Winter Retreat

What happens when you put together:

• a room of 12 quilters who know one another, and a few who don't;
• oodles of quilting gadgets and rotary supplies;
• quilting books and stashed fabric;
• dozens of unfinished blocks;
• a few irons and ironing boards;
• nine sewing machines;
• bedding, clothes, and personal items;
• food and drinks;
• and chocolate?

The makin's for a quilting retreat you might find pretty much any place in the world!

Err. Well. Almost any place in the world.

To say it's been cold in Iowa is an understatement.

(But doesn't she look happy about it!?)

Old man winter been beating us, almost relentlessly. In fact, our Hope Quilters group took an eleventh hour vote Friday afternoon as to whether or not we should brave the elements to travel to Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp retreat center for our long-planned, one-night quilt retreat. The vote was for "bravery," so in spite of Saturday morning's -7 F (-22C) temperature, we retreated. We're all glad we did!

Linda, Erika, Linda, Crystal, Lorna, Jeri, Linda, Laura, Susan, Michelle, Norma, and Kim (Did I miss any of the Lindas?) had a fabulous time together, sharing lots of chatter and laughs as we stayed snuggly warm in our sewing cocoon.

After a long Saturday of nearly non-stop sewing, and waking to more of the same on Sunday, we gave thanks with a favorite Bible verse:

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and sew in it!

Psalm 118:24 (NIV, and revised by Hope Quilters).

May you too rejoice and be glad, for every day, no matter what you're doing.