Tuesday, October 4, 2011

~ * ~ A Dream Come True ~ * ~



I'm still grinning from ear to ear over how pleased I am with the Happy Trails Workshop. Frank Bielec and Pati Jane came early to help set things up and prepare for the 22 ladies that attended the workshop. We had bags of goodies for each participant and door prizes throughout each day.



The first day was spent learning the art of oxford punch and all the ladies caught on very quickly. Frank had brought everything needed to make a flip wallhanging and the ladies had their chose of many patterns. He is always very generous with his wool, yarn, accessories, and patterns.



On the first day we served Fajita taco salads for lunch and for supper my sister~in~laws and MIL served brisket with all the fixins! I'm so blessed to have such a giving family....and the meal was absolutely delicious!



We did have a hiccup on the Day 1 with my air conditioning going out....wouldn't you know it! Not one complaint was made and no one slowed down. These gals were determined!



Day 2 brought much cooler weather and the gals were back at it bright and early. Many gals finished up there first projects and began making more. There were many patterns to choose from. Kati from Tyler, Texas brought patterns and wool for sale and many of the gals enjoyed shopping. Made it feel like a real camp! Thank you Kati! Kala from Louisana also brought some of her handmade items and the ladies also enjoyed purchasing some of her lovely items.



Pati Jane and I served homemade lasagna, chicken spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and more fixins with pumpkin bars. For supper we grilled out brauts, smoked saugages, and hotdogs with potato salad and my Mom brought over pecan, chocolate, and butterscotch pies.






Day 3 was just as nice with the weather being nice and cool. Ann arrived first each day and fixed the coffee. I'm not a coffee gal and was so glad she did that for me!



It was crunch time for everyone. Time to get everything finished up. My daughter Jenn came over to take a group photo for us and some random shots.



On the 3rd day we served homemade chicken noodle soup and taco soup with biscuits, cornbread and crackers. For dessert we had Texas chocolate sheet cake. It's one of my childhood favorites!



I have to give a big thank you to Frank Bielec for making the trip out here to the farm to teach the very first workshop and helping to make it the success it was. We enjoyed his company more than he will ever know. Danny loved visiting with him in the evenings after work and we laughed so much! Frank also gave away his models in a drawing at the end of camp to 3 lucky gals!

Pati Jane went above and beyond the call of helping...months ago she began working with me on the goodie bags, planning, and then all the baking and dishwashing she did. She is truly a gem and I am very blessed to call her my friend!

Each gal that attended also made this camp the success it was. Everyone pitched in and helped in some way. It was such a pleasure to have them all here for the 3 days.



Months ago Danny and I were setting out on the porch and discussing enclosing the carport....now here it is all finished and my dream of sharing it with family and friends has come true. He worked many days and nights after work building this great room. I don't know that I can ever thank him enough for making my dreams come true but I'm going to try!

Happy Trails.....Ginger

17 comments:

Kathy (woolfind) said...

Wow Ginger! What a great time you all had!! You most certainly DO have a wonderful friendship with Patijane. Everyone seemed to work together. Love how you did your pictures. I bet Frank is as wonderful as you describe him :) Thanks so much for sharing your class with us!!

Teresa said...

Wow! What a time we had! It was like a big bunch of worker bees and we really got after it. Your hospitality was wonderful and the peacefulness of your place was so medicinal. It's the perfect spot for a gathering.
Thank you so much!
I just love my pumpkin and snowman. :)
Teresa

The Rusty Thimble said...

Oh my word Ginger and to think you are as close to me as you are, I used to love to watch Frank he was always one of my favorites......WOW what a wonderful time would love to have been there
Brenda

annie said...

I think this is so wonderful. I'm so happy for you! The pictures are fabulous, I can only imagine how great it was to really be there!

Joanne said...

Oh Ginger - it does sound like a dream come true - Mmmm all that yummy food - Frank - Patijane - and all those ladies and the ideas! Oh my wish I could have been there! joanne

WoolenSails said...

What a wonderful class and I love his work, it is so fun. I can imagine all the fun you had and what wonderful pieces.

Debbie

Cathy G. said...

What a great time this must have been for you! It's always a blessing when dreams come true and you can share with family and good friends! Aren't hookers wonderful people?!
Some time when you get a chance it would be fun to see some of the projects everyone made close up! I know you are busy though! Thanks for sharing your wonderful workshop with us!!
Cathy G

Rugs and Pugs said...

Ginger ~
What a great workshop! Perhaps you've found your second calling. It sounds like a roaring success. Congrats to you and all the participants.
Hugs :)
Lauren

moosecraft said...

Wow! What a blessing to have your family and friends together to enjoy these 3 days of fun and food! That certainly is a well appreciated great room! I bet you can't wait for the next big gathering!!! :-)

HomeSpunPrims said...

Ginger,
What a good size class you had! I'm so happy to hear it all turned out so well. And my goodness those meals sound so yummy!! What a gem Patijane is. Frank has got to be the sweetest teacher ever! I can just imagine how much fun you all had. Thanks for showing us so many photos. Hugs, Lori

Farm Girl said...

How lovely and how fun. I have been wondering how it went. So glad for the update. It looks like you had the best time and all of the food just sounds yummy.
I am so glad you got to enjoy your dream and got to see it become a reality.

primitivebettys said...

I am so happy for you & the bunch! Good friends, good times, and good food! :-) Danny is awesome & the two of you fulfill each others dreams!

Next time... I am going to try my hardest to get there!!

Smiles,
Betty

Nettie said...

Hi Ginger..... Everyone looks like they had a great time.... It is always nice when creative people get together to share their thoughts and projects with other people. You really put together a nice workshop, you should be very proud..... Love all the pictures of everybody....
Take care
Nettie

Unknown said...

My goodness, looks like you all had a glorious time. Jealous, jealous, jealous!!

Sabrina @Falling Leaf Woodworkers and Primitives said...

Oh Ginger... that sounds like a hevenly 3 days. I love frank and can only imagine how great a class with him must be. Thanks for sharing some pictures with us

patijane's primitives said...

Ginger, you made it happen! What a great place to have a workshop!! It is so peaceful out there and it inspires our creativity. I am so glad you asked me to by your partner in this endeavor. And thanks to Danny for enclosing the carport and making this happen. It was great 3 days and am looking forward to more workshops. Love ya like a sister!!!

okienurse said...

OMG! Ginger this looks like so much fun. I wish I could have been there. Spain is nice but the workshop really looks more like me! Keep me in mind when you do another one. I have only ever done latch hook so I will have some learning to do! Awesome pictures. Looks like everyone had loads of fun!