instructors.  Simply leave a comment for your chance to win.  For additional entries into each weeks drawing, share a link to your favorite Social Media site (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.) and let us know where you shared *in a separate comment.*

  

...and happy were we all!

Here’s the lineup for the Memories of May Blog Hop:
                Monday June 9^th:  Jodi Ohl
                Monday June 16^th:  Penny Arrowood
                Monday June 23^rd:  Jean Skipper
                Monday June 30^th:  Theresa Zurku

If all of this talk of Rest, Relaxation, and Renewal has you picturing yourself in scenic Ocracoke, NC, you are in luck!  There are a few seats remaining for our return ReMe – Ocracoke in October of 2014.  You can secure your spot by making a Deposit, today – simply use the PayPal Button in the upper left hand corner of this page (just below the ReMe Banner), and leave the rest to us!  Feel like you need additional information?  No problem!  Drop us a line at:  reme@remeretreats.com, and we’ll be happy to address any concerns you may have!

Mathematically speaking, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line.  Author Patti Digh says “[the] shortest distance between two people is their stories.”  After our time together in May, we know Patti’s words to be true; we can hardly wait to share our stories with you!

 


We’ll see you at The Hop!