I have heard so many stories about quilt retreat food.
1) Guests do their own cooking
2) If at a retreat center they get 'institutional food'
3) Too much salt
4) Not enough of a variety
5) Wilted salad greens
6) My special diet cannot be accommodated.
And I could go on, but, I won't.
When I am planning a retreat for One Loose Thread, my venue is told 3 things.
1. Make sure we have enough light
2. Make sure our sleeping arrangements are clean and comfortable
3. MAKE SURE THAT THE FOOD IS GOOD AND THERE IS PLENTY OF IT!! This should actually be listed as #1.
I can truly say that we usually hit all of these points very well. Now occasionally, there is a hiccup and a dish may have a little too much salt. Yes, sometimes we run out of those fresh and best prepared vegetables (like asparagus). But for the most part the biggest complaint that I hear about food is that there is just too much of it (not my thought, but some say that). Someone actually has remarked that she will go on a diet the week before camp so that she might not have to do it after camp. Doctor's appointments involving bloodwork are done BEFORE camp............ just saying that many of them are.
Yes, we take our food very seriously.
We do breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are desserts. For those on special diets accommodations are made for them whenever possible and so far it has been totally possible. Currently we have a 'special' dinner sometime during retreat and then have a great brunch on the last day before we all head for home. There are times that I alter that a little just to keep everyone on their toes.
We don't buy the groceries, prepare the meals, wash the dishes.. none of that. We are here to sew and be social and that's what we do. The kitchen staff ROCKS!!
Our retreats are 'out in the woods'. It's quiet. The lake is beautiful. The sleeping accommodations are cool in summer and warm in winter. They are very comfortable. The retreat center makes sure of that.
All in all, if fear of lousy food is your reason for not trying a One Loose Thread retreat, please reconsider. I try to make everyone feel relaxed and as though they are a guest in my home. My special retreat center does the same.
Hope to see you during one of our retreats next year:
February (February 22-26, 2023) is a 'sit and sew' retreat with an optional mystery quilt thrown in for fun. Everyone gets the clues, but, you don't have to actually stitch the mystery.
May Mester (May 17-21, 2023) will be a split retreat. One building will be a 'sit and sew' group and the other will be a Judy Niemeyer quilt class with Certified instructor Elsa Neubauer. You pick your quilt, but, she will focus on the current technique of the month.
August---(August 2-6, 2023)- It does get hot, but we have AC---- this will be a sit and sew event.
November--(November 7-10,2023) -time to finish up all of those Christmas presents or make something for yourself.
I hope that you will pick a date or two and join the fun with the Frayed Knots of One Loose Thread. All levels of quilters are welcome. The maximum number of participants is 36. Everyone will have plenty of room to work and socialize at the same time. You can take a nap or have a massage. You can sew or read a book. The time is yours to do with what you want. We are close enough that you could visit the 3 quilt shops in Augusta, Georgia.
Hope to see you soon,
Joyce Greer-also known as..... One Loose Thread
