Spring saw a busy prep season and mammoth grass growth. So, plenty of mowing. Now, with the 2025 program beginning, here is news, reminders and updated registration links.

Spring Developments

Peter installed salvaged doors on the extension bedrooms and SCFF has officially joined the ranks of modernization with never before seen indoor plumbing in the washroom. Fed by the rain barrels that were installed with the help of Rob and Steve in 2022, the rain barrels are now the water source to 2 wash basins and the kitchen sink. What a treat it was on a cold spring night to use the indoor composting toilet and wash basin. We were reminded of how transformative these conveniences are and Victoria was so happy to retire the old metal wash bowl, water jug and bucket.

Scott Russell completed a major section of new barn siding, wrapping the southwest corner and protecting the classroom and loft. It is beautiful.

Outdoor forest grooming continues with a renewed vigor as Sjoukje van der Laan came out one Sunday with her son Finn. It’s amazing what we accomplished in 2 short hours. Thank you so much.

Our May 11 Spring Bird Count started at 8am with eyes and ears tuned to bird song and leaves rustling. As we walked through the fields, looked over the marsh and hung out at the rushing creek we collectively observed 49 different species. A big shout out to Susan, Steven, Susan and Scott for your enthusiasm and commitment to enjoying slow walking, easy listening and sharing stories. We look forward to next year. 

See the link below for photos. You can also check out our species list on ebird: https://ebird.org/tripreport/375178

The May 24th weekend saw the Still Center Men's Retreat at SCFF with Greg De Koker and Brian DeCastro. When leaving, they wrote:

“From the greeting by Victoria and Peter to the rustic charm of their farmhouse to the spectacular walking trails through their piece of paradise, we thoroughly enjoyed our time immersed in nature. We all had a very special time at their very special place, and look forward to our next visit.”

Next up is our Women's Biking & DreamBuilding Weekend - June 27-29. Having spent much of my time biking around the city of Toronto, I have been a slow adopter to biking the hills and slopes of South Frontenac. Even with the purchase of a beautiful ebike, Peter and I haven’t been out that much, choosing instead the slower pace of walking. That was until I signed up for the Perth mini-tri which is this coming Sunday, June 1. And now my butt is feeling more toned even with a super chillaxed training schedule that at the most includes 45 minute biking sessions. It’s funny how we simply fall out of the habit of doing something, yet it’s so easy to get back on the horse and remember how much fun it was. Peter and I had a beautiful 24 km ride at Landon Bay in Gananoque yesterday with Martha, from PedalWorks and some local Kingstonites. 

I look forward to the Naturally L&A Gravel Ride on June 7th, where I will meet other cyclists and connect with our local community. I’m excited to bike the flat gravelled roads that we’ll be doing as part of our own retreat route. 

So are you looking for some outdoorsy fun? Are you wanting to engage in healthy activities in walking and biking and would you love to connect with like-valued women who also desire to lean into living their best and happiest life. If so, the SCFF Women's Biking and Dreambuilding Weekend retreat is for you. And it is especially perfect if you’ve been looking to escape your modern conveniences for a weekend. 

As a loyalty offer to those of you receiving our newsletter – and reading this far;) – we’re currently offering a two for one discount to the first 2 responders to this offer if you bring a friend. Please do reach out to me at victoria@scff.ca to discuss. 

And as always, if this isn’t for you….please forward the event to someone else who may love it and who may be so grateful for the opportunity. I was thinking back to my summer weekends in Toronto, when weekend after weekend I stayed in the city because I left it too late to sign up for something to do out of town. I would have loved this, so please think of others who may love it, they will thank you for the opportunity.

The 2025 bookbinding and photography workshops start in July:

- Bookbinding: Boxmaking Techniques - July 5-6
- Photo: Seeing Black and White: The Zone System - July 18-22
- Bookbinding: Artist Book Explorations - July 25-27
- Photo: Natural Inventions - Sept. 5-7

Details and registration links can be found below.

Plantain Power: Herbal First Aid from the Ground Up - July 19

We are excited to announce that we have also added a workshop with local entrepreneur Stephanie Potter of The Yellow Lion Apothecary.

The workshop will include a meditation, some forest bathing, and picking the plantain to make a salve that you can use on your cuts and scrapes.

Stephanie uses locally foraged and homegrown herbs and plants to create all natural products you can be proud to use. Stephanie graduated last year from The Wild Rose College of Herbal Medicine, receiving her Herbal Practitioner Diploma and plans on continuing her education to receive her Masters. I’m so excited to have Stephanie come to the farm and show us how to make a salve that is an all-natural mother earth created first aid.

Check for more details and to register.

Please also save the dates and register now for our August-September events. I can’t wait to have Sine Andersen here in Tamworth coming to us from her magical countryside home in Naestved, Denmark. It’s a reminder that we are all connected by land. We have a shared passion in helping others come back to what is important to each and every one of us. Please email victoria@scff.ca for details.

- Self-nurturing: Transformation in Nature Retreat 1 - August 2-4 (max 9 people)
- Self-nurturing: Transformation in Nature Retreat 2 - August 9-10 (max 9 people)
- AWEC Wellness Retreat - September 20

Coming up: In-person Vision Workshop with Victoria
Saturday June 14 - 2:00-4:30pm

Studio 330, 339 Barrie Street, Kingston
$40 registration at:https://studio330.punchpass.com/classes/17593251

Workshop includes: movement, meditation, a downloadable workbook and journaling.