Brazos Retreat - A Night at the Movies

Let the

begin.

We have looked forward to this retreat all year long.  I cannot tell you how much fun we have planning it and putting it together.  I'm pretty sure it's about on the same level as the retreat itself.  Honest.  At any rate, in the Facebook group are all the pictures that were taken and I just can't show 250 of them here, but I'll still cover the highlights.  Each person is greeted upon their arrival with paparazzi microphones in their faces, being asked silly questions just as expected at an awards show.  So, so much fun.  Here's just a couple of the entrances - light flashing in their faces and everything.  Oh yes, we ARE that good.  Classic movies are already playing and the party is ready to start.

Very quickly, the ladies who are making the featherweight bags get to work.

Jennifer S. starts us out with a TA-DA right off the bat.  I swear each time I see these, I tell myself to just tackle the strips and sew something with them.  It's beautiful Jennifer.

We have been working on a surprise for Val ever since the beach and finally have the chance to give our love away.  Our own "Bobbin Fairy" is presented with her own quilt by the same theme.  We love ya tons, our friend, and are so glad to have you back among us once again.

 

Val, too, soon has a TA-DA to share.  One of the classes she just took at quilt festival is in the done column.  Dang, I have partially made tops from classes taken years ago still waiting patiently on shelves.  Love this fabric as it is a fake cork look --- dang accurate.

Joyce with a TA-DA

Scenes around the room -

At dinner, we are presenting Golden Globe awards to each of our "stars" and we start out with our beloved hostess, Kay.  She is receiving the "Julie and Julia" award and no one is more deserving.

I didn't have control of my camera for the rest of the awards and there are a TON of pictures, but each person will be spotlighted here with perhaps a little lengthier stop at Val.  Her being gone for over 7 months this year was felt by each and every one of us.  We love her smile, stories, and general kind soul and events just weren't the same without her.  While her mission was one of love as well, we know just how hard it was and to us, she is our "Wonder Woman."

Next up is Sherri to present to Debi the "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" award as no one really knows where she is from day to day.  We are bowing down to the travel guru.

Stephannie presents Sherri with the "Full Monty" award.  It's one of those what happens . . . . stories.

While Stephannie is up, I present her with the "Bella" award as that character is known for always being a bit, shall we say, unsteady on her feet?

Lydia receives the "Lt. Althea Jarry" award for being the bestest Sheriff we have ever had, Maria receives the "Edna "E" Mode" award as quilting is her superpower, and Sharron is a natural for the "Risky Business award" --- she even accepts while wearing pants.

The powers that be present Paula with the "Pretty Woman" award and it's also one of those what happens . . . tales.  Fawn is a shoe in for the "Dory" award but for the life of me, I can't remember why.  Haha, just kidding.  She is followed by the "Debra Winger 'Sissy'" award being presented to Jennifer M. - our own country dancing girl.

Jennifer H. takes home the "Friday Night Lights" as she is never far from a high school game and Rocky receives the "Thelma and Louise" award.  It's given because she loves to hop in a car and go anywhere with anyone anytime.  However, Rocky, we want to make it perfectly clear that you are not to see the movie through to it's ending.

Jennifer S. is gifted with the "Julie Andrews" award for having the voice of an angel and all the choral endeavors she participates in.  Ana steals the show with her "Meryl Streep" award for the crazy ability to learn accents and portray them so realistically..  "How!"  The last honoree of this grouping is Shirley and her love of bags and shopping earn her the "Sex and the City" award.  Perfect, right?  Who doesn't remember the 'going to Wal-Mart' picture?

Joyce is honored with the "Steel Magnolias" award for being our very own small town Southern lady.  She is also the only one who took her trophy, turned it into a microphone and proceeded to thank all the little people who got her there.   Love, love, love.  Memories are amazing and Gwen's "Peggy Sue Got Married" takes that to a whole new level.  Perhaps she can do algebra now.  Congratulations to all for their amazing take on things.

Me??? Yes, the girls did not forget little old me.  I was presented with the "Minerva McGonagall" award.  Apparently, I'm a take charge lady and I don't deny it even one bit.

More movies!!!

Lydia's TA-DA --

Maria brought along a friendly visitor --- hmmmm ---

And that's it for day one!  Wow --- so much fun and silliness.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.  Night y'all --- (yes, keep reading -- more days in a single post)

Good morning and welcome to day 2.  We are all a bunch of busy little bees, but Shirley is keeping everyone on track with reminders to stretch and drink water.  Someone's gotta do it and I'm just thankful it's not me.
Fawn with a TA-DA - don't ya just love how our gentleman caller is helping out?

The day passes with movies, popcorn, and trips to the local quilt shops.  However, the big excitement is in our evening event.  Dressing as someone from the movies -- either a character or the actor/actress themselves -- should prove to be fun.  Are you ready to see?

First up is Sherri - as Carol Burnett's version of Scarlet O'Hara.  Love it --- so much fun and great curtains.

I took the full length shots, but Lydia is our ET photographer on the scene this evening and has captured all the head shots.  They are just too great to let pass, so you are going to get treated to both.  And away we go . . . .

Ana as a Groupie Wanna Be ---- PERFECT

Miss Val as Donald Duck -- no head shot sent to me -- along with Stephannie as Gloria Swanson.

Jennifer H as Sandra Dee from Grease

Fawn as Rooster Cogburn (John Wayne)

Joyce is from the same movie and playing Ms. Lila Goodnight

Sharron is portraying the Black Swan --

And Paula is Melissa McCarthy ---

Jessica Rabbit is in the house compliments of Maria and accompanied by our ET photographer, Lydia

Mary Poppins is yours truly

And another Disney representative is Rocky with her rendition of Frozen

Debi brings us Heidi in a super fun way -- ask sometime and you'll be surprised how this costume came about.

Gwen is Donna from Mama Mia (one of my current fav films) and I think she is spot on.

Shirley takes a moment on the red carpet

And is followed by the Jennifers.  Too funny, but if I write that, EVERYONE knows who I am talking about.

Well, now that the red carpet limelight is over, it's time to get started with our games ---- LCR -- let's do it.  The fat quarters are won by Shirley and she is full of glitz and glam.

I'll share just a few images from the game -- but comments are not forth coming.

The first jelly roll goes to . . . . . . Shirley.  What?  Wow - someone is on a roll tonight.

Each time we play this game, images are caught that sometimes just don't make it past the pages of our own Facebook group and some don't even make it that far, but tonight -- one is worthy of making this page too.  Dear Val, do we need to feed you more?

Finally, Shirley's streak is broken and Sharron wins the second game, netting herself with fat quarters and charm packs galore.

We have a couple of advancements that somehow didn't take place before the game.  What WAS I thinking.  Come on down Ms. Sherri ---- you are now EMERALD!!

Yep, this is AFTER the little bottles were opened and clothes went flying.

Rumor has it that we have a second person moving on up tonight.  Who can that be?  Our very first Silver Diamond is in the house.  Ms. Maria, come on down.  Congratulations to you.  Welcome to the world of diamonds.

And another party night is in the books.  Whew.  I am ready to take off this costume and relax a bit.  I may not even make the last man standing pic.

Maria has a HUGE TA-DA ---- Oh goodness.  King size plus --- and she gets to quilt it herself which is perfect since no one else has a machine that can handle a quilt this large.  You have no idea how many times I had to type that sentence to make it read right.

This requires two pictures to show the size accurately.

Ana with a TA-DA

Followed by Val with another TA-DA --- she's a busy bee back in her corner.

I was wrong -- I do make it to LMS --- but just barely.  Night everyone -- sleep well and I'll see ya in the a.m. for day 3.  (Please check out Gwen in the back drooling over our visitor)

Day 3 dawns and I am a bit slow to join the gang.  Why is that?  At any rate, movies are already going and machines are buzzing away.  The featherweight bag club is reaching the end of the projects and it's fun to see them all coming together.

Ms. Sharron has a complete UFO TA-DA -- her Christmas Exchange quilt is DONE.

Joyce has been busy taking a picture and making a block of it.  All freehand.  Crazy fun.

Group picture time -- with sunglasses and without.  We are just that Hollywoodish today.  Once again, these women have graced me with their presence and shared their love and kindness with each other.  I am so blessed to call each and every one "my friend" and hope that they know how sincerely I mean that.  Back Row:  Jennifer H. Sherri, yours truly, Jennifer M., Paula, Val, Shirley, Jennifer S. Ana, Rocky, Gwen, and Lydia.  Middle Row:  Sharron, Joyce, Maria  Front Row:  Debi, Fawn, Stephannie.

Fawn with another TA-DA --- love this so much.  It reminds me of back home in Montana.

My sweetheart is in the house today as he makes his annual appearance cleaning machines and helping with any issues.  What a dear he is.

Time with a daughter is never to be missed.

The winner of the Best Costume award goes to our own Jessica Rabbit -- Congrats Maria.

It's definitely the last day and we are all into the movies now.  Who cares if we sew anymore or not.

Val pulls off one more TA-DA -- man I'm feeling wimpy.

Never let it be said that I can't get anything finished -- I have the LAST slipper TA-DA finally finished after over a year.  These are mine and I'm so glad to take this out of my retreat box.

The final last man standing always shows that we don't want this night to end.  So many are still up and we are loving our time together.  However, as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end and we are heading home tomorrow.  So sad, but true.

These women are amazing and we have the place broke down and cleaned up by a little after 11:30.  Wow!!  Kay asked for an early out and we made it happen.  The next time we are here, I'll be camping for 10 days and I am already looking forward to it.  Until then, stay safe my friends and enjoy the holidays.  See y'all in the funny papers and we already have our plans in motion for November 2019.  See ya then Mate.

From Sherri and I -- Brazos Out.