http-equiv='refresh'/> Tin TeePee/Log Cabin: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Emmi 1, Janna 0

The title for tonight's blog came from a comment made by friends Jim and Ellie and it is true. We decided to let Emmi sleep with us last night and wouldn't you know it, she slept all night! I took her outside once around midnight when I was up myself and the rest of the time she snoozed--so she won that round!

Steve came up this morning to bring Mike the engine they picked up yesterday in Billings. He brought his painting supplies and went up into our hay meadow to paint--he is a very talented artist, we have one of his paintings over our fireplace and two more in the RV.

I quilted some this morning after discovering that Emmi does not like the vacuum cleaner and she likes the air compressor I use when cleaning the longarm quilting machine even less. She had to go spend time in the garage with Dad.

This is Emmi taking a nap yesterday morning, looks like her neck would hurt when she wakes up, doesn't it??

The toy she is snuggling with is a pig that we purchased for Jazz many years ago--it makes a weird oinking noise and Jazz was terrified of it and would never play with it. Emmi loves it, it is bigger than she is but she drags it around and fell asleep on it.

We are taking her with us when we go for walks hoping to tire her out. Michael carries her a lot but she seems to enjoy tagging along behind us.

Late this afternoon we went into Big Timber. I wanted to go out to the fairgrounds and see all the quilts entered into the Sweet Grass County Fair. There were some beautiful quilts--maybe next year I will get one entered. Emmi went with us and was the center of attention--everyone wanted to pet her and love on her.


It was a beautiful Montana day.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Quilting and Puppy Sitting

Michael took off early this morning to meet Steve and Jeane in town for a trip to Billings. They were picking up Jeane's car and then the guys were off to purchase an engine for an old car Mike is going to help Steve restore.

Which left Emmi and me at home! She was such a good girl all day. I fixed an enclosure in the quilt studio and we would play for a while then she would sleep while I quilted. I got a lot done on one of my Aunt's quilts today. I call it the "girly, girl" quilt, all white fabric and fabric with big roses. I am doing a freehand rose and some feathers all over the quilt.

It poured rain during the night and all morning making one little puppy a little reluctant to go outside. Finally about noon the sun came out and Emmi and I had a good time playing in the green grass. She is getting braver about exploring around, she found an old stalk of rhubarb and chewed on that for a while.

This is her favorite toy, a soft bunny that squeaks--at this stage, the bunny is almost as big as Emmi.
Isn't this one adorable puppy??
She found a stick to chew on.

My niece's daughters Leah and Elizabeth enjoy reading and having the blog read to them. Leah, are you behaving yourself?? Uncle Michael and I wish you would come to our house for Christmas this year.
Emmi had us up 3 times last night again. I am reducing the size of her sleeping crate tonight and see if she feels more secure--I am wavering--she may be sleeping with us soon--too many nights of too little sleep.


Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ahhh, A Massage

Emmi got us up 3 times last night, 10pm, 11pm and then not until 4:30am--I'm thinking a long walk is in that puppy's future tonight, maybe it will tire her out. We took a walk down the driveway this morning and Emmi did really well going but enjoyed a taxi ride from Dad on the way back.

Michael worked on the garage front this morning and I attempted to quilt again in between loads of laundry and playing with Emmi. She did take a nice long nap early after our walk.

She has been eyeing the rug in front of the door, today she took action and really got mad and growled when the rug wouldn't move.

After lunch we headed to town. The bank was our first stop and we took Emmi in with us--all the ladies in the bank had to hold her and kiss her. On to Ullman's to pick up gutters that we are going to install on Joe and Tammy's house. Then is was time for my massage--ahhhh!
I stopped at the grocery store and ordered two cases of tomatillos for making salsa, I want to can some--we both really like what I make so much better than anything we buy in the stores.
Elizabeth, I hope you are having a good summer and that you are being a good girl for Mom and Dad. I'm glad you are reading my blog.
When we got home Michael got dog sitting duty and I mowed the grass, it was getting too tall for a short puppy.
Life is good. I promise not to post photos of the puppy every day--she is just so darn cute.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Puppies Are Work

Oh, my--did I lose my mind when I decided to get a puppy??? She had us awake at 11pm and 3am! And, she has taken 20 minute naps all day--kind of hard to get any quilting done in 20 minute intervals!

We went for a walk this morning--Emmi walked a little but mostly rode inside Dad's vest.

We played with our toys today and ate puppy chow very well. She growls and tosses the toys in the air. We found out she is not fond of rain and it has rained off and on most of the day.



I think she wanted to help me take the photo.

Yesterday afternoon Dad gave Mom a break and took her outside, I couldn't resist taking this photo--they were both sound asleep.
The non-wedding cake. Jill's friend in the real estate office, Connie made the cake--it was beautiful.

From the left, Keri (Jill and Terry's daughter), Jeane, Jill and Kelli.


We are having the strangest July weather--it never got above 60 degrees today and it rained most of the day.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Emmi

If you haven't suspected by now, our trips all over the state of MT last week were in search of a new puppy to help us fill the void left by the death of our Jazzy girl.

On Tuesday last week we drove to Phillipsburg (4 hours one way) to look at a little black and silver male Schnauzer. We loved the breeder and where the puppies were raised but---the little guy didn't like us. The other two puppies all ready promised to other owners were all over us but when I picked up our little guy he yelped loudly and snapped at me. He did the same thing when Michael picked him up. The breeder took all the other Schnauzers outside and we tried again. The puppy ran from us and hid behind the couch. A friend of the breeder's was there and when she picked the little guy up he literally howled, yelping as if he were dying. Virginia, the breeder, was very understanding when we decided not to take him.

We were so disappointed but as I was reading the paper that evening a new ad had been placed for miniature Schnauzers in Emmigrant, MT about one and a half hours from here. I called the breeder and she had 4 males and one female so on Wednesday morning we drove over there. It is a working cattle ranch and the puppies looked happy and healthy plus they played with us. We picked out the little girl and decided to leave her with the mom and dad until Sunday morning as we had such a busy Thursday, Friday and Saturday planned.

So, today Emmi came home with us. She was 7 weeks old yesterday and will need lots of attention and training. We are excited and also a little sad--Jazz was a unique dog and Emmie will have big shoes to fill but all ready we think she is adorable. Our house was just too quiet and sad to live without a dog.












The Wedding

By 7:30am Friday morning I was pulling into the driveway of my friend Jill's. Jill and Terry's son Fritz and his fiance Amy were being honored at a pre-wedding reception on Saturday afternoon in the yard of Jill and Terry's home and we had shopping to do. So off we went to Billings. Jeane was meeting us in Billings after she dropped her car off for service work.

First stop was the party rental place to pick up the big tent, tablecloths and other stuff. Time for coffee and then on to Costco. We were back in Big Timber by noon and after picking up sandwiches for lunch we headed out to the house. After lunch we went back into Big Timber to the Catholic church and got chairs and tables. I left Jill's house at 8pm and we had most of the food preparation done, the big tent erected, silverware beribboned and watched what we hoped was the only thunderstorm we were having for the weekend--at least we found out the tent didn't leak! Jeane, Kelly, Jill, Keri and I had lots of fun gossiping and laughing as we worked.

Saturday morning Jeane and I were out at the house helping Jill with last minute stuff. Jeane should have been a florist in another life, the flowers were just awesome. At lunchtime I went back home to shower and get Michael. Lonnie and LoraLee surprised us with a quick visit--they have been so incredibly busy this summer with guests we have not seen them at all.

The party was beautiful--everything looked spectacular--the tents, the flowers, the food. Lots of friends and family.

Now, the story about the pre-wedding party. Fritz and Amy decided they did not want to spend money on a huge wedding and have decided to approach marriage in a wonderful, unique way. Tuesday they are flying to New York, getting married on Thursday in a registrar office by themselves and on Friday flying to Spain for what sounds like an awesome honeymoon. They will be in Spain for 3 weeks and a cruise will be part of the plan, too. Smart kids!! Fritz is finishing up a MBA degree and Amy has also graduated from college. We wish them all the best!

I will post more photos later, this is a start.


From the right, Jill the mother of the groom, Jeane, Keri-sister to the groom, Kelly and myself.
Fritz, Amy and the beautiful food table.
Fritz and Amy cutting the cake.





Thursday, July 23, 2009

100 Degrees

Whew it was hot in Billings today. At one point in time the car thermometer said 100 degrees!! We left the house right at 8am and our first stop was to get my hair cut. Michael went to his favorite store, Harbor Freight while I was getting beautified.

JoAnn's for a few quilting supplies was our next stop and Michael picked up some vinyl to try his hand at upholstering--we bought a leather sewing machine several years ago and have not used it for much of anything.

We had lunch at CJ's--Michael had a hamburger, imagine that! and I had beef brisket. Yum!

Costco was our last stop in Billings and we managed to find several things we couldn't live without and a few groceries, too.

When we got home and got the car unloaded, Michael headed to the hay field to stack the bales in rows in preparation for loading the bales onto the semi tomorrow. I put all the groceries away and made a killer batch of salsa. I did two loads of laundry and washed the Explorer--I'm pooped and I think that is enough for one day.

I'm off to Billings again tomorrow with Jill and Jeane--we are picking up the rented tent for the wedding bar-b-que on Saturday and some last minute food items at Costco.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Another Drive

We drove over to the little town of Emmigrant in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston and met Chuck and Mom for lunch. It was a very hot day in Montana.

As we were all driving back to Big Timber, my Aunt Bonnie called and she and her husband Derrick were in Big Timber with their RV. They were returning from Washington where they had visited her daughter. We all chatted for a while then went our separate ways--Bonnie and Derrick were headed to Laurel for the night. Michael headed home and the rest of us, Mom, Chuck and I went to the Crazy Mountain Museum to see the antique sewing machines--so cool, I even own a couple similar to some on display.

We then headed to Pioneer Meats and got some more brats from Bryan--he has won national awards with his custom made brats recipes. My favorite is the wild rice and onion--very tasty. I grilled some of those for dinner and served them with a huge salad made with lettuce from my garden and homemade bread.

Mom and Chuck are staying the night here with us--Michael and I are getting an early start in the morning, I have a 10:00 appointment with the hairdresser in Billings and Mom has an appointment with the hairdresser in Big Timber at 11am.

We are putting lots of miles on those new tires we got Tuesday!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Another Beautiful Summer Day

It was a beautiful day in Montana again--warm but not hot and sunny blue skies. We decided to get away from the house for a while and drove to Three Forks to look at some enclosed trailers for pulling behind the motorhome. We had lunch, a heart attack on a plate--a pork chop sandwich and tater tots--but boy was it good. I may have gained the pounds I have lost since Jazzy died all back in one day!

Friends from Vancouver Island called and they will be leaving VI on Thursday headed for Sturgis on a motorcycle. They will be here just after the first of August. We met them several years ago while participating in Cowboy Action Shooting--Garnet is a shooter, Jeanine is not. They have the mildest mannered Chow, Kallie--she is old and just barely tolerated Jazz buzzing around all over her. Garnet and Jeanine go south to Tucson every winter, they own a park model in a very busy, social RV park in Tucson.

Our friends and family have been so supportive of us since Jazz died and we appreciate it so much. We received several cards in the mail yesterday, so sweet.

Monday, July 20, 2009

Haying All Finished

All that remains is hauling the hay bales in out of the field here at our house and the haying season will be finished. Michael will still have to load the semi on Saturday and Sunday with the hay from the neighbor's that Lonnie is buying. Our tractor and swather are both 40 years old and Michael managed to keep them both running to get this hay crop harvested.

Mike put away all the haying stuff--tools, parts and twine today and baled our hay up in the pasture. After a lunch of yesterday's leftovers we dragged his old 1995 truck into the garage. You all know that I brag on Michael all the time--he can fix anything--well, this old truck has him stumped. When Angie and Ralph were here in the summer of 2007, the truck ran one day and the next it didn't. Michael tried for a while to get it running and then we took it to the garage in town--they couldn't get it running either! Mike worked on the truck a lot last summer but never could get it to run so he is trying again. It is a great truck, still looks good and has lots of power if he could just get it to run!

I worked on my bear quilt today--what a bear of a quilt!! Spent 3 hours ripping out stitching yesterday and ripped some more today. Obviously this quilt is NOT going to be ready for the fair--oh, well, it will still look good on the bed in the RV.

We have noticed a yellow warbler going in and out of this wild rose bush just outside our bathroom window. We investigated last evening and sure enough there is a nest and if you look close the yellow thing is a beak. There were 3 babies in the nest.


It was a beautiful, cool summer Montana day.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

The Hay Is All Done

Yesterday we drove to Livingston to look at an enclosed trailer for pulling behind the motorhome. It was not the one, Michael felt it was too light duty. When we got home he went right to baling and I started quilting again.

Nat came up today and cut the rest of our hay here on the place; he is 87 years old and still loves to run the swather. Michael finished baling the last of the neighbor's hay so all he has left to do is bale ours here on our 40 acres.

We had a delicious Sunday lunch, round steak that I had marinated in olive oil, garlic and rosemary then grilled--cooked a little rare and sliced thin--YUM.

After lunch Nat went back to Big Timber--I think he really misses the Jazzy dog. He told me today that we just have to get another dog.

Lupine flowers and Boone Mountain in the distance.
Lettuce, spinach and radishes from our garden. Notice the ragged upper edge of the basket, that is one of the few things Jazzy chewed on when she was a puppy.

Mr. Bucky and his girlfriend.

After Michael finished moving some hay bales home we took a walk--I needed one--I spent 3 hours today ripping out a border design I stitched onto my bear quilt, may I never have to do that again!


Friday, July 17, 2009

Haying and Going To Town

Michael needed a couple hydraulic hoses for the old truck we use to move round bales and I as usual needed some quilting fabric so it was off to town for me this morning. I did get the house semi cleaned before I left.

I seem to have a problem when figuring yardage for quilts. I never seem to buy enough fabric and this was the case with my bear quilt I am trying to get ready to enter into the Sweet Grass County Fair. At least two weeks ago I started trying to find some more of the original backing fabric, ordered it online but when it came almost a week later it wasn't flannel--that is a problem, now I am a week behind. I ordered fabric again online and the shop from which I ordered took their own sweet time in telling me they were out of the fabric I needed--OK, now we are two weeks behind. With Jazzy dying, I've kind of lost my ambition for a while so I may or may not have a quilt in the fair but I did find some backing fabric today---not the original fabric I started with but backing fabric none the less!

Michael finished cutting the neighbor's hay and came home for lunch--burgers on the grill. He went back over and started baling this afternoon.

I downloaded some older photos of Jazzy from CD's to the computer and our digital picture frame. She was such a sweet little dog. I'm glad I was always taking photos of her. The rest of the afternoon I worked on one of my Aunt's quilts.

You wouldn't think cactus could survive Montana winters but here is proof.

Michael and I are just enjoying a nice Montana summer evening.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Cutting Hay

Michael started cutting hay at the neighbor's yesterday afternoon and that is where he has been all day. The hay has some alfalfa mixed in with the grass and is really thick, good hay. But, it has been tough cutting with our old swather. I took him some ice cream and iced tea a little while ago and he was intending to cut for a couple more hours.

I spent the day spraying weeds for Joe and Tammy who own our former ranch. We are doing some bartering--they have a very large enclosed barn building that is entirely empty and we need storage for equipment. My weed spraying is part of the rent--a fair trade wouldn't you say?

A view of Boone Mountain from the hay fields where Mike is cutting.
Off he goes again.
It was a beautiful warm sunny day here in Montana.


Jazzy Girl

Thanks to all of you who left comments on the blog about Jazzy. Our friends Jim and Ellie sent the following poem to us in an e-mail. While difficult to read, it gave us comfort.

Rainbow Bridge:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Jazz

It is a very sad day in Montana today. We had our precious Jazzy girl put to sleep this morning. She was having more and more difficulty breathing and we needed to end her suffering.

Jazz came to live with us just as we started building this house eight years ago. We put a blanket in a milk carton and she road in the backhoe with Dad while he dug the footings and basement for our house. She was a little bundle of energy and joy with such personality and we miss her so much.





Jazz, we hope you are having a ball chasing bunny rabbits somewhere!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Quilting and Working on the Tractor

Did some catch-up things this morning and then started quilting. I wanted to finish this little quilt of Aunt Margaret's and get going on her next one. My Aunt has been drumming up more business for me--she has a friend who would like to send me some quilts and Aunt Margaret has more to send, too. So--I was on a roll today. The fabrics in this quilt--batiks--are beautiful.

Michael spent the day working on the baler and tractor and he is now ready to start baling what hay is cut when it drys out. We have had almost an inch of rain the last couple of days which is so unusual for Montana this time of year but we will take it. I feel sorry for the ranchers that had some really good hay on the ground and it was soaked by all this rain.

Jazzy went for a short walk with us this morning and even chased a bunny or two. She spent the rest of the day in bed and on the couch.

While I was quilting today I had the radio on--what is our world coming to??? There was a song which I later found out Brad Paisley sings called Tick. The lyrics are "I want to check you all over for ticks." Strange music!

Monday, July 13, 2009

More Rain and Wind

There was .6 of an inch of rain in the gauge this morning and more has fallen today. The wind has been incredible. As we traveled home from Billings tonight, it rained and rained and the wind blew us all over the road.

Our dinner with Jim & Ellie and Mark & Dortha was not meant to be--we send them on to Yellowstone Park tomorrow with wishes for safe travel and an enjoyable stay in the Park.

Jazzy girl has not been doing well and today we took her to Billings for a consult and ultrasound. The news we received was not good and while our hearts are sad at least we know that when the time comes and she is no longer comfortable we can have peace of mind that we are doing the right thing.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Big Timber and A Hike

Yesterday morning we met the gang at the RV park and then drove into Big Timber. We did the Farmer's Market and all the little stores along McLeod Street. Jim makes salsa and jelly and needed some habenero peppers--none to be had in Big Timber--so we decided to go to Livingston and have lunch at the Rib and Chop House. After lunch Jim was successful in finding peppers at Albertson's.

Today Dortha, Ellie and I took the Elk Creek hike leaving the house about 9am. We took our time with lots of photography breaks---


When we reached the creek, we sat down and had a little break before trekking back up and down the hills to reach the trail head. At one point Dortha was in front and saw a little bear run across in front of her--exciting!

Dortha and Ellie headed back to town and I got in some quilting this afternoon. We were to have joined them for dinner in Big Timber but Michael ran into problems at Twelve Springs trying to get the water system leak fixed. We will try to meet up for dinner tomorrow night.

As I write this we are having a major thunderstorm with lots of wind and rain.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Rving Friends

We took a short walk this morning, about all the Jazzy girl was up to. Michael then made a quick trip into town to pick up the hose for the swather. I spent the morning finishing up a few last minute things in anticipation of the arrival of our friends Jim & Ellie and Mark & Dortha.

We met Jim and Ellie in Tucson in early 2008 at Doc Justin's RV Park. They have two Schnauzers and I would run into Ellie and the pooches while walking Jazz. They joined us one afternoon for happy hour and were talking of buying a new motorhome to replace their Bounder. They bought that motorhome and we kept in touch through blogs and e-mails. Last winter they were in Rockport, TX while we were in San Antonio. One weekend we hooked up the RV and took it down to Rockport and spent a few days. While there we got to meet Jim & Ellie's traveling partners, Mark & Dortha.

There is something about this RVing lifestyle that makes lasting friendships out of chance encounters. We have met and kept in touch with several couples in the years we have been traveling. Jim & Ellie and Mark & Dortha are those kind of friends--they arrived mid afternoon and we headed off to Natural Bridge Falls for a little walk (the guys acted as if we were killing them!) They felt much better when we got home and gave them a beer. The six of us enjoyed a wonderful evening and meal. The homemade strawberry ice cream was the best part!

Tomorrow we are going to tour the big town of Big Timber--shouldn't take us long!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

A Cool Morning

July 9, 2009 and it was 36 degrees at 6:30am! And, Ellie and the rest of the gang, that is fresh snow way up on that mountain which can be seen from our house. This is a very strange summer, every afternoon a thunderstorm moves through and we get just a tiny bit of rain. It is wreaking havoc on all the ranchers trying to put up hay!

Michael worked on his tractor and baler all day. Nat came for lunch, I grilled steaks and made garlic mashed potatoes.

I cleaned the house, made a batch of bread dough and mowed the grass here at the house.

Late this afternoon Michael decided to take the swather up the road to the Woolsey place and cut the hay. He only got to the bottom of our driveway before he blew a hydraulic hose. He will have to go into town tomorrow morning and get a new one.

Our jungle this year.


Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Jury Duty and Billings

It was very cool and cloudy this morning, I wore a sweatshirt while spraying weeds--I had a date with the backpack sprayer this morning, UGH!

Michael headed out bright and early for possible jury duty. It was a one day trial and he wasn't picked. When he got home at lunchtime we decided that a run to Billings might be fun. We had no appointments or "have to do's" which is unusual for us. For a long time Michael has wanted to locate the grave site of his uncle Jack, his Dad's older brother who died shortly before his 20th birthday in 1937. From the letters we have it sounds as if he probably died of a kidney disease. Michael's grandmother was devastated by the death of her oldest and insisted that he be buried in a mausoleum. So, we headed to the largest cemetery in Billings on Central Ave. because Nat seemed to remember something about Central Ave. and we found Uncle Jack's spot in their mausoleum.

We had a very enjoyable late lunch/early dinner at CJ's then headed to Lowe's and Costco to pick up a few things. We are looking for new faucets for the motorhome and think we found what will fit.

A very unseasonably cool day in Montana.

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

An Awesome Hike

Last night's dinner with the Whitney's was great and we got caught up on a lot of their news. It was late when we got back to our house and I had two phone calls--one from Jeane saying it was pouring rain out at her house and she was wondering about the advisability of hiking in the Crazies on Tuesday. The other call was from my friend Nancy--somehow we had gotten our wires crossed and Nancy was down by the road waiting on the rest of us at 6:30 thinking the hike was Monday. I am so sorry for the confusion Nancy, I feel so bad. We wish you could have joined us today.

Jeane called early this morning and we decided not to hike in the Crazies. Tammy really wanted to take a hike so we headed up Elk Creek which is a little ways up the road from us. It was a great decision. Easy to moderate hike, beautiful weather, awesome scenery and wildflowers--we had a great hike.

Wild Columbine which I have never seen before and which Michael says is usually blue in color.


Elk Creek just roaring along, this is where we stopped hiking, to go any farther we would have had to take our shoes off and wade in that frigid cold water.


The fields were so green and the wildflowers abundant and vivid.
The West Boulder Mountains in the distance.

The Crazy Mountains


Tammy came up this afternoon and played on the longarm quilting machine. I think she could also get addicted.
Joe and Tammy are leaving early in the morning. They came up this evening and had a beer (Joe is the marketing director for Sierra Nevada Brewing Company--Pale Ale) so we drink beer when he is here instead of wine. We made plans to do some little odd jobs for them such as installing gutters and doing some chinking between the logs of their house.
Michael got his tractor parts today and got the old (John Deere 42 years old) tractor running. He was thrilled!
A perfect Montana summer day.


Monday, July 6, 2009

Dinosaur Eggs

It was another fun gathering at George and Shirley's last night and their new mud room, bathroom and guest bedroom are beautiful. They were very brave souls, they have been gone for a month to New York and Florida and left the contractor all on his own. The remodel turned out beautiful.

Claire and Robyn who were at the party last night have a Spaniel, a beautiful dog named Molly. She was bitten three times by a rattlesnake yesterday but is fine today, a little swollen but doing well.

It was back to spraying weeds for me today and Michael laid some more rocks on the face of the garage. I cooked up a batch of Jazzy dog food and practiced some quilting.

While I was out spraying weeds, I came across this thing--rock??, dinosaur egg??--no, it is a mushroom. It was at least 16 inches across and a foot tall, ugly thing!


A grumpy little Rufus hummingbird.

Another one of those days with thunderstorms moving through every hour. We are going to Tammy and Joe's for dinner tonight (social butterflies again) and tomorrow Tammy, Jeane and I are going to take a hike up in the Crazy Mountains outside of Big Timber.


Sunday, July 5, 2009

Social Butterflies

In a few minutes we are heading down the hill for a little social hour at George and Shirley's. They have been gone for over a month and got back home in time for our party yesterday. They have been having some remodeling done in their home and we get to see the finished product.

Our party yesterday was wonderful. We had 31 guests, tons of food and just a whole lot of fun and visiting. The homemade ice cream that Jeane brought was to die for. Michael did a fabulous job of cooking the burgers and hot dogs. The weather cooperated and it didn't rain but was cloudy, overcast and cool. Just a perfect July 4!

This is a photo of sunrise (yes, sunrise) a few mornings ago. There was a thunderstorm brewing and it gave the sky the strangest color.

Some of the guests at the party yesterday.
Two of these young men Jeff and Patrick, the two on the ends belong to Joe and Tammy, the owners of our former ranch. The young man in the middle, Logan belongs to Joe and Tammy's friends and neighbors in Colorado, Nikki and Jonathan who also joined us along with their daughter Kristen.


More guests, not sure what Jeane is describing and don't Jill and Kelly look great, they have both been faithful Weight Watcher attendees!

Hazel came to the party with her son Russ who grew up with Michael. She is a delight, over 90 but still loves to visit. Nancy and Nikki are enjoying listening to Hazel's reminiscing.


It was a fabulous party and a great July 4. Hope you all enjoyed your 4th.