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!!

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!

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!

Ruby the Hibiscus, was declared dead on July 20, 2009, after a lengthy attempt to revive her. She was the longest living veteran of The Hibiscus Wars , outliving Cindy her greatest rival, and many others to numerous to name. Over 15 years ago Mom bought enough hibiscus plants for all of us. Although we were able to “choose” the plant we wanted there was one particular plant that appeared to be healthier than the rest. Naturally I wanted that one but, because I was on the receiving end, choose the second best plant. In later years, Mom revealed that she was praying I wouldn’t choose the better plant. That selfishness, she felt, was what caused her to loose not just the battle but the entire The Hibiscus War . Her original plant, and many others over years, never lasted long. Ruby was also known for the Christmas Holiday she produced 58 blossoms in one day! She will be greatly missed on the deck in the summers. May she… Rest In Peace.

On Sunday night a storm blew in and after 1,000 lightning strikes, some VERY close to the house, we lost power but.....thanks to Scott and Misako for the LLBean emergency, all in one, solar/battery/hand cranked, radio/flashlight! It really came in handy! The power was off for 10 hours. It was overnight and the temperature was just right for sleeping, no air conditioning required. We survived. However, the lightning struck two internet towers and we were without internet service until about half an hour ago. (I needed to check my email before posting this harrowing experience.) This was beginning to get REAL scary, I hadn't realized how much we depend on the internet! This morning Hubby said that the water for his shower never got hot (Welcome to my world, every 5:45 AM of the school year. I just heat it up for those that follow in my footsteps) Then I took my shower and had to keep saying the mantra, "It's just like being in the pool....It's just like being in the p...

The weather is getting warmer and there is no better way to spend a summer afternoon than with a good book, in a shady spot, with something ice cold to drink. I had forgotten how fun it is to go to the public library and browse through the shelves of books. Sandra Dallas' book Buster Midnight's Cafe was recommended to me but as luck would have it, three other books were there but no Buster Midnight's Cafe ! I decided to check out the books on the chance that they would be an "ok" read. The first book I read, The Diary of Mattie Spencer is just that, the diary of a pioneer woman that travels with her husband to Colorado to homestead - a great summer read! Now, on to the second book Alice's Tulips . As I picked this book up and thumbed through it I realized the entire book was written as letters to the main character's sister. I was a bit put off, a diary, letters, had Dallas come up with a formula for her books? Were they to similar to be interesting? Ju...

I had lunch with a long time friend - not old friend - Kendy! We went to the Mustard Seed and enjoyed the food and catching up on everything that's going on in our lives. Thanks for calling Kendy - let's have lunch again soon!

Our 4th began a little early because we went to a Rob Quist concert in Billings on the 2nd. Rob originally was with the Mission Mountain Wood Band (M2WB), a band that began in the early 70's in Missoula Montana. This band was very popular in their day and are making a local come back - the band will be with the Doobie Brothers in Bozeman on September 4th. Rob Quist has been on his own for many years and we go to his concerts any chance we get. I don't like "hard core cowboy music" but have love listening to the Great Northern Band since I heard, Back In Harmony . Next, it was "Road Trip Time"... off to Melita Island, on Flathead Lake. We hit the road early and arrived in Missoula for a late lunch. It just had to be... Very few drive-ins still have car hops but Hoagieville does. We have loved eating an occasional Hoagie since dating. It's a pastrami like sandwich with lettuce, swiss cheese sauce, and season salt on a Hoagie bun. The Hoagie salted fries a...

The little family just left for home, I miss them already! This morning Isaac when woke up he said he wanted to stay with Gramma and Grandpa but as the time got closer to departure, he decided that he'd better go with them because, "I'm free and Sadie is six." I'm looking forward to when he is six! Sadie told me during her week here by herself that she would like to live here and only go and visit her parents from time to time - I told her sure, she could do that. Immediately she looked up at me and said, "I'm kidding Gramma!" Wish they lived closer......

Sadie had so much fun at Chico Hot Springs last Wednesday AND her Mom was so envious, the entire family took another trip there this week! Little brother, Issac, had a blast! The day was overcast and in fact we had a few rain showers, but a great day was had by all. The very beautiful historic hotel. The darling grandkiddos... Isaac inspecting a critter in the flowers. Sadie posing a little for Gramma. In the pool...... Wish we could go there everyday!