Cheryl's Halloween Costume

Today was the costume party in my office. 

 
 Ironman Porter

 

left to right: Granny-Sunni B, Witchie Poo-Me, Ironman-Porter, Kitty-Jerry W., Witch- Kathy S., Let's Make a Deal Contestant-?, Transformer- Kathy C.

  I got 2nd Place in the Costume Contest. 

The Transformer got 1st Place

And the little Ironman got 3rd.

Dave's Halloween Costume

Dave's office had their Halloween Party today.  So I took a couple of pics of Dave in his costume.
I made some more Spicy Pumpkin Cupcakes for Dave to take to his office party.
I also took some more to my office because I had people asking for more.

He sure is UGLY!!

Update on the Color #3

The Color is Here! The Color is Here!

Sept 12, 2010

Oct. 11, 2010

 Oct. 25, 2010

I thought I better get a picture this morning before all the leaves fell off.  They turned color in a very short time.

We also got a dusting of snow on the mountain overnight. 

On the picture below, you can see the Western Larch (Larix occidentalis) trees that have turned yellow mixed in with the Ponderosa Pine on the mountains in the back.  At first I thought it was aspen, but after thinking about it, the mountain didn't have green aspen clumps during the summer-- it was all dark green trees.  I thought they were all Ponderosa Pine, but apparently not.

The interesting thing about the Larch, is that they will eventually loose their needles and look like dead trees during the winter.  Deciduous Conifers.  If you didn't know that they were supposed to turn yellow in the fall, you would think they were a sickly tree.  The first time I saw the Larch in their fall color was traveling between LaGrande,Or and Pendelton, Or.  There are quite a few Larch in that forested area.  They are very striking among the dark conifers.

Below is a map of the Native Range of the Western Larch

Washington, Oregon, Northern Idaho and Northwest Montana in the US

            The Larch in it's full fall color.

Dinner with Cody Sept 30th

Dave and I went to Utah and on the way down we had dinner with Cody.



Big Hole Battlefield National Park

Today Dave and I went for a road trip to see some of the local sites. 

We went to the Big Hole Battlefield National Historic Site.

I was a little dissappointed because when we got there we found out the visitors center was closed because of  re-roofing.  They had a semi visitors center set up in one of the houses located in the employee housing area.

Dave and I went on the Battlefield trail hike. We took the spur trail to the Howitzer site. Apparently 5 soldiers with 6 mules took the Howitzer up to a site above the battle area. The Indians saw them and sent 30 to go get the Howitzer. They over took the 5 soldiers and dimanteled the Howitzer and burried the cannon part so that it could not be used.

The poles below represent Tee Pee poles to mark the area where the Nez Perce camped.

There is another trail that takes you to that area.

After we left the Big Hole Valley I had Dave stop so that I could take this picture.  We were north of Wisdom and South of the Anaconda turn off for hwy. 569.

 

Anaconda's black tailings pile and smoke stack

It reminds me of Kennecott near SLC.

 

Update on the Color

Not a lot of change in Fall color yet.  But another beautiful day in Montana.  We had a freeze this morning.  The first one of the season.  So there should be some more changes in color coming, unless the frost killed the leaves which will just turn them brown.
9-12-10

 10-11-10

Missoula Farmers Market

I love going to the Farmers Market. There is a huge variety and selection.  Only a couple markets left this season.  Oct. 23th will be the last one.  Sadnes : ( 

 The vendors below are my favorite.  I always stop and buy from them.

They have organic and it is always good and fresh.

 This guy comes everyweek and makes little flower necklaces and bracelets and things for you hair.

 

 Me with my ice tea and bag loaded with goodies.



My Mother's Greenhouse

The Greenhouse is all assembled complete with electric and running water.

The fan comes on automatic at 85*

The misters have a timer to regulate how long and how often they run.

My Dad and Uncle Paul put it together. 

One hell of an erector set!

Next spring things will be a sproutin like crazy!