Of Rainbows and Nature Walks -

"Look! There's a rainbow!" I exclaimed from the passenger seat as the Hubster was driving toward Independence, Virginia - a Mexican place we both had a hankering for beckoned.

Of course, he couldn't see what I was seeing - he was driving.

But look closely at this photo and see how the rainbow is even reflected in the stillness of the New River we were passing by.

I don't often see rainbows out here.  Not sure why - but I think that our sky is mostly crowded out by mountains and trees and if there is one, you don't see a whole lot of it.

This one?  It was lightly misting out and the sun's rays shining through those water droplets causing prisms of light to form - there was no missing it.

And we were following this rainbow all the way to Independence.

I guess there is Mexican food waiting at the end of the rainbow after all.

There are a ton of photos of this rainbow - I just kept snapping.  Each one is different - This frame shows the rainbow landing just behind a hill on the far left.

And then wait!  Do I see two?

Yes! I do! There are definitely two rainbows.

Two rainbows and misty wet cows on a winding mountain road.

Wait - that tree is in the way, where is the other end?

Oh my goodness!

Two things are running through my mind at this time "Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side?" (Mexican food!) 

And...how can flat earthers think the world is flat when this definitely shows our atmosphere is round.

Watching the rainbow move from one side of the road to the other.

Okay - WE were the ones moving, but you know.

And there it is.  Plain as day, over the road.

Full rainbow - a double one.

We need to go for Mexican food more often.

Guess who went on a road hike?!

YAY!

The weather is beautiful this weekend (Thank you rainbow!) and 7 of us hopped into the van and drove up to Roundhouse Road - a hike I haven't done since before I left for Vietnam.

While the knee still has some glitches, it is holding up rather well and it felt good to get out and get some steps in.

Last week the bronchitis stopped me - this week - no holding back.

I must say that I've never seen the New River this low.  There are sandbars visible in the middle of the river, and more rocky bank than I've witnessed before.

Our little waterfall is down to a mere trickle!

Straddling the VA/NC state line!

Such a beautiful afternoon!

There are plans to go walk Bear Branch today, and perhaps a journey up to the Appalachian Trail tomorrow.  We'll see how everyone holds up.

Back in the Quilting Quarters, design walls are filling with projects!

Two ladies are both working on Catching Rainbows.  How apropos! 

There's some "Sew Kind of Wonderful" curved piecing happening - gorgeous flowers!

Check out this iris!

Another corner - holiday happenings.

A beautiful hand-pieced Wheel of Fortune -

Or is it Wheel of Mystery? I can't remember.

It's a long time UFO finally coming together.

Lovely red/white star!

Pretty floral tea pots!

Lovely compasses

My own stack of signature blocks is growing.  Still not quite half-way but I'm getting there.  I want to be hand-quilting this top before the first snow fall!

I am loving the mix of 30's florals with recycled plaids for a vintage scrap bag look.

Yesterday's Starshine release hit it out of the ballpark!  Thank you so much!

Quilt Details:

Let Your Strings Shine! String Piecing by machine made easy – and a great way to use up an armful of favorite scraps in a rainbow of blossom colors! Full color photos, step-by-step instructions and many helpful hints included.

Quilt Size: 83’’ X 92’’

Introductory special:  I've placed the PDF pattern for Starshine at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop. No coupon needed.  

Pricing good through 10/15/23. Hurry now and save!

Even more:

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Starshine PDF pattern from me and a Star Bright Color Roll from Cotton to Quilts.  The fabric rolls are a great way to add sparkle to your own scraps.

And yes, they have neutral rolls and blue rolls too.  Check them out!

Enter to win on the Gift-Away Page.

We will draw for our winners on Saturday, 10/14/23.  Good luck, everyone!

Other goodies going on (If you've made it this far)

Did you see we have a gift-away for Bruce Leonard's 3'd book in his Quilt City Murders series?  Find all the details and enter to win ON THAT POST.

We will be drawing for our winners this coming Monday, 10/2/23.

For fun, I've placed the PDF pattern for the Punkin Patch Runner at $5.00.

Let's celebrate the changing of the seasons with some fun string-pieced pumpkins!

And if you've got this one as a UFO - it's time to pull it out and finish it up.

You'll also find Appalachian Autumn at 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop. No coupon needed.

And I think that about catches me up to now.

I hope you have something fun planned for this last weekend of September - even if that includes pressing some pretty fabrics and making quilt plans.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

If it weren't for writing things down I would never be able to remember!

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Now if I could only remember where I wrote things down....

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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!