Thursday, February 11, 2010

Retreat

I'm back from retreat and boy did we have a great time!!! Our little group left last Friday and returned home on Monday. I've finally got all the laundry done and my sewing supplies put away. It's always a lot of work but so worth the effort.


This is where we stayed. Isn't it beautiful? It's part of a Chistian Conference Center in the foothills near Sonora, California. You can see more pictures of the facility here. If you live near here and want to schedule a retreat I'd be glad to help you. The staff is wonderful and the food. What can I say about the food? I haven't eaten food this good at fancy restaurants. We're talking bacon wrapped filets, creme brulee, homemade soups, made to order omelets, etc., etc., etc.... and RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE! Yes,you heard me right! Homemade RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE!!!!!!!!! Their chef is awesome and always fixes us the best meals. They are brought up to us from the main lodge and served to us, we don't have to lift a finger. They even come up at 6:30 in the morning to turn on the coffee maker. Talk about spoiled.


We don't travel light. This is my van and this is "stuff" for just Nikki and I. Notice the electric blankets? Tee Hee!



This was Cindy's car. She transported four ladies. It's a good thing she has side mirrors.


Our beautiful view.


Last year we were given black and red 5" squares of fabric and challenged to make a small quilt. I was a bit hesitant as those are colors I don't normally sew with. They turned out just beautiful, though. All of the quilts are being donated to cancer patients so they can snuggle up and stay warm while they have their chemotherapy treatments.


Some of the sewing that went on.... This is a little lap quilt that I put together. Notice the chenile? It's an uber-simple pattern but the Fig Tree fabric makes it really pretty.



More projects..... all those corners to match!



It's never to early to get ready for Christmas.



Our workroom. This year there were only ten of us. One of the ladies had an emergency at the last minute and couldn't attend. We sewed from morning right after breakfast until after midnight some days. We also went shopping at the local quilt stores, watched a movie and even had time for naps. Aahhhhhh.......


We even had some visitors. This was taken outside the dining room window.


I'll have more pictures to share next post.








11 comments:

Mumzie said...

What a wonderful time! Love all the quilts you girls worked on. Perhaps one day, I will finish my quilt and become a quilter. Mumzie

Thimbleanna said...

Ohmygosh Miss Jean! Just the food alone would be worth going for!!! How fun to see all the quilts that you all made. I'm so happy that you had a good time!

Anonymous said...

Jean what a lovely time it sounds like that you had!! Those quilts are all wonderful and I know each recipient will so appreciate them!

Raspberry Cheesecake- oh my I could eat that for all 3 meals and not complain !! I love cheesecake!

So glad you had such a great weekend!

blessings
mary

Jenny said...

I love the chenile in a quilt - I've never seen this before! They are all beautiful.

Dawn said...

Hi Miss Jean. Your annual retreat sounds like a wonderful time. I think it's really neat for your group to get together like that. The black and red quilts are all gorgeous. The one with the chenille is so sweet but sophisticated at the same time! Just lovely.

Happy Birthday to Miss Maggie! I bet she really missed you.
Hugs,
Dawn

ChaChaneen said...

Wow, how fun!!! Oh, such a lovely place you all stayed at, right in the country and with your visiting deer too! I'll be bookmarking them for future reference! I lurve winter retreats to be crafty since we have to stay indoors so much and this is perfect.

The picture with all of you and your quilts is priceless! Can't wait to see the next set of memories!

Patty E said...

I'm glad you had such a great time and had such wonderful food. Don't you just love quilting retreats...they are the best.

The Green Pea said...

Hi Jean, so happy to hear that you had a good time. You really know how to pack your car.....looks like you couldn't have squeezed another needle in there. Have a nice Valentine's Day. sandi

PamKittyMorning said...

Looks like a lot of fun!

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Wow! You girls are certainly busy little bees! Lovely quilts - each one.

hugs,
becky

The Green Pea said...

The quilts are all so beautiful. Looks like a great time for all. sandi