Posts from the ‘Front Porch Musings’ category

Winter: Month 1

December 21 – Jan 20: Winter Month 1 and it was a mostly inside time.

It snowed, it melted, it snowed, it melted, it froze…

So I baked!

But, we do go out!

Auggie is a bit more selective on outside times, but he is still the snow cat!

Inside, we still enjoy the cozy electric fire and warm kitchen corner.

Bear… dear Bear. The snow, ice, iffy walking … it is taking a bit of a toll on dear old Bear, but he is so far persevering!

Instagram. I do daily and often multi-times daily posts on Instagram. ( instagram.com/easummers )

You do not have to post to have an Instagram account. You can set up a private account and not post – many do.

An account lets you “follow” me as well as see the “stories” I post.

With the time needed to care for the Bear boy, for Auggie, for me, to do my work … Instagram is my daily Internet communication choice.

And it is fun and current.

Winter 2018: Month 1

Handmade Holiday in Whitefish, Montana

I’ve been watching the weather and hoping, hoping, hoping… for now snow or ice or bad driving this weekend.

Handmade Holiday in Whitefish was Friday evening, and today. I wanted badly to attend.

And I did! We’ve been under an inversion and it is cold and damp, but the roads are bare and dry.

The event features local makers and is held in the Whitefish Grange aka Bohemian Hall. Inside the Grange is like a cozy cabin and the makers were set up nicely throughout the space.

My primary reason for wanting to attend was to add to my Heidi Haugen Pottery collection. I bought individual pieces and then an entire set of dishes from Heidi 17 or 18 years ago. At that time, Heidi sold her pottery primarily from Bookworks, an independent bookseller in Whitefish. Heidi worked in the bookstore Saturday mornings as well. Recently we reconnected via Instagram and in addition to adding some new pottery, I was looking forward to seeing her.

What’s left of the original pieces… I think there were tears when I broke the last mug. But, I am thrilled that some has survived my several moves and dishwashing fiascos.

The new pieces from today. I had hoped a honey pot might still be available but they sold Friday night. Another time. I was very pleased that the bowls were not sold out!

And I had a wonderful time catching up a little with Heidi. Also saw other Whitefish folks I knew. All in all, a grand Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, at home…

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care…

Some of us are more naughty than nice…

And visions of sugar plums ???

Holiday Joy.

Suddenly Winter

Suddenly, the outdoor palette changes from golden hues to stark …nearly black and white… colors of winter.

But indoors…

Warm, golden hues.

Bear and Auggie napping.

While outside…

The forecast falling snow…

… falls.

Suddenly Winter.

A shopping trip

With the exception of food, I do most of my shopping online. I don’t particularly enjoy going to stores and am very fussy about my grocery stores as well!

During the heat of the summer, I shopped early morning at my favorite grocery which also has morning shade parking AND a spot to get Bear in and out of the Jeep without taking the ramp.

One of the challenges this past summer, was that I cannot leave Bear home alone. He occasionally gets “stuck” and cannot get up without help. He is fine in the Jeep, LOVES to go in the Jeep and the only difficulty is when it is too hot to leave him in the Jeep which was most of the summer after 8:30-9:00 a.m.

We managed fine. And I don’t know if I’d done anything differently if on my own as it was tiring to go out and about in heat and smoke.

But now – we are free :) !!! With the very cool temperatures we were able to do several things Saturday morning without worry for either of us. And I even went to places not in my plan. AND, I was not in a race against the clock/sun/heat. It was rather nice.

I dropped off a leather bag that needed repair.

I made a quick stop at the grocery with a very short list, but I browsed the aisles to check any sales and just look.

I came home with pumpkin and squash from Lower Valley Farm as well as some fall cabbage from a different farm at the market. I walked the market and dawdled a bit looking at things and enjoying watching and listening to other shoppers.

I was on a hunt for some wine glasses having broken my last. After a fruitless stop at a department store, I hit an antique/consignment shop…

Ha… 4 etched crystal wine glasses for $28.00 – that is $28.00 for all 4!!! And everyone in the shop was pleasant and happy and it was a wonderful wrap up to the most relaxed outing Bear and I have had since Spring.

Another “YEA” for Fall.

Labor Day weekend: gateway to Fall ???

Labor Day weekend in Northwest Montana is usually a beautiful gateway to Fall. Whenever anyone asks me about visiting Montana, I always suggest September if they don’t have school age children to consider. September weather is typically warm but not hot with cool, crisp nights and all of the July crowd is long gone.

But, this year – YIKES!

The beginning of September is darn ugly! However, when I’m tempted to complain too much I remember that unlike southeast Texas, my pain will be over in 10-14 days … hopefully.

Still, it has been a hot, dry, smoky summer through most of July and August and now into September. I usually am able to put the A/C units away on my birthday in mid-August. Maybe by mid-September this year.

There is good news about the heat.

The vegetables! Above is week 16’s box: fingerling potatoes, long red onions, baby romaine, baby kale, basil, sweet corn, red beets and greens, braising greens, cucumber, zucchini, patty pan, bell pepper and TOMATOES! I get a box of an heirloom mixed with cherry tomatoes. Both were gone the first night – sliced and eaten plain.

So … off to Farmer’s Market on Saturday. Bear and I left early, snagged a shady parking spot and I was at Lower Valley Farm’s spot for the opening bell.

I added more patty pan, cucumbers, rainbow chard, golden beets and greens, fresh flowers and a box of mini-slicer tomatoes to my week’s vegetable store. I’ve been blanching and freezing some of the beet greens, basil, chard and braising greens to have for Fall and Winter cooking but everything else I eat during the week.

The partial share (half share) with some occasional additions from the market has been working very well for me this summer. The variety of vegetables from Lower Valley Farm, courtesy of Jay and Mandy’s extensive research, is much better than my prior CSA experience which makes it easier to prepare a variety of things and not get tired of many, many greens as I did last round.

This week’s CSA newsletter says that the fall squash are doing very well so I am already planning on where I will store as much extra as I have room for.

Meanwhile…

Another smoky sunrise.

I’m ready for a Montana Fall and/or Winter!!!