Pottery

Do you like pottery? I do.

I have a bowl that I bought in Sonoma (local potter) many years ago. I think it must have been in the 1980's. It is black with purples and blues.

Keiko gave me a bowl when I saw her in Saskatoon. It is neutral colors - beiges and a little brown.

At the Visitor's Center in Malta, Montana, I saw this small white with blues and purples bowl. It is now part of my very small collection. Hey, a collection does NOT have to be huge.

I'm not sure what I will do with them. I like the fact that bowls are functional as well as decorative.

Home

I splurged at the quilt shop in Ennis. I bought TWO fat quarters. lol I think they were $2.35 each and one was a batik.

It was a nice drive down Route 287 and then Route 87 to Route 20 and into Idaho.

You can get a good view of the Idaho side of the Grand Tetons.

I had a meal at the Red Lobster in Pocatello about 4:00 PM. Mmmmmmmmmm... yummy. Their Boston Iced tea is so good!

It was around 7:20 or so when I arrived home after a 330 mile day.

I had estimated the trip would be aroun 2,400 miles. It was 2,516 miles. I wasn't all that far off on my guess.

Sunny day in Ennis

I woke up early this morning and in a better mood than yesterday. About 6:50 I went to the office for coffee, watched TV and slowly prepared to check out of the motel.

I had a very filling breakfast at the soda fountain on Main Street - big biscuit with gravy and chucks of sausage and a couple of eggs. All this for $3.95 and no tax. What a deal! I won't need lunch.

Now I am at the library. I'm going to stop at the quilt shop before I leave town. It should be open now.

It is a nice sunny day. I think it is going to "hot," too.

Ennis, Montana

I spent last night at a Super 8 in Billings, Montana. It was a long drive through lots of open space. I took a nap after I checked in. Then watched a movie on TV, The Package. That was a mistake... cuzzzzzzzz...then I couldn't sleep. Sigh.

It was after 11:00 AM when I left Billings today. I really didn't want to drive and was very indecisive about my route. I felt tired and cranky. Grrrrrrrrrr I stopped at a quilt shop in Laurel and purchased one fat quarter. Later I stopped at a quilt shop in Livingston and purchased one fat quarter. After talking to the lady at the Visitor's Center, I decided not to drive through Yellowstone National Park due to heavy traffic and road construction. Later I had lunch and looked at my maps. I called a motel in Ennis and made a motel reservation.

I got back on I-90 west. I stopped in Bozeman for gas and to get new batteries for my camera at Target.

As I drove along the Madison River on Route 84, I thought about how nice it would be to stick my feet in the cold water. It looked so cool and refreshing. I saw people on boats and tubes and rafts. My attitude improved as I drove along. The scenery is lovely in this area, the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, I think. I have been through Ennis twice before - once in 1980 on bike and a few years ago I drove through it. This is the place famous for its Strawberry Pie. I might get some tomorrow.

I can't get on the Internet at my motel. It asks for a device password. The lady at the motel insists they do not require a password. I don't know how to fix the problem. I had the same issue at the Inn Monday night. So I am currently at the Subway.

I am about 312 miles from home or about 4 hours and 45 minutes. So that will be an easy drive tomorrow, especially after I get back on the Interstate.

In the Cell

Here I am in the "nun's cell" at The Convent Country Bed and Breakfast Inn in Val Marie, Saskatchewan, Canada. This is where I slept yesterday, Monday night.

Swift Current, SK, Canada

Greetings from the Swift Current Library.

I had lunch at Tim Horton's here in Swift Current.

I have only seen one RCMP car so far this trip. I didn't see the driver (Mountie).

I was going to meet up with one of the quilt chatters, but have been unable to connect with her today. So I will be heading toward the border soon. I "might" stay in Val Marie tonight. I'm not sure. Just winging it today. I didn't sleep well last night and so I am a bit tired today.

More farm pictures

Here are a few more photos that I took on the farm with the Walkers.

In Saskatoon with Keiko

Here are some photos with my friend Keiko and her family in Saskatoon. Her son, Coe, is four years old and a joyful bundle of energy. We stayed with her husband, Kelly's, mother in Saskatoon. Keiko cooked a delicious Japanese meal for us.

Evidence

Here is evidence that I was on horseback. The horse is Huffy. I enjoyed my little ride.

Back in Morse

I left the farm this morning.

On my way through Saskatoon, I stopped at The Berry Barn. I had a yummy lunch - perogies and cabbage roll with saskatoon berry ice cream for dessert. It was a bit different from the saskatoon berry pie ice cream.

I bought a large jar of Saskatoon Berry Jelly at Costco.

Now I am back in Morse with Dale and Biff. It has been hot here. Whew!

Ice Cream

I am still looking for "Saskatoon Berry Pie Ice Cream." I hope they have some when I go to The Berry Farm today.

Did I mention that I have been given the honor of naming Kiva's philly? The short list names are: Cookie or Salsa or Breeze (Breezie).

I will be driving back to Morse today.

Hot Day

I finished mending the jeans today. Whew!!! Now some of the patches have patches. LOL

It is one hot day here. I am hiding in the house. I think it is time for a little nap.

Patch! Patch! Patch!

I am patching/mending jeans today.

Earlier I walked out to see the mare and her little philly. She was busy grazing and did not come over to me like she did yesterday. I will take her an apple later.

It is a nice warm, sunny day.

I had a nice nap this afternoon. What a life! I love this place.

Quilt Chat

Hey...

What am I missing in Quilt Chat?

Gee, I kind of miss you all. Please come leave a comment on my blog. LOL

Life on the farm

This morning the Walkers picked up their mare and her 6 week old philly and returned to the farm. I went out in time to see them unloaded from the trailer.

Today I rested and read and visited the horses. That's about it.

We had just a few drops of rain while I was outside checking on the mare and her baby.

So Blessed

So blessed.

As I was lying in bed this morning, I was thinking how blessed I am. I am blessed with so many wonderful friends. I will not name them in case I might miss a name. You know who you are.

You have blessed me in so many ways. You have given me friendship beyond measure. You have encouraged, comforted and advised me when I needed it. You have extended hospitality - food and shelter. You have inspired me and more.

Thank you so very much.

Who is Huffy?

Huffy is the horse I rode today. LOL

I spent last night in Saskatoon with my friend Keiko and her fabmily. We had a great time. Today Keiko and I went shopping.

I am now at the Walker Farm near Borden, SK. Yes, I was on horseback today after our evening meal. It was fun.

It is 9:45 now and still have a little daylight left here.

I'm tired now.

On the road again...

I will be leaving Morse in a few minutes and going up to Saskatoon. It is about a 3 hour drive. It will take me longer... cuzzzzzz... I will probably stop a few times along the way.

Kerry's Bracelets

Kerry in Medicine Hat makes lovely bracelets. Here is a photo of the ones she gave to me. They are beautiful.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

I had a nice long nap this afternoon.

Dale and I are now watching "Corner Gas" on TV.

Here are some photos I took last night of Dale Anne's fruit trees - apple, crab apple, plum, pear and saskatoon berries.

Good Morning!

It is a warm sunny day here in Morse (named after the Morse Code guy) Saskatchewan.

We had fry bread for breakfast. Mmmmm - so yummy. Biff is in the kitchen cooking pike fish.

I don't know what the rest of the day will bring.

Maple Creek Visitor's Center

Sew Many Treasures

We had a great time at the local quilt shop.

TT got some lessons on running a quilt shop from the owner. I think she caught on pretty fast.

Heather bought 2 yo yo makers at the shop. So Heather was a "happy camper." Go, Heather, go!

More Photos

Here are the first photos taken with my new camera. They are in Medicine Hat with Heather and Kerry and TT and me.

Also, we took photos at the lqs - Sew Many Treasures.

And...we had a snack at Timmy's.

Dale's Flowers

I forgot to mention earlier that I bought a new "toy" in Great Falls. It is a new digital camera.

This evening I took some photo's in Dale's yard. And...here they are.

Wondering

Is anyone following this blog?

I'm just curious! LOL

Fun with Friends

I arrived at Heather's home around 5 or 6 something on Thursday evening. Kerry came over and we all enjoyed the delicious dinner Heather prepared.

Heather expressed a desire to learn to make yo yo's. So I showed her how to make them by hand. After that I got out my super duper "Clover" yo yo maker and showed her how to use it. Well, Ms. Heather is now "hooked" on making yo yo's. LOL Go, Heather go!

Friday morning Kerry came over with the lovely bracelets she made. Heather and I oooh'd and aaah'd over them. And Kerry gave each of us a couple of fabulous beaded bracelets. They are stunning! (Now I want to learn to make them.)

Then we went shopping. The first stop was the local quilt shop. We took TT in with us. She was a big hit and had fun with the shop owner. Next we stopped at the Dollar Store. After that it was off to Tim Horton's for some refreshments. TT had a double double! It was after 3 PM when I left MH for Morse.

What? No Saskatoon Berry Pie Ice cream! I stopped at the Visitor's Center in Maple Creek, SK. And... the snack place was out of SBP ice cream. I had a cone of Burgundy Cherry instead.

I arrived in Morse around 7:30 PM and in time for the Art Exhibit at the Community Center. I enjoyed seeing the kid's art. They did a great job. But then...they had an excellent teacher - Dale Anne.

I enjoyed the evening with the Potter's at their home. (I hope sleeping in Dale's studio will rub off some creativity on me.)

Biff and Butch were up early - just after 5 AM and went fishing. No luck. They came home mid morning with out any fish.

Dale and I chatted over coffee. Then we looked at some books and magazines I brought along.

Biff prepared a yummy omelet for lunch.

The Potter's are watching golf on TV. I'm heading upstairs for a nap.

Oh, Canada!

I puttered around Shelby a bit. One of the quilt shops was closed. I bought a FQ at the other one - on the main street. I went to the post office to send my son's birthday with gift card for Cold Stone - his favorite ice cream place. I went to the Visitor's Center twice to check on my email and I put gas in the car before heading north.

I got in line at Customs at 2:23 PM. I think I had 2 vehicles ahead of me. By 2:30 PM I was across the border and in Canada.

I stopped in Taber and bought a snack at Tim Horton's. :0)

Oh...and I had stopped at a gas station to use the rest room. When I left, I could not find my car keys. Sigh. I didn't see them in the ignition. Then I remember I had dropped an empty coke can and a plastic water bottle in the trash in the women's room. So...there I am.... digging in the trash...looking for my lost keys. No keys there. Then I returned to the potty stall, and there my keys were on top of the toilet tissue holder. Whew!!!

It was a bit before 6 PM when I arrived at Heather's home. Kerry is coming over. Heather is in the kitchen preparing something to eat.

I'm pooped!

Shelby, Montana

I am now at the Visitor's Center in Shelby, Montana.

There are two quilt shops here. That's where I'm heading next.

Waking up in Great Falls, Montana

Good Morning!

I have been awake for about an hour and am enjoying my morning coffee. I'm at the Super 8 in Great Falls, MT. My room is right next to the breakfast room. How convenient!

Yesterday I drove 400.2 miles - from Rigby, ID to Great Falls, MT - with a pleasant brief stop in Rexburg to see a quilter. I had lunch in Lima, MT. The tuna salad (sandwich) had way too much chopped pickle in it. Eeeeeek! Later I spent about an hour in Dillon - at the visitor's center, library, and quilt shop.

I truly enjoyed the drive. I listened to "The Road Less Travelled and Beyond" on tape. But decided it was not what I wanted to hear at that moment. So I switched the tapes to "Morgan's Run." I think I am about half way through it. I will play the rest of it today.

After I checked into the motel last night, I headed out to one of my favorite places - Fudrucker's, for a delicious burger and fries with salsa and melted cheese.

I had an enjoyable, relaxing evening watching TV and a pretty good night's rest.

Greetings from Dillon, MT

I left work yesterday around 5:30 PM. By 6.25 PM I had tossed the rest of my "stuff" in the car and was backing out of the driveway.

It took exactly 3 hours to get to my friend's house in Rigby. I think it was about 180 miles or so. Fortunately, there was still a bit of daylight left when I arrived. The traffic on I-84 and I 86 was light. What a blessing that was! However, there were some orange barrels a few places that slowed my down. At least the road crews were finished for the day.

I had a lovely visit with Shelly.

I am now in Dillon, MT at the library. My plan is to stay either in Helena or Great Falls, MT tonight.

So... I am a day ahead of my schedule.

TTT is home!

TT came home today. She is just in time to go to Canada with me next week. She arrived wearing a smart looking traveling suit - black with white stripes, and a really cute little purse. Also, with her is the nurse's uniform Mamacrafty made. It is lovely, too.

I don't know what happened to her Norwegian outfit.

Let the Packing Begin

I am busy getting ready to go to Canada next week.

Today I took my car in for a check up. I guess I should run it through the car wash before I start packing up.

I think I am going to get another ice chest for make-up and vitamins, etc. I will use the old one for food and drinks.

The online banking is finished for July. Yeah!

I need to get some boxes to store stuff in.

OK...back to my "to do" list.

More photos

Cool Ties for Sale

I have some "cool ties" aka "collar coolers for people and pets" for sale.

Happy Independence Day!

It is just a little past midnight as I write in my blog.

I hope everyone has a safe, fun filled Independence Day celebration.

I am going to continue to get ready for my trip to Canada next week. I might go to the Farmer's Market for a little while. I won't be going far from home.