Opting for Outside!

I have posted photos of this fabulous barn before.

It’s one of my favorites.  Who can resist a big white barn in the middle of a green field highlighted by blue sky and puffy white clouds?

It’s not the straightest photo, taken out of a lowered car window as we were on our way up to hike Grayson Highlands yesterday morning.

It was just the kind of day that MUST be spent outdoors – as much as possible.  Before the rain comes this weekend.

Clouds were already gathering by the time we reached the park overlook.

And further up the road, by the time we reached the parking area for Rhododendron Trail the wind was a bit gusty and it looked like rain was blowing in from the distance.

Do we call it quits?  Or do we march forward knowing there is little shelter once we leave the parking area?

The blue sky is gone -

Low clouds are blowing through.

Oh this is going to be a crap shoot!

Nature, taking care of the fallen.

We didn’t have to hike far before we saw them.

This new foal is getting the hang of things!

So fun to watch it grow over the past few months – its mowhawk mane growing week by week.

Oh, it’s YOU again!

Those clouds are starting to look menacing!

How are you guys doing?

Good munching?

This one was a little wobbly brindled foal at the beginning of summer!

That mane is growing out nicely!

Other findings along the trail -

These blackberries are TART!

What the birds and critters don’t eat -

The people do!

(Love the texture of that old fence, don't you?)

Don’t bother me.

I’m napping!

All of that grazing is hard work -

Miracle of miracles -

It didn’t rain on us!

In fact the breezes made it a very cool and pleasant hike where if it had been sunny it would have been killer with our humidity hanging somewhere around 96%.

Fun random moment of the day – Coming upon another group of 4 hikers and having one of them say “Hey, aren’t you Bonnie Hunter?  I recognize Zoey!”

It turns out that Quilter Terri from Ohio is staying in nearby Lansing NC with her hubby (who also quilts!) and Terri’s brother and his wife (who sometimes quilts!) and are enjoying day hikes and exploring our corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It was great to meet them – I mean, what are the chances?  That you’d meet another quilter who knows you while hiking the Appalachian Trail with your dog on a Thursday morning?  So much fun!

A bit of back porch applique in the afternoon!

As I said – it was a day to be spent OUTSIDE as much as possible, and that includes porch stitching!  There are only 2 hexie star blocks left to applique.  One needs a string base block made before it can be sewn down – i’m falling behind but loving it!

My special visitor has arrived!

There is nothing like sharing a coffee on the cabin porch with my eldest son.  He also arrived yesterday morning while Zoey and I were hiking – he was here when we got back!

There is much catching up to do after a year of not seeing each other.

We are making plans for the weekend ahead, but all are subject to change due to possible rain fall and the remnants of Hurricane Laura.

Because he is here – there may not be much quilty stuff to share over the next week, and that is okay with me.

I may be able to sneak in a little if Jason and his Dad go kayaking this evening – but we shall see.

I’m just happy to have him here for the next week.  He will head back after Labor day.

So HELLO FRIDAY!  What do you have in store for your day ahead?

Perhaps it will include REGISTERING for Free Motion Quilting Academy!

Meet Tricia!

Tricia is an FMQ Rockstar from the Fall 2019 cohort, and I love her words about her free motion quilting journey:

“HollyAnne is a fantastic teacher! The explanations and demonstrations of the motifs were easy to understand and broken down into bite-sized chunks so it wasn’t too overwhelming.

And having a ‘safe space’ to post and discuss my beginner-level work that I would not ordinarily show anyone was such an encouragement!”

Yay, Tricia!!

She created this whole cloth piece as her graduation project last fall, and I just love it!

Are you ready to start your FMQ journey, too?

FREE MOTION QUILTING ACADEMY (FMQA) IS THE FIRST COURSE OF ITS KIND THAT:

Allows you to learn Free Motion Quilting from the privacy and comfort of your own home.

Encourages you to start with what you have, keeping supplies minimal and affordable, rather than urging you to buy a fancier machine.

Is ready when you are, regardless of geography or time zone, with on-demand, pre-recorded video lessons.

Offers you ongoing access to the instructor so you never feel alone or stuck and you can get near-real-time help during live streamed Q&A sessions.

Connects you to other rockstars-in-training around the world so you can help and encourage each other.

It will be a fun, positive and confident learning experience for you. HollyAnne is your number one cheerleader in helping and encouraging you to succeed!

This is a 12 week course, AND you also will have lifetime access to the online course materials and Quilting Rockstars Facebook group.

Registration is open NOW but closes Saturday, August 29th – That’s TOMORROW NIGHT! So don’t wait!

New student orientation starts August 31, 2020. The course runs through December 3rd.

Quiltville Quote of the Day

There really is no place like home,

Happy 39th anniversary to the Hubster Dave. Being home for the entirety of 2020 has been a gift in so many ways.

Most of all - spending this time with people I love.

Our son Jason arrived from Portland Oregon yesterday and we are so happy he is here.

He took 5 days to drive solo and camp along the way

Family is EVERYTHING!

Off to spend some time with my son – have a wonderful Friday, everyone!