Retreat Time!

After our shopping excursion we joined up with a couple of fellow retreat attendees who were also picking up some goodies.  We headed over to Woodstock and stopped at Cracker Barrel for lunch.  Then we all piled in our cars and headed over to Route 11 Potato Chip Factory which is not too far from our retreat location.  If it is retreat time is it time to stop and buy chips.  My boys love them and they disappear quickly!!!!

The final stop is Orkney Springs which is where we have our retreat every year.  I love going to the retreat and getting away from the TV's, phones and being able to slow down and stitch.  After spending some time setting up the attendees began to arrive and we settled in for a few days of stitching, socializing, eating, just relaxing and enjoying our time away with fellow stitching enthusiasts.  This retreat allows us to really get to know each other and spend time-sharing.  Our meetings throughout the year everyone is so busy we don't always have the opportunity to visit with each other as much as we would like.  I began stitching a new design but tried not to over do my arm so I would stitch for a while and visit to minimize to the potential to irritate it more than I should.  Saturday was a little rainy but not much complaining since it encouraged staying inside and enjoying a perfect stitching day.

Sunday morning however was glorious instead of eating breakfast in the dining hall I decided to walk the grounds and take photos of our beautiful surroundings.

[caption id="attachment_790" align="aligncenter" width="353"] Beautiful walking path full of trees
and streaming light.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_789" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Shrine Mont Virginia House the building contains the front desk, lobby, book store, dining hall (where all of our meals are served) and dance hall.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] State of Virginia's Monarch butterfly
enjoying its butterfly bush breakfast.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="321"] Orkney Spring apparently the locals many years ago due to the red tinge (iron content) in the water encouraged folks to enjoy the healing powers of the water. Turned out to be so popular the Virginia Spa now Virginia House was built to accommodate out of town visitors.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Another section of the spring area which encourages quiet reflection[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A lone flower along the garden path[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_788" align="aligncenter" width="332"] There are several cottages some are available to rent and some are private residences[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_787" align="aligncenter" width="360"] The garden path[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_786" align="aligncenter" width="500"] A garden path surprise this little guy did not sit still like the Monarch this was the only photo it granted...must not like the paparazzi.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_791" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Small relaxing sitting area away from all the activity next to the pond.[/caption]

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="332"] Nothing like enjoying the front porch rocking chairs and a gentle breeze in the shade.[/caption]

Another relaxing and enjoyable weekend
has once again come to an end
until next year Shrine Mont...