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150 DAYS FROM TODAY WE BEGIN OUR FUN!!!

WELCOME to the official thread for the 2012 HGTV Circle of Friends Quilters Retreat in Branson Missouri !!! We are SO VERY EXCITED you've decided to come to the Ozarks for a FUN time with quilty friends

Thanks to our friend JAYARDI ... we have a countdown clock to see exactly how long we have to wait ... She'll be along here to post her awesome clock to keep us on time!

A COUPLE NOTES

The DATES of the retreat will be Friday, Sept 21st thru Sunday, Sept 23rd, 2012.
The cost of the retreat will be the same as last year, $180

REFUNDS: If for some reason, after you have paid any or all of your monies toward the retreat fee, and you find you have to withdraw, your refund will be sent back, minus the FQ and mailing costs. Refunds will be issued after the final bookkeeping of the event has been completed and only then if there is a positive balance left in the checkbook.(full or partial refund determined by amount in checkbook) This has been the refund policy of all past retreats. Final bookkeeping is determined to be AT THE END OF THE RETREAT, AND MAY NOT BE BEFORE SEPT 30, 2012.

The EARLY BIRD DINNER will be on Thursday, Sept 20th.
Thanks to our SUPER HOSTESS JAYARDI, we now have a thread that announced our dinner will be held at the FABULOUS Andy Williams Moon River Grill ... one of Branson's best and favorite restaurants! Jayardi has published our menu choices, so please go to the thread for info on what to do next We need your menu choice by May 1st

The monies for Early Bird meals and/or hubby meals would be exempt from the refund policy. You would indeed get 100% of that back for sure if you found that you could not attend after you paid for the meals.

Our lodging in Branson will be at the FABULOUS THOUSAND HILLS GOLF RESORT !!!
We will be staying in CONDOs, and it will offer an atmosphere of family and friends and relaxation. See the HOTEL FOR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS thread for more information or look on THE BLOG

O MY GOSH !!! Time is FLYING BY !!!!!! And I'm really starting to get excited!!!

We have less than 5 months til we all get to play in Branson, quilty style! We are SO very excited, and I'm sure the time will pass by TOO fast! We are ready for the challenge and FUN!

YOU CAN NOW MAKE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS INTO BRANSON AIRPORT ... Go to www.flybranson.com for info!

HAVE YOU SEEN THE BLOG? The COF BLOG has been updated, and new information will be posted there frequently! Watch for new info !! [/color] And everything posted to the blog will also be posted here for awhile. It is easy-to-find info on everything you need to know about the retreat!

That's it! LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Who's comin' to play in Branson at the 2012 Circle of Friends Retreat?
These friends are on the REGISTERED LIST, and it includes the committee...

]List updated 4.24.12 ... WOULD Y'ALL PLEASE LOOK OVER THIS LIST OF WHAT YOU'VE PAID FOR, AND LET ME KNOW IN A PM IF THERE ARE ANY DISCREPANCIES OR QUESTIONS Just making sure my books line up, and we both know what you want

ABBREVIATIONS ~
EB ~ Early Bird Dinner
T (or Ts) ~ T-shirts (quantity not sizes)
Extra Meals ~ meals paid for guests or DH


1 Aliquilt 1 EB 2 Ts
2 Ambher & DH
3 AngelaC & DH 2 EB 1 T
4 Angelinamor 1 EB 1 T
5 Aunt Jo & DH 2EB 2Ts
6 bluesnail 1 EB 1 T
7 Chanlady22 & DH 2 EB 1 T
8 CharmingSister 1 EB 1 T
9 *Chris* 1 T
10 Chris 915 & DH 1 T
11 City/Sandie 1 EB 2 Ts
12 Corey'smom 1 EB 1 T
13 CR8TVE1 & DH
14 Craftylady 1924 1 T
15 Crazy'boutQuilts 1 EB 2 Ts
16 DJ Brown 1 EB 1 T
17 EKBuckeye 1 EB
18 Fishingwidow 1 EB 1 T
19 Florida Farm Girl 1 EB
20 GA Quilter 1 EB 2 Ts
21 gemsq 1 EB 1 T
22 Gonesewin 1 EB
23 HandieAnn 1 EB 1 T
24 Happy Erm 1 EB 1 T
25 Ilovemy4kids 1 EB 1 T
26 Jacky 1 EB 1 T
27 JaneKiwi
28 Jayardi 1 EB
29 KeepYouInStitches 1 EB
30 Kentucky Sunshine
31 Lace Angel 1 T
32 Lakequilter 1 EB 1 T
33 Lilly in the Valley 2 EB
34 Lionpride 1 EB 3 Ts
35 Magnoliaescapequilter & DH 1T
36 Malou & DH 2 EB 2 Ts
37 McPatches 1 EB 1 T
38 MemeQuilts & DH 2 EB 1 T
39 Mountain Laurel 1 EB 1T
40 MsBananas & DH
41 muggomuggo 1 EB 1 T
42 mw8930 & DH 2 EB 2 EX MEALS 1 T
43 Navy Wife 1 EB
44 Needlecrazy 1 EB 2 Ts
45 NICUNurse
46 NT Quilter 2 Ts
47 PandiBear 1 EB 3 Ts
48 PattyJ 1 EB 2 Ts
49 Pegsami & guest 2 EB 2 Ts 3 EX MEALS
50 Quilting Wifey & DH 2 EB 1 T
51 Quiltslots 1 EB 1T
52 Rainbow 1 EB 3Ts
53 royalboomer 2 Ts
54 SD Granny 1EB 1 T
55 sewlove2quilt 1 EB 1 T
56 Shauna's Crafty Quilter 1 EB
57 ShawlK 1 EB 8 Ts
58 Sister Sue 1 EB 2 Ts
59 TeaSea & DH 2 EB 1 T
60 Terrimae 1 EB
61 tisme 1 EB 2 Ts
62 Tommitalk 1 EB 3 Ts
63 Toryam 1 EB
64 trble2smom 1EB 2 Ts
65 Tx Wildflower
66 Warm Buns
67 WildcatMom 1 EB 1T
68 Will Quilt for Chocolate 1 EB 1 T
69 Me

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO PROMPT IN MAILING YOUR FEES! THE REGISTRATION LIST IS CLOSED, AND IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL, THERE WILL BE NO MORE REFUNDS UNTIL AFTER RETREAT IS OVER.

Don't forget to check out the blog! We'll be updating this week... Do y'all ever visit THE BLOG ?

Now we'll wait for our buddy JAYARDI to come along with her cool countdown clock

********************

Here's a pic of Spring in the Ozarks ... the WILD BLACKBERRY BUSHES are blooming, and they are full blast this year!!! Right now, everywhere you drive, you see these bushes all in bloom all along phone wires and fence lines. The birds eat the berries then "leave" the seeds. BLACKBERRY COBBLER is found all over this area, and when you come, you HAVE to try some! I think they should make it the OFFICIAL STATE DESSERT! I LOVE living in the beautiful Ozarks, and you'll love seeing how beautiful it is in the Fall!!

AND if you need any previous info, you can go to this LINK

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SavedSinnr,

I have yet to get into a tatting class - either needle or shuttle... they were filled or in conflict with another class and filled also. The CQ embellishment ones are fun ... I did the spider one last time and woUld love to do thar one with Katie me darling or the edge embellishments or what ever. There is always a lot to choose from. I did one - short cut - Hunter star that was quick. Just some thoughts.
(Hopefully home today!!)

Char

This message has been edited. Last edited by: lakequilter,

HEY !!! BRANSON'S 100th BIRTHDAY is this month, and they are GIVING AWAY 100 BRANSON PRIZE PACKAGES!!! go HERE for info ... and register for YOUR chance to win!

• • • Only 150 more days to go...

I'd like to get a tshirt, but can't remember where the information is to order one!
Sandra

quote:

Originally posted by ilovemy4kids:
I'd like to get a tshirt, but can't remember where the information is to order one!
Sandra

I LOVE MY 4 KIDS ~~~ Here's the thread for the t-shirts FOR INFO ONLY... go HERE and pick out your size and color,

THEN send a PM to Will Quilt for Chocolate and tell her what you want. Then mail the check to me. Hope this helps! PM me or Will Quilt For Chocolate if you need more info

You can register at the Branson site once each day till the give away!

THANKS for the reminder, McP

Chicky, are there any foods from the South that we shouldn't try? If we try everything you suggest there won't be time for sewing or even visiting.

Hey Patty That's the beauty of the retreat ... you eat WHILE you visit and sew! Well... maybe not sew, but visiting for sure

patty j
Chittlins!! Don't know if you'll find them in a restaurant but don't eat them!

ALL RIGHT !!! Now... let's get one thing straight! I DON'T EAT NO CHITTLINs!!!

FYI

I honestly don't think we will have to worry about anyone trying chittlin's ... you can't get past the smell to even consider putting them in your mouth. if your nose and mouth don't protect you - your eyes will! When I was guard commander at Ft Lewis stockade there was a forced issue of chittlins to the Mess Hall - YES - that whole jail stunk - for days - and I'll tell you, guys in jail will use any excuse they can find to get out of the cells = and going to sick call was one we had to allow ... my hallway was filled with guys leaning on the walls gagging and groaning!
YES, SKIP THE CHITTLIN'S.

They sell them in the specialty stores here in kenosha, but I never thought about how to cook or eat them. So thanks for the advice, Sue and I will both hear and obey.

Chittlin's super And I eat most things southern!

Is it time to pack yet?

As a Yankee I have to ask....what's chittlins?

Judy

Whatever they are, (I do know) Ole and Lena don't eat them!

I don't want to gross anyone out but if you REALLY want to know what they are you can google them. I would suggest NOT googling them or eating them!!!

I always knew Ole and Lena were positively brilliant.

But then Ole and Lena eat lutefisk and I've smelled that and Never wanted to try it. Even Mario Battalla (spelling) from the Food channel wasn't that enthused with the taste!!!

My Grandpa (from Norway) always had to have lutefisk for the Christmas holidays and since he never asked for much, Grandma always fixed it for him !! Whew--I was just a kid, but remember to this day the "aroma" !!!

So do I need to revisit my assessment of Ole's & Lena's brilliance?

Maybe, They only make lutefisk in the winter. That in itself should tell you how aromatic it was.

I have to chime in here: chittlins r supposed to be cooked outside, hehe. If they're properly cleaned and fried they r actually light and tasty.

ETA: this is where somebody's supposed to say, "Tory, how do you clean 'em?"

This message has been edited. Last edited by: toryam,

I am NOT askin that question cause I already know ... there's just something about that mental picture that doesn't get my tongue to waggin

Do not want to even go there

Hmmm, I know I'm going to be sticking with the good stuff.... . Whew, now I feel much better.

Nope, cleaning chittlins is not a pretty sight and I don't eat them either!!!!!

I'll look it up on computer and see if it is what I think it is. I was dating DH and his mother was making kidneys is it worse than that??? Cause that was the MOST gross thing I ever smelled coming out of a kitchen.

patty - yes, worse.

MUCH WORSE!!!

Chitlins, often spelled chitterlings, are a type of food made from pig intestines. In the US, they are a common soul food offering, though their cleaning and preparation can take a good deal of time. They are especially popular served during Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations among African American families.

The origin of chitlins is from the various foods served to slaves during the winter. When hogs were slaughtered in the South, African Americans were often given the intestines, instead of the meat of the pig. This led to a gradual dependence on the food as a "treat" during the winter months. Post-slavery, chitlins continued as a beloved culinary tradition.

Because chitlins are intestines, they have to be cleaned with extreme care. They can contain fecal matter, which can translate to ingesting numerous forms of bacteria including E. Coli, yersinia, and salmonella. If chitlins are sold uncooked, they need to be cleaned, and hand picked of any remaining fecal matter. Guides on cooking chitlins often suggest boiling them for 5 minutes to sterilize them prior to preparing them.

Chitlins can be added to stews or soups, and some people prefer them cooked and then deep-fried. When deep-fried, chitlins may be dipped in mustard, or other spicy condiments. Chitlins also are used for casings, so before you reject the idea of chitlins, don’t forget if you’ve had sausages, you’ve eaten them.

Oh. I think I'm sorry I asked . When we lived in Minn, I was warned about Lena's lutefisk, and couldn't get past the smell anyway. I think I met some of their relatives when we were invited to go fiddleheading on a farm up in Rice.

Judy

I'm SO glad I ordered the meatloaf for the Early Bird dinner! I do eat okra, turnip and collard greens, catfish, grits and love sweet tea so I'm fairly southern for a northerner.

NTQuilter, Thanks for the detailed description, Kind of what I tougt it was. Good thing I'm going to miss that delicacy. I'm going to be too busy visiting and learning about quilting to go trying stuff on my own. LOL

Thanks NT quilter ... like I said ... NOPE !

I started to look at plane fares and may find I can't afford to go after all! $450-$600 is too steep for me.

Hey Muggo ... which route did you take to alabama? maybe I can help

Good Morning quilters! WoW What a week!!! I just wanted to announce a NEW ATTRACTION in Branson! It's the Gone With The Wind Book & Film Museum! You can find it's webpage here, or it's on facebook.

I was going to have me a couple of "jammie" days so I could slow down a bit, but this weekend the museum is free ... so guess I'll be adventuring out (with clothes on, of course) Hope y'all have a great weekend!

I updated the list in the first post on this thread ... will you all take a little time and check your name. If it's not write, please PM me and we'll talk I'm doing a lot of juggling right now, so I appreciate your patience and understanding if I make a boo-boo

Did y'all know IT'S ONLY 140 DAYS TIL RETREAT??? NO WONDER I'm a crazy lady

Muggo muggo, would it be cheaper to fly into Nashville or Memphis? Or you could go to Atlanta a day or two ahead and I'll run down and pick you up. You can stay here a day or so before we leave. KY Sunshine is riding with me and we're taking 2 days to go, so we are leaving on Wednesday.

Lindsay...my name is Shawkl instead of Shawlk...and you forgot my T's. Just letting you know for the next time you update.
Hugs!

Just posting to bump this from page 2. Don't want it to get hidden. Can't wait to get to the retreat. We are going to have so much fun.
Shawkl good thing you corrected Lindsay's spelling. Who knows what your name badge would have looked like??? I'd better check mine out- she might spell mine wrong just to funny.

Thanks for that Kathy ... I always have trouble with your name! I don't know why You must just be one of my favorite people

Seriously considering driving from PA if I could find someone to share driving and expenses. I would take my car, but we would probably have to do 1 extra day down and 1 back, unless you could drive too. Any takers??
Lauren?? I am finding tickets are running from 500 and up from Pittsburgh to Branson. And then I still have to pay for parking and driving an hour to Pittsburgh.

Pretty hard to Misspell CITY but maybe I better check in too..

Hey Lindsey, how are you doing. Sure hope you are surviving with all this project entails.

Just to let you know, Charmingsister has no other capitals other than the C.

I love you gals ! Y'all make me smile all the time!

Yes, I'm surviving... been feeling under the weather lately, but I'm ALL updated and on top of it once again. Thanks for being patient with me ...

And ShawKL ... way to order the shirts girlfriend

Please PM me if there are any errors in the list above... thanks!

gee darn and golly - do we have to wait for errors before contacting you ???

Sandie ... you even have my phone number, so you contact me ANY time!!!