Emptyknitster

On July 14th I wrote about a big lightning storm in our area. I commented about how close the lightning strikes were. Later, Hubby found two "classic" examples of trees that were struck by lightning in that storm. They are about a quarter of a mile from our home. The splits in the bark are caused by the heating of the liquids in the tree itself. Cool!!

PIR Days: One of the things we love about going to school three days before the kiddos is that we can all go out and have lunch together! There was a lot of catching up on what we had been doing.

I was finally able to get to a Farmer's Market today! Jo and I got up early and "headed into town". The atmosphere was upbeat and casual. Just strolling around the downtown streets, looking at all the healthy plants and fruits and vegetables that people have put so much effort into, is a delight. I always go through the entire market and then head back to my favorite Hutterite stand. Their produce is excellent and I love to listen to the ladies with their German accents as they sell me items. The Billings Youth Orchestra were playing Vivaldi, OUTSTANDING! They did an excellent job, everyone enjoyed the music and it was a lovely addition. There was quite a crowd at the market this morning. But we're in Montana and so I always see a few people that I know, fellow teachers, friends, or both - teacher friends, and family ....Oh, my brother and his wife! We enjoyed our shopping trip. And then: School is beginning Monday, and the construction around our community is EVERYW...

Hubby and I have been wanting to go on the Meteetsee Trail, this is an old stagecoach route from Red Lodge, Montana to Meeteesee, Wyoming. It was a very rough, and expensive, ride for the pioneers. Luckily we were in a four wheel drive, air conditioned coach! From vast prairie... to rugged mountains, the views were breathtaking. A fun morning in the country!

I received an e-mail this morning: "Chloe's been trying to knit (pick up sticks as needles) - ended up, to her surprise, as a series of knots. She wants Gramma back to show her how it is done! xxx B"

It's Joseph's tenth birthday and it seems just like yesterday that we were anticipating his birth. What an exciting time! We called the little person we were waiting for "Cosmo" and it stuck for quite a few months! Have a wonderful day Joe!

We have had a fun week. Isaac was happy to see "Boy Gramma" and they spent time bonding on the four wheeler, and just talking... It wasn't hard to keep cool, We went to Chico and had lots of fun. (No pictures this time - just go back to June and there they are. Same amount of fun, just a different day.) Isaac was so sweet when saying goodbye adding, "Thank you for taking us to Chico, Gramma." They do love the "warm swimming pool"! We had lots of sweets including ice cream cones and kisses!

Today our little pirate is six years old. We love you so-o-o-o--o-o much! Hope your party was great and today is outstanding!

Yesterday afternoon we had a visitor at our back door! And today, we are going to have VIP's visiting - the family from North Dakota will be here soon! I've doing some baking for the Tiger. He LOVES banana bread. I thought I'd share my banana bread recipe, it's the best ever. It originally came from Sunset Magazine via my sister-in-law. Banana Bread (1 loaf) 1/2 cup margarine 1 cup sugar 2 eggs slightly beaten 3 medium-sized bananas 1 cup regular all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp soda 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/3 cup hot water 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Melt butter and blend in the sugar. Mix in beaten eggs and mashed bananas, bedig until smooth. Sift all-purpose flour with salt and soda. Stir in whole flour. Add dry ingredients alternately with hot water. Stir in chopped nuts. Turn into greased 9x5" loaf pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour 10 minutes. (I bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour.) Now for a batch or two of cookies!

SUNDAY afternoon we went with the Son-in-law for a paragliding adventure. Getting anywhere in California means traffic, lots of traffic... Once we got to Pacifica it was overcast but beautiful! The Son-in-law flying by.... It proved to be a busy day in the air.... MONDAY we went to the VERY popular Bakesale Betty's for lunch. This bakery has many wonderful baked items but the lunch menu appears to have only two items - egg salad or fried chicken sandwiches. That's all Betty needs to have, the fried chicken sandwich was outstanding! We also had a slushy type lemonade drink, and FREE cookies. Yes, free cookies! While we where eating at an ironing board on the sidewalk.... the line got longer and longer with people wanting to eat lunch, the lovely blue haired Betty came out and gave everyone in line a cookie for being patient! - What a great gal. TUESDAY on to the airport. We drove by the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, After an uneventful flight I was home again, and look wh...