Action Packed 4th of July

There were some very fun and very busy days over the 4th this year. I also enjoyed a 4 day weekend which I covet. I spent the 2nd cooking up a storm for my bestie Ashely's bridal shower the next day. Everything turned out really great. Headed into town for the annual 4th of July parade (which happens at 3pm on the 2nd). It brings the entire town out. I enjoyed the parade with my family and then headed to my Aunt and Uncle's house for a low country boil feast....(I'm gonna try this out for our next gathering) and then back to town to hang with old friends. If you grew up in Livingston you would know that it feels like more people come home for the 4th an xmas!! I stopped by my office on the way to a party to find out if I had passed my licensing exam.....I DID....even more reason to have a night out on the town. After visiting with some old friends I headed to the Murray to meet up with G and CELEBRATE....good night.

A little under the weather on Friday but pulled off a great bridal shower for Ashley.

We had some friends come up from Gardiner on the 4th to join us for a float, BBQ and the Livingston Roundup Rodeo.

All in all a wonderful 4 days wrapped up with relaxing and making homemade pasta dough for the first time...raviolis were delicious!!

YAY ME

I just found out yesterday that I passed my licensing exam and I am now a Licensed Addiction Counselor!!! Time to celebrate!

Long Weekend......

I am pretty sure that I need to find a way to have 3 day weekends every weekend. I LOVE them! G is out of town on a big Bachelor Party rafting/camping extravaganza which has left me to devices. I have spent the last 5 days checking out the Livingston Farmers Market and seeing tons of friends there of course. Making myself my favorite foods and watching Food Network shows that I have on DVR......yes I record Food Network shows. Having Tea with our neighbor and giving a quick Facebook tutorial. Spending an evening with Brooke and Matine and having dinner with them, Peter and some of his clients.....who I happened to meet last year when they were here also. Getting my hair done and shopping of course. Spending some quality time with Ashley and her whole family-Sarah even came over from Bozeman- eating cake and ice cream for Ash's 27th bday and playing with Karmella. Today I am lounging at the ranch doing chores and soaking up the beautiful Montana sunshine and trying not to think about having to return to work tomorrow. Good thing next week is a short one too!!! YAY 4th of July in Livingston!

Feeling a little SHEEPISH.

Meet CHOWDER the sheep. He will be living in the round pen at the ranch for the next 64 days until his big premiere at the Park County Fair where he will be shown fro 4-H and the sold at the auction......I don't think he wants to know what happens after that. A friend wanted his son to be able to show sheep like he did as a child but they live in town. Obvious answer....the ranch. We spent Wednesday evening revamping the round pen and making it sheep proof so that Daniel can come out to the ranch every day to feed, water and 'train' his sheep.

Stare down. The horses are not impressed with this small animal making strange noises.

I think he is trying to hide himself.

The very BEST part of this story is what happened on Chowders second day on the ranch. Matt (the dad) and Travis (works with G and Matt) stopped by to check on Chowder and give his some hay after a site visit in the Valley.

PLAN A:

Trav has the wonderful plan to catch Chowder...for fun I guess?? Well, sheep are fast and this guy is not trained to love people yet. Result....Trav chased Chowder right out of the round pen through the gate that he had left slightly open. So now Chowder is loose in the paddock. Mat says 'DON'T MOVE'; Trav thinks he can handle it and catch him and they end up chasing that poor sheep for hours up and down the creek bottom and all over the fields. Chowder #1 was last seen at about 3pm yesterday when they decided that they had frightened him to the max and they were not going to be catching him by chasing him.

PLAN B:

Purchase another sheep from the sheep farm and put Chowder #2 in the round pen to hopefully lure Chowder #1 back down the mountain and back where he belongs. The guys were out well after dark last night in search for Chowder #1. No Luck.....he spent the night alone in the big bad world. We hoped that in the morning we would find him back down in the paddock waiting to meet his new roommie but Chowder #2 was by himself this morning in his new home.

UPDATE:

I got a call from G at lunchtime today and Chowder #1 has been found and returned to his home!!! YAY!!!! And now we have to deal with 2 sheep????

My mom is 50!

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear MOM,

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

My wonderful mom turns 50 years old today!!! She is a very specil woman and will be showered with even more love on this day than usual. We went to dinner last night at Mexicana because Bruce's kids love the birthdays there and love that she has to wear this silly hat. She doesn't like it much but is a good sport.

Tonight I have planned a girls night out with her family and friends at Livingston Bar & Grille. YUMMY. I can't wait.

Happy Birthday MOM.....I LOVE YOU!

The garden is in!! Finally!

We finished putting the garden in this week.

I can't wait for fresh herbs (basil, rosemary, oregano and parsley), strawberries, raspberries, cucumbers, lettuce, beans, peas, eggplant, butternut squash, yellow squash, zucchini, and tons of tomatoes and peppers. Soon we will have veggis coming out of our ears. I HEART our garden and feel very lucky to be able to plant it and take care of it every summer.