Blog Archive

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

A Day at Camp with Alabama Beauty


 The nights were cool and the days were delightfully sunny  in the mountains of North Carolina. 

Welcome, y'all and Happy Wednesday! Mr. Pinker and I are back from our trip; though it was not a vacation for Mr. Pinker for he was working in the depths of the forest.  We were camped on private property in a secluded area. The gate to the property was opened for us by the afternoon. We made our way down the old dirt road until we found the perfect spot nestled among the trees . Within that small clearing was a pond. 



Along the banks of the pond were small bunches of Touch Me Knots in bloom. 

We backed Big Red with the ole' rickety truck camper to where a glorious dock extended out into the waters. The first night was spent setting up camp before we had to go to bed. Mr. Pinker had to wake up at the break of dawn. 

The next day,  I lounged outside listening to the birds and watching the butterflies flutter here and there. Of course I whispered, "I love you" to each passing butterfly in hopes that they would send the message to Heaven to my loved ones. Have you ever heard that saying? 
"Whisper I love you to a butterfly and it will fly to Heaven to deliver the message. " 🦋🦋🦋❤❤❤
Purple Ironweed is in bloom! I just love this late summer bloom. 

 I pulled out my Alabama Beauty quilt to pass the afternoon hours away.

 
As I quilted, I made up stories about the fabrics. Perhaps the black print was from Great Aunt Hazel's dress and the Stars fabric was bought  to make baby Harriet a patriotic dress.


 Of course the light blue fabrics were from Grandpa Joe's jammies that had seen better days- LOL  Just meanderings of the mind as I imagine stories behind the original quilt maker's fabric stash that she so lovingly pieced into this beauty. By dinner time, I was ready to move the hoop. 


Note there is a small hole in the border that I will patch once I begin quilting that section. I still have to find some appropriate fabric to do that.

By evening time, Mr. Pinker had made it back to camp; the chill began to set in. I put Alabama Beauty back in the truck, and we retired to the camper for the night. 
It was a good day for both of us. 

Speaking of "good days". I wish you a wonderful day!

 I am so very grateful that you joined me on this lovely day. 

The sumac was filled with crimson berries. 

As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

"Nature is not a place to visit, it is home. "- Gary Snyder 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!🤗🧵❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who loved camping adventures . I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

America lost a true patriot today. RIP C.K. 


🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻

 Other Posts That Might Strike Your Fancy!

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 I am joining these lovely ladies' link parties. I hope you check them out; they always have so many wonderful projects going on and provide the opportunity for other needleworkers to meet. 

Jennifer at Inquiring Quilter for Wednesday  Wait Loss- Wednesday

Denise at For the Love of Geese for Put Your Foot Down- Thursday

Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday- Thursday

Nina at Creations, Quilts, Art , Whatever by Nina for Off the Wall Friday

Alycia's of Alycia's Quilts for Finished of Not Friday

Michelle  at From Bolt to Beauty for Beauty Pageant - Friday

Joy at Days Filled with Joy for Home Matters

24 comments:

  1. What a spectacular spot to camp. I'm always drawn to water so it looks very relaxing to me. Glad you had such a nice little getaway even if Mr. Pinker was off working.

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  2. good morning lovely Melisa.
    i am so happy you and Mr. Pinker made it home safely. did he enjoy what he was doing in North Carolina? i know you had an awesome time quilting Alabama Beauty and enjoying the birdies. i talk to butterflies, too. they do get messages to heaven, don't they! i love it. i think sometimes the butterfly may get bogged down by my lengthy prayers. the area you camped in was gorgeous. i love the serenity and peacefulness. what i'd give to live out in nature! all the flowers, trees, birdies, butterflies, animals, but please - NO bugs. i do not like bugs at all. i don't think anyone really does.
    i love the touch me knots flower bloom. i have never seen or heard of a touch me knot flower. it is beautiful. i'm going to have to google it to see what it looks like fully bloomed. i bet it is pretty.
    how are you feeling? i hope you are doing great. everything in my neck of the woods if going super. i had my three quilty days and i loved each one of them. i love the ladies so much. they are a terrific bunch. we all have so much in common and we are all so much alike, but different. if that makes any sense. it's wonderful.
    how is your weather? our weather was in the high 90's, but this week so far it has been in the 80's. it's okay by me. i do prefer the temps to be in the very low 70's, however.
    i pray that you have an awesome day. take care of yourself and rest. you are sooooo busy. you're like a duracell bunny. also so full of energy and on the go go go!!!
    Debra Broyles
    blessings and love are coming your way. a great big squeezy hug is too.

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  3. I'd never heard the saying about butterflies before, and I thought it was beautiful, Melisa!
    That place is a haven of peace.
    Hugs

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  4. What a beautiful spot for some camping, Melisa! I'm glad you saw so many butterflies. Why not applique a butterfly on that spot that needs fixing on your Alabama Beauty quilt as a memory of this trip? 🩷

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  5. Welcome home!!! I'm so happy you enjoyed your short jaunt. ❤️ Thank you for sharing the surrounding beauty. Big hugs, Darlene J

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  6. What a lovely place. I love ❤️ your quilts and stitching.

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  7. Melisa, what lovely pictures! Thanks for sharing. I wish I could send you pictures I took today in Canada. What a gorgeous wilderness. We took the Agawa Canyon train, getting on board at 8 am and arriving at the Canyon around noon. We were given 1 1/2 hours to have lunch and explore and then back on the train, arriving back at the depot about 5:30 pm. Even though it was a steady rain, everyone aboard thoroughly enjoyed our selves. We had a wonderful day and are heading back home to Ohio tomorrow.

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  8. What a pretty place to set up camp. I hope the bugs weren't too bad there. I've never heard that old saying but I will remember it. I have a Sumac in my side yard. They are pretty but have some bad spreading habits. We don't have them here but I was watching Tipper on Celebrating Appalachia the other day and she calls those Touch Me Knots Jewel Weed. Different areas and different names, I guess. Sure has pretty blooms. You have many pretty flowers this time of year. The AL Beauty is coming right along. Such a lovely quilt.

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  9. It is a beautiful place to camp. Relaxing in nature is one of my favorite things. The quilt looks great. I wasn’t aware of the butterfly saying, but I can’t wait to see a butterfly. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Alicia

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  10. What a beautiful spot! I hope Mr. Pinker enjoyed the scenery too in spite of working!--TerryK@OnGoiingProjects

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  11. Welcome back home. Sounds you really had a good trip. The place looks so peaceful.
    Never heard about that saying, but I will keep it in mind and when I see a butterfly I remember. Thanks for sharing. I am sure you will find the right thing for the spot, what about a butterfly?
    Have happy day,
    Gabi

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  12. You make me miss our camping days.

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  13. I can just imagine your perfect afternoon sitting by the water and stitching away!

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  14. Your camping spot looks just beautiful, and I'm sure you enjoyed the seclusion. How very peaceful. I love that saying about whispering to butterflies!

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  15. What a beautiful area you are staying in, Melisa! Enjoy!

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  16. What a gorgeous setting you are in! I've not heard that saying about butterfly's, but when I see butterfly's I think of them as my grandparents .... well the neighbor ones in the summer that I grew up with. Always makes me smile. Maybe a little butterfly appliqued over that spot on the quilt?

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  17. Alabama Beauty is just that--such a gorgeous quilt--what fun to try to imagine what those fabrics were used for;))) Beautiful setting to work in, Melisa--I got up early this morning and did some hand quilting on my Sunrise, Sunset--1st surrounding triangles done --5 more blocks to go...great way to begin the day.
    We went out for lunch to celebrate 60 yrs this noon...I am so thankful for this life I've been
    privileged to lead...hugs , Julierose

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  18. So glad you had a nice little get away, even if Mr. Pinker was working. At least you had a lovely spot to sit and work on Alabama Beauty! Have a great weekend. Hugs, B

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  19. Prayers for all! C.K. RIP 🙏 Love that you take us along with all of your wonderful moments. Yes I send messages to heaven for my mom who has been gone 3 years now, passed on her 61st birthday. Thank you for all you do to brighten our lives Melisa!

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  20. Beautiful pictures and your projects look wonderful already! I never heard that lovely saying about butterflies, I'm going to try it next time I see one.
    Hugs

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  21. Looks like a lovely place to be. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Sounds like you had a nice trip. Hopefully Your Guy enjoyed the work. Happy stitching this week.

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  23. How wonderfully peaceful, imagining the source of your vintage fabrics as you quilt. Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss. https://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/09/10/wednesday-wait-loss-449

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