Sunday, December 4, 2011

Lazy snow day......

It's snowing today.  Light and lazy, with wind.  Yesterday was warm sunny and beautiful.

Winter has finally set in over here in eastern Montana, not that I wwas rooting for it or anything.

I wasn't.  We had freezing rain first last week so things are a little slick under the snow here.

I'm hoping next week to go get our Christmas tree and decorate.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.  We did, it was nice that the weather held long enough for family to come over.

Missing the kiddos, OK, so maybe they aren't "kiddos" anymore.  My two stepkids are busy, busy, busy in their "grown-up" lives.

Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying their time with family this holiday season!


Dreaming of spring already.......

Gentrie

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Ughhhh

It has been crazy around here.  We made our last trip to Minnesota for our stuff, over the weekend, 800 miles one way.  Got back at 10:30 at night Sunday.  Back to work Monday morning, and then it was Thanksgiving and the Christmas walk with the parade of lights, and back to work.

I'm sick today, stupid cold.

Here is a sunset picture taken somewhere in North Dakota on I90.  We were so close to home we could taste it!


See you soon!

Gentrie

Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Weekend Blogger......

Have I become a weekend blogger?  Is that what my world has come to?  Why yes, dear, yes it has.  Poop!  Poop, I say, Poop!

Oh, hello!

Yes I am putting up a post.  I should be sleeping since I will have to get up at 3am tomorrow morning.  It is now 9:56pm here.  Instead, here I am blogging, feeling guilty for somehow turning into the weekend blogger. 

There has just been so much going on and between all the activity and my falling asleep on the couch at about 9:30pm anymore, well, time flies.

The kitten is getting large.

She's still cute as a button.  Now she has her preteen attitude and she's thinning out.

This is one of her favorite spots, the green blanket on the back of the couch.  (That's fabric and batting on the end table behind her!)

Have a good one!

Gentrie

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

A Quicky...

A QUILTING quicky that is.

I made this quilt for a gal in our office who just had a little baby boy about 3 months ago. 

I gave this to her about three weeks ago.

I know, I'm so far behind.

I quilted it on my machine.  The first time I've done that really.  Not the greatest job in the world, but OK.


You can't see it, but I quilted the words "Choo Choo" all in the border.  I love striped binding cut on the byass.


Flannel backing of course for this winter.  Liz said she is going to use it in his crib.

This was fun and easy.  Just a cute, fun pattern that I threw a border on.

As my daughter would say: "Easy peasy, Mac and cheesy!"

Gentrie

Monday, October 31, 2011

I would love.........

Oh, crazy times, stressful times.  We shall get through this also.

I can't stay long and chat.  I just stopped in to say high.  Let you know I'm still here and still alive.

I would love for one of the Top Chef's people to come cook for me for one day.  How awesome would that be?

I would love to visit Ree Drummond's ranch in Oklahoma.  I don't know why, I just would.

I would love to visit Ireland, Spain, Paris and New Zealand.  Not necessarily in that order.

I would love for the laundry fairy to come do my laundry for me.

I would love for a few of my friends to come hang out for a few days.  I miss them.

I need to go get prepared for doing the trick-or-treat thing.

Later........Happy Halloween!!!!

Gentrie

Saturday, October 22, 2011

"You fry the egg..."

You know how sometimes you hear someone say something and it just seems to sum things up for you?

I had a moment like that this morning.

My duaghter was hungry (no shocker there) so I asked her what she wanted.  She was drawing a blank so I suggested a fried egg sandwich (I make the best, well in this house anyway). 

She jumped up and said "You fry the egg and I'll get the toast!"

Then WHAM!

"You fry the egg"
"YOU fry the egg"
"You FRY the egg"

Ok, Ok, so I'm a little overboard in writing this.  It did kind of resonate as a bit of a theme in my life though. 

I think I've been the one frying the egg for quite a while.  I'ld like to be in charge of the toast for a while.

I think we all have our rolls in life though, and maybe I am just an egg frier, destined only to make toast if I am still frying the egg too.

Well, there's a little philosophy for you!  I know, I know it's early.

My brain has already processed my whole life (for the 300millionth time) this morning and moved on.

Good morning to you!

Gentrie

P.S.   Rebel will be here soon!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Just Checking in

When I was growing up, my family and I would eat at a certain resteraunt in Miles City any weekend we went there.THe food was always awsome.  I have fond memories of the place, and my Dad always loved it too.

A few weekends ago we were in Miles City and decided to stop at the same place for old times sake.  Let me tell you it hasn't changed.

The Hole in the Wall & the 600 Cafe.  It's still great.

It still has the original bar.  The old carved bar.  It's very cool.

In the mean time.......Daisy found a new favorite place to hang out.

Also, I'm troop leader for my daughter's Brownies troop this year.  Got my leader books today, fun, fun!

Actually, I am kinda excited.

Gentrie

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The new addition

We have a new addition in our family.


Her name is Daisy.  (Hailey named her.)


Do you know how hard it is to photograph a kitten when they are not sleeping?

She was chasing the camera strap.  She is probably about 6 - 8 weeks old.

Moving, again.

Her and her sister were dumped out by our shop.  They got into something that burned their mouths a little bit, but that is healing nicely.  Her sister went to a farm with some other kitties to live out her days living in a barn and chasing mice.

I think Daisy got the better end of the deal.  She really does have it made.

Gentrie

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

To Quilt Along, Or Not to Quilt Along

I've been thinking about doing a small quilt along project. I would like to just start with a baby quilt size or a small wall hanging.

Well crib size, you can decide to give it to a baby or hang it on your wall. 

What do you think?

I would make it a mystery quilt.  I would tell you what you need in fabric and in what shades (light, medium, dark).  I would guide you through all the blocks and we would slowly put them together.

Wallah!  You have a quilt.

So what do you think?

Should we try it?

Gentrie

Saturday, September 24, 2011

When Company Leaves....

So, somehow, I got the little break I needed this weekend.  My husband took my mother-in-law home this weekend after a two week stay.

I love the woman, I do, but you know how it is when you have guests.  It kind-of disrupts the flow of things.  While it was nice having her here and Hailey really loved it.  We had nice talks and some good times.  I was ready to have my house and routine back.

I think part of it is that our lives have had NO routine all summer long until recently.  We are getting a routine back, slowly.

I'm relishing having a routine again, it's safe, it's comfortable.

Hailey went away for the weekend with a friend.  It came about Friday night about 40minutes before they left.

And then, I was alone!

Alone, I tell you!  Alone!

Wait, what just happened here?  Did everbody really just leave?  All at once, all together?

Oh man, what to do?  What do I want to do first? 

You'll be ashamed of me, but you know what popped into my head first?  Clean.  Can you believe it?!  I'm almost disgusted with myself  for even letting that pop in my head first.

You know what I DID do first though?  Ate what I wanted, watched what I wanted and fell asleep at 9:00.  Kind-of sad huh?

It's all about quilting today though.  I have to go get some wine and pizza.

Gentrie

Friday, September 16, 2011

Ugh..technology!

As a few of you may know, we have moved back to Montana.  We have moved back to a different town than the one we lived in before though.  While I am familiar with this area, I grew up 160 miles from here (which is not very far in Montana terms).  It is frustrating here right now in terms of technology.

They have it, they are not behind the times at all.  The problem is growing pains!  This area is growing SO fast the cell towers, land lines, utilities, town infrastructures cannot keep up.

Our internet is SO slow here, because of the amount of people on the "service network" in this area.  It is frustrating going from very fast internet to, barely moving, and can't load my blog posts half the time, internet. 

What's really irritating is it's not beacause the service is slow it's the demand load on it.  I wish the service providing companies would get off their buts and get more towers and service in this area.

It's annoying.

So, anyway, that is why my posts are still far and few between.......sucky service.

I think I may have to change my internet provider.  Which saddens me because then I will not have the convenience of mobile internet.  We travel a lot, it's nice having internet motoring down the highway.

Anyway,

See you on the flip side

Gentrie

Friday, September 9, 2011

Grandma's Quilt

Well, I finished my Mom's Birthday Quilt.  A little late, just a little.  We had a lot going on this summer and I just wasn't set up for quilting until recently.

I know, excuses, excuses.

Well anyway, a little background.  I've been planning this quilt a very long time.  I designed it myself on my computer (using EQ6).  It took me FOREVER to pick the fabrics though.  I mean this is my Mom, and yes I know her well, but her tastes seem to change and her color choices REALLY very depending on what the color is for.  Eclectic is a good word for her, in some ways.  Not in others. 

Anyway....I had a real hard time picking fabrics I thought she would like.  We would go to a quilt shop and her tastes would be all over the board.  Crap!

So I buckled down, bit the bullet, took the leap, whatever euphemism you want to use and picked out the colors.

Now it is done, quilted, bound and all.

Tell me what you think, honestly....

It's a queen size, draped over my couch.  Yes, it's hiding my new couch.  (I'll show that some other day.)

The back is a burgundy leaf pattern. (Oak leaf or maple leaf.)  I made the little label on the back.

She has seen it missing the binding.  She really liked it, I think, or she was just trying not to hurt my feelings.  You know, sometimes it's hard to tell with parents.

Well, let me know........

Anxiously awaiting review,

Gentrie

Sunday, September 4, 2011

A Quick trip to the Lake

We went to Fort Peck (the lake not the town) to visit with some friends.  It was great to see them again!  We went out on boats and fished and drove fast and laughed on the lake.

Of course.....

I did not remember to bring my camera for this part.  (I think it was an unconscious fear of dropping my camera in the lake.)

It's my blog, I'm sticking with that story......

For the record, this is our friends campsite.  This works well to block the wind, with an open view to the lake.

After all the boating and lunch, my INSANE daughter wanted to swim (in the 63 degree lake).

My crazy daughter also found a friend to swim with.

....him and a few friends, she was collecting them.

Can you find the frog?

Of course, where there are frogs, there are snakes......this is a baby one.

Having a good weekend?

Gentrie

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Some Awesome Friends

My friends in Minnesota sent me a gift a week ago.



Oops!  Um, that's not it.......

Let me find it here......


Oh!  Here it is!



It's a quilt kit of the 2011 Quilt Minnesota fabric!  Including backing and a charm pack.


AND.......they all signed a card to me......it made me tear up.  **sniff**

I miss them all, Thanks to all my awesome and amazing quilting friends in Minnesota.  I miss you guys!

LOVE

Gentrie

Sunday, August 28, 2011

THE Boots

Hailey finally got a new pair of cowgirl boots.

She was Super excited the whole ride there!

These are the new boots.......this is the first time she took them off except for sleeping.

So what do you think?  Women's size 7 boot......Yikes!

Gentrie

Thursday, August 25, 2011

School Fashion Show

The first day of school was yesterday.  Hailey got to meet her new teacher and see her new school.  She said their were a couple of kids in her class that she knew from daycare.  (I was glad, I worried about her all day!)

Tuesday night she had a fashion show of her new clothes for her Dad.  (Her Dad's idea since for some reason he wanted to help her pick her first day outfit.)

We shut down the lights and sat in the living room.  Dad ran a flashlight spotlight for her "runway" walk.

Total drama posing..........you can see Dad's handy spotlight work.  This was his favorite outfit.

OK, cute outfit, but this picture turned out cool with the motion showing......and the crazy spotlight blur (Dad was going for the strobe affect I think.)

Oh Yeah!  Show off that glitter Girl!  (Don't mind Dad's spiky hair.)

I personally really like this sweater.  She looks very grown up in it.  (*sniff*)

She looks super cute in this hat, but I couldn't get a good shot. 

There were other outfits but these were the best photos.

The first day went well and she thought she may like this school better.  I think the kids have been a little more excepting of the "new kid".  She has made quite a few friends already.

More later!

Gentrie

PS - She wore the first outfit on the first day!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Sunglasses

Sometimes,


Just sometimes,



It's just enough to chill with some good cheese puffs.........



........and a cool pair of shades.


Amen.


Gentrie

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rancher Rodeo

Last Sunday I went to the Glendive rancher rodeo with my sister.  This is not like a regular rodeo.  This rodeo simulates activities ranchers really have to perform.  Like seperating certain cows to be worked on or sold or shipped.



First find the cows with your number on their back.


Seperate them to the other end of the arena....


Get them in the pen........

Then shut the gate.  The time whistle is blown.........


Then there is the branding competition (they use chalk on the branding iron).......

Time doesn't stop until they are back in the pen with their buddies.  Sometimes they need a little help in the right direction......

Then ther's vacination.......RUN!  Time doesn't stop here until the "vet" makes it back to the timer.  They use a red chalk pen for this one.


I had a visitor during the whole thing......I think he was enjoying the show too...

Then there's a little bulldogging.........

Then there's a little loading a cow and some horses in the trailer........


For all these they have to rope a specific cow with the "certain" number on it's back before performing the task.  Not as easy as it sounds.  It is also timed, so if they take too long getting the right calf they have no time for the task.....then it's a no time.

It was fun, in a watching how uncooperative and unpredictable animals can be, kind of way!

Gentrie


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Red Beer.....

Some days I would really kill for an ice cold red beer.  When I say red beer I mean a beer on tap, in a glass, with a splash of tomato juice.  Ice cold this is amazing.  Either that or a Corona with lime, again ice cold, warm beer is gross.

My husband has not drank for 11-1/2 years.  I have not drank for about as long, except for the occasional drink with a friend about once, maybe twice a year.  Sometimes not at all in a year.

But, sometimes, I just get the craving.  The intense, irresistible urge to go to the anonymous, crowded, and slightly loud bar and sit and have a tall, ice cold, glass of red beer.  The tangy tomato taste combined with the bitterness of the beer make for a smooth, cool, refreshing drink that inevitably satisfies something deep down inside me.  Something more than just a craving......

Aaaahhhhhh!

OK, I feel better.

Gentrie

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The trouble with blogging this summer....

The trouble with blogging this summer is there is soooo much going on.  I find myself in the middle of things and wishing I had my camera because this would make a funny blog.

Like when my daughter beat her Daddy with a blow-up sword for not giving her Mommy a hug and kiss.  Where was my camera then?  Well I'm not sure, but it was funny.

Or like when I felt like hurling after I road the Starship Trooper ride with my daughter and the little boy in front of us barfed.  I amost lost it. 

Everything has been so fast paced and non-stop I just have not had time to stop and think, photo-op!  I guess I am not a true photographer.

Having a great summer though.....

Gentrie

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

A Small Fair and a List

As I had blogged a while ago (jeez that long already?) Hailey and I went to the fair in Rosebud County.  This is where I grew up and it was fun going back.  It's a small fair but so much fun, the lines were short for the rides and Hailey really did have a blast.

These were taken from my cell phone so I apologise for the washed out look.


This picture is so cool, it makes me squint just looking at it.


This girl loves to spin, she has my stomach, not her Dad's.

1. Our life is starting to get back to a norm.  We are moved to our "house" and out of the dinky apartment. 

2. Everything is still in boxes (so maybe a little chaos yet).

3. I got half of the kitchen unpacked last night.

4. The reason I hadn't blogged was because of the move.

5. .....And the weekend trip back to Minnesota.

6. We were non stop moving and working, it was exhausting.

7. We have to do that one more time before winter.

8.  I'm torn between happiness over that and dread.  (It's a long trip, but I COULD see my friends again.)

9. I missed seeing a bunch of friends this last trip, I guess I need to announce my plans better.

10. I'll be back more often, I promise, half my life is not spent driving anymore.  (I just need to dig it out of the boxes!)

Gentrie