16 Dec 2009

Retreat..

The retreat was amazing. The owners of where we stayed were extremely hospitable and welcoming. The chef was truly wonderful, I wanted to take him home with me, seriously for his cooking. The food and accommodation were a package deal and I thought that we might have had a choice of menu items for our meals, so we were truly spoilt with the chef making recommendations and asking what we liked/disliked. The food was to die for, mouth watering steak, we had garlic prawns done in a cream sauce with rice, gorgeous tarts for morning/afternoon teas, there was some sort of Thai chicken dish. With three wholesome meals per day and morning and afternoon tea also, I never had a chance to ever feel hungry I was just 'topping up' all the time.

These are the tarts that we were given for morning or afternoon tea, I can't remember now, but they were delicious. We had to include the scissors and threads as props as it was a stitching weekend after all!






These are the other two girls who attended. Bek on the left and Gayle. They are both gorgeous girls and we had many laughs together. Gayle has a little called Caitlyn, it is spelt the same way as our Caitlyn. Given the many variations we thought that this was great. Bek is busy planning for her up-coming wedding, such exciting times ahead for her.



Here is Bernadette with her 'almost' completed Ida May Crow. Bernadette bought her shop along and we were all able to add to our stash. Bernadette is planning another retreat in May 2010 so check out the link to her shop for more details.





I haven't taken a picture of my little finish yet, soon I promise.
We will get the keys to our house tomorrow, YEAH!!! HAPPY DANCING HERE. So all that is going on at the moment is lots of cleaning and packing. DH has gone to Bendigo with the kids, who have all finished school now, to attend his Dad's retirement function. Tomorrow night after work I am getting the train to Melbourne and then on to Bendigo so that we can celebrate Christmas with my family. Once that is over we will be coming home so that we can start moving into our house on Sunday. WOOHOO!!!

I won't get a chance to post for a little while so I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas, and a safe New Year.
Much love and hugs to all
Joanne.

15 comments:

Kim B said...

Sounds like a blast! What a wonderful time you must have had!

Bette said...

Woo hoo! I am so excited for you to be getting the keys to your house this week! And to be moving in! What a fantastic Christmas present, to be in your own home for Christmas.

Enjoy your trip to Bendigo, and have a fantastic Christmas with your family.

Gina E. said...

I'm so glad you posted something about Bernadette's retreat; I was starting to think it had been cancelled, because nobody had mentioned it anywhere! I just hope I can get some money together to go on next year's retreat. It is something I've wanted to do ever since I've heard of other stitchers around the world having such great times.
Hope your house move is achieved without dramas - have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Pumpkin said...

Look like a very fun and successful retreat! I'm so jealous :o)

Congratulations! I can understand why you are so happy ;o)

I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year too!

Unknown said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time!

Bee Jay said...

Glad all is going to plan for you moving in - how exciting. So pleased for you Joanne that the retreat was such a success.
Merry Christmas and blessings!

Beatrice said...

Retreats are wonderful.
looks like you had a great time.
Enjoy your new home and have a great Christmas and Happy New Year.

Babs said...

Congrats with your new house, girl

Hazel said...

Looks like a fab time was had by all. Have a wonderful Christmas. xx

Chars said...

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas :)and all the best for 2010... I hope that your days a filled with love and laughter and everything you are after. Hugs Chars x

Lynn said...

Such an exciting time! I'll send a little wish that your new home is filled with love and laughter.
Your retreat sounded fantastic. Those lovely meals reminded me of our retreats in Gananoque.
Belated wishes for a very Merry Christmas.

Marita said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time at retreat :)

Hope Christmas went well and the house moving is going smoothly.

Felicity said...

I'm jealous too! I'd love to go to a stitching retreat. Happy New year!

Gayle B said...

Hi Jo! I finally got around to looking at your blog... Thanks for posting pics - a great reminder of the weekend. :D

Caitlyn is growing in leaps and bounds - she's almost 8 months now! Unfortnately I don't think I will be able to make it to the retreat this year as it will be Caitlyn's first birthday... Maybe another year though. Are you going to be going this year? We should probably try and catch up again at some point. It was so lovely to meet you. :)

Anonymous said...

The stitching retreat sounds like it was a wonderful time! Love Ida Mae Crow. She is in my stash for later this year.

Hope you are all moved in by now and enjoying your new house.

An Aussie girl who loves to cross stitch