Sandy writing here after a very full and fun week of vacation at chez Cindy quilting retreat located in Columbus, Ohio. This once-in-a lifetime, by (self) invitation only event allowed me to experience the full sewing immersion therapy that I’ve been craving.
I arrived on Saturday afternoon and after a whirl-wind of unpacking, we sat down over a cup of tea to develop a strategy for the week. We wound up with a list of 16 projects that we wanted to tackle in our 8 days together.

Cindy and I are list makers, can you tell?

Tea is essential to the planning process

Norma helped out a lot!
We also got the chance to take a very special trip to Cincinnati — but I won’t be able to share that surprise with you just yet. But while we were there Cindy introduced to me Jungle Jim’s which is a fantastic international foods grocery store that is, well, a little on the crazy (but good crazy) side. What fun we had!
You’ll hear more about the work we accomplished (and it was a lot) soon, but I have to share another amazing experience I had when I got home. I drove home early on Sunday morning so that I could have some pictures taken of my soon-to-be high school senior. Since we had the photographer scheduled I thought it would be a good time to take some family pictures as well. The photographer, Lynn Brennan met us on the farm. I have admired her work for a long time and I was excited to work with her.
And this is what happened:
![IMG_3465[1]](https://i0.wp.com/graybarndesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/IMG_34651.jpg?resize=620%2C414&ssl=1)
We got upstaged by a BEAR!!! HAHA
I’m racing to get caught back up at my pays-the-bills job because our student customers are arriving this week. I know I need to work hard, but I’m still dreaming about sewing!
Sounds like a fun retreat. However, I can bear-ly see your family in that photo! Hahaha (sorry, I couldn’t resist).
LOL!
Good Morning Sandy! WOW – look how close that bear was! Your trip to visit your sister sounds like so much fun. {{Hugs}} I’ll bet those eight days just flew by! I can’t wait to see the fruits of your labors – just the first two items are wrap ups so we should see those soon. ~smile~ Roseanne
You are correct Roseanne — those finishes were an easy check mark — a little TV time, a little wine time and the bindings were done! All that’s left is the photot shoot. Have a great Tuesday!
Photobombed by a bear! I love it! Sounds like you had a super fun sewcation. Can’t wait to read more about it.
Chocolate was also an abundant supply! I had so much fun…we need to do this more often!
Oh my goodness! What a surprise that must have been! Fun. I enjoy quilting time with my sister, too.
Sisters are the best!
Some are! 😉
Well I just commented and it disappeared! Anyway, so fun to spend quilting time together, and wowee on the bear in your photo! I’ve seen tracks (when traveling) and I’ve seen bears from a distance, but I’ve not been that close to one in the wild.
The photographer was very white in the face when she told us to “turn around”!
Quilting vacations are the best! We live in the woods and looked out our French doors one day to see a bear on our deck, looking in at us!
I just love to see them! When we were growing up in the 60’s and 70’s there were no bears around. The DEC worked hard to repopulate them in the area. I think it’s a good thing.
That sounds like a wonderful vacation and hello to Norma! Love the bear in the back of the photo.