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Last August, I hosted two award-winning authors, Marcia DeSanctis and Lavinia Spalding at the farm as a stop on Marcia's Book Tour for her memoir, A Hard Place to Leave. Our 40+ guests were treated to a fascinating discussion about travel writing, raising families, and leaning into your own creativity to pursue your dreams and design the life you want to lead. We then set our guests free into the flower fields to harvest their own bouquets. It was a magical evening for everyone.
Although it was the first time I had met either Marcia and Lavinia in person, it felt more like reconnecting with two long-lost sisters. At the end of the night, Lavinia turned to me and said, "I am hosting a writers' workshop in Nepal and there is one spot left, you should take it."
Unbelievably, I accepted, and last November, at the tail end of the flower season, I traveled to Kathmandu, Nepal to attend the Himalayan Writers Workshop led by poet, American expat, James Hopkins and Lavinia Spalding. I found myself surrounded by a talented group of creatives from around the world and we spent 10 days in meditation and writing workshops together.
Together, we explored the magical and spiritual landscape of Nepal, learning about the culture, and meeting many kind-hearted Nepali people. It was life-affirming and inspiring in the best possible way. (The Nepali people actually say "Namaste" in greeting.)
One afternoon, we had the opportunity to see firsthand the good work of a local group in Kathmandu called Quilts for Kids Nepal founded by James Hopkins. They are a small nonprofit organization that provides work for economically challenged women and educates at-risk girls in Nepal. In the past 10 years, Quilts for Kids Nepal has sent over 300 children to school when those same kids would otherwise have been begging on the streets of Kathmandu.
Seeing firsthand the dramatic and positive impact Quilts for Kids Nepal has had on the girls in this community was powerful and everyone in our group began brainstorming ways we could support their work.
On our last evening together over shared Nepali food and a few bottles of wine, the idea of holding a fundraiser for Quilts for Kids Nepal at Cross Street Flower Farm was born. We worked through the winter to put together what we believe will be an equally inspiring weekend at Cross Street Flower Farm set against the beauty of our flower fields during summer's peak blooms.
Our talented BLOOM team including Marcia, Lavinia and James, will lead you in a weekend of mediation, writing, painting, gentle yoga and nature-inspired floral design. We encourage you to take a leap of faith much like I did when traveling to Nepal and join us for BLOOM.
Our weekend together will reawaken your soul and benefit a very good cause. Through this retreat, Cross Street Flower Farm and the BLOOM team have set the ambitious goal to raise $10,000 for Quilts for Kids Nepal.
By attending BLOOM 2023, you will help Quilts for Kids Nepal send 70 children to school for the upcoming school year and establish a local college fund for Quilts for Kids Nepal graduates.
I hope you will join us the weekend of July 28-30th for our inaugural BLOOM retreat!
-Nikki Bartley
Founder/Owner, Cross Street Flower Farm
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