Homeward Bound

 Hello , Sweet peas. The last I left off on my traveling tales, we had weathered a tornado and a hailstorm, but we were moving eastward. We  passed  by farm after farm. It was hay season in Oklahoma.  I knew the same thing was going on back home as well. 

Our next stop was  the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge. 

It was time to dig some crystals.

 We explored sites where others had dug and also dug holes of our own. 

We picked up a number of crystals for the grandsons.  They enjoy rocks and crystals so they will be quite happy. 

By evening time, it was time to move on to find our next camping spot. 

Meanwhile, I finished the Spring Wildflower Mini Sampler. 

Floss colors:

Flowers- DMC 3858, 934, 729

Letters: DMC 610

Doohickeys: DMC 830

We are homeward bound. Soon I will fully finish my sampler. 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"No matter who you are or where you are instinct tells you to go home.  " -unknown

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy who lived simply and  bloomed wildly.   Love and miss you,

Outhouse near Clear Creek Reservoir. 

Traveling Tales and A Mini Sampler Freebie

Good morning, Sunshine and welcome! 🌞🤗

I have more tales by the campfire . 

We spent a couple of nights with the most spectacular view of the mountains just outside of Poncha Springs.

 

BLM near Poncha Springs

It was time to move eastward and soon we found our way back on the banks of the Arkansas River where we stayed a couple of days. It was a relaxing stay, and we often saw many rafters floating  and paddling down the river.  

Arkansas River,  near Salida CO

" Time to head back to Maxwell, " said Mr. Pinker. So we trucked south and spent a night at our usual spot at the Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge. As the sun began to set, the skies opened up and hail pounded the camper. But the next morning the sun peeked out and we saw an antelope resting in the field.

From there we decided to make our way to the panhandle of Oklahoma. 

As we made our way down the road, the wind began to pick up. Having a top heavy camper we decided to pull over and wait the storm out. For a moment we went inside the camper; upon stepping out my eyes widened!  "Holy smokes what is that ?!" I asked Mr. Pinker as a tornado loomed in the distance . "Is it coming our way? "

 Luckily it was not. Wheeww! We intently watched the tornado. Off in the distance, we could hear what I thought were emergency sirens though I am not sure. After about 15 minutes the tornado dissipated and we were on our way. 

"This sure has been an exciting trip - weather wise." I said to Mr. Pinker. 

"Yep, - heat, snow , sleet, hail and now a tornado, '" he replied. "What will we have next?", he sighed. 

As we moved eastward, little bright flowers began to dance in my head. I was dreaming  of my gardens back at home. I knew the flower and veggie gardens were in good hands with my daughter and son-in-law, but oh, how I wanted to play in the dirt.

My driveway garden - mid May 2025

Seeing all of the pretty blooms as we have traveled has made me miss my flowers terribly. 

Soon I pulled out some fabric and a chart that I had brought along and began to stitch. 

Another mini sampler with flowers would certainly, fill my heart with joy as I settled into camp.

This is Spring Wildflower Mini Sampler. It is a CHOOSE YOUR OWN color chart. The colors in the chart do not necessarily depict the colors that I will use. In fact , you can see that I have already started stitching one flower. I will share my colors when I finish this little sampler.

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

If you are interested in stitching this piece,  just grab , the images. For printing tips, refer to the post Tips for Printing which has loads of tips from my sweet friends. 

🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵 🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵🧵

Well, Sweeties. I have rambled long enough. Thank you so much for following along with me as we have been traversing the countryside. I will talk to ya' soon. 

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Garden as though you will forever.  " - William Kent.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy who lived simply and  bloomed wildly.   Love and miss you,

Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

🌞A Berry Nice Parade - A Look at Past Berry Freebies 2025 - A parade of Berry related freebies up to May 5th, 2025

🌞Parade of Homes- Early 2025 parade of home freebies.

🌞 Root A Toot Toot Patriotic Parade Early 2024 patriotic freebies. 

🌞Buzz Buzz Busy Bee Parade-  An early 2024 bee freebie parade. 

A Patriotic Birthday

  Hip Hip Hooray for the U. S. A. !   It is another beautiful day! 

 Happy 250th Birthday to our glorious United States Army.  And thank you to all of the service members and veterans  who have served and protected our wonderful country.  I am certainly proud of all of my family members who have served including my father who served in the U. S. Army. 

Melisa

"God Bless the U.S.A."

Hugs and Stitches!!! 🤗🧵

More Sites to See

 "Clear Creek Reservoir is just down the road. Let's head there, " said Mr. Pinker. 

We packed down Big Ole Red and high tailed it to the next destination. We followed  the dirt packed road, passed the lake ...

... and followed the road up , up , up into the San Isabel National Forest.

 "Looks like the bank gave way, " replied Mr. Pinker as he eyed the debris below and the evidence of the old road bed nearby.

 After spending a few hours exploring the rugged landscape , it was time to head em' up and move em' out. 

We soon made our way back to the highway  where by golly we spotted more Bighorn Sheep. One had a monitor around its neck!  This has been the best trip on spotting wildlife. 🦌🦌🐑❤

Making progress on the "America Sampler " from The Calico Confectionery. This was a darling gift from my sweet friend, PJ. Thank you so much, PJ.🤗

As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"It's all about the journey not the outcome.  " - Carl Lewis.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy. .  Love and miss you, Amo. 

Wordless Wednesday- Blooms of the Southwest

 Happy, Happy Wednesday, Sweet friends. 

It has been awhile since I have posted a Not So Wordless Wednesday post. It is just like a Wordless Wednesday post but with a few words. Hee! Hee! 

This one is of the beautiful blooms of the southwest. The desert and mountains have been sprinkled with bright beautiful blooms. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you for the sweet as honey visit! 

Inspiration on the Road

 "Let's go back to Twin Lakes, " said Mr. Pinker. 

"Stop at the little log cabin on the side of the road 1st though, " I replied as I batted my eyes. 

Summer Cabin

We had eyed a dilapidated  log cabin on the side of the highway.

 The logs were filled with nails- perhaps to keep the chinking in once upon a time? 

 I like seeing old structures of days gone by. 

Oh what tales this old house could tell.  

As we headed to camp, I thought about a project that awaits me back home- my quarter log cabin blocks.

  

I sure do wish I had brought these blocks to work on. 

 As we made our way to Twin Lakes, the rain fell. It would make for a restful night. 

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

 Mollie William's Homestead

Mollie William's Homestead with Sarah Jane's 1776 Saltbox  and Freedom Saltbox. 

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Give me a tiny cabin in the middle of nowhere!  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy and my dear Granny who lived in an old log cabin.  Love and miss you, Amo and Granny. 

Over the Pass

 After leaving the Leadville Fish Hatchery , Mr. Pinker and I journeyed to the Tennessee Pass which was at an elevation of 10, 424 ft. 

There was a wonderful memorial to the 10th Mountain Division who fought so valiantly in WWII. 

It primarily  honors the 990 men who gave their lives in the WW II battlefields of the North Apennine Mountains and the Po Valley in Italy. 

 I am making progress on the Patriotic Mini Sampler. I am using DMC 815, 930, 3371, and Blanc. I will repost a a better version of this chart when I return home. 

  It was getting late so it was time to find a campsite. 

 As Always, 

Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa

Thank you for the sweet visit. 

"Live life freely!  " - unknown.

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my baby sister, Amy.  Love and miss you, Amo.