Steeping

So I went to Geneva laden with stationery to hand-write letters, drawing homework, and a small project idea. Little did I know that the minute I would step into my Herrington Spa & Inn hotel room, I would be enveloped in a cloud of relaxation, that had me forget all about work, to-do lists, and plans.

The room was fit for a queen, the view of the Fox River had me bird watching, and the bagpack remained packed. It is amazing how one can feel completely remote even just an hour outside the city.

After an afternoon wandering a very hot Fox River Trail, an evening exploring the picturesque downtown boutiques, having my muscles stretched and relaxed in the spa the next morning, and taking luxurious deep baths, I met with the early bird Ladies of WIN for a lovely welcome dinner.

The next two days were steeped in learning, connecting, and eating. The Sugar Path provided a seemingly endless supply of custom mini-cupcakes, we had a chocolate tour, and the president of the Chicago Chocolate Tours ensured an element of chocolate was provided throughout the retreat.

My belly is very round, my brain is filled with nudges and ideas, and my heart is full from the deepening friendships strengthened through this retreat.

Rather than jump back into the blog-journaling process, I am going to let each workshop steep for a little bit before sharing my learnings with you. I’d like the respite from hurrying and reacting to things in Geneva to linger a little longer at home, as I determine what to focus on while also attending to the items on my calendar in upcoming weeks.

You can view pictures of the WIN Summer Retreat on Facebook and also peruse upcoming WIN events at www.ladiesofwin.org.

Have a great week!

ADDENDUM: As of March 10, 2013, I no longer support the WIN Board and its actions. However, I do support small business, women-owned businesses, and the gracious hosts of past WIN events.