At The Orchard

 

Our "Orchard Grl" is back at it! xo 

Covid: Ruining Plans Since 2020

 

Thursday night we recieved an email from Pilgrim Lodge letting us know that Covid cases had turned up a camp. The good news was that it was not in the Climate Justice group but was found in the Hogwarts session that was running concurrently with Climate Justice. Those children who tested positve were sent home. 

At 9:30am today the decission was made to end both camps early. While Climate Justice still seemed to be unaffected they decided that to be on the safe side that all campers should head home today. Thankfully, I was working half days all week so I was able to begin the journey to Maine at 11:00am when my work day ended. It took me an hour longer to get there than usual so I was grateful to have been able to set out earlier than I would have had I worked until my normal 3:00pm. 

I got to camp right before 3:00pm and Grace and I then headed to Freeport to grab an early dinner and walk around a bit before heading home. Not knowing how long the return trip would take we figured we might as well break it up a bit and get a yummy lobster roll while we were at it. 

And so, another summer at PL has come a close. Here's to next year, and the hope that Covid won't rear it's ugly head again then! xo 

#AnswerTheCall2024

 

In which I, along with 100,00 other women hop on a Zoom call tonight and break the internet! Oh, and we raised $1.18 million for Kamala's campagin in the first 30 minutes! 

Watch the recording herehere
and 
Donate here. 

Scenes From Emma's Week at Camp

 

Another fabulous week at Pilgrim Lodge is in the books for Emma! Until next year, PL! xo 

In Which Grace Makes Her Film Debut!

The Hallmark Christmas movie the girls were extras in premiered on Saturday and we were thrilled to see that Grace was easily spotted! If you haven't seen A Very Vermont Christmas yet it's streaming on Peacock! xo

Back For Round Two: Grace's Version

 

And Grace has been delivered to Pilgrim Lodge for Climate Justice Camp! xo

Closing Circle

 

Scenes from Closing Circle at Pilgrim Lodge this morning. Emma is now officially home from Maine. Grace heads back tomrorow to attend Climate Justice camp. And this mama is one weekend closer to being done with trips too and from PL! xo 

And Just Like that....

 

Grace's last homeschool approval letter has arrived. Can't believe we have arrived at her senior year already. Gracious, these years have gone by way too fast....xo 

Scenes From An Eighteenth Birthday

 

Eighteen

 

As they say, the days are long but the years are short. I rememnber hearing from so many people when Grace as a newborn that it goes quickly and while I knew they were right, I didn't realize how truly right they were! It's hard to believe she is eighteen already as it truly feels like just yesterday she was a few hours old and we were just getting to know this sweet soul who had just arrived earthside. It has been an amazing experience being her mama and I am looking foward to all that's instore for her (and for us as her parents) during her next trip around the sun (and over the next eighteen years as well)! Happy birthday, Grace Elizabeth! It has been the honor of  a lifetime to be your mama! Keep shining bright, sweet girl and making this world a better more beautiful place! I love you to the moon and back, forever and ever! xo 

Happy Birthday, David!

 

We celebrated Dave's birthday on Saturday since both girls were home.  Key Lime pie was the dessert of choice for the birthday boy and gifts were opened. The girls had wanted to give him this shirt for Fathre's Day but came up with the idea too late to find someone to create it so we made it happen for his birthday instead! If you see our favorite guy today be sure to wish him a very happy birthday and another incredible trip around the sun! xo 

Back For Round Two : Camper Version

 I picked the girls up from camp on Saturday at 10:30am since their week being CITs had come to a close and we headed home. Originally, we had booked a hotel room since Emma would need to be back the next day, but due to the heat and humidity and not being able to check in until 3:00pm we decided to cancel. It was lovely to have them both home, even if it was just for less than 24 hours! We got to hear all their stories (and gracious, did they have stories!) and we even celebrated David's bithday (pictures coming tomorow on the actual day).

Emma and I journied back to PL today. We sang and chatted and stopped in Freeport for lunch before hading the rest of the way to Pilgrim Lodge.

She is super excited to be back at PL for another week (but this time as a camper). My drive home was lonely without any co-pilots but I used to the time to listen to some books on Audible and chat with my mom when I needed a break from the story I was listening too. I'll be headed back to Maine on Saturday to aquire Emma to bring her home and then bring Grace back the following day for her week at camp. Next year, we need to rent a house in Maine for the month of July (wish we'd thought of that sooner)! xo

Scenes From This Week In New Hampshire

 

And so begins another week of learning about Emergency Pedagogy from Bernd Ruf! 

Gorgeous view from the High Mowing SchoolHigh Mowing School campus. 

View of Temple-Wilton Community FarmTemple-Wilton Community Farm during my workshop's nature walk. 

Two of the gorgeous cows at TWCF. On Tuesday we helped bring them in from the field and our instructor, MichaelAnne sang to them to bring them in to the dairy barn. 

We spent time talking about cows and ways that working with cows can help children who have experienced trauma can heal by working with them. 

Tuesday evening lecture gievn by Bernd Ruf regarding how we can help support and/or be part of the teams that go into areas where trauma has occured to conduct Emergency Pedagogy. 

The walking path I would take from Pine Hill to High Mowing for lunch each day. It is simply magical. 

Wednesday and Thursday my workshop group (animal therapy) spent time at the gorgeous Earth & Sky Biiodynamic Farm. This farm is simply magical and like the farm I would love to live on/steward. 

Our first day at Earth & Sky was all about chickens. 

They have around 120 hens (and some two week old baby chicks as well)!

We had the most delicious garden water. Various herbs and edible flowers made it especially yummy and a very welcome treat on a hot, humid day. 

Ready to take more notes during Bernd's two morniong lectures. 

Our final day at Earth & Sky was all about sheep, goats and horses. We also spoke a bit about biodynamic farming. MichaelAnne recommended some wonderful books and resources for us should we want to learn more. Biodynamic farming was a term that I knew of but something I did not know much about. Learning from MichaelAnne this week inspired me to want to learn more and bring the preparations to help heal our little piece of land. 

It was another incredible week and I am glad I went! It made for some very long days though and so I am glad that it has come to a close. I did not attend the final day/closing ceremonies on Friday as I was so beyond tired and needed a day of not driving to and from New Hampshire. Being there though really did make me wish I had been a Waldorf teacher in my life before my girls and that we lived there in Wilton. What a simply lovely area and magical place! xo