Winter, Coffee, the Rodeo and other random stuff.....

The first week of January looked like this out my front window. Fortunately, I didn't have to venture out in it much.  I pretty much stayed by the fire and tried to get over laryngitis and sinus crud.

On the less stormy days, the Highwoods and Square Butte stood out starkly against the white winter scape.

Roger and his old John Deere got a pretty good work out plowing roads and drive ways.

I was a wee bit sorry that the beautiful and pristine scene had to be marred with tracks through it.

I wasn't sorry to see the sun peak through though!

Here's the scene in Fort Benton.  The ice level is pretty high on the river.  Everybody wonders if it could reach flood stage and come up over the levee??  It did that back in '96 when the ice jammed and caused water to back up into town.

One morning when I headed into work, I had to stop and snap a picture of the "sun dogs" and one of my car thermometer showing the frigid temp at the time. We thought we might have snow all winter, but this last week we've had the chinook winds blowing and temps into the 40's, so if that keeps up, maybe we will lose the snow cover.

We warmed things up the other evening with a fun night at the rodeo.  I'm not the biggest rodeo fan. I can usually take it or leave it.  But I did enjoy several things about this evening.  The flames looked pretty cool, but before it quit burning we got a bit too much of the burning lighter fluid aroma.

I loved seeing the giant flag carried out and unfolded and the opening prayer and the singing of the anthem.  Yes, I said prayer....in a public place, and no one that I saw was complaining.  The singing wasn't the best Star Spangled Banner rendition that  I've ever heard, but it was heartfelt.  Yeah, this is Montana and cowboy country with lots of  people in attendance with grass roots values.

Enjoying the time with the family

We liked our seats.  They were a bit high up, but it was what we could get with nine together. It was nice to have a back rest and no one spilling beer down our backs, and we could stand up and not get in any one's line of vision.  I enjoyed the grand daughters reactions to some things, like Eva's "poor calvie!!"  My sentiments exactly!  I've always been sure the calves are going to be choked to death before they loosen the rope, but somehow they always pop up and scramble away :)  And then there's the bull riding!  I looked up to see Sarah with her eyes covered.  I completely understood.   I'm convinced that the cowboy is going to be trampled and never get up!  I've never been a huge fan of bull riding and think anyone who rides bulls is an idiot who doesn't value his life.  But there were moments this evening that I even enjoyed about the bull riding that helped me understand why some people love it .  After just about everyone had a 'no time', we ended up with a stellar and exciting 88 point ride, and then a 79 and and 82.  I guess those beasts can be ridden once in awhile!  And I really admired the gutsy guys that distract the bulls from the rider and chase them out of the arena, and I had to giggle a few times when everyone scrambled up the fence away from the bull....and best of all, the bull knocked over the barrel with the clown inside, not once but twice!  The second time, the bull even sent it rolling over to the fence.  The clown stood up and said, "this thing is no longer a barrel...it's a port-a-potty :-)"  I'm guessing that the same people who love bull riding also love horror movies.  I suppose its that adrenaline rush, or something. 

I also noticed many of the names of the participants: Cole, JC, Wyatt, Clay, Zeke, Bode, Hank, Nevada, Kody, Beau, Guy, Chase, Buck, J2 (I kid you not) Tucker, Reef, Newt, Bridger....I tell you, these guys were just destined to grow up and be cowboys!    I was thinking of the song "Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys".....

 How about you? Are you a rodeo fan?  What's your favorite event?

I think maybe I once knew this young man's Dad when he was this age or younger...His Mama did let him grow up to be a cowboy....at least it's not bull riding :)

Now I'm going to ask you to weigh in and tell me what you think the best coffee maker out there is?  I thought my Hamilton Beach that brews 12 cups or single cups would be the cat's meow.  But this is the second one to go bonkers in the last year or so.  The first time, I got Hamilton Beach to send me a new one, but now I'm not even sure I want another one, and I'm probably out of warranty now.  It works, barely.  Today before we started dinner, I started 12 cups brewing in hopes that it would be ready in time to serve with dessert.  It gurgled away the whole time we were eating and managed to have 10 cups in the pot.  I think it starts heating the water too hot.  There's excessive steaming and probably warping of internal parts.  The one cupper only gets about half the cup and the other half  goes in the pot, so the valve has malfunctioned.

I had just had it with the Hamilton Beach, so Roger brought in my 'trusty' Mr. Coffee from the motor home.  I immediately liked how little real estate it took up on my counter compared to the other one.  I ran vinegar through it, and then clear water and figured it would be ready for breakfast and company dinner today.  Nope!  After loading it with water, filter and coffee and turning the switch on.....I waited....and nothing.  No sound or gurgle, no life....arghhh!  I need my coffee!!

I'd like a good way to make a single cup or two.  That is what we need most days.  But I also need a large pot occasionally when we have guests.  So I think that will be two separate coffee makers....just not sure what. I have ruled out a few makers that some of you probably love.  I will not have a Keurig.  I think they are the height of wastefulness.  I like french press coffee, except the bit of grounds you have to filter through your teeth.  I want a filter.  I have tried a Bunn Brewer.  They make good and quick coffee, but I do not like the fact that they keep water heated 24/7....and if they accidentally get unplugged....you're in a heap'a trouble....  Hey, I'm sure you all have an opinion on this.  I'm pretty sure I want a Clever Coffee Dripper for my single cup, but I have no idea what kind of large pot to get.  I just want it to simply work and be dependable and brew a pot in a reasonable 10 minutes or so.  What would you recommend?

Sweet potato fries!

These are so good, and really quick and easy to make, so I'm going to share how I make them.  I'd rather not get ready made ones out of a bag, as they are a bit too greasy.  For the two of us, I simply peeled one good sized yam and cut it into fry size.  I then put them in a glass bowl and covered them and zapped them in the microwave for a couple minutes.  Then drizzle a little olive oil over them, sprinkle with salt and pepper and Mrs. Dash seasoning and stir to coat evenly.  Then layer fries on cookie sheet and roast in a hot oven (425)  for about 10 minutes.  Take out and enjoy immediately.  If you prefer not to use the microwave, you would likely need to roast for 20 - 25 minutes in the oven. Try it...you'll love them too!

Till next time,

Linda

Fun times and Food enjoyed with Family in December

There were two baby showers for these Mom's to be.  It's so fun to shop for cute baby stuff, and they got a ton of nice things. There were two stand out gifts though, that I'm going to tell you about, in case you need ideas for a baby shower.  One dear Mother of two youngsters got the prize for most thoughtful gift.  She brought a frozen casserole for each of them to save and use after the baby's are born.  She also gave them a bottle of B vitamins, with a note advising that keeping a good supply of that in your body is very important to deal with postpartum emotions and avoid depression. The second prize goes to the two crafty ladies who made a stack of home made thank you cards to give to each of them. 

Since this picture, Roxie gave birth to precious little McKenzie Elizabeth.  We have to wait about another month for Ash and Annie's baby to arrive.

One Saturday early in December, Joellyn, Sarah, Eva and I spent some time going to a craft show and to our local businesses that were taking part in the Chouteau County Country Christmas celebration.  The Grand Union was a wonderful stop.  They were serving cocoa and home made marshmallows to the kids and Santa.  It was so cute to see them all seated there and being served and having a good time.  There was also someone outside Roasting Chestnuts on an Open Fire!  I have never had roasted chestnuts before, I don't think....but they were delicious!

Eva is being served her cocoa here and Sarah is chatting with a class mate while she waits for hers.

Eva found a couple girls about her age to have fun with after having cocoa

Sarah posed with Santa in the sleigh in the lobby of the Grand Union Hotel

Before we headed home, Sarah wanted to drive along the levee of the river and see if she could spot the paper sack she had decorated for the luminaries....and sure enough, her sharp eyes spotted it, so we stopped to take a few pictures.  I think hers was very aritistic!  The luminaries were made for the Cho. Co. Cancer support group, so a name is on each sack of someone who has or had cancer.  While we were stopped, the wind blew up and some of the sacks caught fire from the candles burning inside.  Sarah didn't want hers to go up in flames, so she blew the candle out inside hers.

A couple weekends later, Brad and Amy came up.  On Saturday after an early pancake breakfast at our house, several headed up to Showdown for a day of skiing.  I don't think anyone will have trouble spotting Brad or Tom on the slopes!

Here's a picture of the skiiers at the top of the mountain

For dinner,after the skiiers returned to our house we enjoyed a steak dinner and then the kids opened some early Christmas presents since everyone would be going separate ways for Christmas Day.  Its' so fun to see the kids excitement, and I loved all the exclamations of: "Ohhh, it's just what I always wanted!!"  It looks like Brandon is pretty excited by this toy!

I had seen this dress for sale at Scheels back in October, and I just couldn't pass it up.  It hung in my closet waiting to gift for Christmas.  Eva  loves it as you can see. It's nice when they get old enough to appreciate gifts other than toys.  For the most part, I shopped for something to wear, a book and something to play with for each of our Grandchildren.

Abby loved getting a set of Sharpie markers to use in her fancy coloring book.  She is very artistic and often draws complex design and doodles herself.  It was interesting to me, that some of these coloring books are considered therapy books.  I can see how it would work...it's quite relaxing, and one's mind can concentrate on things other than the task of coloring. Here's a link for one such coloring book on Amazon. I found a nice selection at Barnes and Nobles Book Store.

Here's Sarah Claus!  Sarah chose not to go skiing, and she was my right hand helper at home. I appreciated her help and happy spirit so much! She helped wrap presents and make fancy gift tags, and then she helped set the table and make it festive for our dinner.  She got to wear her hat and hand out presents.

Cute little Henry...he tried to help me too.  Every time I turned around he was holding up his arms in front of me, and saying "Up!"

This picture of  Ollie admiring his new CAT was taken on Christmas Day.  Roger and I went to spend a couple of days at Brad and Amy's.  It had been awhile since we'd been to their house, and neither of us wanted to spend the day alone.  Ash and Annie were up to her folks at Big Sandy and Tom and Joellyn were at the Clarks for Christmas.

Roger is helping Henry build with his new Duplo Lego building blocks.

We enjoyed a white Christmas.  The bushes out their window has all of these lovely snow puffs on them.

I have to brag up Amy's pie baking skills again.  This Apple pie tasted as delicious as it looked...and I enjoyed a latte along with it.

Amy prepared a wonderful dinner of prime rib, roasted butternut squash and tasty green beans and a colorful salad.

Henry has been with us several times lately, and he has kind of bonded with his Grandma.  I think it is rather sweet, as Ollie and Brandon will often by pass Grandma and go straight for Grandpa Rog.

To be totally honest, some of what he loves his Grandma for is the privilege of playing games on my phone.  We were getting ready to leave here and he was a little sad because I had put it away in my pocket.  Here he is looking for it, and you can just hear him saying: "I can't find it!!"

" You can go Grandma, but you have to leave your phone and ipad!" ;-)

A few days later, over New Years, we were so happy to have Lloyd visit.  He was accompanied by his friend Sylvia and his two boys, Taylor and Carson.  

Tuesday, while I had to be at work, Sylvia and Lloyd cooked up a wonderful authentic Mexican dinner.  It was so delicious!  I didn't get so many pictures of the dishes, but here are the tortillas and the Mexican rice and the guacamole.  Sylvia even cooked dried beans a made her own refried beans.  The home made salsa and the pork 'stew' (Carne Guisada, info from Lloyd) were all superb and enjoyed by our whole family. It is quite wonderful to come home to someone else cooking in my kitchen after a long and busy day at work!

It was bitter cold on Tuesday,  but the temps moderated enough for skiing on Wednesday.  Tom and Ash took our Texas nephews and Abby up for a day on the slopes.  Taylor and Carson are living in LA now, but spent most of their years in TX.  But they put up with the snow and cold and getting plenty of good natured ribbing about their usage of "Y'all" and "All Y'all"  We were all soon saying it.  I think it sounds better than our "You guys..."  I also loved Carson and Taylors polite response of "Yes ma'am".

On New Years Day, they got to run around a bit on the snowmobile and the Rhino and they had an exciting time when they and Roger chased down and shot a couple of coyotes.  I think that they thought that to be more fun even that shooting gophers which they enjoy during their summer visits.

All too soon, it was time to say our good bye's as they headed off to the airport to return home to TX

Today, I'm enjoying some quiet time at home, catching up on chores and rest and fighting off a sore throat and cold.  I got in a little Spa session at home with some Yoga  and a soak in a warm tub scented with lavender oil and now this afternoon, reflecting on the busy and wonderful month of December. I'm looking forward to a slower paced January with purpose to eat healthy and keep exercising and get some crafting and photo books put together.  I'm wishing all of my dear friends and family a prosperous and healthy New Year!  I've loved getting cards and pictures from many of you!  I'm sad that not so many are blogging very regularly, but I do hope to keep mine up.  It's a pretty useful way to keep track of pictures and events.  I guess facebook and instragram has taken the place of blogging for many because its much quicker and instantaneous in every one's busy lives and though I check both out fairly often...I weary of all the "junk" one must page through to find a good post from friends or family, so one of my resolutions is to clean up my accounts and pare it down to what really matters to me, which is keeping open lines of communication with friends and family.

Till next time,

Linda