Brazos Extra Retreat - Quilting Bees

Two years in the works!!  Yep, that's right.  I started planning this retreat in February of 2017 while in Temple, TX at another retreat.  We set the dates then and slowly started putting it together, bit by bit.  It seemed like time has crawled until this week.  Now, the rush is on to get everything together.  The time is 6:00 a.m. and I am on my way to Rainbow, TX.  It's time for the Quilting Bees to gather.

My route is slightly different this go round as I am stopping in Hurst to pick up Debi.  Due to a brand new hip, she is not able to drive just yet --- it means I have extra time with her and absolutely no complaints are coming from me on that count.  Upon our early arrival, it's a quick unload and set-up.  In fact, I have almost everything in place by the time Val arrives to help.  I even have time to focus on name tags and have completed most of them by the time people begin to walk through the door.  Let's get this party started.

Lunch with friends is the perfect beginning and Hammonds in Glen Rose is our destination.  I absolutely treasure these times together.  We are able to catch up with everyone's lives and fill our bellies at the same time.  Seven lovely ladies gathered for some down home Texas BBQ.

Upon our return a couple of interesting moments appear.  First, I use the restroom and discover that someone has left some Crystal Light behind.  Hmmm.

Next, smoke is noticed coming up from the table I have set up for Bonnie.  My vintage machine is there and I'm super scared that it has been fried.  As I crawl down to  check on things, two things happen.  One, Sherri feels it's the perfect time to scare me -- oh yeah --- such fun and secondly, I discover that one of the extension cords (not the one my machine is plugged into) has an open wound and is ending it's useful life.  Well, at least as far as this retreat is concerned.  A quick switch out and all is good once again.  Phew.

I need a breath of fresh air after that.  A peek at the donkeys calms me down and I'm ready for fun again.

Another trip to the restroom shows that the Crystal Light has not left yet.  Well, dang.  I decide to add a glass and cookie.  Do you suppose anyone will notice?

Finally, I have laid out my quiet book to work on and hope to make some serious progress on it.  By dinner, almost everyone has arrived and we are ready to officially get this retreat going.  Our last person makes an appearance during dinner and I can now stop worrying about anyone being lost.  Nothing but fun from here on out.

Working on the bug page once again.  It seems as though this page makes a retreat appearance quite often.

The reason for our extra retreat this year is to allow Bonnie Hunter a chance to just be one of the girls.  Not a teacher.  Not a presenter.  Just a chance for her to take a breathe and power down for a few days.  Upon her arrival, she is given a name tag and a tiara.  Checking in with her sweetheart, we all get a chance to say howdy.  I'm super grateful for my friendship with her and that we have this chance to spend some time just chilling.  Our home away from home can works it's magic on her and hopefully she will depart ready and revived for the next part of her trip.

I mentioned Debi's surgery and part of her rehab is PT.  Rocky has offered to keep her on track and is even working along.  The smiles are the best part.

Scenes from the room -

Bingo time -

I have loaned Bonnie my sweet 301 and table and she puts both to use making basket blocks for her latest project.  I can't wait to see how these come together in a future quilt.  The blocks are from an Addicted to Scraps column in Quiltmaker Magazine.

It seems as though the night just flies by and I discover how tired I really am.  The suggestion is made for a "first night" picture and I'm more than willing to oblige.  I believe Gwen is the only one who has already gone to bed.  Other than that, good night from Brazos.  My eyes are closing.  (Keep reading -- all days are in this post.)

23rd - Good Morning.  A retreat is not officially underway until the flag goes up.  We waited until this morning so that everyone could share in the fun.  While we are at it, we release the American flag that had tangled itself up.  It really needs to be replaced, but at least it can fly free once more.

Bonnie took a few pictures that I didn't manage to get so here is a peek at her room and Debi's/mine.  Straits of Mackinac graces Bonnie's bed.

While Nifty Thrifty and Texas Tumbleweeds are present in our room.

I am focusing on the next step in Carolina Christmas today.  I would really like to complete this week's assignment and then get back to the quiet book.

Stephanie has finished her Good Fortune quilt and has the first TA-DA!!!

Sherri is in charge of door prizes and Bonnie donated quite a few fun ones for us.  Glenda takes home the first one.  Woohoo!

As y'all know, several of us have been working on a QAYG project and apparently I was supposed to bring mine this weekend for a group picture.  It didn't come with me, but Paula did bring hers.  TA-DA

It's a beautiful day out and time for a walk.  With my shoe retrieval, the sun in my window sends me for a camera.  Isn't this just lovely?

Debi, Maria, Bonnie and I are off for a walk.  The porch already has a visitor and introductions are made with Bob.  He will be our escort for the walk.

Time on the river is always pure bliss.  Today is not an exception and I love how calm I feel down here.  We get a chance to walk and talk and just take in this little bit of nature.  We've left Maria and Debi up on the platform for a bit and I'm thankful to them for the pictures above and below.

Now it's my turn to put a camera to use.

On our way back, the goats get our attention for a bit.

Look at this sweet face -

Bonnie took this next picture right before Bob lost his mind and turned my white pants brown.  Argh.

Back at the house -- Frieda has a TA-DA

As does Maria - TA-DA

Shirley's TA-DA

Shirley and Ana have bag TA-DA's

And my own little TA-DA as I've completed this week's step on Carolina Christmas.

With that, it's time for dinner and games.  Since the theme is Quilting Bees, naturally everyone is either a bee, a beekeeper, or a flower.  Doesn't that make complete sense?  I'm thrilled with the turnout to play -- follow along with a few pics. Val's glasses are the BOMB.

The beekeepers!!

Bees and beekeepers -

Game time!

A couple more door prizes --- a deck of cards donated by Bonnie and a black/yellow chicken donated by Ana.  Love, love, love these moments.  Val and Maria are the lucky recipients.

Antics about, as always.

Two advancements are on the itinerary tonight.  Gwen has achieved Emerald status -

As has Ana --- Congratulations to both.

Tonight's winners are Frienda (fat quarters), Shirley (jelly roll and Wonky Wishes door prize)

Pics from around the room -- Maria and Frieda

Debi and Jennifer

Ana and Bonnie

Glenda and Val

Stephannie and Stephanie

Rocky and Gwen

Paula and Sherri ---- why don't I have a picture of these two?  I know I took one.

Shirley and I --- that's all of us.

Ya gotta keep an eye on these people at all times.

The last games comes down to die rolls between Rocky and Sherri. Smack talk ensues and even though it took several tries, Rocky does emerge as the final winner of the night and walks away with a jelly roll.

That's a wrap for game night.  Fast and furious but oh so much fun.

Back to sewing --- Blocks on the design wall and my finished bug page.

Jennifer's Good Fortune TA-DA

And it's time to say good night.  Wow --- what a fun filled day.  (I just cannot help but laugh at Val each time I look at this picture.  What movie am I thinking of?)

24th - It's Sunday and that usually means that we have to say good-bye to each other today, BUT this retreat even has different days.  We still have ALL day and night to play.  Woohoo.  Bonnie makes a trip to the swap table and this funky, fun top is going home with her.

I need just a small break so take a walk down to the river and allow my soul to enjoy each moment and sound.  It's times like this that I really miss Montana -- A LOT.

And just right outside my window.

Glenda has a pumpkin TA-DA

My daughter, Jennifer, stopped by just to surprise me and say hello.  While she's here, the group picture gets taken.  Woohoo!!!!  I was stumped as to how I was going to get this done before some had to leave.  These women are just balm to my soul.  Truly.  I would be lost without them in my life.  Back row:  Glenda, Rocky, Shirley, Val, Bonnie Middle:  Ana, Stephannie, Gwen, Maria, Jennifer  Front:  Stephanie, yours truly, Paula, Sherri, Shirley, and Debi.

A little fun -

And some help from Captain (which you can't see), who licks Paula's ear and manages to do the same to my tongue.  OMG.

I get a chance for a walk down to the river with Jen and my grandsons, Jared and Josh.  What a treat.

Followed by time with the goats.

A new purchase for Maria and some advice from Bonnie on how to operate it.

Those who have finished quilts get an opportunity to photograph them with Bonnie.  First up is Stephanie, Bonnie, and Jennifer with their Good Fortune quilts.  Yep, the center one is the original.

Glenda and Bonnie with Punkin' Patch

Stephanie and Bonnie with Midnight Flight

Ana and Bonnie with Bricks in the Barnyard

Debi and Bonnie with Texas Tumbleweeds

Bingo time and our last games are blackout with some great prizes won by Ana and Frieda.  We are sooooo glad to have our Bingo leader back.

Once again, this year we are working on fidget blankets for our charity project and Val gives out the information and supplies.

I, along with several others, set to work on my contribution.  Using a pre-built top, I have a completion within an hour as do many others --- take a look.  I am so pleased to be sending 10 of these home with Val.  We are shooting for about 50 this spring.  I know we can do it.

Some more TA-DA's.  Stephanie with vinyl pouches, Shirley with a small bag

Maria - TA-DA

Stephanie, Stephannie, and Ana with more vinyl bags.

Some selfie booth fun to end out the evening --- this time I'm taking the pictures

Maria with another TA-DA

Frieda and another TA-DA - twins

Shirley and a table runner TA-DA

And a last night pic with most everyone still standing. A few are missing even though it's still pretty early.

25th - Now the sad day has arrived.  Brunch is quiet but time for great talks with Kay

And a few TA-DA's still --- These are quilting finishes by Maria on Frieda's projects.  So amazing.

Paula's T-Shirt TA-DA --- love it.

Bonnie's stack of baskets is off the design wall and numbers are growing.  She'll have this finished by the time she gets back home.

And we are outta here.  Thank you to everyone for making this "extra" retreat extra special.  We've all made memories we'll never forget.  Now, it's a drop off of Debi, then home to dump my suitcase in the washer, then repack for another four days in Denton.  Let the fun continue.  Brazos Out!!