Thursday, May 19, 2022

Really Random Thursday, 5/19/22

  A week ago today, I headed up to a cabin just outside Yosemite for a few days of sewing. This was the 22nd year I have been able to attend this retreat. It's a small one--it started out with just three of us, and actually our friend, Ruth, was not even a quilter back in 2000. But Dotty and I talked her into it and we joke that we created a monster because she became a prolific quilter. She now lives in Washington State and was planning to attend again, after missing a couple of years due to Covid. But right before our retreat she took a fall and it looks like she will require knee replacement. Such a bummer. We really missed her.

There were just the four of us, which is a really nice size. I worked only on my pineapple blocks, and even though I only made six, I consider that good progress as they are really time consuming. I now have a total of 8 and plan on making 30.

Dotty, Vicki and Marilyn each completed several quilt tops and, as per tradition, they are hung over the stair railing.

I didn't take any pictures of our meals, but our dinners were delicious each night. We don't eat breakfast or lunch. Ha! That's what we say, but in fact our early morning and midday "snacks" had more variety than I ever have at home--cheese, crackers, veggies, fruit--let's just say there was no lack of something to eat. 

One of the best parts of this year was that we hired someone to haul all our machines, fabric, suitcases, food, etc., down from the road to the cabin on Thursday. And he came back on Sunday and hauled it all back up (can you see that car up there?)  We paid him nicely and it was worth every single penny!

I took walks each day and the sky was just so unbelievably blue.
One day, in search of a phone signal, I walked to the road below the cabin and took a picture of the cabin from the other side.
The sunsets were gorgeous.

Spending these few days with friends was such a welcome treat. I hope we are able to continue to do this for years to come.


Meanwhile, Mark attended another of Charlotte's drama performances. I was sorry I missed it (I'm asking for a private performance), as she did the entire thing in a British accent.


 A final note: we didn't have internet at the cabin so you had to walk and find just the right spot to even get any kind of phone signal. It's kind of nice once you get used to the fact that you can't scroll through Instagram or Facebook or check your emails. And I thought this was funny.


7 comments:

05 08
Anne / Springleaf Studios said... #

I admire your motivation to make those pineapple blocks. So much time for each one! It's going to be a wonderful quilt. Keep going. More and more I'm all about simple blocks with few pieces so I can get more done. I'm even thinking of some designs with super sized fabric pieces to use my stash and show off all the great Kaffe prints in my stash. We'll see if I ever get around to that idea.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said... #

Wow, what a beautiful blue sky. The time with friends, disconnected from the internet, sounds really lovely, but I'm glad you could walk to find a phone signal to stay in touch a bit.

Needled Mom said... #

Those pineapple blocks are so time consuming and so beautiful. It sounds like a fabulous retreat. Great to have help with the crates and machines.

Susan Snooks said... #

Those pineapple blocks are delicious! They would be a great stash buster (or scraps would increase, of course!) It looks like everyone was very productive!

Anonymous said... #

Oh, that blue sky is a beautiful backdrop for a retreat in the mountains! I’m enjoying slow sewing these days, working on projects with no deadline.
“We met online:” Ha Ha Ha!
Linda K

FlourishingPalms said... #

I remember you going on this retreat in the past, and I'm really glad you could go again. It's fantastic that you found someone to haul your supplies up the down the hill for you-all, and I'm sure he appreciated the income. Win-win! Your pineapple blocks are looking fabulous, and I think it's great that you could work on just one project while you were there - less stuff to have to take along. Your quilt will be gorgeous! I'm glad you had the get away, with friends, and away from technology. I know we're all appreciating that life is returning (mostly) back to normal again. Such a cute clothespin! Who has such a clever mind to see a couple in a clothespin?!

Anonymous said... #

Hi Cindy. Looks like your mini retreat was a blast and definitely productive. Snacking ALL DAY doesn’t count as a meal, as Lisa and I say. We do the same. We get sewing time and less meal clean-up time.

Dottie looks wonderful. I sure miss seeing you all at Bass. So hopeful you’ll attend in 2023. I just started a pineapple too, using the 12” Skinny Pineapple tool from Creative Grids. Sooooo time consuming, but fun.