November 2024 Holiday Retreats

I can hardly believe that it's been 10 years since I began hosting retreats.  This weekend marks that.  It is our 11th November together and I treasure the friendships that have come out of this endeavor.  It's time to retreat.

14th - First, Debi, Stephannie, and I meet up for coffee and chatting in Joshua.  Our cars outside like look a homeless convention - as if everything we own is in them.  I should have taken a picture, but didn't.  Oh well.

Time to get working - we have a small window to get the place ready for arrivals.  Stephannie has once again made wonderful door signs.  Our themes are holiday based and the whole place is taking on that feel.  I have the BEST help on the planet to pull these together.  So magical.

Cindy arrives to help and soon we have things set up - I'll share more decor down the post.  One of our first items of business is to get the Sophie Claire exchange blocks out to everyone.  I'm set up and ready to rock and roll.

First show and share of the day goes to Tonia - we have watched this one come together over the past year.

Cindy with several TA-DA's

This one is my design, Journey.  Love it done in yellow.

This is from last July at MSQC.  Way to go Cindy.

Somehow the day just flew by - not sure where it went.  Last ladies up.

15th - Miss Cindy is on a roll --- another TA-DA

Followed by Tonia.  Is anyone else sewing?

Time to share decorations - they are all over the house.

Scenes from the room - 

We are all making an Ugly Sweater Gift Tag - these gals will do anything for a charm.

I love seeing the creativity - Stephannie and Rayleen.

Faye and Frieda

Cindy and Lori

Pillows lined up for the pillow exchange that is also taking place.

Samantha and Tonia - 

Debi

Pillow Exchange complete - All the recipients with their new pillows.

A gorgeous sunset tonight - 

Cindy's picture - so, so good.

It's MOVIE NIGHT.  This is a new tradition that we have started and love it.  Tonight is Christmas Vacation.

And another day is done - love to these amazing women.

16th - We are on our own for breakfast today - and for some strange reason, I'm starving.  A quick word that I'm leaving has a few friends along for the fun.  Main Street Biscuit Company in Joshua - so good.

Upon our return, Cindy with another TA-Da from our MSQC trip.  I really need to get on the ball.

Tonia has been sewing up a storm as well -- another TA-DA for her.

Ugly Sweater Contest today - these are the contestants.  Debi was the winner and for some reason, I don't have a picture, but I have a video that is too big to post here.  Drat, cos it's funny.

Prizes for Faye, Debi, 

Another Gorgeous Sunset - 

Gwen is teaching us about Hannukah tonight - 

Game night  begins - 

Cindy advances to Silver Diamond - woot woot -

Door Prize winners - Cindy and Samantha

LCR winners - Stephannie and Gwen

Group pic - Back row: Samantha, Lori, Cindy, Fay, Gwen, Debi, and Frieda.  Middle row:  Stephannie, Tonia, Rayleen, and yours truly in the front.

Our whirlwind sewer - Tonia with another TA-DA

I crashed tonight - Stephannie took the reins and these are the last ladies - not all standing.

17th - Rayleen's cross stitch TA-DA

All of this sessions Ugly Sweater Gift Tags.

Faye with a TA-DA

White Elephant Party time - yep, we've covered all the holiday fun.

My Sophie Claire TA-DA

Last night - session 1 - We're still moving.

18th - Group 1 has departed and we are down to Tweeners.  A fairly calm day preparing rooms, washing laundry, etc.  Dinner out - 

19th - I'm a busy bee today prepping rooms and treats for the next group.  It is our anniversary group and we always go just a bit more crazy for them.  This proves it.

Dinner out at Pastafina's.  We are ready for group 2 tomorrow.

20th - Cindy has returned with the most beautiful and crazy, work-intensive ornament gifts for all.  Such beauties.

She's just chillin'.  The calm before the storm.

21st - New door signs for some, but others stayed the same.

Anne has her One Block Wonder up on the design wall. 

Other design wall fun by Eveline.

The new girls are making their gift tags.

Cindy with a TA-DA - she is a machine this week.

Finishes for Sherri and Eveline

Gwen and Anne as well - 

This retreats White Elephant ready for fun.

It's up on tonight's roster - 

Frieda with a couple of bag TA-DA's

Tonia - Machine number 2 - TA-DA

Jen with her tag and all the tags for this session together.

Ugly Sweater Contest tonight - what is she up to?

Contestants - 

Jen is the winner - of course.

Door prize to Frieda - I didn't get a pick of the second one.  Sorry.

Game night - 

LCR winners Stephannie and Anne

Group photo - Back row:  Gwen, Jen, Cindy, Debi, Eveline, Frieda.  Center:  Tonia, Anne, Stephannie, Sherri and yours truly in the front.

Another Hanukkah sharing - 

This time we got a video

Jen with her Mia bag TA-DA

What a great day - so, so happy to be together.

22nd - Breakfast out for Stephannie's birthday - Back to Main Street Biscuit Company.

Then a stop at Piecemakers Quilt Shop - 

Followed by a stop at Hobby Lobby and then milkshakes for our car.  So, so good.

As we were leaving, the owner asked us to take a picture with the sign.  She used our camera for one and then hers for a second one.

Which she then posted on her Facebook page.  That's fun.

Jen with a bench pillow TA-DA

Followed by Cindy with another TA-DA

Jen is working pretty hard too - she has another bag TA-DA

What a fabulous day!!  I loved all of it so much.

23rd - These ladies went walking and are now resting to cool down.  Yep.

Frieda with the cutest pillow TA-DA

I have a bag TA-DA - yes, I do sew occassionally.

AND -  a second bag TA-DA.  I gifted these to everyone so wanted to show how to make them.

Tonight is Festivus activities - first is airing of the grievances.  Pretty funny.

Then tearing fabric into strips as the first feat of strength. Jen won.

Followed by threading a needle - such concentration around the room.

Things went awry after that and we skipped one.  Finished with holding out our new coffee cups filled with water.

Down to three.

And the winner - 

Jen and a bag TA-DA from last years Jenny Box.

Cindy still on a roll - TA-DA

Stephannie's TA-DA's

Eveline's TA-DA

Movie Night - Tonight it is Die Hard - the original one.

We've had pajama day all day today and are finally ready to use them for some sleep.

24th - And this one is a wrap.  Love to all and I am so thankful for these two women who always support me in this endeavor.  See ya next year.