Snowed off and on all day and is snowing as I write this. It is warm enough that the snow is not sticking, just makes for lots of juicy mud! We did see some wildflowers this morning on our walk and chokecherry tree buds, there is hope!
Nat came up for lunch today and I fixed a hamburger/potato casserole--gotta keep giving these ranchers their beef! The rest of the day I got ready for our little social hour.
We live on the East Boulder River, 22 miles from anything, no grocery store, no gas station, nothing! Our primary way of socializing is to get together with friends. Just down our 1/2 mile driveway live George and Shirley and a few miles up the road, Robyn and Claire live. We three couples get together frequently for wine and cheese. When Nancy and Geoff are here, they also join us, they are back in California now and we miss them. George is a great wine connoisseur and brings the most awesome wines. Tonight I fixed shrimp cocktails and pizza--such a combination but it was great. Shirley brought Robyn and me May Day baskets with pansies--since it is still too cold to have flowers outside, we will just have flowers inside. Good friends and fun!
To my family tonight, I am thinking of you all, and love you.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Billings and More Winter
We woke to more snow and cold today and it even got to old Mr. Optimistic today, Michael. We took a wet, muddy walk then got ready and headed to Billings.
Michael dropped me off at JoAnn's and Target while he went to Harbor Freight--perfect solution, don't you think? After a little shopping, we met Lonn (Michael's son) and his wife LoraLee for lunch at CJ's. They happened to be in Billings today, too.
When Michael had a construction business, he purchased mega dollars of pipe and plumbing fixtures from a company in Billings called Mountain Supply. Every new year they had the best calendars with gorgeous Montana photos. I was so disappointed this year that we didn't get one before we left. Michael had to go to Mountain Supply today and they still had calendars, yahoo.
The mountain in this photo is called Lionhead and a portion of it burned 3 years ago when we had the huge, awful fires that got so close to our house. Remember the fairy tale about the mouse getting the thorn from the lion's paw and being spared--if you look closely, Lionhead looks like the head of a lion with a mane and the little bump out in front is the mouse. I know, it requires some imagination and it is easier to see when it isn't socked in by winter clouds.
We think this is a Harlan's Red Tailed Hawk and yes that is blue sky in the background--it appeared for a short while this evening when we got home.
To our coming summer visitors, Jim & Ellie, Mark and Dortha, I will really try to have the snow gone by the time you get here!
Michael dropped me off at JoAnn's and Target while he went to Harbor Freight--perfect solution, don't you think? After a little shopping, we met Lonn (Michael's son) and his wife LoraLee for lunch at CJ's. They happened to be in Billings today, too.
When Michael had a construction business, he purchased mega dollars of pipe and plumbing fixtures from a company in Billings called Mountain Supply. Every new year they had the best calendars with gorgeous Montana photos. I was so disappointed this year that we didn't get one before we left. Michael had to go to Mountain Supply today and they still had calendars, yahoo.
The mountain in this photo is called Lionhead and a portion of it burned 3 years ago when we had the huge, awful fires that got so close to our house. Remember the fairy tale about the mouse getting the thorn from the lion's paw and being spared--if you look closely, Lionhead looks like the head of a lion with a mane and the little bump out in front is the mouse. I know, it requires some imagination and it is easier to see when it isn't socked in by winter clouds.
We think this is a Harlan's Red Tailed Hawk and yes that is blue sky in the background--it appeared for a short while this evening when we got home.
To our coming summer visitors, Jim & Ellie, Mark and Dortha, I will really try to have the snow gone by the time you get here!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Rain, Snow and a Beautiful Bird
Is anyone surprised, it's snowing again!! It mixed with rain all day so no accumulation except for more mud.
While we were having breakfast, this guy landed on top of one of our gate posts to have his breakfast. He finished his breakfast then sat on top of the post for a long time, probably looking for another tasty morsel!
Isn't he adorable?
While we were having breakfast, this guy landed on top of one of our gate posts to have his breakfast. He finished his breakfast then sat on top of the post for a long time, probably looking for another tasty morsel!
An American Kestrel
Isn't he adorable?Michael worked on my Volkswagen all day and I attempted to quilt. I completed a block and decided I did not like it so spent over an hour ripping the whole thing out--I'll be happier with the end results!
Well, we have made a decision, finally. We called the people in Moses Lake, WA who own the Allegro Bus and it is still for sale. We will go over there on Sunday and pick up the motorhome on Monday. It is a 1995 diesel and has only 54,000 miles on it. It will need some cosmetic work but that we can handle. It is the right step for us--we plan to purchase an enclosed trailer for hauling a vehicle behind the motorhome. And for hauling other things such as a quilting machine.
Life is good.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Chores
Mother Nature left us a few more inches of snow last night and we slogged our way through a walk up into the fields today. There is water running everywhere, the ground can't absorb any more--we have miniature rivers everywhere.
It was time to clean house, I had postponed it too long and the dust bunnies were threatening to take over. I participated in a conference call with the quilt machine company APQS at 9 this morning then started cleaning. It is amazing how much dust and spider webs can accumulate even when no one is living in a house for 3 months!
Another of my quilting projects
It was time to clean house, I had postponed it too long and the dust bunnies were threatening to take over. I participated in a conference call with the quilt machine company APQS at 9 this morning then started cleaning. It is amazing how much dust and spider webs can accumulate even when no one is living in a house for 3 months!
The Boulder River yesterday when I was driving home from the retreat.
Fluffy birds in a snowstorm
Another of my quilting projects Not much going on around here.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Quilting Retreat
Friday morning we woke to about 8 inches of new snow, again. I did a lot of scurrying, I was off to my very first quilting retreat at Camp on the Boulder, a church camp located about 20 miles from us. I had some reservations about whether or not the retreat would even happen with the weather as bad as it was but the quilt store in town said to head on up.
The Boulder road even on the best of days is atrocious! It is a gravel/rock/potholed/narrow road on most days and with a snowstorm, it was terrible. Took me an hour and a half to drive the 20 miles and my Explorer has enough mud attached to start a garden! My teeth were about jarred loose!
I was a little concerned about the accommodations for this quilt retreat being held at a church camp. If any of you ever went off to church camp like I did to Boggs Springs in Arkansas, you know that sleeping arrangements can be a little rustic to say the least. Well, I shouldn't have worried, it wasn't the Hilton but it was certainly adequate. I had my own room, no bunk bed to crawl out of in the middle of the night, and my own sink, showers and potties were down the hall.
The Boulder road even on the best of days is atrocious! It is a gravel/rock/potholed/narrow road on most days and with a snowstorm, it was terrible. Took me an hour and a half to drive the 20 miles and my Explorer has enough mud attached to start a garden! My teeth were about jarred loose!
The Boulder Road in a snowstorm
I was a little concerned about the accommodations for this quilt retreat being held at a church camp. If any of you ever went off to church camp like I did to Boggs Springs in Arkansas, you know that sleeping arrangements can be a little rustic to say the least. Well, I shouldn't have worried, it wasn't the Hilton but it was certainly adequate. I had my own room, no bunk bed to crawl out of in the middle of the night, and my own sink, showers and potties were down the hall.
My first glimpse of Camp on the Boulder Friday afternoon.
There were 24 women at this retreat, a few I knew and most I didn't. I had a ball--it was such a liberating feeling to have nothing to do but sew--no dog to let in or out, no meals to cook, no husband wanting help with a project. It was a great group of women and I came away with new friendships and some finished projects. The food was wonderful, prepared by the couple that lives at this remote camp year round with their children who are home schooled.
There were 24 women at this retreat, a few I knew and most I didn't. I had a ball--it was such a liberating feeling to have nothing to do but sew--no dog to let in or out, no meals to cook, no husband wanting help with a project. It was a great group of women and I came away with new friendships and some finished projects. The food was wonderful, prepared by the couple that lives at this remote camp year round with their children who are home schooled.Busy quilters
One of my finished projects, a quilt for our bed. Jazzy is napping on top of it as I write this!
Another view
OK, house update--we were going to fly down to AZ this next week and make an offer on a house our realtor found. She called us Friday afternoon and the house had two offers all ready, both more than the asking price. Oh, well, maybe we will buy a motorhome????
Another view
OK, house update--we were going to fly down to AZ this next week and make an offer on a house our realtor found. She called us Friday afternoon and the house had two offers all ready, both more than the asking price. Oh, well, maybe we will buy a motorhome????
When I got home from the quilting retreat Sunday just after lunch, I must have been energized. Michael and I got busy and unpacked and put away all the RV stuff that had been sitting in the middle of the basement floor. Now, of course we will probably find a motorhome!
Oh, by the way, it is snowing, again.
Oh, by the way, it is snowing, again.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Change in the Weather
We've gone from walking in our shirtsleeves this morning to a fire in the fireplace and snow flakes!! After lunch the temperature dropped to 32 degrees.
I baked most of the morning, getting goodies ready to take with me to the quilting retreat. Did some laundry and fixed lunch for Nat--we had steaks on the grill and roasted potatoes. Nat and Michael are confirmed beef eaters so I try to indulge them!
Our neighbors and friends, George and Shirley had picked up our mail for us while we were in Seattle so I ran down to their house this morning and got it. Had a nice visit with them--they bought a condo in Florida this winter.
We are still debating house versus motorhome but really leaning toward house. Nat voiced his approval today and Michael went and talked to our friend Terry, the builder, and he thinks it is a good idea, too.
This is the dog that avoids a bath at all cost, shivers and cries when she finally does have to get a bath--she loves to get in the irrigation ditches.
Our flying Jazzy dog
Tomorrow I am off to Camp on the Boulder, a Methodist church camp where an annual quilting retreat is being held. The Camp is located about 20 miles from us, hope I don't get stranded in a snow storm while up there!
I baked most of the morning, getting goodies ready to take with me to the quilting retreat. Did some laundry and fixed lunch for Nat--we had steaks on the grill and roasted potatoes. Nat and Michael are confirmed beef eaters so I try to indulge them!
Our neighbors and friends, George and Shirley had picked up our mail for us while we were in Seattle so I ran down to their house this morning and got it. Had a nice visit with them--they bought a condo in Florida this winter.
We are still debating house versus motorhome but really leaning toward house. Nat voiced his approval today and Michael went and talked to our friend Terry, the builder, and he thinks it is a good idea, too.
Ducks on our pond
This is the dog that avoids a bath at all cost, shivers and cries when she finally does have to get a bath--she loves to get in the irrigation ditches. 
Our flying Jazzy dog
Tomorrow I am off to Camp on the Boulder, a Methodist church camp where an annual quilting retreat is being held. The Camp is located about 20 miles from us, hope I don't get stranded in a snow storm while up there!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
We Are Home, Finally
Remember all those pretty photos of green grass, flowers and budding trees in Seattle the last couple of days--well, not in Montana! Most of our snow is gone except for the drifts in the coulees and at this present time it is dry but very little green grass and for sure no flowers or leaves budding! We are under another winter storm watch beginning tomorrow evening!
Montana spring
We made it home about 6pm Wednesday night and boy are our minds churning! The folks with the motorhome did not call us back last night after their counter offer and then our subsequent counter offer. We assumed that it was a no deal. Later in the evening we received a call from our realtor in Arizona and she had found a house she thought we would really love and she was right! It is unfinished as in no kitchen, no bathroom fixtures, etc. The sheetrock is hung and painted but there are no floor coverings--right up our alley. So, we backed off on motorhome looking and are again plotting house strategy. Needless to say, we are kind of going in circles. But, what will be, will be--one or the other will work out and we will be thrilled with the results, that's just the way we have been our entire married life--life is good!
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