2nd Annual Fall Retreat

Of course, we started the weekend off on the right foot.

There were greetings:

And farewells:


Judy got us there without spilling a 6-tier wedding cake in the trunk:


And Pat's house far exceeded any expectations we had:



We were Surrounded with Wild Life which some of us city girls just could not get over!




We launched into our Terracita earrings shortly after arrival with the natural light streaming through the window onto Judy's beautiful beading mats. (I swear I must have picked up somebody else's camera because I was sure I got a shot of our work area!).

Cocktail hour came nice and early.



And as night descended, Val & Gail traded off wearing yet another one of Marcia's magnificent designs.
Friday evening was my night to cook so I made New England clam chowder, cole slaw, & crabcakes. Judy spoiled us with cheesecake for dessert. And after taking measurements (which was most traumatic for Gail), we sat in front of the fireplace knitting for the rest of the evening.

Saturday morning, Marcia made some Mark-worthy waffles which were awesome with fresh strawberries on the side.
On to Mountain Beads store to find some essentials to finish off our Terracita earrings. And spoiled us, we returned home to an exquisite Waters quiche, heart of palms salad complements of Gail. We worked on Under the Mast, beading the afternoon away nibbling on Judy's surprise Bear Claws. When cocktail hour gratefully arrived, we were beaded out (as you can tell in this picture of Judy)!

We were soon revived with drinks in hand,
awaiting Val's awesome beets/mashed potato dish with meatloaf (made with 3 different kinds of ground beef!) and fresh green beans.

And of course, she did not disappoint!



Afterwards, we continued with our knitting in front of the fireplace.
Because that is exactly what we wanted to do! And oh, yes, eat Judy's freshly made apple pie with pilfered vanilla icecream. Heaven.

Sunday brunch was at the Pine Hills Lodge where there was a cat. Beginning and end of story.

Returned to our own lodge where Val finished her incredible Under the Mast medallion and, well, I sort of did too (with Marcia's help), burying a message on creativity behind the Huge crystal! (I can't remember what it said! Anybody?)
And after sun-drying the sheets (Which Marcia gets credit for) we headed back to San Diego and sea level. Happy, happy, happy campers.

I thought while the experience was freshest in my mind, I would do my 8th-grade pictorial "What we did on our vacation" essay! I so missed many photo opps and don't know that I truly captured the weekend. So I hope everyone will post their pics here too and write something about the weekend! Notice that I was kind to everyone in the photos. I would appreciate reciprocity in that regard.

Love you all,
Susan