A glimpse of the mountains

 
As Charles was returning from an evening meeting, he made a detour through the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge (located just north of Stevensville).

It was a surprise to actually see some of the mountains on both sides of our valley!  It was also a treat to see some wildlife - turkeys, deer (with fawns), eagles, pheasant, and ducks!

Smokey week

Mid-morning through the smoke

Evening at home

The heavy smoke that has plagued the Bitterroot Valley this past week has remained and has actually gotten worse each day.  Don't know when we'll be able to see the mountains again but it won't be anytime soon.

Open house, pt. 2

At the ready

Happy folk!

Lining up for floats

Belinda presents Mary with a gift of kale

Wesley is one tired parsonage kitty!

Open house, pt. 1

The welcome sign is up

Wesley greets visitors from the basement

Root beer floats under the apple tree

Floats and radishes for everyone!

Mo shows of her suite

 Our third open house here in Stevensville took place following worship this morning and as it was the previous two editions, a lot of fun to put the parsonage on display for our church family.

Smokey week

Smoke-covered mountains, picture taken on Wednesday

Same place as seen above, taken in September 2013

There has been a heavy, heavy blanket of smoke from the wildfires in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington over the Bitterroot Valley this week.  At one point the Nation Weather Service said the air quality over Montana was worse than that found in Beijing.

Here is a link showing the wildfires in the northwest at the present time.  We are in the Bitterroot Valley, about 30 miles south of Missoula.

We've spent a lot of time indoors and getting ready for the parsonage open house on Sunday! This will be our third open house!!

Backyard foray

Cheddar caulflower coming along

Artichokes coming along

Blooming where we're planted

Good crop of raspberries coming in

Following our visit to the farmer's market, we returned home and enjoyed a wee foray into our own garden.  We've enjoyed a bounty of cherry tomatoes and radishes this year!

Famer's market foray

Ready to shop

Very talented craftspeople!

A lesson in glasswork

First market day since moving to Montana

It's a 'bee-utiful day'

Despite the smoke (from the fires south and west of Stevi) obscuring the mountains we enjoyed a delightful foray to the Stevi farmer's market.  With the temp hovering just over 70, those taking advantage of the talented craftsman and farmers got some great deals.

A wonderful weekend in the books

Taking care of business

Belinda greets folk during fellowship time

Sheila gets into the mix

Too much fun for Wesley

 Wonderful weekend here in Stevensville, now on to the work week!

Mission u @ Mission Valley

Stacey King was one of the presenters

fellowship time

Marcia Prather (from Stevi UMC) was a presenter

One topic was Latin America

Some of Charles' stoles are from Central/South America

Belinda and Sheila joined others from the Yellowstone Conference this weekend for Mission u, an educational program sponsored by the United Methodist Women.

Creamery Picnic Parade (pt. 2)

Celtic Games are coming next week!

A new skate board park is coming to Stevi!

An awesome playground is coming too!

60 years of memories!

A really, really old truck

Creamery Picnic Parade (pt. 1)

American Legion gets the parade underway

Lots of old vehicles!

...and horses

St. Mary's Mission was there

Really old fire-fighting equipment!

 There is something special about a small-town parade!

Creamery Picnic, pt. 2

Charles helped secure the parking lot at the senior center

Amazing stuff at the farmer's market

Great time in the dumpling tent!

Lots for the children to do

The Creamery Picnic activities were a lot of fun and there was so much to see and do for all ages.  Charles had two shifts at the senior center (watching over the parking lot), great group of people there! One treat was at the farmer's market where Charles snatched up several bunches of fresh beets.  We LOVE beets at the parsonage!!!