Roadtrip to Canal Junction Meats & Cheese Farm

September 27, 2010

Last Friday a group of Elizabeth's House members took a roadtrip to CJ's Grassfed Meats & Cheese Farm in Defiance, Ohio.  The one-hour drive was windy but beautiful.  Lisa Bowe was our guide for the day and what a great tour we received!  We saw everything from the henhouse to the milking room.  We met the newest calf and checked out the turkeys.  We met the Schlatters, the family that owns and operates the farm, and then enjoyed the most delicious lunch that is better described as a feast, prepared by Renae Schlatter.  Eight of us sat at the long farm table and were served a fresh green salad with homemade strawberry vinaigrette with Lisa's kombucha.  We were then treated to beef-stuffed peppers, applesauce, and a fresh corn dish that required seconds.  Dessert was chocolate cake with ice cream and raspberry sauce with coffee.  All I can say is naps were required later that afternoon.  After shopping for fresh eggs, fabulous meats and cheeses we headed home more than a little full, and more than satisfied with our roadtrip to the farm.

Celebrating Three Years

Today we celebrated our third year anniversary of helping women reinvent their lives with a potluck luncheon.  First of all the food was phenomenal!  So phenomenal in fact we’ve asked everyone to share their recipes and I’m now convinced we’ll see an Elizabeth’s House cookbook being published before long.  Toni’s mini salmon cakes with spicy remoulade sauce were a big hit, as was Louise’s rice salad and Monica’s guacamole.  There was Mediterranean salad, red pepper bruschetta, zucchini frittata, and a squash casserole you wouldn’t believe.  There was fruit salad and fruit pizza, and I could go on but I think I’ll let you wait for the cookbook.

The joy of the event was listening as women reflected on their personal journeys and why having a place like Elizabeth’s House has been important.  No surprise women are grateful to have encouragement and inspiration for living life connected to spirit.  Through all the changes that life brings to women, one thing is crystal clear.  Women need a space to share those changes with other women.  We knew it three years ago and we know it now.  The women of Elizabeth’s House have said “yes” to living life fully, without judgment of ourselves or each other.  We’ve put our titles in a basket to discover something more.  We’ve stopped looking for answers and have fallen in love with the questions – and we’re questioning everything.  We’re beginning to understand that we don’t have to be in crisis to get support for living a life we can love.  We’re beginning to believe the life of our dreams is possible.  That’s a lot of growth in three years and it will be exciting to see what’s next.  The possibilities are endless…

Peace,

Beth Collins, Co-creator Elizabeth's House

Elizabeth's House

Welcome to the Elizabeth's House Blog

Welcome to the official blog for Elizabeth's House!  I've been talking and blogging about Elizabeth's House for awhile so I'm excited to have a space dedicated to the kind of conversations we have on a regular basis at the "House."  Elizabeth's House has been around for three years now and I marvel at the women who have come through our doors and the journeys they're on.  I hope they will be compelled to share parts of their stories here because nothing inspires women's creativity and spirit more than sharing stories.  I will share the journey that has been and continues to be Elizabeth's House, and invite others to join the storytelling! 

One of the things women notice when visiting Elizabeth's House is the peaceful space that invites personal reflection.  Another thing they notice is a sense of respect for one another that seems to allow everyone to share freely without judgement.  And I invite comments on this blog that offers that same level of respect.  One thing we've learned is that everyone is right where they are supposed to be and no one, absolutely no one, needs to be "fixed."  I think that is the most respectful approach women can have that serves one another so please join me and others as we continue on this path of discovery.