**We had originally planned a 3 day gathering but received valuable feedback suggesting people didn’t have enough time to plan for a big, expensive trip. This is our first time doing this and we greatly appreciate your enthusiasm and willingness to make suggestions! Thank you. We listened and simplified. This post has been edited since initially posted.**

I am excited to invite you to The Artful Homestead: Digging Into Daily Ritual.

I began imagining this a few years ago: a weekend focused on creativity and earthly awareness – with attention given to the whimsy and practicality of everyday acts. I envisioned working with the people who are passionate about things like baking bread, writing, gardening, poetry, deep breaths, art, music, canning jam, learning, doing, being. Together, camping and getting groovy with our homesteady selves, identifying our values and rituals.

It’s manifesting this spring, collaboratively with my dear, old friend and exquisite photographer Paige Green. You’ve heard me mention Paige many times before; she’s my best friend of 20 years. Our first-ever Artful Homestead gathering is happening over Memorial Day weekend. Will you join us?

photos by Paige Green

WHEN: 9am-7pm, May 28, 2016

WHAT TO EXPECT: This day is for people who want to explore, grow and create. The whole thing takes place on Windrush Farm, a real working farm located in Chileno Valley, CA. Participants will get dirt under their fingernails and forget about unanswered emails. Special bonus: no cell service! You can expect a comfortable yet rustic experience grounded in nature, community and expression.

photo by Paige Green

Together with Paige, I will lead participants on adventures in writing, nature exploration, art-making, photography, cooking, gardening and movement. Our day will have a good balance of light, leisurely flow and focused activity — time to relax and explore at your own pace balanced with time to interact, engage and accomplish. The evening will take root in a healthy, shared meal followed by fireside storytelling and a swim in the secret garden pool.

All food will be lovingly prepared by Paige, me and two other friends. We will feed you so well!

WHERE: Windrush Farm | 2263 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma CA 94952
Located in the green hills of Chileno Valley, Windrush Farm was founded in 1995 by Mimi Luebbermann, with an intention of living simply, farming fiber, and functioning as a quiet space for Luebbermann’s longstanding writing career. Windrush Farm has since evolved into an educational facility educating and entertaining Bay Area children and adults about farm life, wool, and the real world of animals, grass and sunshine.

I know first hand the magic of Windrush Farm. Paige’s mother-in-law is the founder and owner so I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several times over the years. I’ve helped with milking cows, feeding lambs and cooking pizza in the outdoor wood-fired oven…

Giant live oak trees lend their nobby, knowing spines for leaning and listening. Wisteria drips from the farmhouse eaves, involuntarily intoxicating every passer-by. Goats summit abandoned shed roofs, sheep bleat to be pet, cows step into the worn walls of a well-used barn. Lavender and rosemary elbow each other for more room.

The photos below are from two of our visits to Windrush Farm at this same time of year.

April 2009, for Paige and Arann’s wedding (I was pregnant with Ruby but didn’t know it yet!):

May, 2012:

photo by Paige Green

photo by Paige Green

with love and appreciation,
Nici

:: DETAILS ::

This event is sold out.

The Artful Homestead is an intimate gathering and space is limited. SIGN UP NOW.

how much: $200 / includes food and workshops. Participants will need to arrange their own travel and accommodations. We can assist with this! Just shoot us an email if you have questions.

if it rains: if it happens to rain a little then we’ll put on rain boots, bring out our umbrellas and play in the rain. If El Nino hits then we’ll reschedule the workshop and if you can’t make the new date, we’ll happily refund your workshop fee.