Under the Big Top Retreat

 It's full steam ahead here in Rainbow, TX.  The second weekend of our summer back-to-back retreats is underway and the first order of business is LUNCH.  Babe's, of course.  So, so good.  Janet and Korin went into Burleson for some shopping and we all sent her on a mission while up there.  Hobby Lobby had these "wonder boxes" on clearance.  Yep, yep, yep - we need them.  Thank you, Janet, for being our sherpa.  We have found that these totes can handle soooo many small items in a nice and organized way.  It helps out for the "I forgots" that always seem to take place at retreat and helps the room provide.

Frieda has another Block Ta-DA

Stephanie's apron TA-DA si just so fun.

Cindy is going to teach One Block Wonder quilts for the tweeners in November and brought some samples to share.  Isn't this gorgeous?

Janet with a re-TA-DA, lol

This first day just zoomed by, but here we are in all our glory for last ladies standing.

Good Morning -- I slept in a cool room last night and am sooooo thankful.  Frieda gets us started with a super cute dress TA-DONE as well as a beautiful grocery tote TA-DONE!  Way to get things rolling around here.

Jo has a Halloween TA-DA

Followed by Tonia with her TA-DA

Barbara has a TA-DA as well - machines are sure humming today.

Sherri has a Composition Book TA-DONE and Frieda is right along with a wallet TA-DONE

All of the Tweener gals have their purses ready for our TA-DONE picture.  Woot woot.  Frieda, Marcia, Debi, and myself.  Pats on back all around.

Up close Debi's TA-DONE

Gather round for food and fun.  I love when everyone comes together for meals and just spends time chatting with those they may not be sitting right next to.  It's perfect.

With game night about to begin, bring on the interpretations of "Under the Big Top."  First is Sherri.

Janet, Frieda, and Korin

Stephannie and Stephanie

Jen and Debi

Someone is REALLY struggling with wearing a nose for fun so Debi gives a "demo" - hahahaha, not really.

Pic with the noses before they take them off.  Proof.

Jo and Barbara

Janet, Korin, and Gwen

Yep, I'm here too.

We have a new RUBY in the house - Congratulations, Stephanie.

Donna wins the first LCR round and Stephannie walks away with the second round.

Twosies - Stephannie and Stephanie

Donna and Cindy

Marcia and Tonia

Jo and Barbara

Threesie, I guess - Janet, Korin, and Gwen

Sherri and Frieda

Another threesie group - Myself, Debi, and Jen

Such a fun group of women.  Again, I am so blessed to have these beautiful souls in my life.  Back row:  Jen, Janet, Korin, Jo, Barbara Marcia, Debi, Cindy, Donna  Front row:  Frieda, Gwen, Stephanie, Tonia, Sherri, Stephannie, and Donna.  The crazy one up front is yours truly and we are missing Virginia from the pic.

After the games are behind us, it's back to the salt mines.  Frieda has a cute pillowcase TA-DONE

Jen and I share out Spooky Season quilts - hers is quilting and awaiting finishing of binding.  Mine, ready to go to MSQC and get quilted.

And night two comes to a crazy end.  If you could only feel the love in this room, you would be joining us at every opportunity.  SUCH a good time.

Day 3 begins with Barbara and a TA-DA

Our "newbies" this time have been sooooo fun to get to know.  We are thrilled that they all want to return.  Yay!!!  Donna, Barbara, and Jo.

Four original diamonds are in the house this weekend --- so heartwarming.  Almost nine years together.

Janet with pillowcase TA-DONE's

Marcia has been VERY busy creating covers for various sizes of notebooks.  Here are her TA-DONES.

I have a small Halloween TA-DA that is ready to quilt

AND, it turns out that Korin has the same one.  How fun is this?

Stephanie with a TA-DA

At this point - Jen and I paced up and headed for Dallas to do the switch out as we leave tomorrow morning for Missouri.  Debi and Stephannie have the reins and sent me pics to finish out this post.

Korin with bag TA-DONES

A taco bag TA-DONE that I honestly don't know who it belongs to.  That didn't come with the picture.

Stephanie with two taco bag TA-DONES

Janet gets one last TA-DA in before it's time to close things down.  She was VERY productive the past 10 days.

Last night, last ladies standing.  Tiaras on and beautiful faces.  (Psst - it's actually EVERYONE still there - Perfect.)

And just like that --- another summer set is over.  Stephannie and Debi get it all shut down and are Brazos Out!  See ya in September.