Retreat Part 2!

So Day 1 was great! On to day 2.

I set my alarm for 8, just in case. No way was I gonna sleep through the fab breakfast. I got up, dressed, etc...and made it to the dining area by 8:45. Had some tea and then breakfast was brought in. OH MY AMAZING! French-style scrambled eggs with bacon and toast with homemade jam. Fruit with a raspberry sauce and strawberry crepes! I knew I wouldn't need much else the rest of the day! After that I drove to a nearby park with a waterfall. Wow was that relaxing. I wished I would have brought a blanket or soemthing..would have made my seat a little more comfortable. I sat right on the edge of the creek, which was kinda rocky. Stayed there for an hour or so and then went back, where I checked out the cemetery next door. The owner had told us how old it was. 150 year-old gravestones always intrigue me. I hoped for a bench or something where I could sit and write, but no luck. I sat in the gazebo for a while. Around 12:30 I headed inside, back to my comfy parlor spot and stayed there til 5:30, again, stopping only for delectable baked goods. Went and got changed. A friend was meeting me at 6:30 to go to dinner. I got back around 9:30 ish, showered, and then wrote some more.

Day 2 word count: 4981

Day 3 I knew would be short. I had to be home for hubby to leave for work...he had to work second shift..so I had to be home by 2.  I was up early, and in my parlor chair by 8 am. Wrote or an hour then left my laptop while I had breakfast- blueberry cottage cheese pancakes! With that some locally made organic sausage and fruit. Oh and red velvet chocolate tea OMG! I went back to my spot around 10 ish and by 11, check out time, I had shut down for the day. Met hubby and kids for lunch at Moe's.

Day 3 word count: 1813

Grand total for my entire retreat: 10,271

If you ever get the chance to do something like this, TAKE IT! I would seriously do it once a month if I could!

All Alone: My Writer's Reteat in Heaven!

Last week I spent two nights in heaven!

One of my biggest complaints in life, as I'm sure is the same as many people, is never having enough time...for anything, really. But mostly for my writing. Months ago I told my husband that some day I just wanted to go to a hotel for a few days for peace, quiet, and a place to write without interruption. On a particularly stressful day about a month ago, my hubby brought the idea up again and gave me his blessing to actually do it. I searched and researched and decided to check out some Bed and Breakfasts We have plenty within a 2 hour radius of our house- wine country, ski country, etc.. Then I could have more than just a plain old room.

I chose one about 45 minutes away. It used to be the rectory for the church next door, which they also own and are converting into a spa and dining area for the inn. Gorgeous place. So serene. I knew the second I pulled up I was in for exactly what I had wanted.

Before going, I wondered what I should make my word count goal. I needed to have some kind of goal. It had to be attainable though. I went with 10,000. My normal daily goal is 1,000, so 10 times that seemed doable with zero interruptions or responsibilities.

Day 1 started with leaving my house around 12:30. I drove to the inn first, then drove into the small town nearby (it was kind of in the middle of nowhere). I had some lunch at my favorite chain coffee shop, Tim Horton's, and then got to work. Check in at the inn wasn't til 4. So I sat there from 2-4 writing in my notepad. I left, checked into the inn, checked the place out, and finally sat back down to write around 5 or so. I found an awesome chair in the parlor near a nice large window, surrounded by antique furniture. So amazing!! Worked there until 9:30, stopping only a couple times to snack on fruits and pastries homemade by the owner, and then later on to chat with the owner's husband and some of the guests who had checked in. I showered and wrote some more in my room before turning in around midnight.

Day 1 word count total: 3477

Check back tomorrow for the rest of my trip!