Grateful Moments ReMe October 2015

If we have been a little quiet over here at ReMe it's because we all are coming down from the retreat high of our latest ReMe adventure in Ocracoke.  As quick as it started, it seemed we were saying teary goodbyes!   As all of us immerse ourselves in the 100's of photos taken during the course of the event, here's a sneak peek at some of the beginning preparations we had going on behind the scenes before this lovely group of women joined us a little over a week ago on Ocracoke.  We will be sure to share even more as the weeks go on so you can be at the retreat in 'creative spirit' with us!

We try to make the retreat as carefree of an adventure as we can, that's why you'll see all of the organizers and instructors schlepp tons of goodies for the 'kids' to play with and or purchase if they choose while we are together.     Lucky for students, we are all hoarders    "collectors" of a bountiful  amount of goods they are able to use  for classes. That in and of itself saves tons of money and stress from having to purchase your own stash for one class!

Yes you see prescription bottles to the left of Penny's display, but there's no pharmacist needed for what's inside--a dose of artsy goodness in a variety of forms (some have labels, ink nibs, watch parts and more).

Jean has a huge collection of stamps and tools to make embossing metal a breeze! Hammers, pliers, and stamps..oh my!

Jodi may have more paint then a Michael's store just sayin :)   Plenty of colors, mediums, and other fun tools to be shared with our guests so they can get their paint on with professional results!

A little peek at our pre-guest arrival the first night. The ReMe 'elves' had a fun little project to get everyone started in the festivities.  That was after our catered opening night dinner from an island favorite eatery. I'm not sure how we created anything after that feast!!!

Can you believe Eduardo brought all this delicious authentic Mexican cuisine over to our house on these beautiful platters?     Be sure to visit Eduardo's Taco stand if you are on the island.  You won't be disappointed!!

Oh lookie...a treasure from our May girls!   A sweet surprise for us to discover as we set up for the event!

Penny brought a personal treasure to decorate and inspire our coffee station.  The island brings forth a sense of peace and grounding for sure, but we all need reminders from time to time to allow it to come into our being.   One of our lovely guests, Audrie,  was nice enough to share breathing and yoga techniques each morning to whomever wanted to participate.  Taking a few minutes each day to breathe deeply to  ground yourself is so important.  Self care is something we all say we need to do, but do we really take the time necessary to do it? It doesn't even have to be a huge amount of time Audrie shared, it can be as little as 15 minutes a day or whenever you have time to spare, and you will start to see a difference in your world.  

This year has been  quite a year for your ReMe organizers, we all have faced our own personal mountains to overcome, yet at the core of it all is our faith in doing what we love and faith that we are on the right path no matter what life twists and turns show up at our door step. Each and every one of us uses words and text in our art.  Here you see one of Jean's pieces that reminds us that One Day At A Time is all we need to focus on in those crazy days of life. Sometimes it's one minute at a time.      This year once again we were blown away by the stories our October girls shared with us. Poignant stories, of triumph, overcoming obstacles,  funny adventures, and amazing accomplishments.    

We are lucky indeed to have had the pleasure of their company for our 4th ReMe retreat.  Thank you all who joined us, you will forever be in our hearts and are now one of our ReMe Sisters for Life.

Stay tuned as we will be sharing more memories and moments from ReMe 2015.  

If you are looking to join us in 2016, please sign up for our newsletter (link is on the left) for updates and announcements!

Artfully and gratefully yours,

Jodi, Jean and Penny

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!

Jodi's Memories of ReMe October 2014

Oh gosh you guys, it was really hard to follow up Jean's post from last week--she captured the essence of ReMe so well! Her recollection  truly put tears in my eyes as I looked back and remembered each and every one of our tender moments, and there were many.

  Here's a little look back of my own with some narration via a short video blog.  (I hope you can hear it--if not, you may need headphones! :)

Just as I said in my closing,  thank you to all of our guests from 2014--you made our inaugural year so out of this world.  It was more incredible then we could have every expected.   Behind the scenes we've been working for several years to put all of our ideas into practice, so to birth this 'baby' with all of you, just warms our heart and feeds our soul more than you can imagine.

Here's to 2015, we look forward to new memories and reuniting with old friends along with making new friends.

**If you'd like to join us during our flagship ReMe retreat this October,  check out our down payment button to the left of this post.  We offer flexible monthly payment plans to suit your needs.

As always, we welcome any questions you may have at reme@remeretreats.com