Sunday In-Between The Rain.

You can’t come to the Blue Ridge Mountains – and NOT see the Blue Ridge!

But sometimes trying to catch the right moment in between the rounds of summer rains makes it a bit challenging!

For days we had planned to do some scenery shooting – some long range view finding.  Kind of hard to do when the tops of the mountains are covered in fog layer.  There isn’t much to see at that point!

We had just about loaded up in 2 vehicles (There were 6 of us so we tag-teamed) and the sky opened up in a huge down pour and we had to wait it out once again!

The ultimate photo op!

Straddling the NC/VA state line!

And the photographer trying to selfie-in on the action -

Which blurred the background.

Zoey included!

It’s impossible not to feel the peace of this place.

And take a moment to marvel at the wonder of nature.

The power of the moving water of the New River.

And to hear the buzz of the 17 year cicadas that are still vocalizing their song.

The mountain of green viewed from the back porch.

I love that we have enjoyed as much time outside -

As we have inside sewing!

Relax and exhale.

Doggie lovin’!

Sunny spot on the porch!

Can’t we just stay a day longer?

And the gorgeous food just kept coming!

(We need more hikes!)

The ever increasing fruit salad!

As everyone departs today – yesterday was a day of “let’s use it all up!”  And instead of stone soup – we had “stone fruit bowl” which migrated from a small bowl, to the next size up, to the third size up as each addition was unearthed from the fridge – finally reaching the largest bowl when someone said “Here’s a can of mandarin oranges and crushed pineapple – do you want those?” And in to the biggest bowl it all went.

And we loved using Carrie’s great-aunt’s magnolia fruit bowls to make our Sunday Brunch on the porch just that much more memorable.

I’m sad to see these folks go their separate ways today!

And of course there are more photos that I will share over the next couple of days – of quilts off the rail, of projects on the design walls, of fun moments and things we won’t forget.

Many conversations of “What to do next?” have occurred.  For many it’s back to quarantine to keep those in their communities safe from anything they may have picked up along the way home.  Of back to the land of mask-wearing in public spaces and sanitizing all the things.

Was it worth it to quarantine before coming, being careful while here, and going back to stay-at-home status once life gets back to our revised normal since Covid happened?

A resounding yes – with our hearts full and our projects progressing.  Just getting to BE with each other in this safe space to recharge our batteries enables us to go back and take on the world where we live and make it a better place to be.  In oh, so many ways.

And now that I’m to this point – let’s draw for the winner of our June 2020 Quilty Box! 

All the details on this Give-Away are found HERE.

Who is entry 441??

Marlene Chasteen!

Marlene, I’ve sent an email to the address you provided with your entry.  Please reply with your mailing address and I’ll forward it on to the folks at Quilty Box and they will get your goodies on their way to you!  Congrats and enjoy.

And our thanks to Quilty Box for making our monthly Gift-Aways possible!

So here we are at Monday – what will you do differently this week to make this week just a bit better than last?

Quiltville Quote of the Day

It's never too late for this old dog to learn some new tricks!

I learned so many things this weekend by sharing time and experiences with the Stitch Mob girls on retreat at Quiltville Inn.

I can't wait to put all of these things into not only my quilting life, but this also moves on into how our daily life experiences can be a catalyst for increased knowledge, compassion, understanding, acceptance, friendship, and the expansion of our own hearts and souls.

Wow. Kind of deep for a Monday - but there you have it!

Have a wonderful day -