Author Archives: arletelouise

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Philipsburg and Lemon Drops

We drove to Phillipsburg today, about 50 miles from Deer Lodge. Cute town with some really good shops.At several shops, you can buy bags of dirt/gravel/rock and go “screening” – sifting and washing hoping to find precious stones like Montana sapphires.A must stop is The Sweet Palace where you can find every imaginable candy you can think of and then some. Samples of their famous fudge – you choose the flavor – are given out at the register.After we got back to Deer Lodge, Phyl and I went on a walk. The pond on their property, where ducks land and muskrats play:Dee owns the 80 acres which surrounds Dave & Phyl’s place. She has 20 horses.Walking back along the road toward their house:Phyl made the best Lemon Drop Martinis …well … maybe they could have used a bit more sugar:

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Exploring Deer Lodge

So, it’s June but it’s freaking cold here. It SNOWED today! as Phyl and I visited the Old Montana State Prison.
Established in 1871, it closed in 1979.Then we visited a couple of museums on the other side of the street, explored Keystone Drugstore which is so much more than one would expect, discovered a great quilt shop, and had lunch at 4B’s.

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Rosemary Foccacia in Deer Lodge MT

Yesterday I flew from Sacramento to Butte Montana to visit Dave & Phyl who moved here last April. Today Phyl and I went for a drive.The Montana State Prison is the biggest local employer.This is where Phyl and Dave’s grandson, Chris, works.Looking back toward the town of Deer Lodge:In the afternoon, we baked bread – Rosemary Foccacia. Phyl started the biga yesterday. Today it took another 3 hours to finish the process.This bread is unbelievably delicious!In the evening we went to the movies. Note the days the theater is open, and it’s operated solely by volunteers.The guy in the booth was funny. After we entered the theater, he came out the back door to talk to me, wondering why I was taking pictures (Was I an inspector?). He told me the theater used to seat 800 people, but there was a fire in 2006. When the theater was rebuilt, they extended the seat length so now there are 300 seats downstairs and 200 seats upstairs.

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Sophia & Avery – day 1

This is a new version of Paper Rock Scissors:
The funny part, to me, was how the loser of a round had to pose, big sigh, oh no:
Then we went to:


All the animals here have been rescued.

Near the bear exhibit were life-size cut outs of three bears (smallest to largest):  black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear (this would become important later in the day).

Avery was great at showing me where I should be taking pictures. “Grandma, over here, the baby peacocks!”

Then we went to Parrot Planet:

After we got home, we played Bird Bingo, black-out of course.

Then the bears began creating their dens. The middle-sized bear:

Somewhere in this mess, under the small table?, was the den of Greta:

At first named Bob the Black Bear, Avery changed his name to Blue Bear.

Penelope the Polar Bear was relegated the kitchen/dining area – “Penelope!” was usually called 2-3 times before she responded appropriately. Smile.

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The after-after party

Tim and Mike barbecued cheeseburgers and Maria made my latest favorite meal – Cheeseburger Salad.Along with Mike’s wife Renee, Leslie, Nate, and Liam came over also.Liam and Papa talked on the phone, sort of.

Thank you Maria for inviting up to help with the Invitational this year. I had a GREAT time!