Captured Moments

Ever just melt into a moment?

As in be totally aware of just how awesome that very moment happens to be? It’s a delicious, extraordinary feeling isn’t it? Time seems to slow down, dangling in the air in front of you. You can almost touch the minutes as they slip into the next. Your eyes allow you to really see the moments unfolding before you. The glorious present becomes of the utmost importance. You find yourself wrapped in an exquisite awareness of being. The everyday struggles, trials and tribulations just seem to dissolve into the recesses of your mind and all of the things that matter most in your world become crystal clear.

Last weekend I traveled to The Pioneer Woman’s ranch after being invited by Ree to share in a weekend of cooking and time spent with girlfriends.

But it turned out to be much more than that.

For a week now I’ve tried to organize those moments on the ranch spent with a group of extraordinary women and weave them into sentences.

For once I’m at a loss for words.

The beauty that was seen in captured moments…

and felt within the heart,

seem to be almost too beautiful for words…like getting the chance to hug Julie, in real life. *Sniff*

Listening to the lovely and ever-so-witty Rebecca,

as she showed us how to make fresh mozzarella cheese,

delicious braided bread,

and scrumptious roasted red pepper spread,

fed not only our appetites, but our hearts and souls.

Herding cattle on horseback with her lovely family,

(photo by Ree) 

as the blazing hot day slipped into a gorgeous golden hue,

was invigorating,

eye opening,

magical.

 

The experiences we shared,

whilst the sun flared its last stunning rays before slipping into the horizon,

awakened my every sense.

I felt intensely alive,

invigorated,

aware,

and awestruck, by the vast beauty of the open skies.

I was honored to have the opportunity to experience a tiny taste of the hard work, difficult decisions and unforgiving circumstances that come with running a ranch. I was mesmerized by the grace of Ree’s children as they instinctively followed the lead of their father. How effortlessly they did whatever task they where asked to do. Watching them work in tandem with one another gave me a whole new appreciation for family and what it’s meant to be. I was humbled to witness what the past generations of hard workers had produced.

Life just seems so much bigger on the ranch somehow. Deeper. Fuller.

I was so grateful for the opportunity to have these new perspectives.

 

 

And for a chance to be reminded of how important it is, to really… see.

The captured moments shared with these lovely ladies…Bridget, Robyn, Sandy, Amy , Georgia…

(photo by Ree)

 Ree, Meseidy, Stephanie, Julie and Shari, were life changing.

Beautiful hearts, generous souls, beautiful spirits, and a most gracious hostess.

It will indeed be a weekend that will be forever remembered and held close to my heart.

Wishing you the eyes to *see*…the many moments that are waiting to be captured.

~Wenderly