Beating the Rain -

It was a "Hurry up before it rains!" kind of Sunday.

Not that we couldn't get dry if we got wet - but there is the slippery mud to contend with, and as we are all past the half-century-plus-ten mark (or close to it) mud and inclines, rocks and declines come into play when they are wet.

We were four plus one - Zoey! And I'm so glad we did this hike - I couldn't fathom we would see what we did!

Those clouds look ominous, don't they?

I had two small umbrellas in the van, and we carried them thinking we could double up under them if need be - mostly a thought to protect Siobhan's big camera from the wet should we need to.

Amazingly, we didn't need to.

You know how it goes?  If we had left the umbrellas behind - it WOULD have poured.

Summer wildflowers thriving!

But those clouds!

And then we saw them after hiking in about a mile.

There had been some rain the night before, just enough to make some areas muddy.  But I was thrilled that my 3 Pieceful Hearts gals would experience the ponies.  

Like whale watching, there is never a guarantee where they will be or if you will actually see any.

And this new one - too precious for words!

Hello there! Nice to meet you! Click to Play:

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All of this - so cute!

How big are the ponies in actuality?

Not very!

No trick of camera here - even if Siobhan is a bit on a rise.

In the upper left is a mare lying down sunbathing with two foals.  We stayed away as it was a bit "peopley" over there, not wanting to spook or overwhelm them during their nap time.

It wasn't much longer after this that something amazing happened. Most of the time the animals are quite docile - just grazing along.

After filming the above clip, we heard a huge whinny, and this black stallion came screaming down the hill - tossing his mane, tail lifted. Such a majestic beast.

He came down to herd all of his harem back up the hill with much thundering of hooves and fanfare.
A few minutes later, that whole stampede over, the females had had enough, came back down the hill and recommenced what they were doing before he showed so much macho.

The stallion was really feeling his oats yesterday - as he tried running through and herding up the females a couple of more times. It didn't work.

I love it when the womenfolk can outstand the braggadocio of the patriarchy and just keep munching on!

We were nearly half-way back to the parking area when we could still hear his whinnying in the distance.  It was just amazing.

Four visible, but a few more down in the brush.

Well done, ladies!

We had a great hike, quite a few pony experiences, and nary a drop fell on us.

And since it was the weekend -

I was able to sit and sew with the ladies in the Quilting Quarters!

This is a project I started last year - no info on it yet, but stay tuned.

On an earlier trip to Wallburg I brought up my Sew Ezi table, and decided to use it with my 301 long bed.

The only issue was that the purple riser thingies didn't raise the machine high enough to be level with the table top.

Favorite old hack: Grab the thickets phone book you can find and then use the purple riser things to bring it to the right height.

Worked for me!

While cutting for another project I added a bunch more short 2'' strips to my Fish School basket. They will be handy for cutting out more block kits this way. 

There was some hand stitching on the back porch late afternoon!

There was more hand stitching happening on the front porch as well!

I have loved having the Pieceful Hearts gals here, and am glad for one more day with them.

How was your own weekend??  Have you started your own Rockabilly Swing adventure?  I'd love to see your blocks in progress!  Feel free to email me photos of your progress!

Fabrics from 1980s all the way to today -

Scraps in all colors, in every genre and variety.

You cheered me on as I made block after block after block in this adorable size - and watched as it was assembled, quilted, and bound.

And now you can start your OWN Rockabilly Swing journey with my PDF pattern which includes the printable paper foundation template.

The introductory price of Rockabilly Swing has been placed 25% off at $9.00 through July 31, 2021.  No coupon code needed. 

Rockabilly Swing is paper foundation pieced.  I have used Carol Doak's 8 1/2'' X 11'' Foundation Paper with much success.  It is available in the Rulers, Notions & Tools section of the Quiltville Store. (Limited supply)

You can also find it in the Quilting All the Time category of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store  Direct link HERE.

You can also use 8 1/2'' x 11'' newsprint, though it doesn't like some printers. (I get jams occasionally on mine)  It is also available HERE.

If this is your first time downloading digital patterns from my store to a computer click HERE.

If you intend to download to an iPhone/iPad click HERE.

And YES!  We are having a Gift-Away!  Did you enter on THAT POST?

Our winner will receive the PDF pattern for Rockabilly Swing AND a Jumble of Color roll from Cotton to Quilts!

If you are also in need of neutral stash enhancement, hit up Cotton to Quilts and see what Irene has curated just for you!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

“WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I ADMIRED CLEVER PEOPLE. NOW THAT I AM OLD, I ADMIRE KIND PEOPLE” - Abraham Joshua Heschel⁣
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It's a brand new week with new opportunities. Most of all, keep kind! 

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Have a terrific Monday, everyone!