He's A Gem

Grace's BF left for NDSU a couple of weeks ago.  Before leaving, he left Grace a box, with six gifts and cards for her to open, one each week for the next six weeks.  The thought and preparation that went into that in itself is pretty wonderful.  But each gift has a brought a smile to my girl's face.

Yesterday her gift was this Tom's catalog...

...with this page marker and money...

 ...to buy this pair of Tom's.

 She's always wanted a pair of red Tom's.

He knows her well. 
He knows that the way to her heart, is through her feet!

Bookworm

But he who truly loves books loves all books alike, and not only this, but it grieves him that all other men do not share with him this noble passion. Verily, this is the most unselfish of loves!~Eugene Field in Love Affairs of a Bibliomaniac

 My home is where my books are.~Ellen Thompson

The world is a library of strange and wonderful books, and sometimes we just need to go prowling through the stacks.~Michael Dirda

Labor Day Weekend

My Labor Day Weekend started on Thursday night, helping my Big Sky Bakery friends sell Bobcat Claws at the first ever MSU game under the lights.  First night game for the Bobcats had me under the bleachers with chocolate. 

 David and Jim had tickets to watch the game.  Bobcats win!

 Saturday found me sorting socks.  These are the unmatched ones.  Where do they go?

Sunday Jim and I had a little overnighter in Helena.  We sure got a room with a view!

 And the full view...but really, what else is there to see in Helena?!

Our hotel room curiously had a phone in the bathroom.

This should have been listed as an amenity...I guess.

Mural in downtown Helena.

 Lunch at The Staggering Ox, which was featured in the September issue of Food Network's magazine that featured one sandwich from each state.  The Ox was Montana's rep!

We couldn't resist another trip to the Gates of the Mountains for a 2-hour boat ride on the Missouri River.

 On our way back to Bozeman, we drove through Boulder, MT and stopped at the Boulder Hot Springs.  Built in 1890 it has seen better days, but I was intrigued by the 53 rocking chairs that were scattered about the enormous front porch.

It was a fabulous weekend! 

Too Hot to Cook

What do you do, when it's too hot to cook?  You cook outside!  

Jim's new grill + my cast iron skillets = a delicious dinner!

 Cauliflower (left) and grilled onions/peppers/beef (right)

 My favorite appetizer!

Stuff on a Bun

Leftovers:  I guess we don't really care for cauliflower, no matter how it's cooked.

Now I love my cast-iron skillets even more than ever!

FDoS Photo Shoot, Keena-Style

You know those posted pics you see of kids on their First Day of School?  

In my thinking, parents take one shot, and it's perfectly academic! 

 I have apparently birthed goofballs, so it takes a shot or two, or seven to get a good one. 

 I have decreed I am no longer packing lunches.  Given up my Lunch Lady button.  Yep, I'm mean like that.  So, here, David proudly displays the lunch he packed his-very-own-self.  Good boy, DK!

(Where is Grace?!)

 Photo shot, more of our neighborhood, than the school kids.

Our new-to-us Subaru Forester waits to make a delivery to BHS.

 Checking the photos I took on her iPod.

 Trying to decide if there's one in the bunch that will work for her.

Well, she's going to love this one!

 Dave's "I'm too cool to wear a backpack on the first day of school" pose.

 Papa Bear posting to Facebook.  He's way cool like that.

BINGO!

The official Senior/Sophomore photo!

"Make a difference!"

Happy Anniversary to Me!

How is it possible that 31 years ago today, I married the man I would spend the rest of my life with?  Wow, this has been some ride.  This morning at breakfast we talked about how our life has been amazing, truly amazing.  Thank you, Jim, for having me.  You have made all my dreams come true!

Family Dinner

Tonight we had one of the most delightful family dinners we've had in a long time.  The four of us dined on Hot Italian Turkey Sausages, 3-Veggie Saute, and Steak Cut Potatoes.  But that wasn't the delightful part.  After we were all finished eating, we sat at the table and talked.  And chatted.  And told stories.  Until Grace got up to get her gift from Nick, a Perry the Platypus iHome.  Grace and David took turns hooking up their iPods, and dancing to their tunes.  It was quite the display.  I just sat there and grinned, and held back tears...what a joy those two are!