"IN THE PINK" - 2016 - 2019

 Thanks to those who have read their way through my last post, and apologies in advance for another long photo heavy post. I am thankful that I have had my blog books printed as the photos from those earlier posts in the archives are no longer visible. It seems that the next few years the photos are still online, so I will include a link to them in case you wish to read the whole post.

A bit more background info for newer readers to my blog. For many reasons, I had decided to sell The Sanctuary and get some "balance" into my life. Trying to keep 2 houses going, holding retreats (which I needed to do to pay the mortgage) and still machine quilting for customers was taking it's toll. When I walked back across the road to my house, it looked like no one lived here. Add a few health issues and I decided to ease back on life somewhat?? What I hadn't counted on was the fact that those who had been coming to retreats still wanted to come and stay on my side of the road instead! So I went with the flow, moved out of Number 7 and started renovations at Number 8. The kitchen and bathroom was upgraded, the house painted, garden tidied, beds moved in and all was set up for retreats on this side of the road commencing a few months later!! I have to say it was a good decision for me as it was much less stress to look after one house properly, still have fun weekends with those who had become special friends, and I had no more debt! 

2016

 The 2016 pink retreat was another fun weekend, this time being held at Number 8 and not The Sanctuary. The Sanctuary had been able to sleep up to 10 people, and have 10 seated for sewing, but on this side of the road 6 were able to sleep and 2 local ladies could sleep at home and attend for days.

       Items for the Pink auctions continued to be donated.............

 The little purses and their money came out for the auctions, and the fluffies made an appearance again.

                     Tables were set up in my front room for 8 ladies to sit and sew. ..........

........... and there was still had a pergola to spend time in............

                          .............................and the comfy beds were the same to sleep in.

Much laughter and sharing still filled the house. The only difference was which the side of the road!

I have worked out it is not safe to put my camera down, as "someone" picks it up and uses it!!

"Someone" ?? organised a "pass the parcel" game for the weekend, and each person received a pink chocolate as they unwrapped the paper! But the "lucky lady??" who opened the last round received this???? Really?? 

Jean was the winner of this year's pink raffle quilt.

We invited some local ladies to join us for High Tea.

                         And we helped this lady celebrate her birthday that year. 

2017

This link, 2017 blog post will give you a more detailed report for the year 2017. This year we were one less in numbers due to one of "us" losing her elderly mother that week. This is where the sharing and caring for each other comes into play as many friendships have been formed over the years.

Once again we had lots of pink auction items, a lot of which had been donated by generous people..........

Take notice of those 2 pink boxes, which are marked Mystery Parcel. 

The retreat stayers were joined by some local ladies for the auction items.

This bottle came appropriately dressed for the weekend!

                          Pink was the the colour for a lot of the treats......................

................................and also appeared on the menu in many of the dishes.

Bidding was very intense for those Mystery parcels! It is surprising what some will pay for a good cause, and hopeful of finding some treasures........................Marie was very happy when she opened her mystery box.................

Michelle had put in a bid for one of the boxes, but was unable to be present on that day, so called in the next day for a cuppa and to collect her "treasures"...........

Not too sure what she thought about her mystery box now? (It seems that what goes around, keeps going around, and as of now, we are still waiting to see where this "treasure" will pop up next?)

Once again we shared High Tea with each other and were joined by some local ladies.

                               And another "official" group photo.

2018

2018 blog post - This link will get you to the original story for 2018 Pink retreat.

Once again, the decorating queen set to work to add pink touches all around the house. Anyone driving along the road would definitely know that something Pink was happening here.

Those pink hats made another appearance and the goody bags contained some treasures.

Even the night attire was colour coordinated!

This year the amount of auction items increased to such an extent that they had to move from the front hallway to the piano in the lounge. 

Which meant that I needed to call in the extra troops to help with the bidding!!

                                 Sewing in the PJ's is a good idea!

Of course we had to have some pink food, and what other colour icing could you put on vanilla slice?

Another chance to play ladies while partaking of afternoon tea........

                   ...............................using my grandma's pretty cups and saucers and plates.

                                  And another group photo of very pink ladies.

              Marie of Holly Hand Dyes brought her fabric around for us to drool over, I mean purchase.

Then it was time to depart after another successful retreat.........and Lynda needed to collect her purchases, and note she made a few!!...........

and as the "new" girl at retreat Lynda received a "royal" send off! (They had to make sure she would come back another time!!)

2019

You will find this link will get you to the more detailed 2019 blog post

Looking back into the files for this post and I can't believe that a year has gone by. And when I really stop and think about it, it almost seems like we are living in another time as nothing is like it was "then". Who would have believed that there would be a world where we are restricted in the things we can do and where we can go?? A world of no hand shake greetings, or hugs to say we care?? Moving on and back to the last Pink retreat that we had.......wonder where we will all be next year?

The royal farewell must have worked because Lynda came back, all dressed in Pink, even to the footwear.

Another bounty of pink auction items was arranged on the piano again......

............and the bidders are waiting for some bargains???

   Lots of laughing, sharing and chatter with a cuppa or two......and again we welcomed some newbies.

.......................and there is always lots of advice if you ask, and sometimes more ideas than you need?

New friendships are formed. 

             Note to self, don't take a photo with everyone looking into the sun!!

The newbies from the city had to leave early on Sunday, and probably had more luggage to leave with when you add in their auction purchases.

It was unfortunate that they missed this afternoon tea which was enjoyed by all.

        Those pink hats were stacked and put away, and now I wonder for how long?? They have done their duty for 8 years of pink retreats now, and were purchased from the Cheap shop, so perhaps it is time to pension them off? But they have so many memories, I would find it hard to throw them out.

            And it was feet up at the end of another successful, fun weekend with friends.

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I thank you if you have read the whole way through the last 2 posts about all the Pink Retreats. They have been very successful weekends with friends, as well as raising funds for the BCNA. 

Even though restrictions mean there is no Pink retreat this year I still hope that I will be able to send some much needed funds.  I will post the details of my ideas, (that have been approved by the BCNA), sometime over the weekend.

Blessings, From Jude