It Ain't Hog Heaven (Patagonia, AZ)

That's for sure!  LOL!  Dan and I ran into a group of Javalina during one of our walks.  For the first time, we had one javalina confront us.  

He or she trotted down the trail pass the others while snorting at us.  We believe the javalina was not sure what it was confronting since their eyesight is not the best, but they can smell us.  I almost pulled out the air horn I have been carrying in case of a confrontation with our mountain lion.

We were at the end of the trail's loop and did not want to backtrack to a crossing trail.  So, we stood very calmly and watched the snorting javalina.  Luckily, the javalina was a little confused.  He stopped on the trail, snorted a couple of more times, turned around and trotted back down the path.....

meanwhile, the other one on the trail just sort of ignored us so I got some good profile photos while he watched the other one going up and down the trail.

I like watching their noses - down....

and up!

On The Cutting Board

You are probably beginning to think I have gone over the deep end with starting so many different projects.  There is a method to my madness.  It is hard to start a new project without making huge messes and spending a lot of time digging through my supplies.  But....once a project is put together and stored in a baggy, I can pull it out wherever and whenever I want without stress of looking for certain supplies during our travels.  I might be overdoing the preparations of too many projects, but I have so many ideas that I want to get them packaged into kits before I forget!

New Mug Rugs Hog and Lamb

The Pig and Lamb are clipart designed by Fayette Terlouw from "Born in a Barn" collection.  I think the design will make for some cute mug rugs.

Just Chillin'

 I just love this penguin designed by Laurie Furnell. This is from her clipart collect called "Penguin's Pastime". I blew up the penguin to make it into a mug rug.  I'm trying to decide if I want to make the smaller Just Chillin' into a mug rug or a small wall hanging.

So, I have put together quite a few small projects for some handwork that will keep me out of trouble during our travels this year.
Happy Quilting!

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!

Wordless Wednesday (Patagonia, AZ)

I know it is titled "wordless", but I can't help myself.  :0)

That's one strange looking duck!

Javalina - greens for lunch - yum!

Lunch with Javalinas (Patagonia, AZ)

During my daily walk on the creek trail, I surprised a family of Javalinas out of the thicket.  I'm not sure who had the bigger heart attack....me or them!

They were running across the path in front and behind me.  Squealing and grunting as they ran by.  I, in the meantime, was trying to just breathe and not join them in squealing.

Ruuunnnnn!

After all that excitement, the Javalina did not run far.  They stopped at the creek.  Oh look!   Water Cress!  Let's eat!  I'm still standing there on the path and we can still see each other.  Did they care?  Not at all.

Talk about a short attention span.  Which gave me a chance to get some great photos of the babies.  So adorable!  At a distance, of course.

Twins!

This one is a little bit older.

Ma!  I'm stuck!

Wait for us!

Nom! Nom! Nom!  Mama is one little piggy...

....and one bird photo.  This one was catching bugs over the creek and stop on the log to see what I was doing.

Delightfully Dizzy! (Patagonia, AZ)

I finished making the Delightfully Dizzy quilt top.  Every time I thought I was done making blocks...I decided to add more. This challenge turned into a lot of fun!  I finally ran out of squares to make more blocks and the quilt is only lap size.

This is going to be a fantastic springtime quilt.  I can't wait to finish it now.

 

I had so much fun, I could not resist adding appliqué to the top.  I did manage to control myself and I only added one flower to the top corner.

appliqué flower

Close-up of stitching

More Photos from Our Walks

Sonoita Creek

Western Screech Owl's soaking up some rays during his nap

Don't give me the Doe Eyes!  I'm not going to give in!

Spotted Towhee - talk about having "Red-Eye"

Mama and Baby Javalina  Time to go Bye!-Bye!

Morning Walk with Javalinas?

Patagonia-Sonoita Creek Preserve

Patagonia, AZ

We woke up to frost on the ground a couple of days ago.  When the sun started warming the earth, I decided to take a very early walk. Crispy morning air, so bright and clear!

 The fields had a golden look to them.  I saw a couple of deer in the tall grass, but no luck getting their picture.  As a matter of fact, they seem to be the masters of evading my camera.  I can only see their heads above the grass and then they duck down.  They blend into the woods so well that I hear them before I see them and forget about the camera! By the time I have it up and ready - they are gone!  I'll get a photo of one  sooner or later.

The walk is about 2 miles round trip and it had been pretty quiet until I heard some crashing in the underbrush just below the pathway.  I thought it was deer, but I wasn't seeing them.  Then, I saw the Javalinas.   I stopped to get a photo, but the ravine was too dark and one of the Javalinas started to make grunting noises and blowing loudly through his nose.  Time to move on!  I kept an eye on them just to be sure they were staying put and not watching where I was going.  Yea, big mistake!  This guy was on the path right in front of me!

Javalina

Okay!  Time to turn around and go the other direction!  I'm glad I did change directions to follow the spring-fed creek trail.  The sun was hitting it just right to cause steam to rise up.  So enchanting!  I looked for Frodo and Sam, but I did not see either Hobbit.  Darn!

Instead, I ran into the three little Javalinas.  They were munching until I started taking their picture.  They all stopped to stare back at me.  Yep, you guessed it - time to move on....

The rest of my walk was uneventful, but very relaxing.  I took this last photo with my Fish-eye lens just for fun.  I hope you enjoyed my walk and photos.