24 March 2010

Back to Business


This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go on a religious retreat for women at a camp in Northern Idaho.  It was so good to get away.  Saturday morning was gorgeous outside.  This is the view that greeted all of us as we made our way to breakfast!


They fed us really well.  This is a picture of my first breakfast at the retreat.  What a welcomed respite from cooking and cleaning.  After this, I stopped carrying my camera around and just spent the rest of the time relaxing, but you get the idea.  We were well cared for and recharged to return home on Sunday.

I've been running non-stop since getting home trying to get caught up with all of the chores that pile up after a weekend away but it was totally worth it.

Spring came with abandon this past week and it's been just gorgeous out.  This tree is at the corner of my neighbor's property.  Seeing it this year is bittersweet.   My neighbor's husband passed away this past winter.  He always brought someone out each spring to trim this tree up and get it in shape before it flowered.  He always loved to see it in bloom.

This pipsqueak tree is at the corner of our property.  It was planted before we moved in and I'm not quite sure what it is...a weeping whatever, but I just don't see the point of this tree.  It is not tall enough to provide any shade, it's just about 6 inches taller than me, it doesn't bear any fruit, and it grows so much that I spend half the summer trimming the branches off of the ground.  At the end of every winter, I take particular pleasure trimming back all of the branches on it.  Despite it not having a point, for two weeks every year it flowers as well.  The way I trimmed it this year it looks a little like a bridal veil to me and has been particularly pretty in the sunlight.



Yesterday was so gorgeous out that the boys and I had a picnic at a park.  Although I loved having someone else cook for me all weekend, it was good to get back to some healthier fare.  We had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, plenty of fresh veggies with hummus to dip in, grapes and water.

I hope you all are having a wonderful day.  Little League season has started so you'll be seeing more crock pot fare out of me for a while.  In fact, I have a lentil stew going in the crock pot right now!  I'll share the recipe tomorrow.  See you then!

13 comments:

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

What a beautiful place I'd like running there too and after that enjoy a wonderful breakfast :)

Have a great week,

Gera

Jenn said...

Beautiful tree. Reminds me of cherry blossoms.

The Glamorous Gourmet said...

Sounds like you had a great time on your retreat. Happy Spring to you - your photos are gorgeous:)
Stephanie

Jeannie said...

I know how good it is to get away for a break no matter how short it is:D Always perks me up. Those flowering trees look very pretty, wouldn't mind having one of those flowering shrubs in my yard too. Cheers!

Julie said...

Sounds like a wonderful retreat..and I love the looks of that breakfast.

Ann Minard said...

Where's the lentil stew recipe? Just teasing!

Ann Minard said...

We used to have a lot of picnics in the park when my kids were younger, looks like you are enjoying this wonderful season in life and as you know: soon they will be all grown up! Have fun and continue to make many sweet memories.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

good for you... Important to everyone to take a bit of personal time

Anonymous said...

How nice to have a lovely getaway in a beautiful place! Spring seems to be a little shy coming in our area - it's warm one day and cold the next :)

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Sounds like you and your boys are enjoying spring with your picnic. The retreat must have been very relaxing in such a beautiful environment.

Have a great weekend.
Sam

shahana said...

beautiful tree !nice click!

Tina said...

Gorgeous photos - glad you had a good time!

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