After every retreat, Darin and I have a lot to talk about. There's usually laundry waiting, art supplies to put away, and a pretty good chance that I'm already thinking about the next project I want to teach. You'd think I'd be ready for a break after a busy weekend, but that's rarely how it works.
In fact, one of the things I've learned this year is just how energized I feel after each retreat. We spend several days teaching, preparing meals, helping with projects, visiting with guests, and keeping everything running. By Sunday afternoon, there's certainly plenty to clean up, but I'm usually already thinking about what we could do next.
Now that we're down to our final three retreats of 2026, I've been thinking about a few other things this year has taught me. Some are things I probably should have figured out by now, and others still surprise me.
For starters, food is always a big part of the conversation around here. I suppose that shouldn't surprise me, considering how much thought Darin puts into every meal. But it still makes me smile when guests start asking questions about what they're eating, talking about their favorite dishes, or trying to figure out how they might recreate something at home.
Sometimes the conversations about dinner carry right into breakfast the next morning. I think Darin secretly enjoys that, although I'm not sure it's much of a secret anymore.
Another thing that never gets old is hearing how often people say they can't wait to come back. Sometimes they're looking at our retreat calendar before they've even packed their bags. Others are already making plans to bring a friend or family member next time. And when someone who's been here before walks through the door again, it's a little like welcoming an old friend back to the Farm.
I think that's one of the things I appreciate most about what we do. We get to meet some really interesting people, spend a few days getting to know them, and often see them again at another retreat. Some guests have been coming for years, and we still have new people discovering Big Raven Farm all the time.
And then there's the creativity. I can't tell you how many times I've watched someone take a project in a direction I never would have thought of myself. Sometimes it's a different color combination, a new technique, or an idea that changes the whole project. I love that. Our guests are constantly giving me new things to think about, and more than once I've come away from a retreat wanting to try something they showed me.
Maybe that's why I'm never quite ready for the season to end.
Fortunately, we're not finished with 2026 just yet! We've still got three retreats coming up in November, and there are a few openings if you've been thinking about joining us.
November 5–8: Pick Your Projects Art Retreat
4 spots remaining as of October 25, 2026
Our regular Pick Your Projects retreat is one of my favorites because I never know exactly what everyone is going to make. Guests choose three projects from our available selection before arriving, and we prepare the supplies so everything is ready when they get here.
What I especially enjoy is seeing how differently people approach the same project. Some follow the example closely, while others head off in a completely different direction. Sometimes those unexpected detours turn out to be the best part.
One of my favorite moments is seeing what everyone has made by Sunday. There are usually some pretty impressive projects spread across the tables, along with a few that took an unexpected turn. Those are often the ones with the best stories attached.
We have just four openings left for November 5–8, so if this retreat has been on your mind, now would be a good time to reserve your spot.
Explore the November Pick Your Projects Retreat.
November 12–15: Pick Your Projects, Holiday Edition!
8 spots remaining as of October 25, 2026
I have a soft spot for handmade holiday decorations and gifts, so I had a wonderful time putting together the projects for this retreat.
Our Holiday Edition offers 23 different projects to choose from, including paper bag snowflakes, beaded garlands for book lovers, felt ornaments, and plenty of other holiday-inspired creations. As with our regular Pick Your Projects retreats, guests choose three projects in advance, and we'll have everything ready when they arrive.
There's something especially satisfying about getting a few holiday projects finished before December arrives. And I love the idea of people going home with things they've made themselves, whether those creations become gifts or find a place in their own homes.
I also know how easy it is to have big plans for handmade holiday gifts and decorations, only to discover that December has arrived and none of them are finished. I've certainly had my share of projects that didn't get done when I thought they would!
We currently have eight openings for November 12–15. If you enjoy making things for the holidays, this weekend was put together with you in mind.
Explore the Holiday Edition Retreat.
November 19–22: Awaken Your Magic, A Retreat of Tarot, Yoga & Art
8 spots remaining as of October 25, 2026
We're closing out our 2026 retreat season with a retreat that's back by popular demand!
I'll be joined once again by Bekah Rieke, a tarot coach and yoga instructor, for Awaken Your Magic, a retreat that brings together tarot, yoga, and art.
I've always enjoyed the way art gives people an opportunity to explore ideas, and tarot adds another interesting dimension through its imagery, stories, and symbolism. Combined with yoga, it makes for a weekend that offers something beyond our usual creative projects.
I'm especially curious to see what everyone creates during this one. That's something I enjoy about teaching and making art with other people. Everyone has their own way of looking at things, and I nearly always come away having learned something myself.
We have eight spots available for November 19–22, our final scheduled retreat of the year. I'm looking forward to welcoming Bekah back and sharing this experience with another group of guests.
Explore the Awaken Your Magic Retreat.
A Few More Weekends Before We Call It a Year
As much as I enjoy planning what's next, I don't want to rush through these last three retreats. We've had such a wonderful variety of guests and projects this year, and I'm looking forward to seeing what November has in store for us.
I'm sure we'll have more projects spread across the tables, more conversations about Darin's cooking, and probably a few more people checking the calendar to see when they can come back. I also wouldn't be surprised if someone comes up with a project idea that sends me down another creative rabbit hole. That seems to happen fairly regularly around here.
We've already been busy planning our 2027 retreat season, and there are some wonderful things coming up. But if you've been considering a visit this year, there's still time. As of October 25, we have 20 spots available across our final three retreats.
Whether you've been here before or this would be your first visit, we'd love to have you join us for one of these last weekends of 2026.
See Our Remaining 2026 Retreats and Reserve Your Spot
And with three retreats still ahead of us, I'm not quite ready to put the art supplies away. Besides, Darin still has a few more dinners to make, and I have a feeling we'll have plenty to talk about.