ARTEMIS ADVENTURES

birthday ride

2011-12-20T16:27:00.001-07:00

Last year I started a tradition of riding my age. This year, I got a lot of grief from concerned family.....mostly Mom (love you Ma!) about doing the ride. I guess I am sort of forced to tell you the reason, now... I'm pregnant. Maybe that last sentence should have had an exclamation point at the end!!!!? Last week I had just turned 18 weeks when time for the ride came up. I couldn't resist since the conditions were perfect, and I've been feeling great! I'll tell you more about the pregnancy which has been a slow leaking bit of news to friends over the last 2-3 weeks...and my reservations for making it public on the many forms of social media this time around. There really is a lot there that I'd like to share about this journey, but I'm not quite ready to write a novel, right now!!!! I just wanted to tell you about a tradition that I'm happy I could keep this year!!!

I split up my ride over three days. I was hoping to do it all at once, like last year, but basically I felt like dog poo for two and a half months leading up to it - so bike training was not in the plan leading up to the big day. Survival and trying to force myself to like food, and keeping from vomiting, was! I sort of have to laugh about this, since, well, now that I'm through it, I CAN LAUGH about it!!!!! Simple as that.

I had a few friends agree to accompany me this year on my rides.

Kathy and I rode the first 20 miles between Lolo and Florence and back on the clear and mostly dry bike path that follows Highway 93. Kathy!!!! Thank you for being sooooo open to anything - even riding a road bike. She was stunned when I picked her up with road bikes in/on my car.....I just figured we could go faster and I was really taking a chance that the Bitterroot had gotten no recent snow, like Missoula. I was so lucky in my assumptions.

The next day I planned a ride with Sharon and since we had our girls she even offered to haul them both in the trailer behind her bike (ahem, her husband Greg's snowbike!). It was great not to have the extra 35 pounds, which is Astrid, to haul. She hauled 70 pounds of little girl on the Missoula Trail System. We scrounged around to find 10 miles between her house & Reserve Street and over to the University area. Thanks, Sharon!!!!! And a big thank you to Jessie and Astrid who hung in there and entertained themselves pretty well in the trailer while we rode!! Their screaming and yelling and singing provided some mild entertainment for us, too!

The last morning (Saturday the 17th), I took a solo ride from my house. I biked 10 total miles (I needed only 8 more, but I wanted to do 2 extra "provisional" miles in case I was wrong about the miles between Lolo and Florence. My bike computer was set to the incorrect wheel size on Thursday). It was a beautiful day and the sun even helped me to get this nice shadow shot.....ok, I know these photos aren't great - but the phone camera is a heck of a lot lighter than my DSLR!

On my birthday, (the 18th) I got to lie in bed with Astrid while Jeff brought me coffee and fed Skagit! Life is so good!!! Can't wait for next year's ride!!!

news

2011-12-13T21:30:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I got into my new studio for a few hours of getting acquainted with the equipment!! Yes, NEW STUDIO! I share it with talented colleagues Youa Vang and Maureen Roy!

There will be more information on my studio soon (after Christmas), but right now I'm in the process of a HUGE project for Christmas. My Great-Grandfather Eugene had a camera that shot Stereo Film. I don't know exactly which model he had but it might have looked something like this:

(I found this image online)

Dad inherited a bunch of the slides that Grampy Gene took in the 50s and 60s. I have been meaning to do this project for years and finally decided that this is the year! Soooo, this past weekend I took some easy and interesting subjects into my studio for fun. Here is the Kodaslide 3D stereo slide viewer, the 3D slides, and one of the two storage boxes he had for the hundreds of slides in the collection.

I will post some photos on my personal FB site and more here after the holidays.

One other thing I brought in to photograph was my pregnancy cast, from my pregnancy with Astrid. I might get rid of it at some point but I wanted to be able to honor it in come way....therefore I photographed it. I plan on getting some photos of it outside in the Springtime, as well.

my belly & the setup

hello. goodbye.

2011-08-05T23:07:00.001-07:00

These last few weeks we've had lots of hellos and goodbyes.

Hello Annibell

Hello Jen

Etching memories and sealing them with a dip in the frigid waters of the Stillwater. Jen (right) just got back from a year in New Zealand.

Goodbye (for now) Monica, Ruby (and Matt). I have a feeling you'll be back.

Hello cool morning mountain bike rides with my four legged gal.

Goodbye... water that finally receded this month on the Clark Fork, near our house.

I'm standing where there was water one month ago.

Mother Nature completely changed the landscape here. See that sandbar across the river? That's brand new. AND we used to be able to walk another 200 feet (on land) North to the river to a rocky beach. She's powerful stuff! I do love the way she's rearranged this section of river, but this neighborhood could have done without the water in their basements. It is nice to change things up.

Massive, I'm talking MASSIVE wood pile. Lines upon lines of these debris piles were strewn throughout the cottonwoods as far as I could see.

Remind me not to go back to this area until FALL. I think Skagit and I lost a pint of blood while we were there.

Hello...eating late dinners on the porch.

...hanging with Dad on the dock.

Hello... weather for spending time with friends outside.

...and catching fish at the lake.

She reeled this one in all by herself. She's an old hand.

and noticing the small stuff.

...and for this.

Hello pumpkin plants taking OFF!..and stealing Mr. Cucumber's light. Next year I will know to separate you two and give you each a little more growing room.

A whole new discovery. Each time Astrid looks under the leaves of the pumpkin plant she says it is a "Fairy House".

Goodbye..."perfect" sunflowers in Astrid's garden... Hello sunflowers...with a story. Deer hit the garden hard two nights ago. Hail pummeled it two weeks ago.

Here are some of our holey, half eaten sunflowers we think are absolutely perfect. We are enjoying the garden more than I ever imagined possible this Summer. Beyond my wildest dreams. I will always have a garden.

Hello... hot afternoons... riding to our local swimming hole to cool off.

I have no idea why I took this photo. The photo of the day would have been Skagit FLYING through the air fetching her ball. I threw the ball from her Chuck-it 50+ times.

Hello... warm mud puddles after a massive afternoon thunder and lightning storm.

silly goose

hey bear, stay away bear

2011-07-25T14:53:00.002-07:00

Since my 4-month cross country roadtrip west 14 years ago that eventually landed me in Missoula, I've grown accustomed to hiking in bear country. Grizzly country. I'm comfortable with it. My mother is not so comfortable with it....especially when she hears of the occasional run ins with bears on the national news...the ones that make these kinds of headlines.

Holli and I took a bear safety course just prior to heading onto our virgin backcountry trip in Glacier National Park years ago. Since then I carry bear spray, and holler out a familiar greeting on the blind turns in the trail. "Hey Bear". It is one of those common things we share as lovers of wild places out west.

Last week while up at the camp on Big Sky Lake, Astrid and I set out on a familiar trail near Seeley. I hadn't been up there since Mom, Jeff and I backpacked in at Morrell Lake 7 years ago...long before (little) Astrid existed.

On our way through the gate at Big Sky Lake that morning this sign was posted:

We got to the trailhead at about 10am. I decided that I would take the stroller in (check it out, Art!) in case Astrid got tired. Every time I go out into bear country with Astrid (which, up until now, has been fairly limited to our backpacking trips) I do feel a bit more exposed, no matter how secure I feel with bearspray at arms length, and senses at high alert. It's worth the trade to feel exposed... to be exposed to this:

The only challenge besides one downed tree in the trail were the many roots we had to bumble over. Every time we got close to a section with lots of roots I would yell out "Cattle Guard"! so she could prepare for the jostling that would ensue.

Hiking with Astrid is worth the extra effort (almost every time). I see things I might not have seen, and hear things I might not have been alerted to without her with me. There were tons of Swainson's Thrush high up in these trees (thanks for the identification, Monica! You were right on.)...and a wildflower yet to identify.

And there was a perspective that I didn't get before on the ritualistic phrase "Hey, Bear". For the first twenty minutes of our hike she was looking around for the bear she thought I was talking to. "But, Mama, I don't see a bear". I finally agreed that we should say "Hey, Bear. Stay away bear!" And that's what we did.

I love being dwarfed by these lanky pines and tamaracks.

Take a deep breath. Can you smell the pines heating up?

Does anyone know the name of this flower? It looks so familiar....

Nothing better than watching my dog's behind as she darts this way and that sniffing her way up a trail.

The perfect combination of mist and light.

lunch at the falls.

My 3 year old "window" to the world.

Here is a photo of my companions in 2004:

Mom and Jeff - September 2004

magical, AND highly experimental, garden project 2011

2011-07-15T15:37:00.002-07:00

It's Friday, and we have three or four layers of messes yet to clean up (from the fun we've had over the last week - get togethers, dinners, pool runs, etc)... We are thick in the Summertime flux...pack, unpack, repack (camping, backpacking, spending time at the lake)....and when we are here (in Missoula), we're usually not here (in the house, near a computer, that is). We are up a mountain... we are at the pool... we are at a play date... we are in the backyard... in our garden! I love the way that last phrase just rolls off my tongue. In our garden.

I've had gardens before, but nothing like what the start of this promises to be for us. During my first couple of Summers in Missoula I had a plot at a community garden near the university, but it was too far from my apartment and the weeding became overwhelming due to infrequent visits and my busy early twenties social calendar. Jeff and I also attempted a garden a few years ago, but it was half hearted, and not the right timing either.

Our garden project didn't come without lots of hard work. Starting with the sod cutting we did just before Easter...

In the beginning this garden was quite a bone of contention between my husband and me, I'll admit it. He just tends to be more realistic about the amount of time and energy it will take to actually get something done. I usually jump in with both feet, learning the details of what I've signed up for, along the way, and rolling with it. My method works for me, but I'm happy that Jeff is the yin to my yang, and there is always that balance when we work together on something. Yeah, that's what it is, balance, not disharmony, right? he he he!

Astrid had so much fun collecting earth worms in April and early May.

Our giant sushi rolls. We were able to give most of the sod away.

We found that we could work with Astrid as long as one of us was keeping her busy lugging tiny bits of sod, fiddling with the garden tools, digging for worms and other bugs, and taking frequent breaks. We worked best during nap time every afternoon of almost every weekend in May.

All tired out and fast asleep during an Eko Compost run.

It's hard to find good help these days.

Astrid got some gardening tools from the "Easter Bunny" (aka. Grandma). These were great worm collecting tools.

We decided on what we wanted for boxes and our talented friend Wilson (with some help from Jeff) constructed these beauties.

Beautiful cedar garden boxes.

Astrid painted while I worked on securing the weed mat and leveling the garden boxes.

We added the arbor from our wedding day, and of course, the garden soil.

Next, we went shopping for seeds and some starts. What a fun rainy day, putting back every other plant she arbitrarily grabbed off the shelves during her "spree" style shopping.

Just planted.

It has become a ritual in our home many mornings a week that Astrid and I wander out to the garden sometimes still groggy in our pjs to see what might have grown overnight. I am a child, and everyday with this garden seems like a new and unexpected gift. For the first time I realize, in my own skin, the pride you can have in a garden.

I entirely understand the unsolicited tours Dad would give family and friends to his garden down back. It was quite possible that you couldn't come to Mom and Dad's farm without a ritualistic walk down the hill to the garden.

I remember vividly Dad's expansive garden in our back yard when I was a child... One year Grammy Madgie (Dad's Mom) gave us kids some sunflowers to grow, and it was like magic to me that the flowers dwarfed me by the end of the Summer.

Mom and Dad also had perennial gardens in the side yard that were a real conversation piece at any sort of Summer gathering.

Three days after planting - radish sprouts!

"Radish sprouts are kinda spicy, Mama!"

Astrid checking out the first sprouts in her garden box.

Our garden and pots this afternoon:

Another tomato almost ripe. Astrid, who doesn't normally like tomatoes, plucked one off this plant a couple weeks ago and devoured it in one bite.

Carrots, raddishes, parsley, basil, peppers, zucchini, squash, etc.

Corn, cucumbers, pumpkins, snap peas, pole beans.

The corn was knee high by the 4th of July. So, that's good, right?

Snap peas. Today I noticed that there are mini pods all over. Can't wait to see how big they are tomorrow morning.

Pole beans.

And, last but not least, Astrid's garden: She got the pink flamingoes from Grandma and Grandpa for her birthday last month, and our next door neighbor (Gini) gave her a third one, because three is even more fun than two! I'm thinking that these sunflowers need an even sunnier spot next season.

The flamingos and the deer fabric/fencing help to keep away the deer in the evenings. Jeff and I have seen them linger by sniffing the air with desire.

There is more to do, and this is an ongoing project. Staining the arbor, covering the weed mat, fencing around the entire garden, and more, but right now, we are certainly enjoying every minute of our highly experimental project.

Here are some pictures of my Gardening Angel. Oh, how I wish he and Mom were here to consult over a cup of tea. Mom will be here in October! Maybe she can help me ready it for winter.

a GOOD tired

2011-06-29T14:58:00.003-07:00

Astrid and I sat heaped on the cool kitchen floor sharing a cold piece of leftover pizza yesterday afternoon, tired, hot and somewhat disheveled. I cooled off from the 90 degree day outside and reveled in our accomplishments. It was worth every single bit of energy it took for me to pack, drive, and propel my daughter and I to another memorable night in the wilderness with friends. With a small child these kind of trips can seem monumental.

My friend Monica and I finalized plans for a hike near the Dearborn River last week, and we headed to the trailhead off Highway 200 late Monday morning. It was another stroller adventure this year with plenty of room on the private roads and single track (little tricky at times on the single track with roots and steep inclines). We didn't go in far, we just got in as far as the wilderness boundary and set up camp for the night. The weather conditions were perfect and the surreal rocky backdrop - stunning.

Astrid was pretty high maintenance compared to other trips we have taken, though. It was unexpected, although it shouldn't have been. We had to especially keep watch over her with Ruby since she was treating her as an equal instead of a 14-month old. Astrid was overtired and being dragged over the countryside camping for the two days leading up to the trip may have had something to do with it (zero quality naps). Little darlin' especially needed me [in the tent] while she was falling asleep. Once Monica and I crawled out of our respective tents with our girls fast asleep around 9:30 we enjoyed a small campfire and some good conversation, with the perfect amount of wind to keep the mosquitoes at bay.

The next day, despite a flat tire on our way out to the main road, we made it home in time for a hot date with my husband of 8 years!

Here are some of the images of our trip.

Monica taking a turn pushing the gals.

Ruby & Astrid

A stop by the river to filter some water, while Ruby attempted a nap in the tent.

Finding treasures.

"Are you coming, guys? Follow me."

The Dearborn River.

Our companions for the night.

A little entertainment while I was setting up my tent. I think it was Little Bunny Foo Foo.

My girls cozy in the tent.

"Good mornin' sunshine!"

Our kitchen area - at breakfast.

Lady Slipper Orchids. (Other wildflower spottings of note from the trip were Wild Irises and Bog Wintergreen!)

My turn to push for a while - on the way out.

Fresh bear scat.

I can't wait til our next trip. I may attempt it without the magical stroller next time. We'll see.

hawaii....i totally get it, now

2011-04-19T16:01:00.073-07:00

our Hula girl wants to learn the hula dance. Watch out world!

I have no idea why, but, whenever someone would tell me that they were going to Hawaii for vacation, I would think, ehhh, that's ok, but, I'm pretty sure is is nothing like going to the Bahamas, or Honduras, or Bolivia, (fill in the blanks here). Just plain not that exciting in my mind.

It's true, Hawaii is nothing like any of those places I mentioned, and really, the places can't fairly be compared.....it's just that I GET IT! I GET the reason everyone and their dog goes there! It is spectacular, and warm and sunny, and relaxing right down to the core. There were NO bugs, delicious raw fish and the fruit was AMAZING. Who could ask for more?

It was the perfect place for us to go at the end of this Missoula winter.

Jeff and I got a chance to snorkel a few times while we were there and it measured as the favorite activity (although digging holes in the sand was a close second!). We got to swim with a sea turtle just off the beach we were staying. It was so relaxing to look over and see Jeff drifting next to me bouyant in the sea water, then glance down to this beautiful turtle that looked like he was flying in slow motion arms steering his direction.

I realize looking at someone else's vacation photos are a bit like watching paint dry, but if you are interested, here are a few select from our trip....I took about 4 million so paring it down to this amount was so difficult for me!

Astrid got her OWN seat on the plane for the first time!

Our feet on the first day. Montana white.

I loved this huge tank! It was incredible!

Paia, Hawaii

Astrid looking cool with her friends in her "Jackie O's"

Kaanapali Beach

I convinced my friend Tami to run a 10k while we were there! It was her first race ever, and she finished looking strong! She has caught the bug with two more races on her calendar coming up soon! Half marathons even! I'm so proud of this woman!

The cabanas where we planted ourselves for about 4 days straight!

I could just nibble on these curious little fingers!

I totally forgot how I liked to "dig holes to China". I was the catalyst for three HUGE holes we dug on the beach. It was so satisfying....but I didn't get to China!

PB&J on the beach with a side of sand.

This little gal was soooo cool! Astrid adored and still talks about 15 year old Raven ALL THE TIME! We became friends, then we became facebook friends so Astrid and I can keep tabs on her.

This monk seal was not as shy as the rest of the species! This seal came in leisurly in the late morning and stayed on the beach all day like this! A BIG higlight of our trip.

Photo by Kenny M.!

Tami M. photo! Thank you so much, friend!!!

Tami M. photo.

It was sad to say goodbye to the pineapple door, but something tells me... we'll be back.

Don't you just love their plate?

unplugged, recharged

2011-04-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hi there.

Didya miss me?

I cut 7 or 8 inches off my head last week and I feel like a new woman!

I have been unplugged from this blog for over a month, now. We took a ten day family vacation to Hawaii and have been home for about two weeks... Some family and friends are left wondering 'why hasn't she posted?'

Here's a big reason why.... I've been working on my business in the small amounts of time I have had to work these days, and I'm happy to be able to offer something I've been thinking about over the long Winter months. Mother's day is around the corner! So.......it's time to get Mama out from behind the camera!

I have 3 openings left!

I'm really excited about this Mini Session day since I got permission to shoot for the day at this amazing ranch overlooking the Missoula Valley (thank you, Erin, Terry and Ann!!!). I'm in the process of finding some cool props (thanks, Keri!). Where would I be without my friends?

Well, there is lots of catching up to do!! But there's a start!

state of flux

2011-03-16T15:02:00.004-07:00

Someone turned Winter off last week and it really looks like Spring is Springing! The snow has melted and the dog poo in the front yard has been almost completely uncovered! I think I picked up a 5 lb bag already!

We've been emersing ourselves in the enjoyment of Spring weather! Today we saw a female Northern Flicker (20 feet away), and a gaggle of geese frolicking in what appeared to be an orgy on the river!! (Thankfully Astrid wasn't quite sure what was going on...)

I love that smell of mud and dirt and the promise of life in Spring. It reminds me of my childhood. We love stomping through mud puddles around here in the afternoon.

I've been taking this class two evenings a week for the last few weeks and I love when I leave now there is still a hint of light on the horizon.

There is so much more I want to write but I am on a timeframe today. But, I just wanted to post a few photos.

Happy Spring!

Here are my new biz cards that I'm so excited about! I chose 50 different images when designing them!

This is the tutu that we couldn't leave the store without last week...I can't seem to get it off her, nor would I want to.

I finally got Astrid to let me braid her hair!!! Then, she attemped to braid mine, but mostly, it hurt.

I think this was our 5th stop on our excellent roadtrip back from Idaho. Poor little darlin' just kept losing the urge each time we got unloaded. Hippie waits patiently for his girl (he blends in with the snow so well you can barely see him!)

This is my little buddy The Northern Flicker who frequents our backporch when there is birdseed out there! I'm sure the crumblets on his beak give him away!! As a side note: This lens got drenched in the Smith River 12 years ago - Surprisingly, it still does a pretty good job.

ski a little, knit a little

2011-03-02T16:03:00.001-07:00

Last weekend some girlfriends and I braved the frigid weather we were having in Western Montana to ski somewhere new (and knit).

We went to Homestake Pass to rent a yurt for a couple nights. It was fantastic to have clear blue sky to ski under. The only downside to clear was that the yurt was SO DARN COLD that first night. We later found out that the low that night was a chilly -22 degrees. Food and water was literally freezing on the side of the yurt opposite the tiny woodstove....heck...it was freezing on the other side of the futon we had slid over to within 1 foot of the woodstove to keep warm! I have a mental picture of what the 6 of us looked like that first night huddled close together around the fire. Four lined up on the futon, and two on either side of the woodstove....all with our down coats, hats, and boots on....down sleeping bag draped over the four on the futon. All of us knitters...but not one was warm enough to pull out a knitting project. The single thing that warmed us all up at who-knows-what-wee-hour was "Catch Phrase". A battery operated game that got the blood pumping! I'm sure the Canadian whiskey that was passed around helped to warm us a little, too.

Skiing in that first afternoon.

Our home for a couple nights on the pass.

Monica pulled in the pulk!

On the second day of skiing after lunch a few of us went on a longer skate ski. We skiied up this long gradual slope (an out-and-back). At the top there was a killer view of the Tobacco Root Range (one of my favorite ranges in the state). I will definitely go back in the Summer for mountain biking or in the Winter for skiing again someday.

Huddled around the small woodstove....Photo taken before we rearranged the furniture. So cozy!

My knitting (and adventure) pals, and a most delicious meal to share. ISO 3200. he he he he!!

Three of us left early on Sunday morning to get back to Missoula. I had fun playing around with ISO 6400.

The Sun in the process of waking up...

Upon my return home later that morning I learned that Jeff and Astrid had an adventure of their own the night before. Astrid was sick and she had thrown up (for the first time in her life) twice in the middle of the night (in her crib and in our bed). I was jolted back into my reality and I welcomed it with open arms. It's nice to get away from time to time, and it is so nice to come home, too. I made some coffee and French toast for Astrid and Jeff and I relaxed back into real life.

Daddy gets a star. Thanks, Jeff!

p.s. I didn't mention my knitting but there is another owl in the works....Her name is Agnes, and she's orange with a light brown chest, and I'm just loving her!

Here is one more recent guy I wanted to show you too! This is "Boris the Button Eater". I won't give you the long story, but he was donated to the Selway Bitterroot Foundation last week for their annual fundraiser. I hear he found a nice home.

time to burn...unexpectedly

2011-02-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I wish I was "up on B"...drinking tea...and knitting with Ma while my sister works on some dolls she's been anxious to complete...

I'm incredibly envious that Genevieve is home (in Houlton) with her children for an extended weekend in the County... I'm glad she is there, though. She has been working so hard (two jobs) and she so deserves a break.

This week:

I don't know why I feel the need to tell you this image sucks since it was taken by my cell phone....but I DO! I didn't think I could carry my SLR along with all the books from the library I knew we'd check out, and Astrid's bag, too!

I learned the three hundred thoudandth reason I am glad I live in here. We happened upon another wonderful way to spend a morning in Missoula. Astrid and I rode the Mountain Line bus (Missoula's public transportation) to the Library and back on Wednesday. I don't know why we hadn't done it before now! It was brilliant! Oh my gosh it was quite a fun outing. In our rush to make it out our front door I forgot to consider what time the library opened it's doors! We took the 8:15 and were at the library at roughly 8:45. WAAAAAAAAy too early! It didn't open until 10, so we had time to burn. I don't know the last time I had time to burn. When was the last time YOU had time to burn? I figured that was a thing of the past.

We walked the downtown streets of Missoula as HUGE snowflakes melted on our faces, rested on our eyelashes and helped reinvigorate our curls... We had fun catching snowflakes with our tongues.

We rode an elevator (and Astrid hit got to hit all the buttons, EXCEPT the RED alarm button, mind you) to visit Dad in his office.

We glanced through the windows at Loopy (I love the display in their front windows this month, by the way!).

We had chocolate milk and coffee and shared a bagel at Butterfly Herbs... We rummaged through all the cool stuff for sale at the front of the store. Something awakened in me at Butterfly. Butterfly Herbs is one of the first coffee houses I frequented when I moved here in '97. Fourteen years later with my child in tow, I felt new again. It's a feeling I have a difficult time describing, but it helped me feel like a traveler again. And, really, if you think about it, I AM a traveler...even now, but it just looks a little different. My traveling, apparently, is limited to riding the public transportation.....he he he!!! But seriously. It felt good.

We lost track of time at the library once we got back there, checked out 18 books and tore out of the place to catch that 11:35 bus outside the door.

Sitting just behind the driver we had a chance to learn all the ins and outs of the route, and a little about the bus driver, too!

Home by noon.

It was a morning that wouldn't have happened the way it did if I had driven my own vehicle. We will be riding the bus again soon. I loved slowing things down a little. I highly recommend this trip!

Another highlight of the week was a job I had at The Shirt Shop. It was a photographer's dream, really. The line, color, and texture was pouring out of the place. Here are some of the images I captured:

I spent some time with my girl, Skag, alone this week.

yarrow and snow...and sky

Grand Mount Sentinel.

Today we went skiing with Lisa, Ana and Ellis. I got a workout and started to sweat in the parking lot!! Astrid is getting SO BIG!

I was hoping that we could ski for atleast an hour up the trail to catch up with Lisa, but my girl (for the first time ever in the history of our times in the outdoors) asked to "go home". I knew it had to be serious. I asked several times why...but simply got "cuz, yes". So, Astrid and I turned around early and by the time we got back to the car Astrid was crying softly in the backpack. She was so cold. Poor little darlin. She had been out for an hour and a half without moving and she was so cooooold.

Just before we turned around I tried on Astrid's sunglasses....I was hoping we could slide down on our sled or put Astrid on her new cross country skis again - but, no. She was most happy and secure on my back. Lisa continued up the mountain without us... We'll catch up soon, my friend.

I hope your upcoming week includes something completely unexpected, and refreshing!!!!! What a gift!

love to go around

2011-02-15T22:14:00.003-07:00

I just LOVE LOVE LOVE this photograph of Jeff, my Valentine. Oh, how lucky I am!

My Uncle David's HEART is indeed on the mend (after another unplanned surgery) and yesterday he was discharged from the hospital!!!! Kinda PERFECT that it was on Valentine's Day, a holiday synonymous with hearts.

I am so thankful for my Valentines:

Here's the Valentine we made for Daddy ...

I know in recent months this blog has become sort of a photo blog with not as much writing/substance, but I've got my hands into sooooo many pots right now, I'm lucky I make an entry each week or so. So, bear with me for awhile... I'll get back on board.

But until then, I'm just enjoying photographing my world.

This Valentine week I have lots to be thankful for.

I'm thankful that I have a girl who sees the world in her own special way:

I'm thankful for friends to relax with.

...friends to move with.

...friends to knit with... and knitting friends who agree to knit your "Friendly Dragon Puppet" pattern.

These puppets were created by Sharon and Ahnie.

...friends to knit for.

Lori's rib stitch scarf.

...friends who give you tags like this for your birthday.

...friends to fish with.

...friends who inspire.

...a daughter who enjoys sharing an early morning in front of a warm fire.

...a daddy that ROCKS!

...a child who (although sooooo mischevious and sometimes quite stubborn) I simply can't get enough of.

...being outside under a big blue sky!

...a dog who loves LIFE!

...And these two!

Happy Valentine's!

on the mend

2011-02-04T14:12:00.002-07:00

Our family has been on high alert these last two weeks. My uncle David had two heart attacks and the world as we know it got knocked off it's axis temporarily. With all the prayers and healing thoughts and love sent through the universe from family and friends, he is happily on the mend. Last night he had his first solid meal in over a week. The future looks very BRIGHT.

While all this was going on my body decided to revolt and strep throat took root. Strep throat was as awful as I remember as a kid. But, when you are a mama, there is just no time to be sick. Jeff nursed me back to health by persuading me to eat after two days of self-imposed fasting. He took over running the household.

On Sunday afternoon there was finally relief after three days of not being able to swallow my own spit without pain. The surprise snow that softly fell in the valley called me outside. While Astrid was napping Skagit and I went skiing right from our driveway, down the road, to the equestrian park! It was so wonderful. Everything was muted and white, and there was that silence you only get when everything is right with the world.

Our outing sealed the ending of my sickness.

It helped me, as it always does, remember to enjoy these very SMALL SMALL things in life that happen to be very very BIG... The snowflakes landing on my red hot cheeks and nose ~ immediately melting then evaporating from the heat... The look of sheer joy in my dogs eyes..body.. b.o.n.e.s. as she tears through the snow towards me, skin and flopping up and down almost in flow motion as she runs. The sound of that new crisp snow under my skis... gliding. I am WHOLE again.

Uncle David will feel the snow melt on his cheeks again!! He's BACK! Instead of fighting for his LIFE, he'll be fighting his way back through all the snow that fell in his yard once he gets well enough to get home to Maine. Aunt Linda will also be able to again appreciate the SMALL things... soon...

The outting helped me remember Dad who died 7 years ago last week. He loved these small things and so does my Mom. They are the best examples of almost everything in my life. I'm grateful for this close knit family I have and the friends who have become family here in Missoula.

Ahhhhhh...

Skag and I had to make a trip up Sentinel this week...

One of my favorite views.... the sexy slope.

This dollhouse has gotten so much use these last few weeks. You never know who you will see and how it will be arranged if you turn and look at any given moment in the day. We got some more furniture recently and all we need are some beds!

Do you see someone?

Skating: We enjoyed a new adventure together this week. Astrid and I along with some friends went to the Glacier Ice Rink's Youth skating hour on Tuesday. I think it may be Missoula's best kept 'Winter activity' secret. Besides one other boy and his Mama, we were the only ones there. It was so cool.

Astrid and the gals spent most of their time on their knees getting used to the skates and the ice. It was sort of comical and we shared lots of laughs. I decided to wear hockey skates instead of figure skates since those spikes in the front always seemed to catch on the ice uncomfortably and thrust me forward. I've done more roller-blading than ice skating since childhood and the hockey skates felt so natural to me....although, since it had been so long, I felt a little like Bambi!

Astrid and Ro Ro

Ro Ro was really getting the hang of it by the end of the hour! I was impressed.

And Sofia was a rock star! However, the one that I was most impressed with was my friend, Deidad (born and raised in Mexico!) who had never ever been on skates before.

I think we will be heading to the ice rink again, soon!

34.17 minutes

2011-01-23T23:29:00.001-07:00

When I hung up my cell phone on Friday morning it flashed 34.17 minutes. I spent 34.17 minutes on the phone with my sister. As a rule I don't talk on the phone while Astrid and I are together, but when it comes to my sister all rules get broken for a few minutes of togetherness 2,500 miles apart. I realize it is a luxury, and it comes at a cost.

This particular day it took 34.17 minutes for her children (who were home on a snow day!) to dismantle one of the bedrooms she had just finished cleaning, raid the kitchen a couple times, and to get into things they shouldn't be getting in to... During the 34.17 minute call I followed Hurricane Astrid around the house as she left a path of destruction with every minute I spent on the phone... passing me books to read, rearranging her new dollhouse several times, teasing Skagit, attempting to unroll the toilet paper all over the bathroom... Our phone calls are always worth the wreckage. I'm so thankful that I have a sister (and two brothers) I'm very close with... albeit on opposite ends of the country.

This past week life our has been filled...

with Friendship:

My dear friend Holli (from my hometown - Houlton, Maine) came for a visit and we skied Pattee on a wet morning recently.

Getting out:

The beautiful Clark Fork in B&W.

Running in our neighborhood (left), and hiking with my pal on my back up Crazy Canyon (right).

It makes my heart so full to see my girls together on the trail.

Finishing up a very cool project:

Wilson was the mastermind behind this beautiful dollhouse project. It was a lot of hours and work, but well worth it when Astrid saw it for the first time. She plays with this little house all the time. Every so often I will hear her "talking" her dolls. Sometimes she says something I would say.

Holli and Wilson sharing a laugh.

Wilson put in a lot of time on extras: a potbelly stove, a ladder, two beautiful wood stairways, laminate floors in the bathroom and kitchen, a chimney and shutters.

Don't ya just love the flowers?

Astrid's favorite part of Wilson's shop is the swing.

Relaxing with my family:

Fairmont Hot Springs delivered.

Getting to know my girl even better:

I wish I wrote down all the funny things that Astrid says. She is increasingly independent and stubborn at times. Just the kind of child I was my mother assures me.

I have to paint the scene for one recent funny story. One morning after pulling on my workout clothes, I got quite frantic trying to get outside... Skagit was just behind my legs at every turn. Underfoot. My skin was absolutely crawling. I kept tripping over her everytime I went to grab something else I had forgotten in the other room... Astrid's mittens, my hat, Astrid's hat, oh, and her glasses. In Skag's defense once she sees me in this clothing she simply can't control herself...and I grow increasingly more and more annoyed that I can't move around, but I don't do anything about it. (like, put her in a down)

I grabbed that last item I needed and said "Astrid, come on honey, let's put our boots on at the door, click click." (I don't know exactly how to write it but it is that clicking sound you make with your mouth to call a dog.) I realized what I had done, but I thought maybe she wouldn't notice. Nope. She announced immediately "I'm NOT a dog, Mama. I'm AAAAAAAAstrid." This hit my funny bone and we both laughed so hard and so long about this. Skagit just sat there looking at us like we were crazy. It was a good day.

I love the way the afternoon light enters our living room as we watch the deer family move through our back yard.

As her personality develops and she learns how to express herself better and better, I love who she is becoming deeper and deeper.

handmade

2011-01-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

I have a weakness for anything and everything handmade. I love love love making things. Paper things, wooden things, knitted things, fabric things... I also love receiving handmade items from loved ones.

Some of you know that Jeff and I are in the process of making a dollhouse for Astrid with our friend Wilson at his shop. This past weekend I put in some more time at the shop and I still can't decide if it is for me or my daughter! I'm hoping she'll at least share it with me...

Here's how it's shaping up after paint:

Speaking of handmade. This little gal named Ella B came to live with us the other day. My sister Genevieve made this especially for Astrid for Christmas. It was such a wonderful surprise to get it in the mail. She also made the sweetest little dress for Astrid that I have yet to wrangle onto her. I'm sure I'll snap some photos of her in it for the next blog entry.

Oh, the excitement! Notice Skagit, too.

"Mama, she's just hugging my legs!"

Knitting. Handmade. Astrid and her friend Jessie in their Milos last week.

Astrid just loves Jessie. The pic on the right might be pre-pucker or post secret....

I wasn't able to get many pics since Jessie finally got tired of waiting for Astrid to stop running around and stand still for me! He he!

a wild ride, a deep inhale....and a long exhale

2011-01-06T12:05:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year bloggy land.

I love that my girl notices the little things (photo taken in snowless NW Washington over Christmas).

I have been away, well, not away, but away from my blog over the last few weeks.

At the stroke of midnight last Friday on New Year's Eve I kissed my husband, closed my eyes and took a deeeeeeeeeeep inhale. Taking in the last little bits of 2010 in reflection. It was a special year. In looking back at the photos and videos of the year I realize there were a lot of firsts for us in 2010. Astrid's first ice fishing adventure, first backpacking trip, first "real" hike walking on her own two feet this Spring, first time she really really noticed the wildflowers I love to see in the mountains every year...Those are just to name a few. Of course, they were firsts for us as well.

I took a loooooong exhale. Good bye 2010. Hello 2011. There are good things around the corner ~ I can feel it. New things. More than any Christmas present, a new year always seems like the very best gift. All new and shiny and untouched. Full of surprises and promise.

Like I said, we've been busy, and I, of course, have been photographing. Just to warn you there are about four million photos to follow.

It's so good to be back!!

We decked our halls, er, our piano!

Astrid's (and Skag's) 30 Month photograph. * Notice the cookie she is trying to keep from Skag.

Skag, trying to sneak a snack.

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My birthday has always been synonymous with Christmas and the big ball of excitment and love which is the Christmas season. I am a Christmas baby and was born a week before Christmas (on the 18th). On my birthday each year I am usually in the throngs of craziness, trying to get final things made and shipped out, Christmas cards signed and addressed, etc. This year I even threw in making a dollhouse with a friend on top of everything else I try to accomplish (I know!). I try each year to get things done earlier, but, look, it just isn't me. I like deadlines.

This year, though, I did do something different. I put everyone on my Christmas list aside and everything on my 'to do' list aside ~ for ME! I did my first ever BIRTHDAY RIDE! Riding my age! Inspired years ago by a woman named Shirley Braxton, I started my own tradition this year! I ran into 82 year old Shirley at the Post office last Spring. I reminded her that I had ridden with her and several others on her 70th birthday ride, and I asked her if she was still doing it each year. She said that she was! She changed the rules a bit. Now, instead of taking one day to accomplish it, she spreads it out over a few days, and she does it in the middle of Summer instead of the Spring on her actual birthday.

Riding 37 miles, is not a challenge. I've ridden hundreds at a time in the past during races and self imposed adventures. It is a very small feat if you look strictly at the mileage. The part that made it interesting and made me feel so ALIVE was the weather. Leading up to December 18th we'd been getting so much snow in the valley and down the Bitterroot that I was worried that the route would not be doable without studs and that I would have to ride on the roads and contend with traffic. I was a little nervous, but when the day came, and I had someone to ride along with me (thanks, Greg!!!!), the conditions couldn't have been better.

When we started out the temp was 8 degrees in Lolo (at first I thought it was incorrect but in talking with friends later, they confirmed that the frosty fog layer didn't lift until later that morning in Lolo). We wore our down coats, with feet and hands stuffed with handwarmer packets. Within minutes our camelbaks froze up.

Our friend Monica and her chunky wristed little cutie pie Ruby met us in Stevensville! Thank you so much for the support, Monica!

Greg Hood - my companion on my innaugural Birthday Ride!

A tad frrrrrrrrosty, eh!

Bare ground for most of the ride. When reached the van..it started softly snowing... Nature's applause.
My bike computer reaching 37 miles... and a little more.

Why?!!!! I say: Why NOT? Because I CAN, and because I AM A.L.I.V.E.

My other wish for my birthday was to drive around to look at the Christmas lights in town. I remember doing this so much as a kid, and I wanted to go! So, we did. At one place we got out and even got to see Santa!!

I knitted some gifts for a couple very special ladies in my life. Both patterns are free online. The Twirly Skirt from Barefoot Knits, and the Burberry inspired cowl by Julianne Smith. Thanks for the cowl idea, Summer!

A certain little elf helped me in the kitchen.

Rolling 'em out...and our first "test" cookie (on the right).

Don't even think about it Mama! These sprinkles are all MINE!

I didn't notice Hippie until now, but it looks like he ate one too many cookies in the process, as Astrid continues to suck down the sprinkles!

Taking it all in over the holidays. I'm sure she is watching little Astrid (let me rephrase that, 'watching Astrid's COOKIE').

The beautiful people we spent Christmas day with!

Our neices and nephews.

Kylie and Jake

Evan and Kaitlin.

Conner.

The Fab Five.

I made LOIS the owlet on the way over to Washington (this is pre-felting). I plan on writing out a pattern for her. She's my newest puppet. My other little puppet (right) is wearing the Milo Sweater (I incorporated it into a dress with a frill) by Tikki. Sharon, thank you for fielding my knitting call during the holiday!)

Milo dress - cable detail.

We went to Grandma Diane's bowling league to meet some of her friends. Check out Grandma's form! Astrid is probably reaching for candy in her pockets. In keeping her busy for the time we were at the alley, we loaded up on our many trips to the candy and toy quarter machines along the back wall.

These ladies made my day. Thelma (right) is almost totally blind, so her friend Jo (left) accompanies her on the lane when it is her turn. Jo helps line her up. Thelma has the highest bowling average on the team. Beautiful souls. In fact the whole lot of 'em were wonderful.

Jo lining up her own ball.

I think Diane said this woman is 92. I am duely amazed.

Astrid got a chance to ride her new Strider without snow on the ground. This pedalless bike is so cool. It is designed to help a child learn balance before using pedals. It will replace any need for training wheels.

Astrid's dollhouse. A progress shot. Ready for paint.

I am so excited about this little house that Santa will no longer get the credit for bringing. We will unveil it as soon as it is complete sometime this month!

Well, that about sums it up from my corner. I'm looking forward to writing more frequently now that I'm settled back into life after the holidays!

Happy New Year! Hope it is starting out to be a great year for you!

contain yourself!

2010-12-12T14:40:00.001-07:00

We got some snowfall here in the Missoula Valley around Thanksgiving, and I have been patiently waiting for it to change to sticky snow so we could make a snowman! This dry arid climate does not always lend itself to this kind of snow, but growing up in Maine it seemed that it was most often sticky. Anyone else have that memory?

When I was in junior high or early high school I got this job shoveling Mr Rhoda's office and I swear the year I signed up for that the sky let loose and dumped so much and such heavy snow that my back will be paying for it later. He got the best deal ever that year - since I got paid by the snowstorm - not the amount of snow. It was character building.
I digress.

Yesterday the snow changed in the afternoon. We have been warming up around here. Astrid and I made a snowman then turned him into a cool snow fort! I used a boxy pail to make "bricks" and I was a became a total machine producing them! I think I got down to about 3.8 seconds per bucketful. I tried to get Astrid to help by filling up the holes between these bricks, but she was too busy climbing up the wall and sitting on her "throne" that I made her. After a while I glanced at Astrid. Her eyes had that far away, sleepy look...she was sucking on some snow....with snot running down her face. In my frantic burst of energy, acting like a child, I hardly realized I was shirking my motherly duties. But, it was so much fun!

When Astrid and I are cooped up indoors we look for fun in the corners of the house. She dragged this paper bag out from between the dryer and the wall the other day.

...and it reminded me of a photo of my sister, Genevieve and I, from January 77.

Genevieve and I have birthdays in December. (we had just turned 3 and 4 years old.)

A few weeks ago I asked my friend Wilson if he and I could build a doll house together for Astrid. Wilson can build anything. He is a master at what he does and, lucky for us, he loves spending time in his shop. I found these books at the library for inspiration and I can hardly contain myself. I hope this doesn't turn into another snow fort.

Here's our progress so far.

The dimensions are 30" (width) X 34" (height) X 12" (deep)

I'm estatic about this dollhouse, even in its undone state. Maybe even more excited than Astrid will be when she sees it at Christmas. We'll see.

creature of habit

2010-11-30T22:20:00.005-07:00

I've been making the pilgrimage to the top of Mount Sentinel for 13 years, now, since I first moved to Missoula. I've trudged up in the pouring rain, blustering gale force winds and snow, in the middle of the day under a big beautiful sky, late at night in the dark lit only by the lights of Missoula. 102 degrees... 2 degrees. We've seen the beauty in each other at every temperature.

Big things have happened on the top. My husband dropped to one knee and proposed to me in mid-January one year... And after Dad died Jeff and I spread his ashes in the branches and at the base of a majestic ponderosa pine.

I will never tire of her. Sentinel ablaze with wildflowers in the Spring and Summer. Sentinel's sexy curves gold-hued and velvety on a crisp Fall day. Sentinel covered in a soft blanket of snow in the Winter. For every season there is a reason to make it across town to see her.

Grandest ideas and desires are born when I sweat...and Sentinel, my old loyal friend, keeps the core of me protected. She's a soulmate. A secret keeper. When I free mind up there she only whispers back with a gentle wind through her pines. It's carried off somewhere up Pattee Canyon, and a heavenly silence in my soul remains. I always feel lighter when I return to the bottom.

Since Astrid was born I've had to leave Sentinel for periods of time to hike closer to my house (and in the shade of Blue Mountain's trails) but I always come back to her open arms.

I've been making a habit of her lately, and it feels so good.

I hope I can make it up that mountain forever.

I met a lady today and unexpectedly spent an hour hiking with her on Waterworks hill....her territory, her favorite place. She is 79 years old (80 in January) and she reminds me where I would like to be when I arrive at 79. She was a spry little thing, almost danced up the trail, and with all the layers she was wearing coming up behind her she had me believing that she was a woman half her age. She walked fast, and was quick to smile.

We covered some ground in that hour, and I was captivated by her immediate identification of birds by their call. In some cases I couldn't even hear it, and she is over twice my age! We talked about the fact she is getting a pace maker next week, due to the fact that her heart "works more like a washing machine than a pump" and about her goal of making it to the top of Waterworks hill on her birthday on January 25th.

She was, in a word, insprational, and she made my day.

This is the beautiful stranger named Elizabeth who I spent a very important hour with this morning, who is not such a stranger anymore.:

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In other news:

I ate my first burger in 18 years a couple weeks ago. Jeff went hunting and brought home an elk, so I figured I would eat a little since I have never had it. I thought I might be sick after such a long time without meat, but I am happy to report no ill effects. In fact, although a pescatarian for nearly two decades, I might eat elk on occasion, as long as we have it in our freezer. I'm pretty sure this elk led a remarkable life, well, up until the moment he was shot. I'm very thankful for the opportunity to eat the meat that my hunter-gatherer brought home to us this season.

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When we had the cold spell a couple weeks ago it was difficult to get outside with the little one so we holed up and played with some of Astrid's favorite "toys". Buttons and rocks occupy hours of time in the living room. We have so much fun making cairns and obstacle courses for tiny horses and pigs and other tiny animals.

Who could've forseen that my rock collection would get so much use after all these years! I think Astrid has the rock fettish just like her mama.

Mama's buttons are nice, too.

Here's a surprising moment. Astrid was not crazy about her costume I made until we went to a Halloween party with the other kids dressed up, but now, she is interested in wearing it around the house.

Last weekend we went up to the lake and we had a blast sledding on the driveway! Hello Winter! It was cozy in the camp with the wood stove packed with wood.

Astrid - 29 Months Old

Skagit - less than humored by all the nonsense.

This past weekend we went out for our annual trek in the woods for that perfect Christmas tree. We made some memories and walked around a bunch didn't bring a tree home. We are hoping next Sunday will be our lucky day.

More to come on DRAGON PUPPETS later this week. I have been meaning to post the photos of finished puppets of the gals who took my puppet classes at Loopy this Fall.

snippets

2010-11-08T21:31:00.002-07:00

Time.

Time has gotten away from me once again, and there is just too much ~ so I'll have to give you snippets...

Here is a photo I came across today that reflects to me just how fast time slips by...

Astrid was just shy of 5 months old...almost two years ago to the day...

It is a blessing and a curse to take as many photographs as I do. It is a gauge of how much time has passed, but there is also a little sting when I look at this tiny girl in my backpack. Maybe it is a little sadness about time gone by. I do feel I've enjoyed every second of time, even the tantrums (after we get through them, that is), and the not-so-pretty moments of parenthood (there is more on the not-so-pretty later in this post, as a matter of fact).

We shut down the camp a few weeks ago. Of course we continue to go up there through the winter but it is a little less convenient without running water. Jeff had a burn pile going all weekend, too. He took down several beetle killed pines. Astrid and I kept ourselves plenty busy kayaking around the lake, throwing the ball for Skag, and crawling on the forest floor digging around to see all the cool stuff under the needles and moss. We were also put to work pulling down a dead tree! Jeff connected one of the trees to the Subaru with a long rope and when he gave us the signal we pulled it down.

We discovered these beautiful white berries all around the camp that day. Astrid thought they were eggs... and there was one that looked exactly like a miniature white bird with her eyes closed tight. She guarded them closely all afternoon until she squished the tiny "bird" by mistake. We wrapped her in a band aid (like a sleeping bag) but the love was sort of gone after that.

I will never ever tire of watching the fog that often lingers on the lake this time of year.

After the last mowing job of the season Astrid got a fast whirl around the yard with Dad. She couldn't stop giggling. I just like this photo of the two of them for some reason.

We carved a relatively friendly pumpkin and baked the yummy seeds. Mmmmm they were good. Sorry to admit, we didn't save any for Daddy. Maybe if it had been a larger pumpkin.

My friend Deidad got sworn in as a Naturalized US citizen. It was a very powerful ceremony to witness, especially since I knew how much it meant to Deidad and her family with two young daughters. There were 25 people from 20 different countries being sworn in that day at Federal Court in Missoula. I felt privileged to be part of it.

I took some photos of two beautiful girls: Ruby (6 months) and Monica.

In a serious sort of mood, and I love it!

A long awaited book arrived. We are crazzzzzzzzzy about Mr. Magee around here.

There were trips to area pumpkin patches leading up to Halloween.

Sweet Seanie boy.

The easiest goin' guy I know, AND the most smiley.

I went to two 1/2-Griz games with Astrid and Jeff.

Astrid has this book called "The Great Monte Mystery" and she is just crazy about that bear.

Astrid with some other little Grizzly fans.

I love seeing these two together.

The Halloween costume I made for Astrid was quite a hit with her friends. The idea was born back in July, and was easily carried out when Astrid got sick one weekend in early October and I had tons of couch time with my feverish babe on my lap. A sort of impromptu knitting job truly inspired by my "Friendly Dragon Puppet" pattern, which I'm happy to report is finally online and for sale on Ravelry. Ravelry users just type in "Friendly Dragon Puppet" in search criteria.

I think I will write up the pattern for this Halloween costume before next Halloween. This is "Astrid the Friendly Dragon":

Funny thing about the costume she wasn't much into it until she saw the other kids in their costumes. It might have had something to do with the fact that sometime in mid October Astrid went through this phase of completely noodling her way to the floor anytime I asked her politely to do anything (clean up her toys, wash her hands, brush her teeth, STOP running toward the road at full speed, stop crawling onto the table, etc). It seemed she was doing the opposite of what I was hoping for each time. Testing her limits at every moment... None of it was a big deal on the grand scheme, mind you, but it was difficult to get out of the house on those days. I'm so thankful for the ebb and flow. Things happen in waves, so for now I'm enjoying having my girl back (no noodling going on here lately! he he he).

Halloween.

We went to a Halloween party a few days early since we had to be away for a very important date on Halloween weekend.

face paint

Astrid had some one on one time with Monte, and shared cotton candy with one of her favorite friends, Ro..

Then came our excellent roadtrip. We drove to Portland, OR on a Friday, went to my cousin Emily's wedding on Saturday, and drove back Sunday. Thank goodness Astrid is such a good traveller or we would have been in trouble.

We stopped just outside Portland at Horsetail Falls for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich lunch, and to stretch our legs.

The weekend was a whirlwind and Astrid was a whirlwind every place we went in Portland. I swear it was because she'd been cooped up for so long without much of a nap. At Emily and Paul's BBQ she weaved in, under and around each guest atleast a few times. At the wedding it was even crazier trying to keep her "contained". She certainly thought she was the main event.

Astrid playing with groom-to-be Paul (left) and my Uncle David (due to the proximity of Halloween) appearing out of nowhere with this getup on (right) at the BBQ the night before his daughter's wedding.

Astrid's au naturale...coastal curls. Her curls fit her personality to a tee in Portland, and the more she'd run the sweatier and curlier that little head would become.

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The beautiful bride/cousin Emily and dapper cousin Andrew. I have a video of the speech he made at the reception which I'm in the process of uploading to Vimeo. I'll post as soon as it is finished.

The "Auntie" Inquisition.

After this magical evening with relatives I felt I was turning into a pumpkin. I had to get back to the hotel to get some sleep to be able to do the 8 hour drive again first thing the next morning (I had dropped Astrid and Jeff off at the hotel earlier in the evening). I didn't want the night to end. I was just getting used to the idea that I was physically seeing my peeps on the West coast and not the East, especially Andrew. In the 7 years Emily has lived in Portland, he hadn't made it out to see her until her wedding. It was special. Emily and I are the only cousins on Mom's side that live outside of Maine and New England, so events like these are few.

It was déjà vu all over again the next day on the road but we made it home in time to stop by a couple friends' houses to trick or treat.

The lovely Delilah.

Day of the Dead Parade. A walking art piece, and one of the coolest events in our town.

Hiking with my girl on Sentinel.

Climbing trees at the park. I thought it would be brilliant to put Astrid on my back and climb a cottonwood. I realized quickly I couldn't do it, so I left her on the ground while I scampered up 25-30 ft in this old tree, only to look down and see her at the first rung (6 ft up). My heart nearly stopped beating. Clearly it wasn't the best idea I'd ever had. But I know this girl is a tree climber like her Mama, and that makes me happy.

picnic over missoula

2010-10-15T09:47:00.001-07:00

After Kathy took this photo of Astrid and me, she excitedly proclaimed, "You will pay me for this photo, it's so good." and after seeing it I believe her.

My friend Kathy called me yesterday morning with the best kind of idea. She was hoping Astrid and Skagit and I would like to have a dinner-picnic on top of Sentinel with her. We jumped at the invite.

The hike was treasured for a lot of reasons. We haven't hiked with "Auntie" Kathy for quite a long time... unless we happened to see her on Sentinel going the opposite direction... We used to hike with her all the time. When I was pregnant with Astrid we'd trudge up to the top together many mornings a week. When Astrid was 10 days old we started in again (this time carrying her)...but, somewhere along the line it was just easier not to call and make a plan. It was easier to go on our own. First, it was because it took a bit longer to get a baby to the trailhead and wrangled into the backpack... But then I didn't call because I felt I was moving too slow with Astrid's ever increasing weight. I think around the 25 pound mark is when I noticed I was hiking markedly slower than any non-child-carrying friend! I felt guilty ruining someone else's workout when I was sweating just barely leaving the parking lot!

Now that Astrid is 32 pounds, and Kathy is nursing an injury we just might be the perfect combination!

We didn't make it to the very top due to the light fading so fast! We picked a relatively level spot for our picnic.

Checking out the moon over Astrid's shoulder.

Astrid and "Auntie" Kathy watching the light show.

We didn't get back to the trailhead until nearly nine o'clock. There could be no better reason to be late for a bedtime! I was so impressed that Kathy carried Astrid the whole way down in her arms.

end of the daliahs

2010-10-14T10:32:00.060-07:00

The other night we got our first real frost and it killed off the showy daliahs in a neighbor's yard. It always seems so sad each year to see them go out like that....with a bang! A grand finale of sorts. When I drove by them this morning I could still see a few colors, but they will be black by week's end, heads bowed for the season.

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My showy little daliah, Astrid, is finally feeling better. Coming out of the fever medicated haze she was in. Yesterday she was a grouchy little gal, though. Hmm. I suppose if you've been babied since last Saturday and now you have to be a big girl again, it would be quite a shock.

Progress shots of "Astrid the Friendly Dragon Costume" for Halloween:

I don't want to show the whole thing....but I'll give you a glimpse...

Some vicious (yeah, right!) claws!

I'm over halfway done. I will add multi colored spines/horns all the way down the dragon's back, knit one more arm with claws, and two legwarmers with claws, as well. Maybe I'll be done by the end of the weekend. We'll see. Costume to be revealed the week of Halloween! mmmoooooooowwwwwaaa aaa haa (that was supposed to be scary Halloweeny sounding...)

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I wanted to post some new favorite photos of Astrid from last week. We've been trying to go to different trails each hike, instead of our favorite haunts...of course, this is one of our favorite places....Blue Mountain.

We went off-trail for a little while to feel mosses, sticks, and look at other fascinating miniature & grand things.

This makes me very happy. My heart feels full.

The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness. ~ John Muir. (One of my all time favorite quotes - and rings true for me/us every single day.)

This was also very fun last week (the calm before the storm) when we got the materials needed to make little chicks and put them together at home. You can't quite see the detail in this photo, but two of the chicks have three eyes a piece. Perfect!.. all the better to see you with, my dear.

And, you simply can't get out of Michael's without extra supplies, like paint!:

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

birthday

2010-10-09T19:59:00.005-07:00

It's not my real birthday but it is my 1 year knitting birthday today, and to celebrate I'm making something for myself. I know, I know, I have made about a hundred puppets for myself. It's no secret around the Moore household. When Astrid drags the bag of puppets out she always calls them Mama's puppets, and Jeff thinks I'm crazy whenever he sees another one appearing (on my needles) before his very eyes.

Anyway, this is the first adult sized garment I have attempted. Astrid and I just picked up the yarn at Loopy yesterday. Whadoyathink?

I hope I don't end up looking like a purple-people-eater, but I wanted to choose something colorful (looks good on the model)! Everything in my wardrobe is neutral...

I am currently knitting Astrid's halloween costume, but this project (for me) is next.

Speaking of Astralita. This morning I answered her little call "Mamiyamo...Mamiyamo" (one of her words for mama) I could almost feel the heat radiating from her before I entered her door. Our girl was feverish. I immediately stripped her down, gave her some motrin and pulled her into bed and nestled her between us with no covers on.

We were really looking forward to today, since we were hoping to go to half the Griz game in hopes of seeing Monte, Mo and Rocky. Instead, Dad went to the game while the two of us snuggled under varying layers of blankies in the living room, sucking on orange juice popsicles, sipping ice water, reading books, playing games, watching the Griz game on t.v.

I gave Astrid a lukewarm bath this afternoon in hopes of bringing her body temp down, but the o.j. popsicles were the only thing that did the trick. Hippy's tail sure got some suck time.

I feel so helpless when Astrid is sick.

I got some knitting done when Astrid finally fell asleep...Astrid's costume...... Magical Magenta!

This is "Green Bean" the newest addition to the puppet family (before/after felting). He's stirring things up around here already.

I have lots more to catch up on regarding this blog. I have been such a blog-slacker these last couple weeks. I will try to post again tomorrow with lots more photos!

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me, yippee!

the things we do

2010-09-26T14:35:00.003-07:00

The other morning when Astrid woke up and saw me the first words she spoke were "Elmo, anywhere?" and "Mama, did lou bring Elmo home last night?" (ending on a high note...and no "lou" it is not a typo, it means "you").

My quick response was: "Ohhhhhh, Elmo? He decided that he wanted to sleep out under the stars last night." (ending the statement with a smile on my face and excitement in my eyes, so that she wouldn't worry...in fact she might have drawn the conclusion that Elmo was having quite a marvelous adventure). I was going to make this right. I needed to find Elmo.

It had just been the day before that Astrid and Skagit and I had hiked Waterworks Hill. We don't frequently go over there, but, since we had to drop something downtown at Daddy's office, it made sense. I have always categorized Waterworks Hill as a 'wimpy hike', and by the standard of other hikes around town, it is. It is fairly level (comparatively), open, and the big aversion for me is that it seems to be teeming with people whenever we go.

We had such a wonderful time the morning we went, and I have to add it didn't seem wimpy either (with my 32 pound constant companion and DSLR on my back) ~ maybe, just too short. We had good conversation. Everything was perfect, except Elmo got dropped along the trail somewhere, and I didn't notice until we got back to the car. I figured I would just keep it quiet until I could check back at the trailhead that night after teaching a class downtown. Elmo wasn't there when I checked that night, so I quickly hatched a plan.

I didn't have Astrid with me the next morning when I set out to make the situation right. I was able to retrace our steps from the day before and remember our hike together. The soft wind that blew in carried with it Astrid's tiny voice asking me about absolutely everything along the way...

To Astrid:

Equipped with my favorite coffee in town, Skagit and I trudged up the trail. Searching every cranny for that little red monster of yours.

He wasn't anywhere along the first part of the trail where I remember spotting him in your arms when I glanced back at you looking so sweet in your new glasses.

We looked up on the ridge. He hadn't crawled up there to be comforted by the lights of Missoula in the middle of the night.

He wasn't hiding in the birdhouses along the fence that we had stopped to take a closer look at. He wasn't in the grove of cottonwoods where we stopped in our tracks to watch atleast a dozen birds fluttering about, singing confidently.

I thought for sure we would see him on the last stretch where I picked two difrerent grasses for you to hold before reaching the top. Skagit said she caught his scent a few times..., but, upon further sniffing, he was gone.

He wasn't at the Peace Sign where I let you out of the backpack to walk,

...or at the spot you took a hard fall while your hands were still in your sweatshirt pockets. (Poor little darlin).

No one called us to tell us that they found him... At this point, I have to assume that some dog could be using him as a chew toy, so, I did what any good mother would do....

.......

Best six bucks I ever spent...

the last bits

2010-09-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

Today is the last "official" day of Summer and it is not very Summery out there...but we have been squeezing the life out of the last little bits this past week or so.

I shot a wedding for friends at their home on September 11th.

I had a Sunday afternoon session with a silly brother-sister pair, Claire and Benjamin:

...and out to the river one evening with some dear friends.

Kayla is a senior this year:

We watched the last Summer sunrise at the lake...then after breakfast we loaded into the canoe for our ritual loop around Turtle Island. While on the water we noticed the coolest clouds overhead.

Later that day we floated a stretch of the Clark Fork with our girls:

...and Astrid exposed her toesies.

We shared some hot cocoa.

We played in the sand under a big beautiful sky.

Tell me, what's better than this on a Sunday afternoon?:

Today, we ventured over to Missoula Maze to mark the end of Summer with some great friends. They offer free pony rides Tuesdays ~ and we were all over it!

"Thanks for the ride, Fizzy."

The little boy was showing Astrid and Ro how to pat the horse.

My little Irish lassie, Erin, her wee lad, Sean Michael, and a goat's bum.

"Here, Chicky, Chicky, Chicky..." The petting zoo was the biggest hit with my girl.

Ro Ro rockin' the swing .... Astrid rockin' her new glasses.

The gals helping Christina walk Fizzy to the water...and balancing on the giant tires.

I'm always a little emotionally mixed this time of year when Summer disolves and Fall settles in. I love Fall, but I love the light that Summer brings, and I will be looking forward to seeing her again next year... Happy Fall Equinox!

indian pipe

2010-09-16T08:43:00.000-07:00

Indian Pipe is the name of the wildflower that I spotted in the woods nearly two weeks ago! (Thanks, Erik!!)

I know it may seem silly to some... to want to know what I'm looking at, to identify, to read about its characteristics and meaning, and to try to commit it to memory... for the next time we meet along the trail.

But, it makes complete sense to me...

I took so many photos along the trail that day, but we had some miles to cover. I wish I had spent some extra care to fix the aperture on this one for a deeper depth of field. Next time I see it, I will.

i can see clearly now

2010-09-14T12:58:00.001-07:00

...now that I have glasses!

The night Astrid was born I didn't sleep one wink. I was too busy studying every little detail, every nuance of this beautiful face that looked familiar yet brand new. The way her full lips curled up just like her father's, a dimple in her chin like mine and her Grampy Stephen's, and the most uniquely amazing eyes I have ever seen. A perfect rosy, round, warm, soft, tiny human being.

The windows to Astrid's soul are beautiful (and filled with mischief 99.9% of the time, which, by the way, I completely adore).

Even her pediatrician at first examination in the hospital didn't notice her eye. Not like her Mama. I noticed something different, something special about one of her eyes. I noticed what we would later learn is persistent pupillary membrane (the white kite shape) on the side of her left pupil, appearing to pull the pupil toward the inside of her eye. (in fact, neither of her pupils are perfectly centered)

On day seven of her life (which seemed like a lifetime to wait) we saw a pediatric opthalmologist. I was so worried that she would see double (once she could actually see clearly). He assured me that since the persistent pupillary membrane was not covering her pupil there was a good chance that it would not effect her eyesight at all. Eyesight is a forgiving sense (in the sense it doesn't necessarily matter where the pupil is located on the iris). Of course, on day seven you can't tell a whole lot, but we have been to see him several times since then. I always felt so much better after our appointments. Everything was going to be ok.

When she was 1 year old we went for an appointment and he thought that she might even be able to have 20/20 vision despite the fact that the optic nerve in the left eye was a tiny bit smaller than the right.

our little darlin'

Last week, when we visited his office he took an even deeper look (since she can follow instruction and answer questions it made the process even easier.) After dilating her eyes he found her "special" eye to be slightly farsighted and to have astigmatism causing that eye to be a litle fuzzy all the time. He called her condition Amblyopia. Basically her brain does not have as strong a connection as the other eye has. He prescribed glasses for Astrid.

When I first heard the news I was sad that she had been seeing a fuzzy world. I was sad when I thought that her glasses would cover up her amazing hazel eyes. I was sad because I blamed myself... I didn't let Astrid know, though. Jeff and I wanted only a positive experience for her. After a pep-talk from my husband and a good night's sleep I realized these emotions were ridiculous and after the initial shock wore off we got busy.

The last few days we have spent time finding the right frames. It was fun!!!!! We tried on tons of frames at a few different places. Dark ones. Light ones. Thin ones. Thick ones. Frames that could be bent to fit around her ears. Some that could not. Fashionable ones. Functional ones.

a little too wide, but adorable

In the end we settled on function for our two-year old. She will bring fashion to anything she wears.

we likey very much.

More photos later this week!...once I can get her to keep them on her head for more than 2 second increments. It seems the only time I can get her to wear them for longer periods is when we are reading books (makes sense!).

good for what ails me

2010-09-10T11:07:00.002-07:00

Last year I won a raffle drawing for a "Flight over the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness" at the Selway-Bitterroot Foundation fundraiser. Actually, this was the second time in a row that I won it (I gave it away the first time since I was the one collecting money for the tickets that year). When I won it a second time I figured there was probably a reason I should keep it. (I designed the SBF website, by the way!) This past Friday my friend Lisa and I got flown into the Selway-Bitteroot Wilderness and hiked out, 25 or so miles, over a couple days.

Feeling oh so connected.

Being dwarfed by an old growth cedar forest, staring in amazment at an age old migration, listening to my own heartbeat, my own breaths, my own feet hitting the trail, carrying a pack that doesn't contain my child, gathering dirt in my shoes, taking photographs of the world around me, dipping my tired feet in a cold creek, studying Mother Nature's way, taking time look at the tiny things along the way, watching my dog run, and some uninterrupted time with a friend are all good for what ails me.

My trusty companion during the early morning car shuffle on Lost Horse Road to the Bear Creek TH, just South of Hamilton.

Bob Schumaker. We were supposed to fly in a different plane, but the battery was dead so we got a more roomy model.

Lisa, Ellis, and Bob.....and my girl behind the back seat.

Leland - our pilot.

Just about to land at the Moose Creek Ranger Station.

Lisa had to bring in a special delivery for Ranger, Host and Crew.

And the trade out for a slice of freshly baked bread was a bonus.

Host Dee & Forest Ranger Anna

The mighty beautiful (and rattlesnake ridden) Selway River.

Skagit snug behind me on the trail so she doesn't scare up any snakes.

Ellis belly down in the cool mud.

Pack Bridge over Bear Creek near where it dumps into the Selway.

Bear Creek.

If you look closely you can see salmon and the salmon redds in Bear Creek in these amazing pools.

It is almost unfathomable to me that they swam all the way across Washington, all the way across Idaho...just shy of Montana. They were 12 miles from the pass (Montana border). We watched them in their spawning frenzy for what seemed to be over an hour.

My absolute favorite part of the trip are in the photos that follow: The cedar forest.

My girl is so beautiful I can't stand it. She makes my heart beat to see her on the trail up in front of me...leading the way.

Every color in the rainbow could be found on this hike.

Mother Nature thought of everything! Even a tasty treat for those walking along the trail.

Maidenhair Fern, and a wildflower I can't identify. Do you know what it is? Lower left: Mother Nature reclaims!

Towards the end of the hike....near Bear Creek Pass and the Trailhead.

Shortly after this was taken Lisa and I each had a Cold Smoke that I had left in a cooler in the car. It was ice cold and tasted great... at first. Of course, it promptly went to my head and came back up at the end of the long car ride down the twisty road.

The dogs were laid out in the back...one sprawled out over the seat, the other lying on the floor...both with their heads still up to make sure they didn't miss anything, but both sets of eyes closed.

The only part of the trip that wasn't so pleasant was the amount of knapweed along the Selway and the lower part of Bear Creek. My ankles to my knees were bloodied and itchy for days.

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Astrid watches next to zero T.V., but occasionally we go to Sesame Street online to find some entertaining clips. These are kinda sweet. We like them. Plus, they are sort of appropriate to my post!

my girl on the trails

2010-08-25T12:54:00.001-07:00

My friend Marie was mentioning that I don't frequently post photos of Astrid and I on the trails. I'm in a quandary since I'm already carrying roughly 35 pounds on my back when we hike...Do I have enough room and energy for another few pounds? Probably. Anyone who knows me, knows that my camera is more like a limb than a piece of equipment. It is always with me.

This is my new favorite (cell phone) pic of Astrid. We were on a BIG Blue Mountain last week. We usually stuff the backpack with a blanket in front of Astrid so that she is more comfortable without the shoulder straps (see photo of us below) and so her knees don't get chaffed...the blanket got dropped near the top of the hike. I didn't realize this until we were 1/3 of the way back down the mountain. It was a workout and a half that day. The blanket simply couldn't be left behind (it is a beautiful blanket that was sewed by Auntie Katie).

I swear if I don't have my camera with me the most AMAZING things seem to happen (and I cannot capture it - except with my own memory). Marie and Astrid (in the jogger stroller) and I went out on a walk last week while we were visiting them. At about 9:05pm there was a most incredible sunset...everything was in perfect alignment...except that I dind't have my camera.

Thank goodness for camera phones. They are not the greatest quality but they do the job in a pinch.

Most of our photos look the same since I still just have my own arm to take the photo and my arms, although they are extremely long, I can barely fit both of us in the frame. Forget trying to get Skagit in there.

This is why I don't post many pics of us on the trail. They all pretty much look the same. Same girls, different day, ever changing background.

I got a stranger to take this one the other day.

yes, that is a ducky in her hand

Astrid picked a little fallie (flower) on the way down. Lately I have been letting her hike at the very end (when I can see the car or we'd never get out of the woods! he he he). She is enjoying this freedom.

There is another backpacking trip in our near future. Early next week Astrid and I are hoping to make it to a lake in the Bitterroots for an overnight.

one tree

2010-08-24T05:40:00.001-07:00

We are missing our Canadian friends this week soooooo much.

Can you tell?

Astrid is a constant reminder of our trip, since she can't stop talking about the piggies, turkeys and collecting chicken eggs. Paddy (one of Don and Marie's sons) is also sorely missed. She cornered him several times at the kitchen table...book in hand and begging to be read to...waiting for him to pay her some attention.

While we were at the farm I interviewed Don. The last question Iasked was if he had anything he would like to add that we hadn't covered. Here is his response.

ruzicka sunrise farm

2010-08-19T23:36:00.000-07:00

“We abuse the land because we regard it as a community belonging to us. When we see the land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.” ~ Aldo Leopold

I sort of chuckled to myself yesterday as I turned to admire my freshly mowed grass... It more resembled a freshly mowed hayfield that needed baling than a lawn. It has looked this way the whole Summer... a strong indicator that we have other priorities...

We have been so busy with visitors, parties, dinners, get-togethers at the lake, and traveling I haven't made time to write since...August 4th! Are you kidding me! Just where does the time go.

This past (long) weekend the whole world melted away as we drove deeper and deeper into Canada - to a very special place called RUZICKA SUNRISE FARM.

We have visited Don and Marie twice before. Once in November 2006, and again when I was 7 months pregnant with Astrid in April 2008. we were especially looking forward to this trip since it was the first time we would be up there during the Summer (with the farm in full swing).

This trip with Astrid was even more amazing than I could have dreamed it would be, starting with the 10 hour car trip. She only slept for a half hour but was contented with books, toys, and of course, 4 or 5 small duckies. The kid is a dream traveler.

When we arrived we discovered that Marie had checked out 30 books from the Killam Community Library. She had pulled a whole bunch of toys (mostly farm oriented) from the 80s out of the cellar. (I can't believe I didn't get a photo of the little barn with the door that moos when you open it! I totally remember that from my childhood. From Grammy Madge's house, I think) She had borrowed a portable crib for the house for Astrid to nap in, and had a booster seat all ready for Astrid's little buns to sit in at the table. She thought of everything...

It was wonderful to spend time with Don and Marie and see the farm, but it was doubly enjoyable for me to experience it through my child's eyes. Just as in our daily lives here in Missoula, having a child sort of gives you permission to enjoy it as if you were a child.

I love this photo I happened to snap of Astrid watching the hogs. So mesmerized...not quite knowing what to do with her hands, held out from her body apparently for balance while in her pig-trance. I was in a pig-trance, too. They were my favorites to watch.

gobble gobble

We were too late for the chickens, but there were some laying hens on the farm. Astrid had fun collecting the eggs each day.

oops

My trusty assistant & favorite subject drove around on the quad with me one afternoon to take photographs.

watching those curious piggies again!

after a long day at the farm...

Don & Marie's Farm (the only Organic Farm in the county) was featured in the Beaver County Bounty self-guided driving tour of area farms and gardens. They came in droves to find out more about Don & Marie's organic farming model. It was so cool to see all the kids who came along, too. Jeff accompanied Don on all the tours, even drove an extra truck (with folks in the back of the pickup) for one or two of the tours.

After one of the tours these three kids were waiting for their parents to finish talking. They discovered the only kitten in the barnyard could be caught. Check out the boy on the left in each picture. Can you tell that he was hoping for his turn holding the kitten?

I realize I took about a million photographs of my little Astrid, but it was a complete playground for me. The backdrop was rich, full of LIFE, and I simply couldn't help myself.

Firsts. Astrid rode her first horse last weekend. Snowball seemed like a perfect choice for a first ride, since she is over thirty years old and has plenty of experience. Snowball's owner, 9-year old Halle (a cousin of the Ruzicka's) showed her the ropes.

Information on Don and Marie's farming practices and their roles as stewards of their land can be found on their website I designed for them a few years ago. It continues to amaze me the passion Don has for this way of farming. I would love to tell you all about it, in my own words, but I'm sure I won't get all the important details, so go to this site.

I did want to add one thing, though. This is BRILLIANT. Don's hog pens double as a fertilizer for the land. He moves the pens twice a day. Can you see the swath of land that is left behind the pens as the hogs do their work of rooting, and rolling and pooing and having a grand ol' time?

In this photo you can see the wide green line of grass. This is growth since June. I think the fertilizer works like magic.

the welcoming commitee
Here are a few more photos of Marie's handy work. I'm convinced that she is the most amazing cook on the planet. She made a birthday cake complete with ducky candles (an instant hit with Astralita). She hung balloons and decorations and even altered the napkins!

The first time we visited we wanted to surprise Don and Marie with some sushi rolls. We brought nori and some wasabi from Missoula then gathered the rest of what we needed in nearby Camrose. They enjoyed it so much that we made it again this trip.

There was lots of reading...

feeding.

following (like a little duckling).

and always that sense of wonder...

We are inspired with our spirits and souls refueled. Jeff's even talking about getting a couple laying hens. Who knows what the future holds.

Here is a sildeshow of the above images plus a few more:

lucky girl

2010-08-04T08:51:00.001-07:00

Fate brought Jeff and I together in 1999. If we hadn't bought our motorcycles that Summer... and if the instructor hadn't let me slip into the class after the '5 minutes late policy'... and the seat next to Jeff hadn't been available, if he hadn't gotten my phone number... and if I hadn't been around to take that call... and, and, and... Astrid might not have existed. We can't imagine our lives without this little darlin.

I think we figured out what she will be for Halloween this year (if we get back to Missoula from my cousin's wedding in Portland, OR in time for Trick or Treating)...

I finished another dragon puppet this weekend...might be my favorite one yet. Before I threw it into the washing machine to felt it, Astrid tried it on and an idea was born!

I took this video last week just messing around with the video function on my Canon 5D Mark II with a new mic and viewfinder. We made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch and she thought the wedges looked like sailboats. I cannot resist the chunky fingers poking around in the gooey cheese.

These past couple weeks have been a blur. Time is a Blur of summer fun.

Another side note: Skagit is a lucky girl, as are the rest of us! The cone came off along with the drain tube on Monday. Skagit had one last hoorah with her cone, though. On the way out to the car to go to the vet she jetted past Astrid at breakneck speed, the cone hit Astrid with such force it launched her into the landscaping to the side of the walk. Thank God that cone is history!!!!!

sad but brave: Skagit Goddess of the Mountains

2010-07-29T12:04:00.000-07:00

My little Skagit does not look much like a goddess of any mountain today...

The Goddess of Sadness. Is there such a thing?

A lump on her lower jaw seemed to appear (& grow larger quickly) out of nowhere a couple weeks ago. My brother-in-law who was visiting thought I was obsessing, thought I was imagining this thing doubling in size (overnight). I got an appointment that we would have to wait 5 days for....I called back and begged for a sooner one and got it.

I hoped for the best, but I found myself tearing up thinking about the "what ifs" waiting for this appointment for ~~man's~~ my best friend over the weekend. This girl has been through so much with me and my family. She is, without a doubt, the world's greatest dog, and the best dog I could ever have hoped for. I knew the day I brought her home my life wouldn't ever be the same again. My mornings would never be the same again. She's the one that sat at my feet right next to me on vigil, steadfast, strong, silent but so very present during my labor pains with Astrid. She makes me feel like the most important person in 'the world according to Skagit'. Just last weekend she amazed all my friends with her loyalty. She swam all the way across the lake just to get into my canoe ~ to be with me. I swear her heart is the biggest organ by far.

I had to beg and beg and beg for this dog like you have no idea.

3 1/2 months old on her first backpacking trip.

The prognosis after lots and lots of worry is an infection (which is good that it is not a tumor). But the infection (which was caused by who-knows-what, maybe cheatgrass) turned into an abscess that had to be drained.

my girls

The slouchy "get this thing off me, Mama" stance.

Skag: Sad but Brave. The drain tube is sort of ghastly if I think about it too much. I am the one who has to clean it, and it is the least I can do for her after all she does for me.

I'm so glad that my friend will be getting this tube out on Monday, and on the road to a full recovery. I don't dare tell her today that the cone (Elizabethan Collar!) will be around for a little while (until stiches come out)!

camping with astrid

2010-07-27T08:44:00.000-07:00

I used to think I was so efficient packing in a matter of minutes for an overnight trip into the woods, a river trip, or a biking adventure. I had it down to a science, since I was out almost every single weekend (if I wasn't traveling for work). The houses I rented during those years with friends were nothing more than places to store my stuff. I lived pretty minimally, I didn't own much, and it seemed I was never ever home. I guess you could say the outdoors was my home at that time in my life. It was my living room and my bedroom and everything in between.

I would go with the bare minimum on many of the trips....a sleeping bag, pad, a tarp in case of rain, water, water filter, and some food that didn't need to be heated (sure, some emergency stuff, but nothing I didn't need). I went on a few ultralight adventures and these were my favorites. We could cover a lot of ground and setup/break down camp quickly and move into some pretty awesome country. Places that would be a little more difficult to get to if you were wearing a huge pack. The sights we could see on those trips were so amazing...scaring up Elk and Deer in the high rocky outcrops, scree slopes we could scramble up in a breeze, and mountain meadows teeming with every sort and color of wildflower.

I tossed in a couple chem lights which ended up being a "hit" with the girls and doubled as a nightlight in the tent.

I'm so glad I had these experiences. I'll carry them with me forever.

It is a huge dichotomy to what my outdoor trips are now with a child... The trips are equally (if not more) rewarding although they couldn't be more different in every way, and one requires much more planning.

I used my old packlist last week to use for the basics and I crossed off quite a few items and added a lot more; including but not limited to the following: plenty of varied snacks, more food than necessary, books, many more clothing layers than might have been necessary (better to be safe than sorry was what I was thinking when I packed for this first one), pull up diapers, big girl underwear, wipes, (I actually considered bringing her porta potty since she is potty training, I KNOW, completely ridiculous. Thankfully Astrid loves to squat and tinkle and poo in the grass!) deet free bug spray, tons of sunscreen, favorite blanket, favorite comfort item "Hippie", pretty much extra evvvvverrrythiiiiing.

Astrid's buddy Jessie brought some of her beads. She shared with her in the tent.

When we started planning this trip a few weeks ago I figured I would have her in the backpack and then just hang everything from it with caribiners. We were hoping to get to Glen Lake in the Bitterroots but with further thought we realized it would be a mosquito fest at the lake so we decided on the good old Rattlesnake Recreation Area for our first try at backpacking with the little gals. The Rattlesnake is 4.5 miles North of Missoula. We set a course up the main Rattlesnake Corridor with a nice wide double track. Two of my friends settled in on the idea of bringing strollers. Brilliant! I took the idea and ran with it! I'm glad I opted for this route since Astrid split her time between riding and hiking.

On the way out Astrid caught a catnap in the stroller. Photo by Sharon Hood.

We met at the trailhead at 5:30pm. It gave us time for Sharon to get out of work and pick up her daughter Jessie, for Astrid to get her afternoon nap, and for us to have time to get settled into camp before nightfall.

The trek took 3 hours to make it 4 miles... Astrid (2) and Jessie (3), had a major game of musical chairs. They were in their strollers, they were in each other's strollers, they were back out and on the trail again. I'm pretty sure it was because of these two that it took us so long. We found butterflies and snakes, we ran and we walked, we juggled snacks and drinks and we blew decided on a campsite around 9:15 pm.

The gals stayed up until 11:30 pm and us big girls stay up until 2:00 am. A good time was had by all. I did not get very much sleep, as I had suspected, but it was mostly due to staying up til 2am. But it was so nice to wake up in a tent in the Montana wilderness with my girls by my side.

The plan is to go again in August...maybe next time I'll attempt the backpack! Astrid is already a fan of the tent and this makes me very happy...

adventure under the big sky

2010-07-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

Tuesday Astrid and Skag and I went backpacking (ahem, stroller camping) in Missoula's "big backyard" - The Rattlesnake Wilderness. We were joined by some friends... In total there were 11 girls. 4 girls, 4 little girls, and 3 four legged girls.

The plan was to hike in just past the three mile mark (where camping is allowed) and set up camp for the night for a first non-car camping trip (for three of the four little girls on the trip). I didn't take a ton of unposed photos on this trip since I was too busy filming (more on why in coming months) our experience with my DSLR.

I have much more to tell you about - but I wanted to post these pics for now. Off to another kind of adventure, this morning!

Have a great rest of your week...this post to be continued and expanded upon on Sunday night!

go faster, maybe, mama?

2010-07-14T15:00:00.147-07:00

Some of you may be thinking that I have run out of things to write about? I haven't had any postings in July and the ones in late June were pretty lame, right? I have plenty to say, in fact, too much to really even attempt to truly catch up... It has been so busy around here.

Grandma, Astrid somehow snuck your ducky into the diaper bag on the way out. We'll send him back after a couple more trips to the top of Sentinel with us. This photo:  A sweaty me is a happy me... Astrid is happy if she has a ducky in her hand, and this hat on her head.

The Summer, so far, has been filled tons and tons of things including: hikes on Sentinel, bike rides, swimming, bird watching and flower identifying, almost every weekend at the lake, kayaking, knitting (although it has tapered a bit since my last dragon puppet frenzy), reading, traveling, time with family and friends, and watching Astrid grow and learn, learn, learn.

We went to see Grandma and Grandpa over the 4th of July.

A first ferry ride for Astrid ~ from Mukilteo WA to Whidbey Island.

We went to Whidbey to see these two characters Patsy and Barb and Patsy's husband, Norman...all old college friends Jeff hadn't seen in years.

Norman and Jeff brought these back for dinner that night.

Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Bangin' on our friend Scott's drumset.

We're back in Montana, now....Astrid loves to help Daddy refill the bird feeders each time we go up to the lake.

This past weekend Jeff worked on clearing the trees Missoula Electric Co-op had taken down near the power line.

Having lunch with one of her buddies, Ro-Ro (Roisin-Marie) yesterday.

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Astrid is currently enjoying telling me exactly what she is doing on a moment to moment basis. Instead of talking about herself in the third person (like, Attie do this or Attie do that) she loves to say "I". "I walk up stairs," "I read a book," "I go outside," "I go simmin' (swimming)," and my favorite: "I do self, Mama."

This last month or so my language comes under the microscope. I have a toddler who formulates sentences reflecting my grammar and some of it I find completely irritating (sounds good coming from her mouth, but it irritates me when I realize I sound like a hick!).

Some of the recent findings in my poor grammar include the word "Guy", "Sorry" "Yeah and Yup". "Yeah" was the first real wakeup call, but I find Astrid uses the word "guy" for everything in the world, and now that I'm listening to myself, I see where she gets it. "I need that guy" (pointing to something across the room.) (Guy in this sentence could refer to a teddy bear, her father, a skirt, a yogurt pop, a book. I knooooooow).

No one ever told me I was such an apologetic person either.  I found out these last few weeks just how "sorry" it sounds to say sorry all the time. For example, when I am moving my legs around to make myself more comfortable at a table and I hit someone by mistake, I usually say "sorry" (in that Northern Maine accent which can be confused with a Canadian accent). What I should be saying is "excuse me". For some reason it just sounds so sad coming out of my child's mouth. "Sowwy, Mama." (makes me want to cry when it is relating to potty training, since the last thing I want Astrid to feel is sorry or ashamed of making a mistake.)

We spend a lot of time in the bathroom these days, so today we made it fun by bringing in my guitar and a ukelele for Astrid! We made up a potty song.

Another thing that she said today was "I. Love. Peoples." This might be my new favorite thing she says, well, it might be tied with "Go faster, maybe, mama?" (the sentence climbing higher and higher in pitch and lower in volume and ending sounding like a tiny little mouse...). She says this near the top of Sentinel almost every time. We are usually on our way down.

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Today, I'm feeling quite the opposite of how I used to feel in the Summers as a child. Sometimes I wish there was a pause button. Life goes faster and faster the older and older I get. There are so many things on this growing and endless list of to-do's (that expand with Summer and the ability to work on something without the snow or cold as a factor). Most of these are things I put on myself. No one else cares if they get done. Most of the time I feel like it doesn't matter either, but today I'm feeling like I could enjoy all the "fun" times even more if I could just ________ (fill in the blank here; weed that front landscaping, mow the lawn, clean the kitchen, do the dishes, advertise my business, call and make that appointment, write those thank you notes, complete that website, order that part, repaint those two spots in the bathroom, write the bills). I think these feelings of being overwhelmed are more a testament to the amount of sleep I have had than any one thing. I know this because sometimes have too many things on my plate that I want to accomplish and find myself completely paralized and having the opposite effect (i.e. I cannot even manage to get one of these items crossed off my list)... I have a flight response. This is the moment I walk away from the list, turn up the music and dance around the living room (or escape to my blog, which, as you guessed, I am doing now).

A two to three hour window in the afternoon (while Astrid is taking her nap) flies by if I don't have an organized plan of attack once she hits the sheets. And, today was not a productive day, folks... There's always tomorrow!

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This morning we had sort of a rocky morning. As I described to a friend it was as if Astrid and I were like pin balls around the house tripping over Skagit, books, toys and other scattered items, butting heads (she has this kicking habit when I try to put pull ups on her - and she nearly breaks my nose with the force of her kick), feeling cooped up. Once we were ejected outside our spirit changed. We ran some errands and on our way to meet a friend for lunch we stopped by the post office and found the most amazing gift EVER!  My dearest friend "Auntie" Ann knows of Astrid's fondness (obsession) with duckies and she sent these beautifully painted canvases to Astrid. I just had to show you. They are 4 inch square canvases and they are beyond amazing! Astrid is bonkers about them.

We are greedily packing in as much fun this Summer as we can. We are looking forward to a mother-daughter backpacking trip we are in the midst of planning with some friends!! Astrid will be in the backpack and everything else sort of hanging/attached to it (somehow?) ... Not sure exactly how this is going to work, but I'm excited about a different kind of adventure in the backcountry (one that includes my girl).

Parting Shot:

These are the 6 Friendly Dragon Puppet friends that live with us. I have made and given away most of the 16 of these guys/gals...but these ones remain with me.

In birth order: Clarence, Penelope, Rafael, Poppy, Violet and Otis. I'm teaching a class on How to make a Friendly Dragon Puppet at Loopy in September!

ahhhhh, summertime!

2010-06-29T07:52:00.000-07:00

do you remember the days?....the timeless summer days of childhood... It is so fun to watch and relive it, now. This photo was taken last week while up on Flathead visiting "Auntie" Kathy.

my rock

2010-06-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

I have been married to Jeff Moore for 7 years, today. It amazes me how quickly time passes....and also that it can feel like yesterday all in the same breath.

I've known Jeff for nearly 11 years. I met him at a motorcycle safety course in July 1999. I walked in 5 minutes late and had a choice to sit next to this slobby guy playing with his lip ring, or Mr. Handsome. I chose Mr. Handsome, who happened to also be the sweetest guy in the world.

The course was two days long and in that time we laughed so hard at times at the riding portion of the class in the parking lot. By the end of that second day Jeff scrambled to get phone numbers from all the people in the class - saying that we should have a reunion ride once we all get our motorcycle endorsment. Later, naive me finds out that the only number he really wanted to collect was mine.

The rest is history....and as I was looking through some photos that are on my computer today to find one appropriate for this blog entry... I found that my favorite photos are the ones of us outdoors doing something fun.

Not the greatest quality images to follow:
Riding from Butte to Missoula one weekend in 2000.

Cooling off in Rock Creek along the way.

A couple photos from out trip to Alaska in 2001. He was our support and gear wagon for the 1200 mile ride. The drive to Alaska and back with Jeff was one of the most fun times I've had.

This was deemed our "dreamsite" (campsite, that is). Most of the other camp sites we had were inundated with mosquitos.

This was one of those mosquito ridden campsites.

This was what we did sometimes if we didn't want to get eaten by mosquitos....we'd hang out in the truck until we got tired enough to crawl into the tent. If you weren't riding it was hard to stand still in Alaska or you'd get eaten alive. (I apparently thought it would be funny to pretend we were sleeping sitting in the front seat.)

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Wedding Day:

Here are some photos from our wedding day at Snowbowl on an amazing June 28th day, 2003. The very Saturday before it snowed up at Snowbowl. We were supposed to get married on June 21st, but we changed our wedding date to accomodate my sister (maid of honor) Genevieve who had just given birth to Samuel on June 4th!

The rest of these are credited to Chad Harder Photography.

Mom and Genevieve getting ready.

Walking down the aisle hand in hand with my Dad.

My brother David got ordained and married us under a big blue sky.

Our wedding party was made up of all our siblings. Frank, Genevieve, David, Rick and Brian.

Lee and Diane looking fabulous.

Happy Anniversary, Love.

a letter: a time capsule: a treasure: { a dying art }

2010-06-17T20:44:00.001-07:00

Mom called me one afternoon months and months ago wondering what she should do with this box of old letters she had found in the back shed that belonged to me. I knew she was wanting them out of there, but I couldn't have her just chuck 'em in the garbage before I could go through them. It seemed wrong.

One day while I was home in Houlton making my bed in Mom's guestroom I noticed two small paper bags taped up hastily with packing tape and shoved under the bed... I supposed they were waiting for me.

Since we were in my hometown for only 5 days there was simply no time. Visiting was at the top of the list, then knitting with Mom in the evenings after Astrid went to bed. Then there was that headache that set in...

When I was in the process of packing all our stuff in Mom's car to go down to Southern Maine I was sort of grumbling to myself as I balanced Astrid in one arm and ran in and out of the house carrying all the crap we seem to need when we travel... I should just toss these silly things. There's just no room. But then I proceeded to throw them in underneath Mom's bag, some golf clubs, our huge rolling bag, the carry on, the portacrib, and the booster seat. Maybe I'll get a chance to look at them once we lite somewhere, I figured.

I didn't find much time to go through these letters until we were on a roadtrip through Massachusetts (to Rhode Island) to my cousin Patrick's wedding on a Saturday morning.

I'm not sure why Jeff was driving, or how I ended up in the navigator's seat... but with the horrible directions we got, it was a very bad idea. Mostly it was just a bad idea that I had my head in a bag of letters reading them aloud as we drove South.

Needless to say we veered off course a couple of times in our journey. Long story short we got there, on two wheels, mind you, with not a minute to spare, and thankfully the wedding was running a little late.

It was an unexpected delight reading those letters, for everyone in the car (well, except maybe Astrid). The timeframe was 1992-1997 (my college years and one year freshly out of school...just before I headed West), and a few from my high school years (1988-1992). Every letter I read aloud was a one-sided conversation; sometimes a report, sometimes a stream of consciousness, a working through something, a plan to meet. Each was a complete work of art. The way each particular writer's pen hit that paper was charming... some letters carefully curled this way or that, some scribbled with wreckless abandon in what seemed to be an effort to spit a thought out on paper before it was lost to the writer forever, some tiny print, some large and confident, and some with drawings on the letter and elaborate decoration on the envelope.

Because so many years had passed since I read them I appreciated them in a completely different way. Letters are pretty simple all you need is a pen and paper... but it's the love affair between these two things when utilized by different people that intrigues me.

Who knew that we would be so connected today with cheaper long distance rates, cell phones, texting, emailing, instant messaging, facebooking, and blogging that when we receive a letter it is revered and treasured? When I visit the post office to check our box, I won't lie, I scan the pile of junk mail for a handwritten letter, or a personal card. Don't you?

Although these letters were one sided conversations, Mom, Genevieve and I had no trouble filling in the blanks of what was going on at that time in our lives. That is the part that made it interesting for all of us...what was brought up for conversation. Jeff really enjoyed it too. Astrid took pleasure in the escalation and high notes of excitement our converstations would hit when we read and remembered certain things. We shared many laughs and memories, and it was one of my favorite parts of the trip.

I read a lot of letters from Mom and Genevieve while I was in school since they were the most relevant to those in the vehicle. The letters from my sister were about boys she met in college, the friends she had made that first semester at UMF, roommate issues, and some of her deepest 19-year-old secrets she might only tell her sister.

The biggest single writer in my collection was Mom. The letters from Mom were so amazing. They were filled with real life at the Smith household in my hometown of Houlton (4 hours North of where I was, and what seemed like a world away). I loved reading those letters while I was in the dorms. I loved her descriptions, her reports, her drawings and dreams written down for me.

Here are a few I scanned in:

I scanned this one since it is a RARE find. Dad rarely wrote us letters. Frank told me that Dad wrote him one when he was a freshman in college and at risk of getting kicked out because he was goofing off so much. Dad wrote him something to straighten him out. I'm sure it spoke volumes since Dad just didn't write very often.

This is an excerpt from one of Mom's letters. This was a long 4 page letter. Picked up and written on for a few days...and then sent.

Just another one that made my heart skip a beat since I saw it was in Dad's pen....alas, he had just addressed the envelope. Not sure what was inside originally ~ a forwarded letter, a bill, something from the University.

This is an excerpt from a letter from Gram when her hands didn't hurt to write... some words of advice that I needed to hear.

This one is from fellow blogger and old college friend, Dietlind. I imagine that is her under the tree pondering. She has just recently moved back to Maine from San Francisco.

Some of my favorite things about these letters were the P.S.'s... Some were apologies for the bad handwriting, a last minute thought, or an "I love you".

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birthday girl

2010-06-16T12:02:00.001-07:00

Another whole year has passed and it seemed to happen in a flash. I'm sure that next year Astrid will not put up with my shenanigans of the wildflower tiara - so I had to do it one more time. She is still my little forest nymph, my ever-present photography muse...

What a difference 1 year can make:

full of it (both of them)

"run 'round bare feet" as Astrid likes to say

Do you realize how many photos I had to take and how much Jeff had to run around just to get this 24-month photo with our two gals? You have no idea.

Homemade Poppy Seed Chiffon Cake made with love by Mama. She, however, was more interested in the chocolate ice cream.

Happy birthday little one.

two

2010-06-15T13:21:00.001-07:00

There is so much I want to write in this post about my little one turning two, today.... but sometimes a picture says a thousand words...so maybe these will move you as much as they did me.

This is how we started our morning...my favorite girl on my favorite local mountain. I let her "walk self" today. This is the kind of morning that I dreamed about long before she was born.

I'm the luckiest woman on the planet.

bananas & ponderosa pines

2010-06-09T16:08:00.001-07:00

Last Saturday I did 12 miles of the 13-mile course that I will be running this coming Saturday and to say the least, I'm heartened (considering the 3-week hiatus in training). My friend Sharon and I met early at the base of the "M". We were going to run the course sans the dips together, but as we got closer to that trail junction at the top I decided to just go for it and do University Mountain, too. I'm so glad I did since two seconds after I started up the trail I saw this sweet little gal:

Not the greatest image - captured with my cell phone - but you get the idea.

I hadn't done the Beacon in ages and the last time it didn't seem so easy...I remember walking that ridgeline was quite a tease. Just when you think you are on the last hump - just about to reach what you think is the tippy top....NOPE, another hump comes into view after a grueling steep section.

It wasn't easy last Saturday but it didn't take nearly as long as I recalled. I felt like time flew by quickly, then all of a sudden the beacon was in view. I was feeling so empowered and on top of the world once at the top. I wanted to jump out of my gravity bound body and fly. It's the on top of the world feeling that I'm always seeking... and sweating in the outdoors always gets me there. This is the reason we all do it, right?

Saturday, usually the easiest part for me ended up being the toughest part ~ the downhill section! Some friends and I were talking last week about the downhills - some are cautious and some fly like the wind. I was saying that it might be my saving grace, my only shot at gaining some time for my lack of training so close to this race. I'm not usually timid on the downhills. I kind of float (well, I almost feel like I'm floating if it weren't for the sound of my feet hitting the ground) my way to the bottom. Not Saturday morning. My guts suffered miserably. I felt like there was a knife in my side that just kept turning and turning with the landing of each foot. I knew what was causing it. Well, I know what would have prevented it. Some of you may think I'm crazy but a banana is always the magic trick for me. If I had just had a banana in the house that morning!

The green tunnel on the way down the Smokejumpers Trail.

The only thing that was missing on the trail was a black labrador named Skagit. I didn't want to push her too far too fast after her injury.

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Our family headed to the lake this weekend to plant some Ponderosa Pine tree seedlings that the Seeley Lake Ranger District was giving away.

Helping Dad start the fire.

First boat ride of the year.

Jeff was the workhorse of the group. He made the holes and put water in most of them... and as you can see he planted quite a few of the trees, too.

Astrid did her very best to help with the work, but she kept getting distracted by fun stuff like the hose and dumping dirty "du-ti" water from cup to pail, back to cup, etc.

But she was perfectly helpful handing Mama the next tree to be planted.

Balancing a soaking wet and tired Astrid, a pail of trees, and a bucket of water hole after hole was exhausting after a while.

We've had quite a lot of beetle kill near and on our property so it felt good to be replacing some of the trees that died. All in all we planted roughly 35 Ponderosa seedlings around our place. I feel like we planted 35 promises, and we're hoping they all survive!

we won't melt

2010-06-04T15:00:00.010-07:00

Yesterday morning Astrid and I were determined to make it to the top of Sentinel, so before any torrential downpour or any other reason could present a 'why we shouldn't go' ~ we went!

(Why the obsession with duckies? She has always had a weakness for these things... I have had to drag the kid kicking and screaming out of a store on more than a few occasions. She got these two beauts from Auntie Genevieve and has held onto them for over two weeks straight...the beach in Maine...the wedding...and now they have made it to the top of Sentinel. What's next? I can't seem to wrangle them out of her hands...thus...how she happened to get (more like pilfer) them from Auntie.)

We did get sprinkled on from time to time and pummeled by the wind at the top but it felt so good to be out in the fresh mountain air. Astrid had to dismount at the top so I could wrap my orange windbreaker tightly around her fasten the string on her hat for the trip down.

When I first started the hike I felt like I was literally heaving one leg in front of the other in a slow rythmic pace. Feeling the elevation. Feeling the "time off". Feeling the weight of everything. It was even difficult to talk with Chatty "Attie" (Astrid). But the closer I got to the top the more comforable it all got. I sometimes get the feeling (as I did yesterday) it is Dad pulling me to the top. I appreciated his help with my 30+ lb weight... so that we could enjoy this view on the way down.

I also have to tell you that I was very naughty yesterday...I brought Skagit up the mountain with us. The reason I say it was naughty is that Skag got injured while at the kennel during the time that Jeff met us in Maine (Smakwater & Sprezzatura is simply the BEST kennel ever, by the way) most likely she was playing too rough with her sister Jetta who was also there for a couple of days (they often put them together to play throughout the day).

These things happen.

I took her in to see her doctor after I picked her up and we got x-rays. No broken bones, but a recommendation for no activity for 7-10 days. This is torture on Skagit to see me dress in my running garb and then not be able to go. After a couple days of this and she started taking stuffed animals out of Astrid's toybox to get a rise out of me. I gave in when I noticed she wasn't limping anymore. She went on a run with me on Saturday and I had one of those devastating moments of mother's guilt. During the run she had a grand old time running circles around me and sniffing around, but she paid for her fun later that night when she couldn't even put that foot down.

Another four days passed.

Yesterday morning Skagit saw me put on my running stuff and started blocking my every move like good man-to-man defense in basketball. She grabbed this stuffed moose of Astrid's four million times while we were getting ready to go and started tearing the hair out of another doll's head. I had to take the chance that she had done some healing in that four day torture routine. This was killing us both.

I kept her under control for the most part. If I saw her running too crazily I'd call her in, she'd heel when other dogs were around, and when we ran into Jetta and Kathy along the trail I leashed her to keep her calm (she loves her sister!)

I'm happy to report Skagit has not limped or had any ill effects from the hike, and I think my pup is on the mend!

(oh, I was also naughty and used the suicide trail on the way down... my goal was to get Astrid out of the whipping wind as fast as possible...so, I decided to take this route.)

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This weekend we are heading back up to the lake and I'm looking forward to a little more of this...

and this...

(Dad and Astrid are spotting some rainbow trout that are spawning in a little stream that dumps into the lake. It is a special part of "life" on the lake that we watch for each Spring.)

(if you look closely you can see them.)

(pointing out an eagle perched - waiting for the right moment to dive in for a trout treat!)

(fresh bear scat right next to the stream)

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I uploaded this video I shot a couple weeks ago at my cousin Patrick's wedding and it made me smile. While watching Patrick and Jamieson dance to "Ice, Ice Baby" it seemed to bring it all back. It seemed like just yesterday we were children swimming at the lake together on a hot Summer afternoon. Jumping off our 12' back porch - each yelling our full names before we took the huge leap down. Kick the can. Hide & seek.

I love these little pieces that add up to one big beautiful masterpiece. LIFE.

oh missoula, how I've missed you....let me count the ways

2010-06-02T14:32:00.000-07:00

I am still reeling from a LONG FUN-FILLED trip to Maine & Cali, and although I'm homesick for my family and friends...it is so nice to be back in MisSOULa during my favorite time of the year... Also I'm not sure I could have taken the sedentary life I was leading much longer. For three full weeks I turned to mush. I had hopes of getting out and running while I was gone (you know, train for that half marathon I signed up for which is in less than two weeks), but the one chance I gave myself I was suffering from a migraine quality headache that pounded for 5 days off and on. I'm not happy about this - but I am very happy about the important things that I found time for.... Namely, time with my Mom and my Grammy Folsom while I was in my hometown. Ok, so I have a crappy finishing time in the race. Big deal. I already finished first in the important stuff.

I'm banking on muscle memory...

I have been on Mount Sentinel twice this week already, and I'm hoping that the weather will cooperate this afternoon (doesn't look likely though) so that Astrid and I can get up there again...maybe this time we'll make it to Dad's tree at the top.

Oh, Missoula how I've missed you! Let me count {some of} the {many} ways: Larkspur, Death Camas, Indian Paintbrush, Balsamroot, Deer, Ponderosa pine trees, the end of the Shooting Stars, the start of the Bitterroots (pods), Glacier Lilies, Pasqueflower, Crazy Weed, the Missoula Panorama, Red Winged Blackbirds, Sparrows, Robins, Clematis, Fairyslippers, the pounding of my heart, the deepening of my breath on the steep parts, and that sweet sweet smell of something in the air that I just can't seem to pinpoint.

But still, I MISS this:

hellos & goodbyes

2010-05-28T21:40:00.155-07:00

Each flight West after our departure from my home state of Maine resulted in the slow loosening of Astrid's beautiful humidity curls. A sure sign of the ending of another trip...our whirlwind coast to coast adventure.

Making the trip (without your husband) across the country via airplane with your toddler on your lap is much like giving birth. I've given this phenomenon some thought...

...While in the throngs of the process it seems so SO SO incredibly HARD. Exhaustingly hard. So hard to keep it all together at times. There are tears during the process (shed by both of us!) the desire to scream (at somebody, and nobody, at the process, the waiting), the dripping with a flash sweat from trying to wrangle my daughter to stay seated on your lap during takeoff, the headaches, the delays, the unhappy/unhelpful/unfriendly airline clerks. Funny thing is... shortly after arrival at my destination I forget how difficult it was (I actually struggle to remember ~ "what, exactly was so bad about it?" I think to myself) and I'm always crazy enough to get back on that bull and ride again. So strange how that works. I would do that trip a million times over to see my family & friends in Maine.

This trip we had an extra added bonus of seeing some of Jeff's side of the family and a couple friends in California.

Astrid and I left on May 8th and got back Tuesday night at about 9:30pm. Daddy joined us in Maine last week so the trip back to home to Missoula was a breeze.

There are too many highlights of the trip to tell you about - so, click here for a SLIDESHOW of some of the images.

Here are some of my favorites:

(Auntie Ann with "Blue" the Friendly Dragon). We spent Mother's Day weekend with Ann and Lance in Topanga.

(Auntie Kelli and my nephew Drew in San Clemente)

(Uncle Ricky and Astrid on a Beach in Laguna)

(Dancin' with Grammy Astrid in Houlton, Maine!)

(spending time with my Grammy Folsom....this was just after making our sushi dinner at her house)

(I think you know why this is one of my favorites. Don't you just love Mom's bathroom?)

(We were lucky enough to spend an entire whole day with Grammy Folsom. Including going to the Hodgdon Dairy Bar for lunch - or as they say in the County "dinner". I brought the pack n' play to Gram's house and Astrid took a two hour nap so we could continue our "catching up")

(When "Uncle" Jeff arrived in Maine the nieces and nephews were all over him!)

(Uncle Jeff found a snake and the kids were captivated)

(hanging out on Aunt Katie and Uncle Frank's porch.)

(Uncle Frank showing Astrid the fresh eggs from their chickens!)

(My niece Anna showing us one of her chickens)

(My niece Ella taking a break on the steps)

(Nephew Jacky working the camera with his big beautiful eyes.)

(The people I lived the first half my life with. Celebrating Mom's 60th birthday together! I know that I bring this up all the time on my blog - but I do feel so fortunate to have been born into this family I have. Mom, Ebeth, David, Frank, Genevieve)

(The night of Mom's 60th birthday dinner the five of us (The boys were a little mortified about the pinky promise, at first) made a pact to get together (whenever possible) once a year for a dinner or coffee just to touch base as a family unit.)

(Ella Bella, Astrid and Dad at the Beach in Maine! Funny we had to go to the East Coast to pull out the swimsuit and dip in the ocean! California was too cold!)

(Auntie Katie and her kids finding treasures)

(My nephew Addison trying to find the perfect skipping rock for our skipping competition. This day at the beach I could have gone without the pounding headache that I developed...that lasted 5 days. Darn it.)

(My nephew Samuel just home from school.)

(My nephew William playing in the backyard)

(Uncle David holding a dirty-footed Astralita at the wedding reception)

(My cousin Patrick and Auntie Carlene - the Mother-Son Dance)

(Mom and her sisters sharing a moment together at the reception.)

(The Smith crew)

(The Smith kids)

(Dad and Astrid)

(Seeing an old friend Heather was a treat! I also got to see two other friends from high school, too! Karen and Darcy!!!!)

(We ended our trip with Auntie Linda and Uncle David!)