Last weekend was our annual retreat and something we all look forward to. This year was no exception. We set our retreat date early and 95% of the time all of us are there. But this year was a little different. Renee was in Hawaii, on her own retreat with her husband, and I was wearing my hat as the silent auction manager for the
Anderson Valley Housing Assn. Annually, the housing association is the recipient of the funds raised by the silent auction at the
International Alsace Varietals Festival in Boonville. Luckily, I was able to get to the
fabulous house we rent north of Ft. Bragg on the Mendocino Coast, just in time for wine, conversation and a delicious dinner, followed by music making by our talented group of musicians, Marilyn Simpson, Leila Kazimi, Betty Lacy, and Joyce Paterson. It was a great way for me too unwind after the frantic effort to get ready for the silent auction. Leila has made up a songbook and we each selected a song to singalong with. Great fun with some amazing musicians.
Everyone felt this was the best retreat in all our retreat years. The difference this year was that we decided not to do any sort of group directed project. Instead, everyone worked on their own individual projects, from baby quilts to scrap, abstract, nature or geometic quilts. They are all very different, but reflect the individuality of our artistic group.
I'll be sure to find out when the Alsace Festival is before we sent a date for next year. I really missed the camaraderie, laughter and high jinks of my quilt sisters. Next year......
