Run With The Javalina (Patagonia, AZ)

Okay, so I wasn't running with the Javalina, but I did make them run.  I was walking near a wetland area when I spooked a large group crossing an open area.  The tall grass to my left started thrashing about with lots of snorting going on.  I could tell they were headed on a path right in front of me, so I backed up and waited.  The first Javalina trotted across the open area and then he spotted me.  Nice pose, eh?

Must be a pointer...Human!!!

He was very calm about seeing a human, but the others were not.  Soon, a stampede of snorting squealing Javalina were running across the open area not more than 500 mm away.  I know that's a fact because I had to back up to take photos with my large 500mm lens.

Run Mommy Run!

They were fun to watch especially the little ones.  They can really keep up with mama when they need to do so. 

Wait for meeeee!

The Tombs: A Fargo Adventure by Clive Cussler

I finished listening to another book on my iPod.  This time it was an action-packed-no-rest-for-the-weary story....that is an understatement!  I have seen Clive Cussler's book-based movies,  but I have never had the desire to read one of his stories.  I prefer more relaxing human-related stories or murder mysteries with suspense.

I decided to listen to this one because it is about Attila the Hun's tomb.  When I was younger I would find the nearest library close to our new home.  Each library had different set of archaeological books on the Steppes Horsemen or Egypt or the British Islands.  I loved reading what the archaeologists had discovered from their digs and yes, sometimes I thought I wanted to be an archaeologist, but I am a wimp when it comes to long hours of outdoor labor.

Anyway, I got the book for that reason with hopes of learning a little more about Attila the Hun.  I'm not sure how much of his history in this story was based on fact since it was years ago that I read about Attila, but it was interesting.  It was also hard to breath at times while I waited for Sam or Remi or both to be rescued from the greedy rich man who felt he had a right to on all the treasures.  It was good and it was exciting.  I actually might try another Fargo Adventure in the future...after I get some rest.

On The Cutting Board

This has been an amazing month for my Etsy shop.  I sold two more mug rugs.  Making for a total of 10 in one month's time frame.  Many, many thanks to all my customers!

Once I stopped pinching myself, I got busy making a few more mug rugs: 2 Snowmen and a Witch.  I really need to make more Santas or Reindeers, but I'm afraid I would not finish them before Christmas.

Snowman with a blue scarf

Snowman with a red-plaid scarf

Witch with cauldron

Here's a couple of photos of a squirrel looking for food.  A sign that Winter is suppose to be on its way.

We certainly cannot tell by our warm days.  I can't believe it will be December tomorrow...and only 24 days left til Christmas!  Wow, where did the year go????

Happy Quilting!

Warm Days and Company (Patagonia, AZ)

Nice day for a walk

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their family and friends.  We had a pleasant surprise visit with our son, Shaun.  A surprise because we did not know he was coming out until a week before and pleasant because he is wonderful to have around.  We all went on long walks with lots of conversations and ate too much food.  The weather was perfect...almost too warm, but great for having our Thanksgiving dinner outdoors enjoying the peace of the preserve.  So much nicer than any campground.

On The Cutting Board

With a week off from the Preserve, I did a little sewing too.  I put together some more mug rugs using Nancy Halvorsen's designs.  So far, I have listed some Tom Turkeys for Thanksgiving and a few more Santa Clauses.

During my first 10% sale, I sold two Santas and an Uncle Sam.  Yea!  Which means I will need to make more soon.  The question is will they be done in time for Christmas. 

One of the tops I made this summer in Spokane is a little too wide for the usual 42 inch width.

  I had quite a few blocks left over and used them to widen the backing.  This is the first time I have done a pieced backing.  It looks a little busy, but it has given me the width I needed to finish this quilt.  At least it is bright and cheerful.....

Happy Quilting!

Come sit and quilt with me

Posted from 2TooManyCats (Patagonia, AZ)

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend with family and friends.  I know we did.  The past few days have been pretty busy for me between Thanksgiving dinner preparations, visiting with our son, and reopening the preserve.  Oh yea, and we sighted the mountain lion again on Friday evening while sitting outside our motorhome.   I think the mountain lion has decided to stay.

2 Too Many Cats
Anyway, I did not have time to put together a blog for QuiltinCats, so here's the one Dan posted on our travel blog.  All the photos are from Dan over the last 3 weeks on the preserve.

Javelina momma and twins

Red Tail Hawk

Western Screech Owl

Coues (cow) White Tail deer

Hawk with rodent meal

Arizona Alligator Lizard

Squirrel gathering acorns

Gambel Quail

Our son Shaun is visiting from Albuquerque, and the three of us  saw the mountain lion Friday evening at 5:20 pm.

We were sitting outside the motor home, and the lion was on the wood line about 200 - 250 yards away. It was out past the preserve well pump, near a little game trail that leads to cement footings across the creek.

Sandy saw the movement, then we looked with binoculars and verified it was the mountain lion. Dan walked out about half way across the open field and fired one shot into the ground as a noise maker as the cat was sitting looking our way The cat laid down but did not retreat.

Shaun walked out with the binoculars so Dan could better see what the lion was doing, and the lion sat back up. Dan closed a little more distance towards the cat and it started moving into the wood line out of sight. Dan put one more round into the ground as a noise maker as the cat was leaving.  Dan was never closer than about 50-75 yards with open field and good visibility.

AZ Fish and Game documents advise "hazing" the cat with noise and aggressive behaviors to teach the cat to  keep more distance. Fish and Game documents detail lion behaviors, and this cat is not considered a direct threat at this point in time according to their guidelines.

Dan has now seen this lion 4 times, Sandy 3 times, and our son once.
Happy Trails!

Not So Wordless Wednesday (Patagonia, AZ)

Flight of the Hummingbird

I spent the afternoon watching the hummingbirds fly around the feeder.  I wanted to catch their wings in action.  The lighting was perfect for action shots.  Some of the wings are a little blurred, but I am quite happy with the following photos.

not sure about me

coming in for a landing

taking off from the feeder

twisted wings

Quick note:  The Preserve will be close until Saturday unless we see the Mountain Lion again.

QuiltinCats' Black Friday Sale!

I'm having a 10% off all items in my store on Friday only (Nov 23) with this code QCATSALE  

Below are some new listings that I have just listed in the last couple of weeks.  Also listed:  small quilts, small stockings, and a stuffed Angel Bear as well.  I working on three more Santa Mug Rugs and I hope to have them listed in time for the sale.  Please stop by Quiltincats Etsy Shop and browse for a while.

Plaid

Rose

Maroon

Green Witch

Santa

To you and your family ~ 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lion Around (Patagonia, AZ)

On Friday, Dan walked up on a Mountain Lion on the nature trail, about 30 yards across the creek from him and approx 150 yards from the motorhome.  We think it is the same lion we posted pics of just above in our October blogs, but some of the facial markings are different. Perhaps it was dried blood spatter last time and he cleaned it.  Dan shot lot's of pics and some short videos which he  posted to YouTube.

The YouTube videos came out fuzzy, even though on camera and computer from the sd card it is clear.  The camera was zoomed in about 30 - 40 X so it is shaky footage (handheld, no tripod or monopod). The one labeled Mtn_lion is the one to view first.

5 videos of the lion taken on Frid, plus other critters from videos we took last year:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AC7880

The cat isn't stalking us. It might think Dan is stalking it - second time he has walked up on it. If there were not so many deer and fawns around we would  be more concerned. It looks well fed.

Dan and the cat watched each other for 10 - 15 minutes.  Dan called me on the cell phone, and I was able to walk over in time to see the cat leaving.

This makes Dan's 3rd sighting and Sandy's second within the last 25 days.

This is the photo from the first sighting.  Could be the same one..

My brother sent this to Dan and I.  Good one!

Sorry Mittens.  You need to stay outside.  Happy Trails!

Nature Walks and Talks (Patagonia, AZ)

I had a great visit with my friend.  We walked the Preserve in the mornings, sewed in the afternoon, and barbecuing with Dan in the evenings.  It doesn't get any better than this!  Here are some of the photos I took on our morning walk after a night of light rain.

Abert's Towhee

Abert's Towhee

And here's a couple of photos from my friend.  Yep, that's me..always looking for new angles.

I love this one that she took of her boots and fall leaves.  Cute! 

 Happy Trails!