The First Retreaters!

They came, they stitched, they conquered their projects!
They were my very first group of retreaters to stay here at my home turned guest house.  And they were gracious to let me stay with them as their "hostess" so I could be the fly on the wall.  Not to listen to their sacred quilting secrets, but to see what things I need to add, improve or modify to host all of the future retreaters.

Thanks Ladies!  I am grateful.

Here's a picture of the happy retreaters amidst their nest of . . . . stuff.

They really had it rough.  New beds were delivered just hours before they arrived.  A loaf of fresh home made bread had just come out of the oven an hour into their stay, followed by warm slices of bread slathered in butter that melted instantly into each decadent slice . . yumm!  Can't you just taste it? 

With the first fantastic retreaters under my belt, I'm ready to "wow" the rest of you with a weekend retreat!
If you would like more information on retreats here at Patch Abilities headquarters, click here.  And if you need any enticing, there will be a fresh warm loaf of home made bread waiting for you too. 

Til next time . . . thanks for peeking in on me!

~Julie

Getting the Retreat Ready for Ladies

So, if you've checked out my new website lately, you might have seen the new section that teases you with some information about a retreat here at Patch Abilities Inc. headquarters.  I gotta tell you all, I'm really starting to get pumped up about it.
This upcoming weekend (March 24th) I have my very first group of guests arriving.  Ooohh, you'd think I was attending my first slumber party according to my giddiness.  I guess my excitement is due partly to hosting guests, as I love to be the hostess with the mostess!  Spell check did not like that word (mostess).  Tee Hee.  I think the other part of the reason for my excitement is because the physical act of opening and renting my home to quilting guests means that I have another home for my main residence.  And that is with my handsome fiance and the brand new big chapter of my life that is just beginning.  How I love a new exciting chapter!!

Well, there are lots of things to get done before the lovely ladies arrive you know.  I needed more beds of course, as I just couldn't see grown women camped out in sleeping bags in the 2 spare bedrooms.  Perhaps they wouldn't mind sleeping under a pile of fabric . . . hmmm . . . perhaps I could have saved some money & filled the spare rooms with mountains of fabric.  I made a last minute trip to the furniture store (oh yeah, getting extra beds prior to 4 days before their arrival just wouldn't have made any sense - duh) to hopefully purchase a couple extra beds to complete the sleeping accomodations.  Do you ever get a feeling that you should hop in the car, on a moment's thought, and buzz to town to make a purchase you've been dreading? And you've been dreading it because you thought none of the stores will have what you want, but at that very moment in time, you just get a feeling that you should go right now and do it?  Well folks, I listened to that little voice earlier this evening.  I jumped in the truck and strolled on into the furniture store.  An hour later, I had purchased 4 beds and all the fixins!  And it was a cinch - no haggling - no sticker shock - it was quite pleasant.  So, you see - that little voice was right.

I wish I had a couple of pictures to share with you, showing the new beds in their cute rooms . . . . but it's all getting delivered just hours before the ladies arrive.  Talk about timing!  Sheesh!  I really like to cut it close - livin' on the edge, I am.
I promise to take photos of the fun this weekend and share with you.  Perhaps you'll want to come join in the fun a weekend.

Oh, and about my last posting - I got a couple astonished people asking if those Robin pictures were real or from a past year.  Those are/were the real deal folks!  Hope the Robins are hopping around your yard too!

Till next time . . . . thanks for peeking in on me.
~Julie

The Robins are Here!! The Robins are Here!!

Guess what I saw?  Oh, did my title already tip you off?  Well, if it didn't then you'd better go back to the coffee pot and refill because you're still asleep.

I saw my first Robin two days ago!  Yeah, I know . . . I was so excited to see one I rustled thru the office frantically seeking my camera so I could get the proof.  Here's the precious little bugger!  He looks so cheerful bouncing around the yard, nibbling up the first bugs to stir from their deep freeze slumber. 

Those of you living north of the freeze line know what a newsflash this is.  Ones first Robin sighting is . . . well let's just say it is crucial to one's sanity.  Mine included.  The arrival of the Robin means that our long awaited spring days are nearby.  It means our snow will be melting and any new snowfalls won't stick around for more than a few days.  It means that maybe, just maybe I can go outside without 5 layers of winter undergear, sweatshirts, head warmers, gloves and winter coat.  Maybe.  And it also means I'll probably get over antsy and put away the sweaters to make room for the shorts, T-shirts and capris in my closet.  It may be a month until I can wear them outside but I know the days are close and that alone puts a bright warm ray of sun on my sanity.
So, to all of you who haven't seen your first Robin yet . . . keep your eagle eyes on those patches of grass peeking thru the snow, because they have arrived!  Welcome back sanity!!!!!!

By the way, I am one busy girl working on new designs for summer, fall and Halloween.  I tell ya that one little Robin really got my ambition all jazzed up.  I'll show you more when I have something other than a drawing and a pile of fabrics.

Thanks for peeking in on me!  Hope you see your first Robin soon.
~Julie