I picked up Sophia and Avery at school on Tuesday, then took Sophia to her ortho appointment. Sophia’s homework tonight was to complete a project for the Witch of Blackbird Pond: baking one of 3 recipes, taking 3 pictures and getting them printed, due on Thursday. She chose an apple tart. Thais found an easier recipe online, but didn’t have a couple of the ingredients. I asked if I could run to the store for her – yes!
As a retired teacher, I can not imagine the negative feedback I would have received to have made an assignment like this.
Home
Goodbye Montana:
Hello California. And Starbucks. I’ve missed you.
If you didn’t know this already, Dave can fix ANYthing. He reattached the legs to my Thanksgiving candleholder. Thanks, Dave! And both Dave and Phyl for your hospitality the past 10 days. Again, excellent timing on my part. I arrived home just in time for the Vikings/Saints game.
Missoula
We drove to Missoula in the late morning. Because there was a 70% chance of snow and high winds, Dave covered my suitcase in a tarp and tied it down tight. Thank you!
After lunch, they dropped me off at my hotel and we said our goodbyes. In this picture, you are not seeing snow but rather “graupel” – a soft hail or snow pellets:
Our timing could not have been more perfect. I got into my room at the start of the Bills/Texans football game! And … Phyl gave me 2 little bottles of champagne to enjoy in the evening. Life is good.
Departure eve
Tomorrow Phyl and Dave will drive me to Missoula for a very early Sunday morning flight. Looking east:
We made foccaccia in the afternoon. So delicicous!
Sundown:
Late lunch
To celebrate the two FINISHED sewing projects, we went for a late lunch in town at
We got great service – we were the only customers.
We also checked out Elk Ridge Brewing Company next door.
Sewing
One of our projects was making Phyl two flannel shirts. At first, I was more of an advisor and prepping pieces for Phyl to sew.
About halfway through the second shirt, I asked if I could just go ahead on my own and Phyl was happy with that. Rather than buttonholes, Phyl opted for snaps, which Dave did for her (yay!).
Success!
New Year’s Eve
This year, we recreated our long-ago tradition of celebrating New Year’s Eve with great appetizers, champagne/beer, and movies.
I made Bavarian pretzels with beer cheese sauce. Phyl made Happy Hour Mushrooms and sausage crescent bites.
Meanwhile, in Bakersfield CA, Carol (Phyl’s sister) and Jerry celebrated with Pete the Possum. (Eek!)
The creamery
Phyl and Dave’s place used to be a dairy farm. There are several outbuildings, this one is called the creamery:
We bundled up and went to see the warren of 7 rooms and 1 large workspace. This is a vast storage area but also where Dave works on various projects.
There are two more large spaces in the attic although it’s a steep climb to get there. Not as scary as Dave made it look:
Deer Lodge
Phyl and Dave live just a mile or so from Deer Lodge, a town of about 3000 people in southwest Montana. Two grocery stores, 3 restaurants, a couple of fast food places, a movie theater (open Fri-Sun and totally staffed by volunteers) and my favorite …
Quilters Corner.
Montana
Late on Christmas Day I flew to Missoula and stayed at a nearby hotel. The next morning Dave and Phyl drove over from Deer Lodge and picked me up.
Yes! It’s freaking cold here.
arletelouise 