Memorial Day Road trip . . .

First - a heart felt "thank you" to those who have served in our military and given so much so that we could enjoy our life in this beautiful country. 

Yesterday Bob and I drove from Bozeman to Fort Benton and the Montana round trip is about 470 miles give or take a couple.  We try to do the trip every year for Memorial Day, but we usually take a couple days so we can spend a bit more time here and there along the way.  This year there is a lot going on so we decided to be tough, leave early, and make it a day trip.  I love road trips!

All of my grandparents and my dad are buried at the cemetery in Fort Benton as well as lots of other family.  So we go - we place some flowers - share good memories and feel the love.

I found some "lemon pie" yellow petunias so I had to put those near dad's marker.  He loved lemon pie!

We went into the little town of Fort Benton and had lunch at "The Freeze" - a little ice cream shop with outdoor tables and hamburgers.  Across the main street from our little lunch table is the Missouri River.  Lots of history in Fort Benton and we decided that in a couple weeks, after some of our busy life settles down, we are going to head back up there for a few days.  I lived near Fort Benton on a farm until I was about 12 so it is always fun to go back.  I love Fort Benton!

On the journey home,  you get on I-15 south at Great Falls.  It was already late and there were miles to go.   When we got to the beginning of Wolf Creek Canyon we got off the interstate and took the old highway through the canyon.  It was gorgeous.  By the time we were in Helena, the rains had started.  We stopped to place some flowers on the graves of Bob's parents in Helena at the old, old Forestvale Cemetery.  Another area rich in the memories and history of our beautiful Montana.  I love Montana!

After our long ride we enjoyed a quick, but good, supper with Helena friends, Ken and Laurena.   We hadn't seent them since a lunch we shared the end of March in Parker, AZ/  Laurena and I have been friends since we were freshman in college - 50 years this fall.  I love my friends!

It rained and rained all the way home.  This morning we are tired and glad to be home.  I expected to see a leprechaun peek from behind one of the big trees in the back yard.  All of the rain makes this place so green.  I love being home!
 

Heading to HMQS

Tomorrow morning early I am going to leave for Salt Lake City - well Sandy actually - and enjoy 3 days at the Home Machine Quilting Show.  I have done very little quilting for the past 4+ years and I have not attended a major show in that same time.  Life has gotten in the way - some good - some not so good.  But I am now going to enjoy some time basking in the fun of beautiful quilts, wonderful teachers, classes, and great vendor offerings.

Five years ago my friend Gail and I won first place at this show in the theme category with this quilt.  I had found my passion.  I then started on my next show quilt and it is still not finished.  I would love to get back to it and my soul tells me that now might be the time. I sure hope so. 

So - off to Salt Lake City - a 7 hour road trip!!!!  And a new road in my journey - I hope.

Cinco de Mayo . . .

I hope you had a wonderful Cinco de Mayo.  We had a relaxing day here and I spent most of the day in my studio.  We had our favorite beef burrito smoothered with green chili for supper tonight.  I made the fresh salsa yesterday and I got a really good "do" on it. 

Last week was busy but I did finally get a art quilt piece finished.  I have worked on it off and on for too long.  I finally trimmed it, used facing to finish the edges and attached it to an artist's canvas that I had painted black.  I like how it turned out. 

 

Later this week I am heading off to Salt Lake City for HMQS - a wonderful machine quilting show.  I have gone before, but did not go last year.  I am so excited!  I have sighed up for a few classes and it will be 4 days "on my own". 

Birthday Week!

Wow - 3 months and now words from me - what is up with that?

Well - January brought the flu to our house - the endless coughing seemed to last forever from that awful stuff.

February and March we went to Arizona  for some time in the sun and had a great time.  We stayed at some state parks and here is one from our first stop at Buckskin State Park near Parker, AZ.  This is the view we enjoyed out of our front windows for a couple weeks.

April has found me home, in my studio, helping Mom after a fall, and enjoying the grands.

This is the first day of my birthday week - some people have a day, but I love having a birthday so I have always had a birthday week.  Bob and I went out for breakfast this morning and now I am off to town for a couple errands.

More later . . . 

Happy New Year . . .

It seems like a strange New Years Day!  We didn't stay up to see the New Year enter and we didn't go anywhere last night to celebrate.   We have had a very relaxed day.  I came down with some kind of bug right after Christmas and am finally feeling better.  I actually did some baking and cooking today to use up some temptaions I had here that I didn't get done before Christmas. 

I made some great apple-pecan waffles for breakfast with real whipped cream.  We always have apples and the pecans are left over from the cookie baking before Christmas. I also never keep whipping cream around so got rid of that. 

I also made some cranberry/orange/apple/pecan chutney and a pan of "Magic Bars".  Those Magic Bars make short use of lots of chocolate chips, coconut, sweetened condensed milk. - and more pecans.  I am thinking most of the temptation is now out of the house and I will freeze those little temptations for when the grands come to visit.

We also had our usual own version of "Velveeta Queso" with hamburger for watching the Rose Bowl.  It is similar to this recipe.  Now that is done as well.  I made a small batch and it is gone - and that is good.  I don't have to buy or eat Velveeta for another year. 

So - tomorrow it is back to Weight Watchers and getting started with dropping some pounds again.  It seems I just keep losing a few pounds and then during "special times " finding them.  And, those special times seem to come more and more often.  Life must be really good, huh?  I am going to try to lose them again and I like Weight Watchers online. 

The Christmas decorations are still up and will remain until the Epiphany. I started this last year because I really like the peace and quiet of the lights and decorations and wanted more time to enjoy them and reflect on this joyful event.  It works!

I love New Years Day.  I am looking forward to a great year!