New Year Goals

Above is a picture of my Geranium plant that my daughter in law gave me this summer. I had it on the porch all summer and not one single bloom. I brought it in this fall and just look at it. It is so full of life and blooming it's little heart out. It's amazing what a change in location can do. Not all changes are that drastic but some are...

So, it's the New Year. Time to make new goals for 2012! Forging new pathways and making changes are usually a good thing. I heard a pastor once tell this story. " There was a farmer who had a mule and wagon that for years followed the same path amongst the sugar maples, during sugaring season. After so many years, ruts began to form and the farmer no longer had to steer the mule. The wagon wheels were caught in the ruts and guided the mule in the direction he needed to go."  I'm sure you see the analogy here, if we don't make new goals, we will simply be guided by the past "ruts" of our life. Changes and goals can be bring about new and better things!

I'll just tell you a few of the goals I had in mind for our blog. I call it ours even though I do all the writing....Tim inspires me, so he is part of this too.
In a way we're sort of like these birds.... different in our approaches to life, yet somehow, we manage to make it work and even share the same feeder. (big smile)
This is one of the new goals I have. I'd love to photograph more birds or wildlife in general.

Here's another....keep working on my birdhouses. I actually sold a couple, which surprised me, because I had so few in my Etsy shop. It encouraged me enough to keep going though.
 Jayme (youngest daughter) made this little mushroom birdhouse. She has written a children's book about little people who live in Mushroom houses and how they learn to accept each others differences.
We've been making some new birdhouses also. My goal is to add more, regularly, to the shop. I'll share a glimpse of my favorites once in a while.

This lovely flower is called Passionflower. It grows quite well in what was once our horse pasture. A lot seems to grow in our horse pasture. It is slowly turning back into forest, I'm afraid....We can't seem to slow it down. With just the two of us now, some things just have to be let go....
Passionflower is a medicinal herb that is quite useful. Dried and made into tea it is a relaxing herb something like chamomile. Medicinal herbs, both wildcrafted and the ones I intentionally cultivate are a particular passion of mine. I'd like to write some more about those.

Of course I'd like to spend some more time with this guy. We're at a place in life where people really start to have problems.....unfortunately, the statistics for divorce after 40 are pretty sad. Marriage is always worth working at and never to be taken for granted!

....and this is what we really, really want to spend more time doing! Getting out, walking, hiking, watching the birds, looking for that exotic and rare herb! See, you can combine them all. I think that's a pretty good mix don't you?
 We've had a hard time trying to fit this in. Our schedule is so full at this point in our life and our budget is stretched to the limit. I'll be looking for ways to "backpack on a budget!" (a serious budget)
 Of course, I'll write about that!

Most important to us of all.... Our family! This was taken last year at Christmas. We didn't all get together this year or I'd have an updated picture for you. I just love this one. Look at all those joyful smiles! (We are missing our newest granddaughter in this picture. You can read about her here.) I'll write about family too. We started with three kids....now we have six! We've doubled our investment in just a few short years. I love it!

So, that's what I want to do this next year, write about...Our Appalachia and all the things we love!


                                               Have a very Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

Just a quick post about some of the first outdoor hikers. Funny thing is, they were astronomers too. Something, I always wished I knew more about. They also used camels to help them out because the trail was more than a 700 mile  hike. I'm smiling, as I'm sure you know who I'm talking about. Seriously though, I find this little clip quite fascinating and this really is an historical event. Not just a story you hear at Christmas. It is worth watching so take the time and just watch it. Pretty amazing.

You can purchase the complete DVD  here at The Star of Bethlehem.       It is, after all......Christmas.

I wish I had some great outdoor pictures to share with you, but alas....we are having a very mild and wet winter here in the southeast. No snow.... Just rain. We've had some lovely "springlike" days and I have enjoyed those. I am determined to enjoy winter for whatever it brings this year. I have some issues with seasonal affective disorder  and I am just not going to let it get me down. If anyone else suffers from this I'll share a couple of links that may help. Here is one about different supplements and herbs that may help and here  is one about the benefits of Vitamin D, which I am trying for the first time this year. The beach on a nice sunny day is always good too. But, if you can't accomplish that you could do light therapy. Light Therapy-Mayo Clinic. I am going to give this a try also. If none of this does any good....there is always hibernation! Works for the bears.....

I hope your Holidays are all that you are hoping for. If you are wishing for a white Christmas I hope you get at least 12 inches! Or perhaps you are a little bit like me and can envision a day at the beach....sun, salt water, palm trees...I know I'm ruining all your visions of  dancing sugar plums and white Christmases (or something like that). I'll stop now. I'll be nice and show a couple of snow pictures we took when we visited Montana this November.

This is the mountain directly behind Tim's grandparents place in Paradise MT. This was my backyard view for the first two years we were married. His grandparents moved to this place in the 1930's, built a home and ran a dairy for some years before they both went to work for the Railroad. They are no longer living and the home they built was torn down a couple of years ago.... it's a lovely, snowy mountain though isn't it?

This was taken in the front yard at my sister's house it looks so typically like Montana in the winter to me. At least the way I remember it. Pine trees decked out in all their snowy finest! Who could ask for anything more? This is not too far away from where I grew up....just over a ridge or two. We got there in the middle of November and this is what greeted us. It was truly beautiful to see again!

I hope these put you in the Christmas Mood. Enjoy your time with family, it's precious and all too rare for some. Most of all, I wish everyone the Merriest of  Christmas's and Happiest of Holidays!

A Morning in Paradise

Paradise Montana that's where we've been the last couple of weeks. This little town is where Tim grew up. We lived there for a couple of years after we were married....long time ago. One morning while we were there we went for a walk and snapped some pictures. I thought I'd share them with you. There are a few so I'll try and keep my comments to a minimum. A picture says 1000 words anyway, right?

These are taken down at the river. The Clark Fork is well over 300 miles long and eventually drains into the Columbia and then of course the Pacific Ocean. It is a beautiful river. One that we swam in many summers. Some of my fondest memories are floating down the river on inner tubes with Tim and some friends. The last time we went the water seemed much colder than we had remembered!

On the far side of the bridge where you see the cliffs is a small beach that we used to call Orchards. Favorite swimming spot of our day. I don't know as it's used much any more, but at one time.....

Sun coming up over the mountains.

+

 You can see some of the cliffs that Tim and his older brother used to climb.

The Elementary school. Grades 1-8. It has been declared an historic building but is still in use.

We really had a lovely visit. Mostly we saw family, that is why we went back, after all. We have already "seen" Montana. But, I was able to find time to take these so I could record "Paradise". We even managed to see some snow when we first got there. Snow and Montana just go together.

This is the view from my sister's place coming down into the Plains valley. Where I grew up.  Originally known as Wild Horse Plains because Native Americans wintered their horses in this valley. It is located about 6 miles from Paradise and is where we both attended high school. I will always be grateful to the little town of Plains if for no other reason than I found this guy I've been hanging around for the last 27 years or so. We haven't lived in this valley in over 25 years or in Montana in over 7. It was lovely to go back and visit. Something we hope to do again.

Now to settle back into our life here and get back on schedule! Someone once said vacations are to make you miss being at home. We did! It's nice to be back.

Time for a trip

This awesome picture was not taken by me. I have permission to use it and the purpose of using it is to give you a hint of where Tim and I will be in the next couple of weeks. All of the pictures here today were taken there. I just love this picture. All the birds congregating like they are planning their trip south, or maybe they're just resting a bit. I'm partial to barns anyway and the combination of the birds on the barn is great! I really just love this picture. Did I already say that?

       Here's another hint....Beautiful fall there too. (Todd Creek with Baldy Mountain in the background)

Still fall there....maybe this one gives it away. We are going to Montana! A long overdue visit has become  necessary. We weren't planning on it but sometimes, when you love someone, you do what you have to do.
                                                      (Deemer Peak, Plains MT)

I think this is where they want the house. (the photographers) When they hike together they always decide where they would put their dream house. What a view that would make huh?
(Poachers Gulch)

The great photographs were all taken by my sister and brother in law. Glen and Kathleen. Not sure who took which picture so I'll credit them both. They are absolutely beautiful aren't they? (the pictures too) And yes, it really is fall in all of them. This is where we grew up and raised our children for a great part of their childhood. We miss the people there and are looking forward to seeing them again. Family is a gift that should never be taken for granted. We are blessed with some of the best!                            (JB)


Here are a few more of their gorgeous pictures. Enjoy. I just loved these purple Asters peeking out from the snow. (JB)

Check this view out!! Wow!
Headed out looking down at the Flathead Valley.

Nice! Too bad it wasn't hunting season yet. Pictures are great too though. Sometimes better.






I hope you enjoyed the photos. We'll be back sometime around the first of December. You won't be hearing from us, as we are on V A C A T I O N! We need it soooo bad. Tim especially, although, I have not exactly been lax and could seriously use it too. Time for some R and R....rest, relaxation, refreshment, renewal, rejuvenation, retirement.... well maybe not quite yet on the retirement but, all the other nice R words you can think of.

Oh, and have a very Happy Thanksgiving. Don't forget to actually be thankful! We have so much to be thankful for. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to begin with. That God is on the throne and in control of our universe. That he cares about the world and sent his Son to live and die for us....to show us a better way. This is what I'm most thankful for. I'm not preaching, just sharing the gratitude in my heart. Again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Edited to add * These pictures were taken in North West Montana. Some of them in Jewel Basin which I have marked with JB below the picture. The rest are taken in mixed places either in Sanders County, Flathead County or somewhere between the two. The best of the best. I'm smiling, but we are proud to be from this area!

The View.....

I just had to do one more post on Autumn! In this part of the country, or anywhere with deciduous trees, it really is a time of absolute beauty. I've often thought of the famous quote ~"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower." ~Albert Camus
Right now our part of the World is in full bloom! I am not a great photographer and my camera is a simple point and shoot, with limitations of it's own. I'm smiling, but I did wish that I had Jayme's to do a better job....I have used it on occasion and oh, is it fun!

These were taken at the Scenic Overlook on Bon Air Mountain in White County. You can really see forever up there. Places like this are hard to find. The trees just get in your way and you have to get above them.
I have often thought of Conrad Richter's book The Trees since we've been here.

I can't imagine what it must have been like to pioneer this part of the country. Tim has made the remark before that if all the people moved out, the trees would grow up and cover it all. You'd hardly know there were ever humans here. It's all the rain we get....parts of the Southern Appalachians are considered a temperate rain forest, if they receive more than 100 inches of rain per year.  Highland Nature Center

Behind the parking area at the Scenic Overlook is a large  rock cliff....while I was busy taking pictures along with the others who were stopping Tim was thinking....."the view from up there would really be better..."

...and that is where we went. I never would have thought of going up there. It took a bit of effort to get there, but oh so worth it. Although most people don't climb up there to get the view, some do. We did. All the pictures here today were taken from there. It's all flat on top and some nice southern Pines are growing....and what a view!

You can really SEE up there. 

We soaked in the view for a long time but, eventually we had to climb back down. (It really isn't as bad, as it looks.)  Tim was there and he'd never suggest something he didn't think we could accomplish. He's just more adventurous than I am! Keeps life from getting boring.

Just look at all that color! 

A bit of Red

That is Winged Sumac pictured in the gourd. My field has quite a bit of it growing out there. Snoopy (Jayme's horse) moved to South Carolina with her and now my field is once again reverting back to forrest... or jungle....whichever you prefer to call it. I just love the fall color of it. It really is a weed around these parts although, it did manage to catch Tim's eye. He doesn't usually notice such things but, the other morning he commented on the color of our "field". It is a beautiful red isn't it? Lots of this color around right now, I'm really enjoying it while its here, soon enough the leaves will all fall and winter will have arrived. Winter is not my favorite time of year....but I am determined to enjoy it anyway this year. Somehow....

Today, I'll just enjoy the Reds of Autumn.

These were just turning. I took them a couple of weeks ago, there are so many reds around. They are my favorite leaf color. This year anyway.

and one more.

This lovely Red Cardinal deserves a place amongst the Reds of Autumn, don't you think? I took this at Jeff and Tash's the day they were moving. (our son and daughter in law) He was enjoying the left over bird seed Tash had in the back yard. He and his lady friend, whom I did not get a picture of.

My favorite Red of all!! Estella Cheri, our oldest grand daughter. Also taken the day they moved. We really miss that little "Missy Girl"!




What's your favorite color of autumn?

Outdoor Parents Outdoor Kids: a book review

A few weeks ago I was the recipient of a giveaway at Outdoor Blogger Network. This was the book. It is published by Fox Chapel Publishing. What a great publishing company! If you are a hobbyist or home craftsman type person you really should check out their wonderful line up of books. We are book people and we were both impressed with the catalog they sent us with the book. Great diverse selections, from wood working and carving,  arts and crafts, animal husbandry, even a few on tattoo design and yes plenty of outdoor books. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boat maintenance and camp cooking to name a few. Definitely worth taking a look.

Now, about the book itself. I have been enjoying this book. It makes me wish my children were young and I could do it all over again. If you have young children or even intend to, I recommend you get this book. It is informative and honest about what it takes to get yourselves and your children outdoors. To make it a way of life....an outdoor lifestyle. If that is what you want for your family, this is the book to have.

The chapters are each about a particular outdoor activity. Bicycling, snowsports, camping, hiking etc... It is written in a friendly, comedic style. With an honest look at the extra work it does take to do outdoor activities with small to teenage children. It's true it does take extra effort to get out with children. We believe you will not regret the effort and will establish lasting, quality family time.

I was talking with my youngest daughter about this one day and regretting that we had not done enough. She laughed and said "mom, we lived out of doors, we were way back in the country and had all the room to roam we wanted, we hiked, rode horses, bicycled and all of that! What are you worried about?!" When I thought of that I knew she was right. We may not have gotten to do the camping part as much as we wanted, but our children certainly did not lack for outdoor play!

The last chapter of the book is on the statistics of today's children and lack of adequate exercise. I'll list a few of them for you. Here's one that has an ironic twist to it. National Public Radio recently did a survey of orthopedic surgeons and found that they are treating far fewer broken bones among kids and more repetitive motion injuries! (video games) I'm not for broken bones or against video games.....but it does show a trend. This same trend would also be showing , that 22 million of the world's children under the age of 5 are overweight! It gets worse....60% of overweight children are already  at risk for heart disease and 25% show early signs of type 2 diabetes. This can be traced in a great part to the fact, that an average of 44 hours a week are spent watching TV, computers and video games by many of these same kids.

So, if ya love your kids, get them outside, doing something, anything!! It would be one of the best things you could do for them. Enjoyed this book and found it very informative and full of ideas! Worth getting!

 And of course, here is the link for the book. Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids

What we've been up to

I hope everyone is out enjoying this lovely fall weather. At least it is around here. I love the colors, the fresh cool air and oh, just everything about it. In case I haven't mentioned it, fall is my favorite time of year! Above is a photo of  uncleaned gourds Jayme brought me from South Carolina the other day. Don't they just look like Autumn? I thought they did anyway. They also sort of look like work.....they need to be cleaned, painted on, holes drilled in them and the inside cleaned out. Turning a gourd into something usable is not so easy.

The use of gourds for bird houses and cooking utensils has been around for literally thousands of years. Here is an interesting article on the history of hard shell gourds. They are fun and interesting to work with. I'm enjoying them and learning as I go along. 

This was my fall inspired gourd. Jayme swiped it from me when she was here. I'm just kidding it was her birthday gift. 

These are the four I've made so far. I really just want to use them, but the idea was to try and sell them to supplement our income just a bit. I'm not sure if birdhouses will sell or not but, we'll see....you can only try, right?!

In case you didn't notice, we now have an Etsy Shop widget in the right sidebar. We don't have much there yet but hope to add when we can. Tim also made some wooden birdhouses that I painted on. Also a very nice Red Cedar bird feeder that I really just want to fill with bird seed and put in my yard!

Indigo Bunting on Goldenrod and Chipping Sparrow on pine branches. Did you know that bird watching is good for your health?! Yep, sure is. You can read a blog post written by Taking a Walk on the Wild Side that will tell more about that.

Isn't that a lovely bird feeder? I think I should just put that right out in my front yard....Tim won't let me.....it's for sale too.....but.... it just goes with my yard. I have the spot picked out and everything! Oh well.....maybe next time.