The retreat is taking shape

The knitting retreat is taking shape.  We'll be staying at the brand new Courtyard Marriott in  Fredricksburg, VA.  It's a beautiful facility in the heart of the downtown shopping, dining, and art area.  check it out on this cool video.  There are tons of things to do, and in developing our first retreat, I’ve tried to strike a balance between planned activities and free time.  We'll have a deluxe breakfast for you Saturday morning, followed by a finishing workshop.  Saturday afternoon, I've arranged a special wine tasting with our group's particular tastes in mind.  There's a hot Latin jazz dance band playing Friday night at Bistro Bethem that should be really great. We'll have a lovely Sunday brunch in the morning, and we can finish up our finishing.  The rest of the day is free for you to do whatever you like.  You can spend it knitting, shopping, or touring the town.   We'll have our own dedicated meeting space in the hotel all day Saturday and Sunday, so you will be welcome to hang out there any time as well. 

There are several very nice restaurants in town, as well as in the hotel.  I've prepared a list of top rated restaurants (including a terrific vegetarian place) and links to their sites, so you can check them out.  I'll be posting that to the blog tomorrow.  Most of the better restaurants recommend reservations, so if you want to be sure to get in to a particular restaurant, you'll want to call and make reservations.  I've included my restaurant plans for Friday and Saturday night, and if you would like to join me, just let me know, and I'll be happy to make a group reservation. 

Remember, that this is your retreat.  You can participate in as many or as few of the planned activities, events and meet-ups as you like.  Just know that they are there for you if you want to . However you choose to spend your time, it’s going to be a wonderful weekend full of fun and friendship.

Here’s the agenda  

Friday, February 3rd 

 3:30   Check in

 6:00   Meet in the atrium – enjoy a glass of wine or soda in the lounge area before dinner.

 7:30    Dinner - I have made reservations at Bistro Bethem.  Let me know if you want to join me. 


10:00  Live band Sabor Afrocubano at Bistro Bethem

•  This band hot offers a hot and spicy mix of cha-cha, rumba, salsa and jazz original and 'Latinized' standard jazz tunes to satisfy your appetite whether you are a jazz lover or Salsa/Latin dancer.  There's music and dancing until 1 a.m. 

Saturday, February 4th

8:00-10:00  Sunrise Breakfast Buffet in the Kenmore Room 

• Menu
  Assorted Chilled Fruit Juices
  Fresh Sliced Seasonal Fruit with Berries
  Oatmeal Served with Brown Sugar and Raisins
  Croissants, Muffins and Bagels
  Sweet Butter, Fruit Preserves, Cream Cheese
  Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs
  Smoked Bacon and Country Sausage
  Breakfast Potatoes
  French Toast with Warm Maple Syrup
  Coffee and Tea

10:00-12:00  Finishing Workshop in the Kenmore Room

• Bring a project that needs to be finished - we'll have the tools and the expertise to help you with blocking, seaming, picking up, whatever.  I'll have several blocking boards on hand for you to use, as well as a small hand steamer to ready your garment pieces for perfect finishing.  

3:30-5:30   Wine Tasting at Total Wine

• Join us for a fun and relaxing introduction to some interesting new wines specially chosen to complement knit night foods.  I've asked our host to offer a selection of delicious, affordable wine's that will suit a variety of palates - whether you like a dry red, or a nice Riesling.  We'll get a discount on any wine tasted that day!

6:30   Meet in the atrium – enjoy a glass of wine or soda in the lounge area before dinner.

7:30  Dinner - I have made reservations at Ristorante Renato.  Let me know if you would like to join me.



Sunday, February 5th

9:00 a.m.  Sunday Brunch

• Assorted Chilled Fruit Juices
  Fresh Sliced Seasonal Fruit with Berries
  Croissants, Danishes, Muffins and Bagels
  Sweet Butter, Fruit Preserves, Cream Cheese
  Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs
  Smoked Bacon and Country Sausage
  Breakfast Potatoes
  Pancakes, Plain and Blueberry
  with Warm Maple Syrup
  Fruit, Cheese and Cracker Platter
  Fresh Shrimp Cocktail
  Smoked Salmon
  Assorted quiches

12 p.m.  Check out

• Bring your bags to your car or to the Kenmore Room and hang out and knit as long as you like.  

 The cost for the weekend is $190 per person, assuming two people per room.  If you have a roommate preference, please let me know.   To register, please submit a non-refundable deposit of $75 by January 18th.  We'll need the balance by January 31st.    Call either La Plata (240-349-2853) or Leonardtown (301-475-2744) to register.