2 Moose a Stayin"

Spent 4 nights just outside of Yellowstone Park at Pines Edge Cabins. got in 3 days of good cross country skiing. First day out a Buffalo blocked our trail, the second day 2 moose were in the path. The third day it was a ranger on the trail but we got by him! It was a treat to see the moose so close up. They were very much aware of us and let us know they weren't happy with some deep throated noises.

 

 

Coming into the park we saw one bull elk, the only elk we saw the 5 days we were in the park. This coyote was on the road as we drove in and the Buffalo along side the road pretty close to the car. The coyote didn't want to budge from his dinner.

 

This was our little Christmas tree in our rustic cozy cabin. It was a very quiet and peaceful Christmas for us this year. Very nice.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

These little Christmas stockings were made from ties. I will fill them with a few pieces of candy for a special group of friends.

 

 

Haven't been doing a lot for Christmas this year. Since the kids came for Thanksgiving it will just be the two of us. Both of us had horrible colds after Christmas so it t has just been this week that either one of us has any energy. Toralf and I leave Saturday for Silvergate, MT which is just outside the northeast entrance to Yellowstone Park at Cook City. Seems like we have gone there almost every year since coming to Montana. We will ski, enjoy the incredible beauty of the mountains and the peaceful quiet of a small village and all the animals in the park . We enjoy attending Christmas Eve services at the little community church.

 

 

We will also be celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary in the park. We honeymooned at a ski resort in Michigan 40 years ago so it is fitting we spend this special day skiing as well. 

 

 

 1972 Minnesota              

 

 2012 Montana

 



Thanksgiving

So much to be thankful for.
My brother came right before Thanksgiving for my birthday. Kids were here a week over Thanksgiving and Toralf's brother and sister-in-law were also able to join us. Dad was also here part of the time.We had a houseful and a busy time enjoying each other's company and Oliver. He seems so grown up now.

Last 2 pictures are from Thanksgiving Day. Toralf, Hank, Mandy, Oliver and I did the Thanksgiving Run/Walk along the river here in Missoula. Hank and Mandy half of it and then joined the rest of us to walk.  Yes, all that white stuff is snow on the ground! Coldest day of the week.

Happy Halloween and Day of the Dead

Since we have been gone camping for several weeks (pictures to come later) I have not been home to properly prepare for Halloween or Day of the Dead. I did get out a few of our Mexican decorations.

 

 

Picture of Oliver is from Mandy's website. Last year when Mandy and I took him to the pumpkin patch he was only a month old! (See profile picture) How fast they grow.

 



Finally Something Finished!

I was at a meeting Wednesday evening with other quilters and came home feeling quite down and stressed about all my unfinished projects. In 2003 or 4 a group of us started an exchange project. One person was working on hers and it reminded me that I owe her a piece. I came home and took that out and also went looking for my own piece. My top has been done since 2005 or 6 but not quilted. I decided that what I really need right now is to finish something. I need that sense of accomplishment. The only way to finish something fast is to do it by machine so I decided to finish my fractal ( the projects I had pulled out after the meeting to look at).

My finished piece.

I was surprised at how long it took me to machine quilt it even though it is small (31.5" x 22.5"). All it lacks now is a label. I know it is based on a card but I cannot remember the artist. Can you see the 4 parts? Each of us chose a picture and divided it into 4 parts. Each person got a part to work on and give back to the owner. All of the pieces were done in wool. It is interesting to see how well the pieces blend together.

The Black Hills, SD & some New Projects

Just got back from a trip to Black Hills, SD to visit Toralf's brother and sister in law. Falls leaves were really pretty. I hadn't expected that. Third picture is from the Little Big Horn National Monument.

The trip was a good excuse to cut out a couple new paper pieced projects. I have been wanting to do this for some time. This is what I started.

 

This is the jewel shape with 1"and 2"hexagons. Jewels could also be put together with 2"diamonds. It is a different look and kind of fun. I have a jelly roll of batik for the stars. I'm using a group of tie dyes for the hexagons.

 

This one is ties. Yes I'm finally using them! Design will be tumbling blocks. I need to rethink what I am doing a little bit. I thought I could use the lining on the ends of the ties for the solid top but I don't like the quality fabric so need to find more solid ties and or use the wider solid parts. I have been glue basting the diamonds as I cut them and this stabilizes the slippery fabric. It is working well.

 

Catchup

It has been a busy summer! The end of June I took the train from Whitefish, Montana to Lacrosse, Wisconsin. It was a grand adventure. Biggest drawback was travel time on each end to get to and from train depots, tricky with train delays. I avoided an 18 hour delay by one day.

Spent 2 weeks with good friends from way back.



 

And as always enjoyed the Mississippi.

 





 

Home just a few days and then we headed to California for Oliver's second surgery. He was a trooper and everything came out fine. The palate is now closed so that should facilitate his eating and learning to talk. If all goes well it will be the last surgery until he is 9 or 10 when they will graft a bone in the cleft.

 

 

Hard to believe our little guy turns one tomorrow! He has had quite a year. Right now he is on the verge of walking and eating independently and loves cell phones. Here he is helping Dad and Grandpa in the garage.

 

 

And I would be remiss if I didn't wish all my friends in Mexico Feliz Día de Independencia (Happy Independence Day).