Let me start by saying, I’m sorry if you’re reading this as a multiple post, I’m struggling with my wordpress account today, and I apparently need to BE at Mt. Calm, to regain my “calm” ;-)! Let’s try again…….
As I sit at my desk in London today, and reflect back to October 2012, I am quietly amused at the synchronicity of this blog. Why? Because today my Texas quilting friends are back at the Compass Centre, in Mt. Calm, Texas enjoying their first full day of stitching, chatting, reminiscing, and laughing! What better time to write today’s “catch-up” blog!
My friend, Dorothy, from NYC, came along, to experience Texas, and the quilt retreat for the first time. My parents and I picked her up at the DFW airport in their motorhome…..

…and we went directly to the Fort Worth Stockyards to give her an authentic introduction to Texas ;-)!!
Dorothy played along with the whole adventure.

And my Texas friends will appreciate the fact that we stopped at Ginger Browns for breakfast, and their famous cinnamon buns(!) before heading to Waco, and finally The Compass Centre, in Mt. Calm.

Interestingly, for us quilters, (especially when we’re heading to a quilt retreat)…..the changing table in the bathroom had an old ‘S’inger sewing machine base, with a ‘twist’.

Another tradition of mine, when I go to a quilt retreat, has been to meet my son(s) from Austin, in Waco, for a family meal. This time we met Justin, and his friend’s puppy, Winnie.

As to be expected on a Texas road trip, we listened to Willie Nelson, (for Dorothy’s entertainment and pleasure ;-)) and sang along to…. “On the Road again….” until we FINALLY arrived at the Compass Centre :-).
(Since I don’t have a picture of the outside, the picture below is from the website, in winter)

Once inside, the stories began with friends we hadn’t seen in awhile.
Oh, Sue, you make story telling so special :-).

As I implied in my previous blog, Dorothy went straight to work on her quilt from the NY Bee block exchange the week before. Her sewing machine just didn’t stop purring along!

Voila….here’s the finished quilt top!!

My parents toured Texas for a few days and came back to the retreat center on the last night (and stayed in their motorhome, rather than with 20-odd quilters!). As you can see, my dad was in awe of ALL the projects going on…EVERYWHERE!

And on the last day, my dad became the JSS personal photographer!

It was really hard to get a good picture of this group with all the laughing going on….but if you ask me, that’s sure-tell-sign of what a great time was had by all!

I bet these ladies are going to miss their own personal photographer this time ;-).
Have a great retreat everyone! I’ll see y’all in October!
With love, from London,
Lani