I know, yawn, right? How much fun can a bunch of old ladies have on a quilting weekend? Well, let me tell you, we know how to rock a retreat! This year's theme...yes, we have themes...was South of the Border. Well, actually that's not the name, but I forget the exact title. Get you the point though it was a Mexican theme. We had sombreros, margaritas, maracas, massages, and more! Hence the picture: Meet Senor(a?) Edmunds! Isn't she a beaut?!?!?! That's my own 'stache! I have to shave it every night before bed!
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| Ole', Ole'! Hot, Hot, Hot! |
I don't want to bore you into a siesta with all of the details, but will outline the high points of the trip. First and foremost, I am from Coshocton County. So going on this trip every year is like going home! I usually spend more time with family and friends than I do actually quilting/sewing. This year was no exception.
Highlight #1: Saturday I spent the morning and afternoon with my beautiful 10 year old niece, Zayvia. She is a budding crafter! She got her first sewing machine for Christmas. After her basketball game in the morning, we headed to the hotel to see what all of the women were making. Zay was like a deer in the head lights! The women were so nice to her. They talked about sewing and gave her fabric! The girl left with more fabric than I did. Then we were off to lunch at the Yucatan...yes, a Mexican restaurant! After lunch I took Zay to her first quilt store. She was so excited. Once again, the deer in the head light look! While there, we learned to finger knit scarves! By the time we left...2 hours later...she had 4 scarves made and 8 skeins of yarn! Yep, a girl after my own heart!
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| Zayvia and Aunt Denise |
Highlight #2: I had the best roommate ever! Rosie let me sleep with the air conditioner on even though it was 13 degrees outside. The wind was howling and rattling the windows, but I had the thermostat set at 63 degrees. It was the first 2 nights of sleep in a LONG time that I didn't wake with hot flashes and night sweats!!!! Since there is no school tomorrow, I was tempted to stay another night!
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| The Busy Bees splinter group! |
Highlight #4: Helping the Coshocton community. Of course we boosted the economy with many trips to Wal-Mart, local restaurants, Roscoe shops and Mercantile on Main...the greatest quilt shop ever! But our group always supports the local food pantry. Each year we are asked to bring $10 worth of food for the pantry. In exchange you get your name put into a drawing for a wonderful prize. There were approximately 17 boxes of food. This year's group took it a step further. In addition to the raffle, they staged a "drug bust" and jailed a couple of quilters. They had to raise bail to get out. Due to the generosity of the quilters and guests, we raised another $160 for Pastor Mark and his food pantry! As the originator of the food pantry collection, I'm so excited to see the tradition continue and flourish!
Highlight #5: Denise at Mercantile on Main is awesome. She is always willing to share her love of crafting with anyone who asks. She came to the retreat and gave a workshop on using jelly roll packets. For you crafting impaired, those are 2 1/2 inch strips that we use to make luscious quilts! Then on Saturday she did an impromptu class on finger knitting for 5 young girls. Denise had a shop full of crazy, money spending quilters and she still had time to spread her crafting wealth! And all of this with a broken wrist! We won't go into HOW she broke it, but let's just say it's a good laugh!
Highlight #6: Spending time with my friends! I look forward to this weekend every year. It's a time to just unwind and not thinking about the world around me. I spend quality time with friends and family who for whatever reason love me too! Mucho Gracias to the retreat committee for a wonderful time! You're awesome!
Make every day count...
Denise
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