Not So Wordless Wednesday (Patagonia, AZ)

I saw my first Vermilion Flycatcher this week.  I have seen pictures of this little guy, but I never imagined what a brilliant red his feathers would actually be during my first sighting.  When he flies, he looks like a red streak in the sky.  It's a Wow! moment.  As you can see by the photos, I really like watching this guy in action.

Solar Panels provides energy to the Preserve

Red Treasuries

Too Short, but very Sweet

Well, our visit is over.  A little too short, but it was wonderful.  Just like this blog is going to be today.

Kristy and Dick are on their way back home.  I enjoyed talking quilts and catching up on all our families' latest activities.  Kristy brought photos of her latest quilt projects.  Just beautiful!  I love her black & white with red quilt.   Of course, I had to pull out a few of my project.  I should have planned ahead and got a few out of our storage area.  Oh well....next time.

We took a walk around the Preserve.  It was pretty quiet with a few birds here and there, but the day was perfect for a walk.  We did see the Belted Kingfisher who made a lot of noise before zipping down the creek.  On the next day, Kristy walked with Dan while I was working and Dick checked emails (got to stay connected, you know!).  Anyway, they had more luck during their walk.  They saw a coyote and the Javalina.  I wish I could have gone with them, but I was very busy at the Center with visitors.

Here's some nature photos:

On the Cutting Board

I started working on another Cupid mug rug.  Once I finish the two Cupids and one Rabbit mug rugs, I will start on the Uncle Sam mug rugs.  

Of course, I can't stay focused on one project for very long so I traced a new snowman pattern onto some muslin.  I searched through my stash of threads for brighter colors to use this time.  Aren't they adorable?!

Happy Quilting and Safe Travels to Dick and Kristy!

Visitors Are a Coming! (Patagonia, AZ)

Today, we are waiting for Dan's sister, Kristy and her husband, Dick to arrive.  It'll be so nice to see them again.  Kristy is an excellent quilter.  Her quilts are amazing!  Yep, looking forward to some quilt talk.

Say's Phoebe

Of course, that is not all we will do.  We have most of today off thanks to a couple of volunteers coming in today.  We plan to take Kristy and Dick for a walk through the Preserve.  I hope we have some good wildlife sightings.  There have been no sighting of Coatimundi lately, but that can change.  Mr. Owl is starting to show himself a little more.  The Javalina have been sighted everyday usually eating the watercress at the creek.  They are such health nuts always looking after their girlish figure.

Spotted Towhee

Shhhh! Squirrel is trying to sleep...

ZZzzzzzzzzZZzzzzzz

zzzz...uh?

How's this for a cute pose?  I'm too cute for my fur!

On The Cutting Board

All right!  Two more mug rugs are ready to assemble, but I'll wait a couple of days so I can visit and talk quilts.  In the meantime, I have one more Cupid to embroider.  That will keep me busy in the evenings.

A Song in His Heart (Patagonia, AZ)

This little guy may have a small body, but he can really belt out a song and a pretty one too.  This is a Bewick's Wren.

Tiny body, Big mouth! 

 When this little guy isn't singing, he is hunting along the ground, and he makes a different sound.  What I would call a bird's growl.  I don't know how else to describe it.  It sounds like he is growling.

Grrr!  I'm going to get you!

Gotcha!

I like the way the sun was coming through this leaf or what is left of this leaf. 

On the Cutting Board

So I am going to try to be a little more consistent with posting my projects.  

This week I received Nancy Halvorsen's book called "Easy Does It Patriotic".  I have started planning the Uncle Sam Mug Rugs for the 4th of July.  I have also decided to make a couple of more Rabbit Mug Rugs as well.

Happy Quilting!

Breaking News? (Patagonia, AZ)

Not the best breaking news - I broke my quilt stand.  Yep, I broke it.  I don't have a level area when I have a quilt in the hoop, but I am not quilting.  I try to balance it with a makeshift box, but it slides out and then the stand tips.  I will have to find another place or a different way to store it.  

I really like my quilt stand because it is very well made by  Hinterberg.  Plus, it is small and easy to break down and store.  I went online to see what was available and the good news - I can order another stand without getting another hoop.  So, I just ordered a new stand that is more adjustable than my old one and my hoop will fit on it.

Quiet Please!

Remember our Western Screech Owl?  Well, recently he has been spending more time in his hole during the day.  The Preserve has had a lot of visitors since the sighting of the Rufous-backed Robin.  I'm so happy the request to see him has slowed down this week.

Many of the visitors wanted to see the owl as well so we explained what he was doing and where he was located.  Would you believe some visitors witnessed someone banging on the Owl's tree trunk?  What is wrong with people?  Do they really think he is going to come out to see who is knocking?  

What really amazed me was how fast this information got around the Birding Community by word of mouth not online.  We had people showing up within a couple of hours and talking to us about the incident.  That warmed my heart to know there were so many concerned people out there worrying about our Owl.

Our manager decided to rope off the area to protect the tree as well as the owl.  People can still see him, but from a distance through the branches. So this is the last good clear view I have of Mr. Owl.

Here's a couple of nature photos:

Doves in the White Sycamores

 

Tuesday Treasury!

Rabbits on The Loose (Patagonia, AZ)

All Right!  Two more projects done and now listed on Etsy!  Well, actually only one is listed. The pink rabbit sold within a couple of hours of being listed!  I still want to show it off. 

I really loved making these two rabbits.  I had a lot of fun with the colors.  These two can be used to celebrate spring time and for Easter.  

I'll be mailing the pink rabbit out on Monday.  The customer is a repeat and it is such a good feeling to have a customer who appreciates my needlework.  Many Thanks!

I like these two rabbits so much that I have decided to make another one.  I'm working on one rabbit and two Cupids.  I know the Cupids are late for Valentine's Day, but everyone can use a little loving during the rest of the year as well.

I'm also thinking of trying some different artists' clipart to make into Mug Rugs.  They are in a draft stage at the moment.  Okay, back to the drawing board.

Hey!  Have you seen my boat?

Planning Our Migration (Patagonia, AZ)

You will be happy to hear or read that we have agreed to come back to Patagonia next winter.  Yep, I will be able to get more photos of all the wildlife a second time around.  The reason we don't stay all year is....well, it sort of defeats the purpose of living in a motorhome, you know?  So, we will be returning around October/November time frame.

Lesser Goldfinch

So here's our "migration pattern" for this year:

Going northbound, we plan to visit a few RV parks in Arizona, Nevada and Oregon.  From Oregon, we will go to Washington to visit family in Spokane.

Then we are hoping to take the North Cascades Highway to the NW coast.  It has been a long time since we have taken that route and I look forward to traveling through the mountains.  We will probably spend some time in La Conner an excellent spot for watching Eagles.  Oh yea!

Wipe your chin!  Messy! Messy!

Our southbound travel will be slow and easy along the Washington, Oregon, and maybe N. California coastline.  It'll be so nice to see and smell the ocean again.  From there, we will start making our way back to Patagonia.  TaDa!  A full circle!

Just remember:  Nothing is written in stone.

I'm not sure what this weed is, but I love the colors.  They look like yellow cherry tomatoes.  No, I did not try one.

Freebies Update!

I posted a new My Memories Freebie to download.  Go to Freebies! Discounts! tab to view and link up to My Memories. 

Not So Wordless Wednesday (Patagonia, AZ)

Meet our little friend - Anna's Hummingbird.  He spends a lot of time in the trees near our motorhome.  He keeps up a constant chatter while we are outside and near his feeder.  Heavens forbid if we are standing under "his" feeder.  He loves to buzz our heads.

Chilly day, isn't it?

I see you trying to sneak up on me

Do not go near my feeder!

Looking For Signs of Spring

I know it is early to start looking for signs of Spring, but in southern Arizona with a very mild winter, I am starting to see all sorts of signs - budding trees or new green shoots coming out of the ground.   The sky is a beautiful blue and the Earth feels warm under my feet.  Everywhere I go on the Preserve, I can hear the bees buzzing: "spring is on its way".

Of course, with that comes hay fever.  Oh well, can't have everything, right?

I did spend some time last night working on my February projects.  Both of my Springtime Rabbit Mug Rugs are almost finished.  I should be able to list them on Etsy later this week.  I'm hoping to finish one more project before the end of the month.

Wow!  I feel very productive considering the way I was feeling a couple of days ago with my Should've List.  It's amazing what I can get done if I just focus....yea, not going to happen to often for me.

Should've List (Patagonia, AZ)

Yep, I have a Should've List going today.  

1. I should've edit my photos yesterday....way too many photos.
2. I  should've worked on my blog last night.
3. I  should've gone to bed earlier instead of watching the new TV show "The River".  Okay, I watched two of them.
4. I  should've spent more time working on my projects.
5. I  should've known that Saturday would be a busy day for the Preserve.  Boy! Were we busy! 

Starting at 7:25am, there were six cars lined up outside the gate and that was the beginning of a very busy day for both of us.  We also had visitors drive down from Tucson to spend some time with us.  I did not get a chance to spend much time with them, but Dan took them for a walk around the Preserve.

I'm going to finish this blog and go to bed early.  I don't want another Should've List starting tomorrow.  So this is going to be short with a few photos and look!  I have learned how to add my signature and a copyrighted symbol to my photos!  I also learned how to add information to each photo.  Yea, I should've learned this a long time ago...:0)

see more Lolcats and funny pictures, and check out our Socially Awkward Penguin lolz!

Nighty-Night All!

Quite a Ruckus (Patagonia, AZ)

Recently, the Preserve has become a lot busier.  Last Saturday, I had what I would call a "human stampede".  I had no idea what was going on.  People were in such a hurry, they were either tossing money at me or leaving it on the desk and running down the path.  Talk about being left in the dust!  LOL!  I found out later someone had posted online about sighting the Rufous-backed Robin. 

Yesterday, it was a group of birders - unannounced and today has been almost as busy.  Most of the birders are going away happy with another check on their "life list".  A very accommodating bird!  

Rufous-backed Robin

Yea?  I think I'm prettier than that guy

Me too!

All the Robins love these berries

I'm keeping this short because I have people to greet......photos to edit.....birds to chase.....