Auburn, Indiana Getaway

Last weekend eight of the Russellville girls got together for our second annual retreat at the Inn at Windmere B & B.  We enjoyed ourselves so much last year that we decided to make this an annual thing.  Susie and Paul spoil us rotten and this year was no exception!

Our trip north started out before breakfast so I decided we'd stop at a childhood favorite of mine!  I was going for a blueberry muffin but they were sold out already so I got the pumpkin instead.  Yummy!

This little mom and pop bakery has been in business since before I was born.  Most of my birthday cakes came from here.  See those cookies, those were my treat when I went to visit my Granny and Grandpop.  We'd walk to the bakery and I'd get to pick one out.  Sweet memories!

On our route north, we ran across this cute cheese shop in Berne, Indiana right in the middle of Amish country.  We couldn't resist!  I saw this F.R.O.G. jam when I was buying my honey his surprise present of blackberry jam. F.R.O.G. stands for Figs, Raspberry, Orange and Ginger.  No, I didn't get any but you can contact them and I bet they'd ship you some!

Our next stop was the Busy Brush Cafe, in downtown Auburn, Indiana for lunch with the retreat peeps!  This year we all were able to meet before heading off to the Inn.  It was so yummy!  I had half a chicken salad on a croissant and half a ruben!

Rose's tea was brought in this cute pot.  You know what a tea crazy girl I am.  If anyone knows the pattern name for this little beauty, please let me know.  I should have looked on the bottom but of course I did not!

On Saturday morning, we all piled into a van and drove down to Ft. Wayne to visit Stitch n' Frame's shop again!  I'm still so amazed that they do all the framing for Just Cross Stitch magazine!  Just look at all those molding choices.

This is the shop's Christmas sampler wall. This year we all seemed to be in a Christmas kinda mood as several of us bought holiday charts and supplies.  I couldn't resist the latest issue of JCS.  I didn't get a lot of stash this time since I'd been a wee bit naughty in Utah.  However, a couple girls who don't have a local shop enhanced the economy rightly.  Love it!

Speaking of Christmas, I finally got started on my ornaments!  I had been working on this one at home and decided to bring it with me to try to finish it.  I'm so pleased I was able to do just that.  Now to ornamentify it!  I actually need to do several more ornaments right now.  Oh if only I could buy myself some time.

I also had a completion while I was there too!  When we last saw this one all it lacked was the binding edge being attached.  Yes, it's been a WIP since April and that's all it lacked.  How embarrassing!  I guess you just have to be in the mood.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

While we are talking about embarrassing WIPs, I took another one with me to see how far I could get.  Yes, this one is going way back since it last saw any attention.  I can't believe it's been so long.  I remember getting distracted by Christmas ornaments that got me off the SAL schedule and then I'd pick it up occasionally.

There's so little that needs stitched!  I decided to do the top row of flowers since I still need to chart my signature.  I'm going to try to do that this week so I can work on this again at the guild's stitch-in on Saturday.  Wish me luck!  You know how those good intentions go.

I also took the Parrots with me as well.  I've gotten off this SAL schedule too.  I knew I would.  October's assignment included a big house and lots of grass.  I'm not especially fond of stitching houses.  I know some folks are and if you have any tips, please share.  So now I'm playing catch-up.  Maybe by the end of the year I'll get it done.  We'll see!

The weekend went by way too fast!  I really enjoyed the trip and the company.   It's always so inspiring to get together with creative sisters of the floss.  We laughed, we ate, we stitched and repeated!  Just a perfect way to spend a weekend.

I hope everyone else had a good weekend and will have a good week!  Thank you so much for your visit today.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher