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

Booties for Bear

As the snow got deeper and deeper, Bear and Auggie made good use of the “no snow” zone next to the house. Above was before Winter Storm: Round 3 dumped another foot or so…

The no snow zone is a bit tunnel-like now. Meanwhile it got colder and when it gets below 15F, Bear starts having trouble with snow flash freezing on his warm feet.

A couple of days after Christmas, we made an emergency dash to the local PetSmart and picked up some booties. We tried booties once before – unsuccessfully. I’ve been using a foot wax called Musher’s Secret and that helped but this year it was not enough.

The booties were easy to put on but the rubber pad at the bottom didn’t really stay under Bear’s foot. It flopped around and that made things more difficult.

I recently bought myself some extra thick LLBean boot socks and having dashed outside in just socks and my feet stayed dry, I got to thinking…

Yes, Bear is wearing LLBean boot socks and they work for him. I cut off the Velcro strap from the PetSmart booties and use that under the cuff to keep the socks up.

Right now, we are just doing front feet and getting used to socks. It has warmed up slightly so this is working but if it gets super cold, at least I know we have a solution.

Auggie says the solution is to stay in the house.

Winter Storm: Round 3

This storm was originally advertised for Thursday through Saturday. On Wednesday, I took a quick run into Bigfork for just a few things. Everyone else was doing the same AND it was snowing hard then with what was forecast to be a “trace”, already almost 4 inches.

Then it cleared. And the storm warning moved to Friday through Saturday.

Thursday was snowy but my house was in a wind shadow from the NNE wind. Overnight it warmed up, rained and then dramatically got cold.

NOAA says: “An atmospheric river is colliding with an arctic air mass over western Montana today and tonight. The strong westerly flow associated with the atmospheric river is pushing against the arctic air and stalling the front.”

Bottom line: a LOT more snow (10-20 inches more) is forecast before things calm down on Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon.

Even though Bear can’t run through the deep snow like he used to, he’s got his snow legs now and is using the paths I tromp down.

And he enjoys just lying in the snow and eating it ??? Auggie is more of an inside guy this winter, but he runs out for a quick explore and then right back inside.

Winter Storm: Round 3

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.

Super Moon: moon set

Sunday’s super moon was clouded out for me.

BUT Monday morning, as Bear and I took our sunrise walk… THE MOON appeared full and clear and still high in the sky.

We finished our walk and loaded up in the Jeep to head down the road and watch a super moon moonset.

To the west-south west of the road home and jeep location … pending sunrise.

Meanwhile, the moon drops lower and we watch…

The moonset and sunrise lit the mountains to the north and the trails of Whitefish Ski Mountain.

Just as the moon sets, the sun starts to rise behind the mountains and the clouds … and the rising sun lights clouds to the north…

Beautiful morning.