Halloween in Stevensville

Wesley - post-Halloween fun!

"M" is for Mo!

Belinda is fresh in her Halloween smock!

Argh, SpongeBob Pastor

 Halloween was a terrific, if not damp evening at the church for the annual Trunk or Treat event. Always fun being with such a generous group at Stevi UMC!!

Happy birthday, Belinda!

Birthday flowers at church

Today is Belinda's birthday!!!

Saturday at the Bazaar

St. Mary's Peak on a Saturday morning

Too bad mom doesn't collect chickens anymore!

Saturday was the annual bazaar put on by the United Methodist Women of Stevi UMC. Always fun to be around such creative folk!

And that's a wrap!

Belinda finishes for the season

Charles sports his patch

We did some end-of-the-season yard work on Friday, getting the yard ready for the coming winter's rest. Charles managed to get an abrasion on his eye getting around a bush on Friday which necessitated a doctor's visit on Saturday! Already on the mend, we were glad to have access to care when we need it!

Wesley goes camping

Wesley loves to discover new places to explore as can be seen from his using a table centerpiece for a tent!

Another project in the bag

Charles finished another art studio project, a mask and shirt for his printing class. The result was better than he had anticipated and should be a hit next week for the Missoula Day of the Dead event.

In the painting class, his piece, "Landfall," got accepted into a juried art show on campus, quite an accomplishment for a novice painter!

Good work in the studios!

"Landfall"

Class critique underway

"Night hunters" ready for ink

T-shirt printing turned out great!

Charles had two studio projects due today and got good reviews on both. It is very satisfying to come home feeling good about what is being produced!

The painting project was to be a hybrid of the different methods learned thus far this semester. Charles' effort, "Landfall" (inspired by the landfall of Hurricane Matthew) used oil paint, encaustic, stencil, Gamsol, and Liquin on a wood panel.

The printing project is leading up to next week's Day of the Dead event in Missoula. Charles' project was inspired by the Screech Owls that used to hunt from atop the steeple at the McCamey church. We rescued Wesley from under a bush and spared him from being an "owl snack!"

It's a wet week on College Street

Wesley claims his spot

Monty strikes a regal pose

The pace is exhausting for Wesley

Patch shows his curious side

We've been enjoying some wet autumnal weather here on College Street and the cats, indoor & outdoor, are finding the weather to their liking!

More from Bozeman

Board of Ordained Ministry on Monday

Yellowstone Conference clergy on Wednesday

Hymn parodies on Friday

Bishop Oliveto loves her job!

The view on Charles' return to Stevensville

Charles spent this week in Bozeman where he attended the Yellowstone Conference's Board of Ordained Ministry meeting (Monday-Tuesday) and the Clergy Orders event (Wednesday-Friday).

Charles had a good experience with lots of quality time spent in the company of his clergy peeps. He's heard his bishop preach three times now and has been blown away by her each time!

It was a nice trip but everyone, cats included, are happy to be back together under one roof.

Wednesday in Bozeman

Charles had time this morning before he was to join the clergy of the Yellowstone Conference for the annual meeting at Bozeman UMC. 

He took advantage  of the extra time  and visited the Museum of the Rockies. There was a special exhibit about the archeology being done at Oplontis (near Pompeii).

Tour de Finley - Day four

It's Finley's state park!

On the shore of Flathead Lake

A photogenic pair

Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge

Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge

The final day of the Tour de Finley involved seeing more of this part of Montana, beginning with a stop at the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge (close to Stevensville).

Leaving Stevensville, we made our way to Flathead Lake (north of Missoula) and a visit to Finley Point State Park. It was a blustery day on the lake so it wasn't possible to get out on the water. Perhaps next time!

It was a whirlwind visit to southwest Montana, but so much fun for everyone!

Tour de Finley - Day three, pt. 2

Our getaway cabin had beautiful views of the mountains and came complete with a resident herd of goats!  Nothing quite like goats on the porch!

Tour de Finley - Day three, pt.1

Introductions all around!

Everyone wanted to meet Finley

Palmer and Finley get to know one another

Grooving on a Sunday afternoon

One more photo op

Finley & Co. were introduced to our church family this morning to much acclaim!