Hello to you all
Due to circumstances beyond my control, The Robins' Nest Retreat.com web site isn't functioning at this time. I think that the server that it was on has gone belly up. I am not sure about this as they haven't notified me of any changes and the site as well as their site hasn't been online for about a week. I am busily trying to get another site online and should be back in a few days. I thank you for your patience.
I have also lost all of the addresses for my monthly newsletter. On the new site, I will have a sign up so please wait and sign up again when the new site is up. I thank those of you who have been followers.
If there are any questions about The Robins' Nest, you can ask me through the blog until the new site is up. I will be checking it daily.
Thanks again for your patience.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Seasons Greetings!
Seasons Greetings to you all. It is finally here, our time for our winter solstice celebrations, whatever you call them. Many different people, many different celebrations, but they all celebrate the love and togetherness that this season brings to our hearts! Fill your hearts with joy and carry that with you throughout the new year!
This past year has been a very full one and fortunately for us at The Nest, a more abundant year in many ways. We have enjoyed some lovely new friends as well as welcoming back some of our friends from previous visits. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence and we look forward to your return in the coming years.
This year we have had some scrap booking groups in and I must admit that these ladies are certainly dedicated to the craft. They are turning out some amazing creations for their families to cherish for generations to come. Well done gals!!
We have cut down our tree from our good friends place last weekend and yesterday we finally put on the decorations. This year I have cleared out the boxes and said goodbye to those decorations that are no longer together enough to put on the tree or no longer able to be pieced back together. It was a sad goodbye but the time had come. (sniff)
I have most of my shopping completed, yeah, without too much thinking this year. How are you making out with your list? Stumped by anyone for this year? Why not give a Robins' Nest Gift Certificate for a retreat or a day spa? Give me a call at 705-639-2284 or email me for rates and availability!
Hint of the Month:
Here is a recipe for cooking carrots that you might want to try this holiday season.
Carrot Ribbons with Cashews
1 1/2 lbs. carrots
1/2 c. unsalted whole cashews
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon plus 1 stick
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cardamon plus 4 pods
Cut carrot ribbons using a peeler down the length of the carrot.
Toast the cashews in a 2 quart sauce pan over medium heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add the butter, onion, ginger and salt and cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the carrots and remaining spices and 1 tbsp water. Cook, covered for 5 minutes then remove the whole spices, toss in the cashews and serve hot.
There are no upcoming events this month. January and February are booking up so if you are interested in a Winter Wonderland Get Away,drop me a line to find out availability.
This past year has been a very full one and fortunately for us at The Nest, a more abundant year in many ways. We have enjoyed some lovely new friends as well as welcoming back some of our friends from previous visits. Thank you all for gracing us with your presence and we look forward to your return in the coming years.
This year we have had some scrap booking groups in and I must admit that these ladies are certainly dedicated to the craft. They are turning out some amazing creations for their families to cherish for generations to come. Well done gals!!
We have cut down our tree from our good friends place last weekend and yesterday we finally put on the decorations. This year I have cleared out the boxes and said goodbye to those decorations that are no longer together enough to put on the tree or no longer able to be pieced back together. It was a sad goodbye but the time had come. (sniff)
I have most of my shopping completed, yeah, without too much thinking this year. How are you making out with your list? Stumped by anyone for this year? Why not give a Robins' Nest Gift Certificate for a retreat or a day spa? Give me a call at 705-639-2284 or email me for rates and availability!
Hint of the Month:
Here is a recipe for cooking carrots that you might want to try this holiday season.
Carrot Ribbons with Cashews
1 1/2 lbs. carrots
1/2 c. unsalted whole cashews
3 tbsp. unsalted butter
3/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon plus 1 stick
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cardamon plus 4 pods
Cut carrot ribbons using a peeler down the length of the carrot.
Toast the cashews in a 2 quart sauce pan over medium heat until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
Add the butter, onion, ginger and salt and cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the carrots and remaining spices and 1 tbsp water. Cook, covered for 5 minutes then remove the whole spices, toss in the cashews and serve hot.
There are no upcoming events this month. January and February are booking up so if you are interested in a Winter Wonderland Get Away,drop me a line to find out availability.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
November Musings
This morning, Brian and I were having our coffee by the dining room window, watching the dozen or so blue jays attacking the feeder along with the woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees when a flock of about 2 dozen evening gross beaks landed everywhere. Brian went to get some more seed to toss on the ground for the gross beaks but they flew off when he opened the door. We hoped that they would come back in a bit, but they didn't. Perhaps tomorrow they will return. You never know who or what will show up outside the window. Last month we spied a bear on the property next door and there have been elk sightings in the area as well.
This month has a lot of family birthdays for me. The birthdays though are of family that have left this plane but they are always in my thoughts. My dad, mom and my Nan all have birthdays in November as well as my parents wedding anniversary. I have been thinking of my dad alot lately. I was thinking of how he would have enjoyed our quiet piece of paradise. My dad was a country boy at heart and he would have spent all his time in the woods if he could. He never got to see what we have accomplished here with the house and grounds as well as the business, but I am sure that his spirit walks the woods with Brian and me quite often.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
People
I don't think that I will ever cease to be amazed at the wonderful guests that grace our retreat center. It seems that there is a common thread that runs between myself and the guests almost every time.
For example: We had a group of guests come for a scrap booking retreat and through chatting, I discovered that some of the gals had children that dance at a studio that I used to do costuming for in my life before The Robins' Nest Retreat. Another time, again with a scrap booking group, one of the ladies works with my son-in-law's mother. Other times it is what we are interested in that is the thread. Some of the guests and myself almost seem to converse without words, if you know what I mean. It is very surreal at times.
It is very fulfilling as well!
For example: We had a group of guests come for a scrap booking retreat and through chatting, I discovered that some of the gals had children that dance at a studio that I used to do costuming for in my life before The Robins' Nest Retreat. Another time, again with a scrap booking group, one of the ladies works with my son-in-law's mother. Other times it is what we are interested in that is the thread. Some of the guests and myself almost seem to converse without words, if you know what I mean. It is very surreal at times.
It is very fulfilling as well!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sleepless in Norwood
Most times I can fall asleep with no trouble. I just lay in my bed, pick up my book and read till my eyes slam shut. That is most days. Lately, I find that if I have caffeine, well, the eyes don't slam shut. They stay wide open no matter how tired I feel.
I never used to have this problem. I could have a cup of tea or coffee and go to bed and sleep like a log. Does age have anything to do with it? Don't know but in the last few months, even having regular coffee in the morning sets me up for a sleepless night! Ahhhhhhh.
This morning I had to go into the city to drop off some books at the library and decided to treat myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I forgot to ask for decaff and now I am paying for it. Here I sit writing and wishing that I could be fast asleep in my bed. And that was after only one coffee!
I am going to try some Cal-Mag and my vitamin D and some deep breathing and see if that will help me shut down the mind so I can get my rest for the work that needs to be done tomorrow.
Hope that you all have a good nights sleep.
Will post soon.
Good night!
I never used to have this problem. I could have a cup of tea or coffee and go to bed and sleep like a log. Does age have anything to do with it? Don't know but in the last few months, even having regular coffee in the morning sets me up for a sleepless night! Ahhhhhhh.
This morning I had to go into the city to drop off some books at the library and decided to treat myself to a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks. I forgot to ask for decaff and now I am paying for it. Here I sit writing and wishing that I could be fast asleep in my bed. And that was after only one coffee!
I am going to try some Cal-Mag and my vitamin D and some deep breathing and see if that will help me shut down the mind so I can get my rest for the work that needs to be done tomorrow.
Hope that you all have a good nights sleep.
Will post soon.
Good night!
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Ain't Life Grand!
There have been so many times this past while when I have to pinch myself, figuratively of course, because I feel so blessed!
Some of people don't like to celebrate birthdays. They think of them of reminders of how old they are. Well, they do mark the passing of our years here on earth, in the physical sense, there is no way around that but they also mark our challenges, our victories, our laughter, our tears. They hold our scrapbook of the events that we have celebrated, the events that we have endured. Those years that were lean, those years that were abundant and all of those years in between.
I celebrated my 60th year this past month! I consider it a milestone and I am so looking forward to the next 60. Yes, the next 60. There is nothing that says I can't make it!
I have witnessed so much in my short 60 years and I look forward to the advances in the next.
As I have said before, I am trying to live more in the present moment. In doing this I have realized that I can not multitask any longer. This for me has become very frustrating as I lose something if I try to do more than one thing at a time. I was listening to a CD lecture while cleaning. Something that should be very simple, but as the time went on, I realized that my focus was on the cleaning and not on the CD. I had to wait and listen to it when I had the time to sit and focus on the CD. It was a lesson for me. An important one for my life.
I realized that I need to make what I am doing at the time, the most important thing and give it my all, whether I am preparing a meal for our guests at The Robins' Nest or dusting, making beds whatever.
When I focus and live in the moment, things happen! Bookings come in, people are interested in what I have to offer. I have had bookings made for next year already! I am more calm, relaxed and I get so much more accomplished. I don't rush anymore, no anxiety.
I am so blessed to be doing what I am, to be living where I am, to have the husband, child, son-in-law, and grandson that I have. Well, you get the gist.
My family threw me a 2 day celebration for my birthday. I got to wear a crown and everything. Queen for 2 days, but you know, I feel like a queen everyday.
How 'bout you?
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Spring Plantings
March Break is at it's end and for those who had the option of taking the time off from the "norm", I hope that you had a very enjoyable time! The weather has been wonderful, snow has almost gone from the woods, new green is shooting up all over the place and soon we will be experiencing the sight of Trilliums, and the scent of wild leeks! Ah, spring! One of my favourite months after Autumn.
Seems funny that I like the time of harvest before the time of planting but that is me. Wonder if it means that I enjoy the benefits more than the planning? Hmmmm. Something to think about as I do the planting.
I am looking forward to the planting of a new garden in the courtyard this year and getting that all finished up. It has been sitting idle for the past 2 years as I decide what I want to do with it. Now that the snow guards are working and keeping the avalanches of snow on the roof, I can plant some bushes and such that won't be crushed under the onslaught of tons of snow sliding down on them during the winter and obliterating them under the weight! Now to deciding what to plant there!
It will be fun to wander through the garden center and take in the sights and smells of their offerings.
I am thinking of some rose bushes, or perhaps a snow ball bush, or maybe some small shrubbery. Maybe I will go for the overgrown English Garden with its' clumps of tall, medium and short bushy plants. So many choices, but for now, I think that I will curl up with my gardening books and dream!
Seems funny that I like the time of harvest before the time of planting but that is me. Wonder if it means that I enjoy the benefits more than the planning? Hmmmm. Something to think about as I do the planting.
I am looking forward to the planting of a new garden in the courtyard this year and getting that all finished up. It has been sitting idle for the past 2 years as I decide what I want to do with it. Now that the snow guards are working and keeping the avalanches of snow on the roof, I can plant some bushes and such that won't be crushed under the onslaught of tons of snow sliding down on them during the winter and obliterating them under the weight! Now to deciding what to plant there!
It will be fun to wander through the garden center and take in the sights and smells of their offerings.
I am thinking of some rose bushes, or perhaps a snow ball bush, or maybe some small shrubbery. Maybe I will go for the overgrown English Garden with its' clumps of tall, medium and short bushy plants. So many choices, but for now, I think that I will curl up with my gardening books and dream!
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