In Search Of Ponies!

Eight of us loaded up two vehicles and headed out (or should I say UP!) to Grayson Highlands State Park to see if we could spot any ponies along the Appalachian Trail.

Some had been with me before, but it had been a couple of years.

Some were completely new to this experience and their excitement was infectious and Energizing!

We didn't do too bad for a group of quilters also UP there in age!

Starting out strong!  It's around 11am at this time.

Starting UP the trail!

There is no way to get up to the ponies without going UP. But there is no reason to push it through all at once.  Take a break and a breather when you need. Appreciate nature and listen for birds as you rest.

Dial it down and take smaller steps - shorten your stride as you walk uphill.  It's like gearing down on a bike making the uphill easier.  Small steps. Breathe. Rest. Go again.

And before you know it - there they are!

We made it to our turn around spot, and there are ponies!

A couple out there saying hello to this grazer -

Friends hiking with friends!

With a pony photo bomber!

Now you can tell everyone that you hiked the Appalachian Trail!

And saw the wild ponies grazing.

No babies yet though! At least we didn't see any.

Always grateful for strangers passing by who ask if we want our photo taken.

Random acts of photography - Thank you!

*Singing* "What goes up...must come down..."

And we begin our downhill leg of our journey.

Another grass grazer!

Thank you, ladies!
We were back a bit after 1pm and starving.  Out came all of the leftovers from previous meals and a feast was had on the  back porch. More afternoon sewing.  Some napping.  Some just settled in with some handwork back on the porch and enjoyed quiet stitching.

Doing some pre-cutting!
I am combing through my red strings bin and finding any pieces that are big enough to do the flying geese part of my current string project.
I do not care of the long edge is on the straight of grain, or on the bias.  It's paper piecing.  Everything is anchored by the next seam. But I am cutting into "sort of" triangles of a useable size to help with placement and ease of sewing.
Three string bins are going into this project: Red, Neutral. and Aqua/Turquoise!
I finished the binding/sleeve/label sewing on the Hello Gretchen quilt over the weekend, but we ended up with a huge thunderstorm on Saturday night that took the temps from the 80s of the day, to 37 by morning. No way to photograph in that mess.
It stayed gusty windy all day. Not so great there either. Maybe today? We'll see.  Today's high is low 50s so not much better.

But all that needed rain is welcomed!

My lilacs are about to bloom at the cabin!

And because I haven't posted her in a while. Tula Tallulah Lou is doing marvelously.
And this girl LOVES her catnip mouse toys.  We have to put them up at night or she will be thundering and zooming around all night long playing with them.
That lets me know just how happy she is.  So her toys get put up at night (if you can find them!) and go back down for her in the morning.
She is well, she is happy and she is as whole as can be.

I also love how excited you are about or  Open Window PDF pattern release and Gift-Away that happened in Thursday's post!

Did you get your entry in? If not, head on over to that post and enter!

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive an Open Window PDF pattern from me and an Open Window Color Roll from  Cotton to Quilts!

Each of these rolls contain 20 pieces 8'' X 22'' and are perfect for enhancing your scrap stash!

They have other color rolls and neutral rolls available as well.  Check them out!

Intro pricing:  The Open Window PDF pattern is marked 25% off in the Quiltville Store through 4/30/26.

String Addiction!

Create a stunning string quilt with 3 simple units! Full color photos, diagrams and extensive instruction for string piecing success!

Quilt Size: 80’’ X 80’’

I can't wait to see what you do with this one!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

What are you giving power to that you shouldn't be?

Today I am taking control of what is in front of me. The things I can control.

There are so many things that I can't.

Today the serenity prayer is my mantra.

Have a marvelous Monday, everyone -