Summer - just the word evokes deep memories - devouring still-warm tomatoes from our garden, juice running down my chin; the enticing aroma of hot dogs on the grill; dashing through the sprinkler in the back yard, with bits of cut grass stuck between my toes.
Sunset on Whitefish Lake - July 4, 2018
I may be a bit older now, but I still love the traditions of summer, and the boundless opportunities it offers to be outside in Nature's glory. Here are some warm-weather highlights from July.
ONE: PET-SITTING Everybody takes at least a short vacation or summer trip, and so I was delighted to accept my neighbor's request to look after her cat while they went to California for a family wedding. Isn't Katniss just a darling?
TWO: PIE-MAKING It may seem a bit late in the season for rhubarb, but I had a hankering that would not be denied. Early in the month, we visited a local farmer's market, and I was thrilled to find one stall with massive bunches of rhubarb. Result: two mouth-watering pies. Here is a link to the recipe.
THREE: STITCHING The slower pace of summer (sangria on the porch, anyone?) lends itself to naps wrapping up projects. I am delighted to report that my tea towel project is complete!
FOUR: GROWING THINGS No, not me - God and Mother Nature. My role is simply to capture the beauty, and there sure is plenty of that to go around …
From Left: Bog Orchid; Lupines and Blanket Flower near Many Glacier; Beargrass; Sticky Geranium
Very creative lollipop gift from a neighbor
FIVE: ENJOYING FAMILY AND FRIENDS We have been blessed this month to host my in-laws from the UK, as well as my youngest brother and his wife. And we held two large parties at the house - one to honor all those who made our log home dream real, and one for Spousal Unit's 50th birthday. Yep, we made a few new memories this month!!
Upper Left: Swiftcurrent Lake; Bottom: Hidden Lake; Both in Glacier National Park
Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier, Glacier National Park
Upper right: my in-laws marveled at the size of "2 scoops"
Middle right: Hand-made gift from a neighbor
Lower right: Bird seed house gift from in-laws
Left: Mountain near Many Glacier
And now I am writing this from the UK, where we are visiting my in-laws in advance of the wedding of Spousal Unit's only cousin. Despite the many years of summer holidays here, we can still find new places to experience.
Top and bottom: Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-on-Tweed, completed in 1850
Middle: Millennium Window - Church of the Holy Trinity
Walking the Coastal Path near Berwick-on-Tweed
Quarry Garden at Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens; in ravines cut out of rock, a micro-climate allows for many
unique plants to flourish; this garden is one of only two quarry gardens in the UK
BONUS: And just in case you have been longing for some new trail cam photos, here is the best of the bunch from July: a cow elk with a baby at her side. Now THAT'S a new summer memory to be treasured. What is your favorite summer memory?
Do you ever have to look back through your pictures to remember what you did during the month? That's how I am feeling about May. On the 2nd, we flew back from #1 Daughter's college graduation in Ohio, and tomorrow will be June 1. Must have gone through a time warp, is all I can say. So I'm grateful for my camera to jog my memory … ONE: LANDSCAPING In a previous post, I wrote about Forestoration, the company we hired to beautify the spaces disrupted by the construction process. We have not been disappointed. So far, they have completed the hardscape; planting comes next. Take a look at these before and after shots.
The greenery around this Douglas Fir is all native -
4 weeks from mud to miracles after the snow melted
I know a thing or two about drainage, having helped my Dad install significant piping in our backyard. So it's saying something when I tell you that I was impressed with the drainage installed by our crew, which now looks like a picturesque creek bed.
Have you ever tried building a set of stone steps on a hillside? I originally thought we could do it ourselves, but having watched these burly young fellows manhandle these stones, I am pretty sure we would have ended up in the hospital with crushed fingers, at the very least. The team was so meticulous with the placement and leveling of these stones; the steps will last a lifetime, for sure.
TWO: INTERIOR DECORATING While the crews were busy outside, we turned our creative juices to interior spaces. Our tasks have ranged from the almost mundane art of hanging pictures, to a full-up design for our lower level guest bedroom and bath. Spousal Unit gets the design award of the year (in my book) for his real barn wood headboard, which he made from scratch. Check it out.
Not everything in this room is new to us. The desert picture over the bed was a gift to me from work colleagues when we moved from Arizona to Cleveland back in 1996.
The sewing machine shown in the picture to the right belonged to my mother. We purchased the chair in the corner in 1992. My personal contribution to the room is this carousel horse cross-stitch, custom-framed at Michael's with my input on matting and frame. When I bought the design so many years ago, who knew it would fit so perfectly in this room? I can't tell you how ecstatic I was when I saw the result hung on the wall!
Bottom: new soap dispenser and vintage Orange Crush bottle
Just today we located this bench for our entry.
Swap meet treasure - paid $5 (without the candles) for these
two ornate candlesticks!
And along the way, you find things you weren't expecting, but you really need!
We have had a Stir Crazy as long as I can remember,
and I am (rightfully) concerned it's going to give out
one day. Imagine my delight when we found a back-up
at a swap meet this month!
THREE: PLAYING THE PIANO If you've been following my blog, you know that the movers were not able to put the upright piano on the lower level due to the snow and mud on moving day. I am pleased to inform you that this situation was rectified on May 15. In less than an hour and a half, Byron, Clint and Jimmy maneuvered it from the entry onto a truck and then around the back to its new home. I am still looking for all my piano books, but I celebrated with a song I remember by heart - the piano actually sounds somewhat in tune!
FOUR: STITCHING
OK - May hasn't been so crazy that it hasn't offered some down time to catch up on my embroidery (and past episodes of American Idol and Heartland). The "Thursday" tea towel is complete and "Friday" is underway. I can even stitch outside, because Spousal Unit was busy …
FIVE: ASSEMBLING PATIO FURNITURE Earlier in the month, the paint and stain crews returned for the final time to put the last coat of stain on the exterior logs and the decks. This ultimately allowed us to move the patio furniture into its proper place, and free up the garage for vehicles!!! Last week, we planted a few pots with annuals; the one on the front porch is a bit of an experiment what with all the deer around here. So, far, no nibbling has occurred. We think the ones on the back deck should be pretty safe from hooved critters.
Dusty Miller and Marigolds are typically safe from deer. Also used Verbena, Ipomoea
Geranium, Lobelia, and Creeping Jenny
With decks on two sides of the house, as well as the front porch, you can always choose a sunny spot, or a shady area, as suits your fancy through the day. So, when you think of me, just imagine me enjoying a coffee here …
Wow, 90 days of 2018 are history! As I reflect on the month, I am pleased. I have made progress on my most meaningful goals. Celebrated special events. Welcomed a friend from Ohio. And rejoiced with the magic of the moment. Lots happening in the month, so let's get to it!
ONE: Culinary delights, take two
As you know from my January re-cap, my 2018 goals include cooking once per week. Lent presented a unique opportunity to explore vegetarian options, and we discovered several 'keepers' this month. (Links for all recipes are at the end of this post.)
Vegetable Soup
Avocado is a tasty glue for this delectable dish. Add a dollop of salsa and sour cream and you won't even miss the meat!
Your recommended daily allowance for vegies will be met with this nutrient-packed soup. Paired with a cheesy bread roll warmed in the oven, you have the perfect antidote for a snowy winter day.
This is such a keeper, we have already made it a second time! We speculate this could also be served cold in the summer time as a variant on macaroni salad. Rock on summer!
Peanut Tofu Buddha Bowl
If you like peanuts, this is a recipe for you. The sauce is light and flavorful, an ideal complement for the tofu and broccoli.
TWO: Charming embroidery, continued
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to calculate twelve (months in the year) divided by seven (days of the week). In other words, how much time should I allot to complete my seven-piece tea towel project? I decided I should target one per month, giving me wiggle room for unexpected delays, not to mention time in the second half of the year for Christmas-related ventures I have waiting in the wings. The good news? Third month of the year. Third day of the week - complete!
THREE: Captivating events
If you've been reading my blog for any amount of time, you have probably cottoned to our love of attending events, the quirkier, the better. March is no different - take a look!
Upper right - see the snow pile behind the photo booth?
Only in Whitefish is Prom held in March. And only in Whitefish is there a Grand March OUTSIDE. Couples promenade down the sidewalk in front of their parents and the community - brrrr!!! Our next-door neighbor's son is a senior - this was a must-see (on March 10, no less!)
St. Patrick's Day is cause for celebration in many locales, and our town is no exception. At our favorite local pub, we encountered friends from church, whose daughter JUST HAPPENS to teach Irish dance. She performed a couple of dances while the Irish band played. Then, a four-person bagpipe corps entered the bar. Spousal Unit JUST HAPPENED to run into a piper in the men's room, and he requested Amazing Grace ...
R2D2!
As the ski season draws to a close, Whitefish Mountain Resort pulls out all the stops for tourists (but probably even more so for locals, who are already mourning the end of winter, and the resort employees, who are rejoicing the end of winter). This past Saturday witnessed the Dummy Derby - crash test dummies on skis meet demolition derby! Of course, it helps that the event is preceded by the Mountain Brewfest, a fundraiser for the SNOW bus (but really just an excuse for a lot of people to drink beer).
Sunny skies draw a crowd for Brewfest
Check out the Minions as they make their run for the prize money - all of the dummies in the mosaics below ultimately joined them in the snow pit under the jump!
The fine art of dummy design: a sturdy base. Low to the ground. Weighted forward.
Upper Left: Liftys Rule
Lower Left: Huckleberry Shake
Upper Right: Cannon with white streamers
Lower Right: Darned if I know
Aerodynamic. Artistic merit - wackier means points! Test your dummy. Have fun! FOUR: Companionable visitor
We've told everyone they're welcome to visit so we're delighted when we get a taker! (and more of you should do it!) See, this is the lemon cheesecake with huckleberries that awaits you ... We had 5 glorious days with Tim, who drove all the way from Chagrin Falls, Ohio for a western road trip including Montana, Utah and Colorado. We were so proud to show off Glacier National Park while snowshoeing on a bluebird day.
Tim at foot of Lake McDonald with mountains of Glacier National Park in background
In the winter, Glacier National Park is practically deserted (as compared to over 3 million visitors seen in the summer months). It's a boon for those who don't mind a few extra layers of clothing and 'tools' such as snowshoes!
Due to snowfall, the main road through the park is not plowed after the 10-mile mark, Lake McDonald Lodge. (This is normal, folks!) This day, we covered 5.3 miles. One of the many highlights of the journey was Sacred Dancing Cascades, the location of our lunch break.
If you doubt the snowfall, consider these pictures:
Left - yes, those are traffic cones - big ones!
Upper right: buses WILL park here (in the summer)
Lower right: No fire exit today!
Plow crews have begun the daunting task of clearing the Going to the Sun Road, which typically opens at the end of June (and closes at the end of September). Just to give you a sense of the level of effort: the "Big Drift", located east of Logan Pass, can reach depths of up to 90 feet. Every year, the plow crew working on the west side of the road and the one working on the east side meet at the Big Drift and together tackle the challenge.
FIVE: Cherished moments So maybe you think all of the above is 'magic in the moment'. And it probably is. But one of my exhilarating moments this month came from a couple of grainy trail camera photos - because they show something other than deer!
