Aaron and Meg's Retreat part 1

On Monday night, Aaron and I left the children in the wonderful care of my parents and headed north for Aaron and Meg's Retreat 2017.  We felt inspired to take a few days for a reconnect and so we planned one. 

On the drive up, we listened to a bold new mom podcast and assessed and discussed the needs of each of our children, our future as foster parents, our home, school district, and several items that were actually listed on an itinerary because we never have enough time with only each other's ears available. Other hours of driving time on this trip were devoted to music, two finance podcasts and an audiobook  (one for adults, one for parents), read scriptures, and created goals and discussed our thoughts on the podcasts and audiobooks. 

This was the early morning view outside our lovely bed and breakfast. Oh it was such a dream! 120 acres of farmland and gardens and trails and forest and ponds. Truly breath taking. 

Food at cedar crest lodge in Pleasanton Kansas, is incredible and several of the sides were farm to table from the garden we spent an hour admiring. Omelletes, yogurt and berry parfaits, muffins, salmon, pork tenderloin, potatoes, green beans, baked eggs over pesto potatoes, ham, heirloom tomatoes with basil and balsamic, peaches and cream cheese, bread pudding, fresh squeezed juice, rolls, and hot cocoa.  We ate and ate and ate at this place. 

Our room came with a fresh flower bouquet from the gardens, chocolate covered strawberries, a smores kit, breakfast both days and a two for one dinner. 

On Tuesday, we took a hike to each of the ponds after breakfast, and took time to relax and talk and read together at each stop. 

We drove "into town" and picked up treats (2 slices of pie and 2 cookies) to go from kohen's bakery, and had lunch at Larry's Chicken in Butler, Mo. I mean, how do you resist a sign like this?!  It said Sam's, but the gutters and side of the building advertised Larry's. Also, "broasted" chicken at Larry's = fried chicken. The place wasa cash only, walk up window dive, but my grilled cheese and Aaron's chicken and Susie Q's were worth the stop.  

We drove around to some farms and dreamy country estates and wondered where everyone who lives there works. Are they all farmers?  The lodge was on a hill with 360* views and here was hardly a building to be seen.