Back garden visitors

The turkeys that make our neighborhood their winter home pay regular visits to the back garden. Some have become bold enough to pay visits to Patch on the deck.

A rainy day outing

Time for a rest at The Coffee Cup

Belinda and I braved the elements this afternoon, setting out for Hamilton in the light rain that has been falling all day.

A warm January day

The warmer than usual weather, no new snow since Christmas, means the turkeys are having an easier time of it finding food in our yard. 

Welcome, 2018!

2017 Year in Review: July - December

Staying cool in July

 July: A minor earthquake near Helena is felt in the Bitterroot Valley - the summer heat arrives in full-force - fire season comes early.

Excitement on College Street in August
August: The smoke from the Lolo Peak fire northwest of Stevensville continues to build - the solar eclipse causes a stir - Rob comes for a visit while Belinda & Charles are on holiday - Blasting cap discovered in a neighbor's garage is cause for excitement.

Saundra comes for a visit in September

September: Autumn arrives in the Valley with the first snow in the mountains - fire season ends - Saundra arrives from Texas for a visit.

Preparing for the UMW bazaar in October
October: Saundra's visit concludes - trip to Bozeman for the annual meeting of the Conference United Methodist Women.

The Corvallis bazaar in November is such fun!
November: Snow returns to the Valley - Corvallis bazaar.

The senior center's December birthday lunch

December: A white Christmas - outings in Missoula -

Volunteering at the church.

2017 Year in Review: January - June

January's deep freeze
 January: Recovering from surgery - Cold, cold, cold!

Patch enjoys the February thaw

February: Attending the annual Valentine's Day dinner at the church - the winter thaw is underway!

Yellowstone Conference UMW gathering

March: Community theater - the Yellowstone Conference UMW retreat at Fairmont Hot Springs - Spring arrives!

April and spring arrives in the Bitterroot Valley

April: The sound of lawn mowers returns to College Street - lovely blooms at the parsonage.

A trip to Texas in May

May: Belinda and I made a week-long trip to Texas for my birthday, visits with friends in San Antonio and San Angelo was such fun!

The trip to Annual Conference in June

June: The drive to Billings for the Yellowstone Annual Conference - Settling in for a long summer.

Ahead of the next snow

Lunch at Naps in Hamilton

Belinda and I took advantage of the break in snow days to take an outing this afternoon in Hamilton. The forecast is for heavy snow Friday and Saturday which made today's outing so much fun!