Till next year

Embracing the color nature provides before the snow flies.

These pictures were taken early September

picking (mostly eating) huckleberries amongst the pearly everlasting, fire weed and aster.

 Its been one heck of a gorgeous summer- free from the wild fires that raged our forests last year

can't complain

Oh summer- my favorite time of year

you will be missed

Till next year.

Slow days

These are the days when summer has made its exit and fall enters

a slower pace

Fewer outdoor projects and plans are in a rush to be done

Removing window screen, washing windows
 fall curtains ironed ready to be hung insulating against the Montana cold.

Canadian geese overhead
Starlit mornings

Breakfast by candle light 

A dusting of snow on the mountain
 colder days are ahead
 we are all waiting
 flowers in the garden lean towards the sunlight
holding on to the smattering of warm days left

But for now we enjoy slow days sitting by the fire with hot tea reading

 the routine of it all sets in

time to relax into it and enjoy slower days

Yarn Studio

When we moved to Montana with 3 small children which I mostly homeschooled, life was full. Then number four showed up- life became even busier. As they grow up and move out to college, I have started the whole empty nest syndrome thing which is pretty terrifying and sad for parents, or at least for me, as my children were such a big part of my life.

On the side to earn a little extra income during the child rearing years I was a freelance maternity and baby photographer- however scheduling clients with my big family became tricky. It was tough making it all work.

 Then one day on the North shore of Kauai I sat on the beach and told my husband I wanted to spin and dye my own yarn....and there it was.

That's how it all started 10 years ago. Changed my life.

Since then I have worked from my upstairs studio and dyeing in the kitchen or outside weather permitting. Having more time on my hands I can now commit so much more time to this hobby/ part time work - so we built a studio where I could dream, create and be messy.

I've tried to think of as many things as possible to make this space ergonomic and useful. We have used inexpensive materials and reused as much material possible too. This is my counter and sink. To the left is the space for the stove that will hopefully arrive sometime this week. Shelving that has been built with repurposed wood to hold the dyes. All trim are from old jobs sites when Pierre worked as a carpenter.

It sits just right off the house so the commute is pretty short- even on blizzardy Montana wintry days.. I can still make it in to work! There is more to be done but I am so grateful and excited. I feel settled something that has taken me some time - dancing around my family, other peoples schedule and working in less then ideal areas. This is my space and that feels good.
More to come...

Of the north

Living in the north is a blessing

 mountains surrounding in every direction

 there is comfort in seeing the tips touching the sky

sometimes sheltered from the storms that roll in

 and from the world, mostly.

Montana can be a very lonely place, quiet if you let it

a place of solitude

 Of the north I grew up in the mountains and by the sea

 here I am fortunate to live in the mountains once again and the ocean is replaced now by lakes.

It still feels raw and untouched in some places

I climb the mountain.

These peaks offer fresh perspective and champagne air.

Removed from the sea of noise that people make,
 breathing deeply, listening to the wind whispering softly
as it caresses my cold face

In the midst of pines, moss and grass

it all grounds me and I feel part of the earth 

Surrounded by these huge mothers of mountains gazing down into the valley,
 in the distance I see the one we live under - how small I feel.

 a squall passes through in the west

 I have learned the art of storm bending in Big Sky
storms clear the mind
 and clears the slate

my compass led me to the north again

on this mountain I think I can see all the way to the Pacific if I stand on my tip toes

but I don't

   the wild of the ocean

  I miss

tucked far away in these blue mountains with the heavy skies above

a place I have grown to love with all my heart

Of the north
I stand tall today
grateful to be here