Morning sun…
…after a hard freeze! But I covered rhubarb and lily-of-the-valley and all look fine. It was 21F on the valley floor this morning, though and I dearly hope all things survived.
Bob and I started in coziness, in the sunroom, with the heat ON.
And sunshine!
Bob in the sunroom, Bear on Beardog Point. Coffee for me with my boys in view – perfect.
And by 5:00…more perfection as Bear and I enjoyed the late afternoon.
End of the week.
A beautiful sunrise started our Easter Sunday.
Bear kept me company in the kitchen…
And Easter breakfast was had before a small fire: Lemon Blueberry Cornmeal pancakes, egg in a hashbrown nest and sausage. Both breakfast and the woodstove warmed up a morning that started cool at 28F.
But before noon, it felt warm and eventually the thermometer hit 54F.
Bob partook of sunshine in the front yard…
And kept an eye on a small butterfly. (Butterflies are one of his favorite things :)! )
Wishing all a happy and Blessed Easter, from Bob, Bear and me.
I scattered Karl’s ashes in the woods just below where Bear and I are standing. Just ashes, not Karl but it was the right time for me to let them go. I needed them with me until a month or so ago and then I knew I was ready and just waiting for the day that seemed right. Today was the day.
Twisted Dog: A variation of downward dog…
Twisted Woman: A glass of wine on a sunny SATURDAY (!!) afternoon :)! After noon, but considerably before 5:00…
Beardog on patrol.
This afternoon, temperatures at 60F! This is the first day that felt truly springlike with a warm-hot feeling to the air. And the sounds: birds, chainsaws, nailguns (neighbors working on their addition!), squirrels, small airplanes – everything and everyone enjoying a beautiful afternoon.
Bear alternated between lying in the sun and patrolling his perimeter with a few forays into Beardog Hill.
This hill, Beardog Hill, it apparently begs to be dug in. It was a favorite digging spot of Karl’s and now Bear has found it, too :)!
The waxing moon made an appearance in the clear blue sky.
And despite an early glass of wine, I DID start on the yard chores.
A Saturday afternoon.
I got an early start this morning. Bear and I were actually just coming in as I took this photo of the sun starting to appear above the mountains. The day promises to be true to the forecast of sun and spring temperatures. The birds were singing and a slight cool breeze stirred the air as Bear made his rounds and then had his morning treat next to me on Beardog point.
Good morning.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
400 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012
.DISCUSSION…A RATHER POTENT WEATHER SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO IMPACT
THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST THIS MORNING AND WILL CONTINUE ITS
PROGRESSION NORTHWARD. AS IT DOES SO…PRECIPITATION IN THE FORM
OF RAIN WILL PLAGUE VALLEYS OF WESTERN MONTANA AND CENTRAL
IDAHO…WHILE SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN. THE MOST
FOCUSED SNOWFALL POSING THE GREATEST IMPACTS TO TRAVEL WILL BE
ACROSS SOUTHWEST MONTANA…
Right, then… going to rain today here in northwest Montana.
Maybe a bit hard to distinguish…
but THAT is a Robin!!
In the U.S. of A., a robin is a sign of spring.
In the U.S. of A., St. Patrick’s day is confusing… Most of us have no idea other than “GREEN” and it relates to something Irish and is a grand time of having corned beef and cabbage, drinking Guinness or Irish Whiskey or both and generally being hilariously happy about what we know not :)!
Well, now.
St. Patrick was a 5th century cleric.
The Irish “rising” was more 16th-17th century.
There was a lot of hoo-hah in all of those 1200 years relating to religion and land and I don’t know what. Part of me is embarassed not to know considering the bloodshed. I’m currently reading the Outlander books by Diana Galbadon. They chronicle the Highland Scots in the 18th century. Ultimately, I’ve learned a bit more about christendom and my embarassment increases.
…moving on.
Corned beef brisket.
I make corned beef brisket as I make pot roast: sear the briscuit, deglaze, cover with liquid, cook low, slow and long.
Deglazing.
Well…. choices…
I had the Jameson’s (IRISH!) and the Amber Bock (AMERICAN!)
Oh-ho! No way was I using the Jameson’s…saving that for today’s sipping !!!
Pot deglazed, brisket put back with a bit more of the Amber Bock and water to cover…all in a 275 oven for 3-4 hours.
Meanwhile…
NOAA was wrong.
Funny looking rain…
St. Patrick’s Day: 2012…in Montana.