When we book these trips a year in advance, it feels as though it will never arrive and it always takes me back to being a child and waiting for Christmas. The good news is that the wait is over and we are starting to gather. Gwen and Jen have come into Dallas to spend the night with me (Cindy will also be here later) and Mister is sharing dinner with us at Ephesus. The food is amazing and the excitement is high.
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.
We are winding down on this retreat. It's our last full day here and I want to enjoy every last minute of it while still doing some preparation for tomorrow's departure. Lori is still binding away and has another TA-DONE
So, this post will cover the highlights of our retreat and it'll be long. Settle in. We start out the day with breakfast at the event center. I spot this quilt in the corner and it is now on my "want to make" list. I have even remembered some fabric I bought a couple of years ago that has been waiting for just the right project. This is it. Now to find the pattern today and some background fabric. Off to the Scavenger Hunt we go.
We are in Columbia, MO and Jen has found another quilt shop stop before we have to really focus on driving. Appletree Quilting Center is MUCH more than the outside would say. My goodness, come in and peek for yourself. Once inside the door, this place just opens up. Ooooh, so many things to see. I only have a few items left on my list, but, after asking, I won't get them here. Now I can just enjoy the scenery.
Good Morning! We are up EARLY, had breakfast and have arrived at our 9:00 appointment with 15 minutes to spare. That is enough for some picture taking. Warm Springs Ranch is our plan for this morning and I'm super excited. A little about the sign - the "W," "S," and "R" measure 15 feet tall, weigh more than 2,000 pounds each, and sat on top of the Bevo plant for more than 30 years. The entire "Budweiser" sign on top of the Bevo building was replaced in January of 2013. The "W," "S," and "R" were chosen for installation at Warm Springs Ranch, the breeding facility for the World Famous Budweiser Clydesdales. This little piece of St. Louis serves as an important landmark for those visiting this facility.
We've hit Day 5 in our Missouri Girls Trip. Hard to believe, right? We are still at the Retreat Center in downtown Hamilton, MO and it's our final day of the MSQC Doan Girls Retreat. Time to drag ourselves out of bed and get moving. For the last couple of day, I noticed a rug at the foot of the stairs and today I manage to get a picture of it. I think every sewing room should have one.
Our second shop stop for today is at Blue Top Quilt Shop. THIS one has had huge billboards all along the highway leading us here. That meant we needed to stop, right? Add in the fact that it is open on Monday and we're game for some treasure hunting.
Girls Tip to Missouri #2 is underway and our first fun stop was OKARMO Corner, which is the three corners where Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri come together. As we were leaving there and continuing onto Joplin, MO, Lori spotted a sign for Bluff Dwellers Cave. Let's go!
Good Morning from Hamilton, Missouri - the home of Missouri Star Quilt Company. We are having a BLAST and loving every minute of being here. Everyone is up and fed and ready for the next class to start. We are making the Half Moon Rising Table Runner. Circles SCARE me so this will be interesting.
Good morning to all!!! We are up, showered, fed, and ready to learn. As I approach my table, there is a gift bag for each person awaiting us. Inside are lovely little treasures. How fun is this? Up front, the teaching area is being set up and I've taken a seat on the front sofa so that my visual needs will be met. I KNOW people think it's something else, but the fact is that I learn better when I have a clear view of what is being taught. People and things in front of me are distractions and I miss things. I even did this in church for YEARS. It's just how I learn. As I wait the front is finished up.
Let the classes begin!!! We are dressed as quadruplets and ready for whatever the day may bring. Remember that this is new to ALL of us and we're just going with the flow.
Y'all know that I can't just go on a trip and drive past fun stuff. I've got to get out and explore just a wee bit. Didn't you know that? Did I take it for granted that you did? At any rate, today, we are leaving from Mountain View, AR and two hours away, just south of Branson, is Top of the Rocks Lost Canyon Cave Trail in Missouri. Now, in the interest of transparency, I did call my friend, Ramona, to ask about this place first, but she didn't know anything about it. Well then - someone has to take the first step. We do get a bit lost finding the exact location we wish to be at, but are soon through the doors and boarding our golf cart to adventure. We are No. 46 and are told that that is important to remember. Apparently some folks get disoriented and forget where they parked along the way. It could happen. Once we have our cart, let's get this party started. The view is beautiful but I know it's gonna just get better. At least that is what the website said.
OMG --- It's time! We bought tickets for the Doan Girls Retreat FOREVER ago and now it's finally happening. Since it was a mother/daughters event - Jen and I are going with Sam and Gwen. We actually next to the last tickets available when we booked. Super pricey, but my fingers are crossed for a great time. Sam and Jen came in tonight to help us get an early start tomorrow and pick up Gwen in Sulphur Springs. Here's to memory making.
Summer retreat time is so much fun! It's been a bit since we've all been together and what could more fun when it's crazy hot outside than to sew with friends? Unfortunately, our host and hostess have had a rough go lately and surgery was involved, so I travel down a day early to help with set up. When I arrive, the house is still a "house" and a lot needs to happen. Alrighty then --- time to get to it.
Well, I did it. I bit the bullet and decided to give another Round Robin a chance. The group that signed up is AMAZING and I am truly excited. We've given ourselves enough time for each round and it should work out for everyone's schedule. The first step is to send out our center medallion/panel/block. I've decided to order some fabric and see where that takes me.
5/9-11/21 My fabric is here and I'm at retreat with it!! Oooooh, look at these pretties - let the fun begin.
Round TWO begins with tradition. As the room fills up, a group of us is off to Babe's for lunch and manage to meet up with Betty and Lou, who are attending a nearby retreat. There's always room for two more at our table.
