So Long 2010...................

We are headed down to Yellowstone National Park this afternoon for a scenic drive; the cold has thwarted our plans to ski so we will be searching out photo opportunities followed by a romantic dinner for two at the Mammoth Hotel. Enjoy your New Year celebration............see you next year!!
xoxo

12/28/2009

While driving to work 1 year ago today I answered a call from my mom. It seemed early to be hearing from her, or anyone for that matter. She was calling to tell me that my cousin Eli had been in a car accident and had been flown or was on his way to Billings... The next 10 days were filled with tears, fear and a lot of hope and praying in our family. Eli has made a miraculous recovery over the past year and in his fight to live the life that he has always known has been a incredible reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the body's ability for healing. So today I want to say Thank You Eli for your sweet soul.
xoxoxo

THANKS SANTA!!!

ps

we got more than 17inches of snow at the ranch in less than a week and i don't think the temp has risen above ZERO. i of course forgot my camera to show you but watch the weather channel...Bozeman, MT was on there this morning for record freezing weather...... -20!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving....so what am I grateful for?
-The BIG beautiful blue sky that I live under.....even in freezing weather the sky was beautiful coming into town this morning.
-Wood burning stoves.....yes, we do have electric heat but there is nothing like the warmth of a wood burning stove.
-Being well equipt....I love being able to feel ready for whatever mother nature has in mind for us here and the adventures that we are faced with; while sometimes frustrating are often really fun.
-My neighborhood and my community........yesterday there were 2 people stuck on our road and there were 3 vehicles (including us) immediately to get them out. Although our closest 'neighbor' is at least 1/4 of a mile away and we can go weeks; even months without any more communication than a wave everyone is there to help each other out. Livingston is the same way, it is small and people really care about each other. Not necessarily because we all know each other well but because we are all a part of a community that is important to all of us.
-My new AWD.........enough said.
-My job.....it is consistent, reliable and it allows me to make connections with people who I would otherwise never know.
-The ranch......living on 1,000 acres is Paradise Valley really is PARADISE!
-Snow removal equipment.......plowing for hours can be fun if you let it.
-Horsecicles, pupcicles and kittycicles........they are going stir crazy right now!
-The snow.....I am really looking forward to the snow this year. Skiing, both xcountry and yes, maybe even downhill. I am planning to take some lessons as long as I don't wuzzzzz out; I am the loser who grew up in MT and never learned how to downhill ski. I am hoping that this is the year that all changes.
-Drift fence and the boy who puts it up for us ;)......who knew that such ugly fence could be such a lifesaver.
-YNP.......I am going to spend more time exploring it...this is a promise to myself.

Did you notice that there has been no mention of G, my family or my friends. Well I feel like it goes without saying that the people in my life bring me the most gratitude. But today, the day before Thanksgiving I am going to focus on the not so obvious things. Besides, I will spend all of tomorrow with those special people, doing what we do best......you will see.....I'm not gonna lie-It is great to be an Isaly! xxoo

Good Morning Winter.....

I have been waiting for you!

fall friends

Our new buddy bucky has been hanging pretty close in the back yard. He comes in at dusk to say hello. He and Fisher challenge each other and to our surprise he doesn't seem to mind the dog. He just comes back closer and closer. It is funny when you think about how much time is spent and how many miles are hiked to attempt to get anywhere close to this distance to deer and elk and in the back yard we can almost reach out and touch this guy. I love that he is just as territorial and protective of the yard as Fisher is :)

Roots Rock!!

Root vegetables are now my new best friend. They are hearty, resilient and most of them take no work at all and can be stored and used all year long. Granted the carrots take some work but they are soooo beautiful. I can't wait to eat our onions and I really can't wait for our garlic and shallots next year. I think I might try potatoes as well.....one more thing I can just dig up, wash off and store.