Great Falls MT Part 2

Enjoyed my stay here this past week. The down town area so nice, full of fun shops, interesting people, and art! Who knew...apparently there is large art walk coming up the end of March which draws in all kinds of folks to purchase or just view.

Charles Russell is one famous western artist around these parts. His work will be on display for the art walk along with many other western artists.

Kid Russell and Monte...circa 1889

Fun flower shop, kitchen shop, thrift stores,  and antique shops (I didn't score a thing there Amy "Blissful Bloom", high prices). But I sure had fun visiting with the sales associates, they shared great history about the place and where to eat and visit etc... Fort Benton about 30 miles away is a must see apparently, they all mentioned it. In July the fort has a huge arts & crafts fair...sounds like fun.

And then...one of my favorite places to visit was there "Real Deals", small store, but staged so darling. The gals were so nice, found a couple of things there. And then there was this double caned black wooded chair, fell in love with it, it's calling out to me!!! It's a little on the pricey side, I think, so we'll see. But it would look so great in my house.

The cool double chair I'm coveting.

Hope you enjoyed a little bit of Great Falls gals! I'll be back in a couple of weeks doing more exploring and taking more photos.

Road Trip to Great Falls MT

Rocky Mountain Range...the view goes all the way up to Canada.

My first time to Great Falls Montana. We took a glorious road trip yesterday, the sun was shinning, and the mountains were covered in snow, gorgeous views. I can't get over how many bawled eagles we see during the winter months around here, their everywhere, such a treat!

Hubby's working in Great Falls for a few months, so blessed, great job, this looks to be a 5-6 month run. Great Falls is only 3 hours from our place, he's home on weekends. I'm joining him this week and looking forward exploring some new territory, the old down town looks really cool, nice shops, coffee houses, etc.

Great Falls is located in the central part of the state on the prairie with two large rivers, the Missouri and the Sun Rivers flowing through the town.

Here's a peek at our road trip and those "Rockies"!

Driving through a cozy mountain town of "Lincoln MT", before leaving the mountains and entering the the flat prairies of Great Falls.

Such a contrast after leaving the mountians to this look, only about 45 miles to Great Falls from here.

We were amazed how we could see the Rocky Mountain range all the way up to Canada from this vantage point.

Our bird (Luigi) loves to travel, she does so well in the car.

"Winter Garden"

Day Light

The weather man says, "SNOW is coming and a LOT of it". Yikes...he's saying we'll get feet not inches this week. Well...bring it on, love the beauty of winter around here. We certainly need the moisture to keep our fire season under control this summer.

Now my indoor winter decor will match the outside decor! I've always cherished one of my "Bunnies By The Bay" bunny. Love her ivy leaf dress and winter berry details. But most of all her wooden sign around her neck that says, "Winter Garden". I believe I was with my sis in one of her hometown shops years ago when I found her. She brings out the little girl in me (always loved my dolls).

Found these pretty glittered branches at "Pier 1" last week, only $3 dollars each on Christmas clearance. Picked up six of those and displayed them around the house. I glitzed up my "willow branches" in the entry way, there's nothing like a little sparkle against lights to make it feel like snow inside.

Night Light

Stay tunned for those "snow pics" soon to come! 

Happy New Year 2012

So...here we are, back home from a wonderful Christmas holiday with our families in Portland Oregon and Tri-Cities Washington. Whew...busy time, but so great to spend time with our families.

My husband's family in Portland Oregon on Christmas Eve



With my sister and family Christmas Day in Tri-Cities WA

Enjoying our traditional "Italian" meal at my sister's Christmas day.

Now it's time to take down our lovely tree, and put away all the decorations for another year. I do enjoy the lights and sparkle of Christmas decor. I always leave up my winter snowmen though and enjoy the whimsical fun they bring throughout the winter months in this wintry wonderland.

We've been having some beautiful sunsets lately, warmer days, and not much snow for this time of the year. We've been taking our daily walks meandering through the back roads of our development. Love walking in the winter in bright sunlight enjoying how the snow sparkles like diamonds in the sunlight. And working off those extra pounds from all the goodies we've enjoyed throughout the holidays.

Happy New Year to all of you and my the Lord continue to watch over you and keep you safe and healthy. May all of us stay focused on Him as we walk through this next year of uncertainty and challenges that we will all face.

Praying for God to extend His grace and mercy upon our country during these difficult times when many folks want to turn away from Him and lead in their own strength. Praying for our nation and our upcoming elections, for God's BEST to lead our nation and reunite our people to trust and depend on Him once again. Hopeful, if you know Jesus, there is HOPE in HIM.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas



Merry Christmas!!! I am really in the Christmas spirit these days, loving our sunny cold days and enjoying the atmosphere of the holiday around our home. My decor seems to evolve throughout the month...I just keep adding and adding more vignettes...oh my, I never think about the take down in January...LOL!

May your home be filled with the atmosphere of God's love and peace, and may you be surrounded with loved ones this Christmas season.

Here's a look at "The Haven", our second Christmas season here in Montana.

Our Second annual Christmas tree cutting!



Morning sunlight

Some new little critters to add to the tree this year!





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Seattle Trip...craft show

Had a great weekend with my friend Liz (known as "Snowman Lizzy") in Lake Stevens Washington.

Liz and her friend Cindy have been designing and creating snowmen for this craft show for years. I must have over 20 of Liz' original snowman creations. I flew to Seattle to experience this event for the first time along with Tina, (another friend of Liz & Cindy's) from California, who has attended this show for past 10 years.

Liz, Tina, and Bruce (Liz' husband) setting up for the craft show.

Liz & Cindy selling their snowmen!

Their snowmen have become a huge draw to the show, I witnessed this myself. When the clock struck 10 am sharp, the doors flew open and the mad rush began!! Their faithful customers flooded their booth and grabbed for any snowman they could get their hands on. I stood back in shock-n-aw!!!!

It was a fabulous weekend all the way around, good visits, good food, Christmas cheer, and reconnecting with friends!

Chris, Tina, and Liz....getting ready to leave for the craft show.

November, Thanksgiving Time in Montana

Love, Love this time of year, Harvest time, Thanksgiving, Fall colors, good smells in the kitchen, turkey, and family. I'm so excited to have my sister and her family join us for Thanksgiving this year, here at our home in Montana, our first family Thanksgiving gathering in our beloved Montana!!

Sharing a bit of my November Decor...enjoy the tour! Blessings to all my blogger friends!