Early Christmas Presents

Wesley (L) and Monty (R) share a moment under the tree

First snow since last spring

The beginning of winter?

We had two wonderful presents in the past two days - 

On Sunday, Belinda spotted Wesley and Monty both resting under the Christmas Tree! They rarely spend much time together, more of reserved indifference than anything else, so seeing them together was a real treat!

Monday morning we woke to the first measurable snow since last spring. It didn't last long but was nice to see the snow falling most of the morning!

It's looking like Christmas

"This is a good place for the tree"

Kathy H. (L) and her friend check out jewelery with Belinda

One of two gyms in use today!

Friendship Muffins (and so much more!)

We've not had any snow yet here in the Bitterroot Valley but It is starting to look more like the holidays with each passing day.

It's our tradition to set up the Christmas decorations on the Friday after Thanksgiving (who needs black Friday!) and as can be seen in the picture above, Wesley was a big help!

On Saturday we attended the annual holiday bazaar in Corvallis. It's big! The best part was of course sampling some of the goodies from Friendship Muffins who, along with Ugly Bunny Bakery, are our favorite area bakers.

Sheila continues to settle into the Living Center rehab wing and is making herself comfortable and welcomed by staff and residents alike.

A hectic week

Belinda at the Saturday morning UMW circle

Sunday @ Stevi UMC

Wesley gets in a Sunday afternoon nap

Thanksgiving potluck @ Corvallis UMC

What a week! 

On Saturday we had a "normal" day at the church planned with a new UMW circle meeting and a funeral (the first one Charles has done this year). The day took a detour when Sheila fell in front of the parsonage, breaking a wrist! Needless to say it has been a full-court press this week getting her the care she needs.

Today was the fourth Thanksgiving Day we've enjoyed in Montana and as in each of the previous years we went to the Thanksgiving potluck at Corvallis UMC. Our church sent ten to take part in this terrific gathering of some of the best cooks in the Valley!

Nineteen years in the making...

We are happy to celebrate our nineteenth anniversary today (November 24th)!

Where we've been on our anniversaries:

1998 - Osmond, Nebraska
1999 - Iwakuni, Japan
2000 - Iwakuni, Japan
2001 - Jacksonville, North Carolina
2002 - Williamsburg, Virginia
2003 - Jacksonville, North Carolina
2004 - Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom
2005 - Newquay, Cornwall, United Kingdom
2006 - Vienna, Austria
2007 - Sidney, Nebraska
2008 - Sidney, Nebraska
2009 - Aitken, Minnesota
2010 - San Angelo, Texas
2011 - Columbus, Georgia
2012 - San Antonio, Texas
2013 - Stevensville, Montana
2014 - Missoula, Montana
2015 - Stevensville, Montana
2016 - Stevensville, Montana

Charles' week on campus

"Advent 4" by Charles

Class critique underway in print making

"Nasty Woman on the Left Bank"

Class critique in painting

Charles had two studio projects critiqued on Tuesday, one in each studio class. There is a lot of learning still to be done but the overall comments were very positive.

Whew!

Our week begins

Monty eases into his work week on Monday

Charles presides at Grace UMC church conference on Monday

Snow is on the way on St. Mary's on Wednesday

Worship on Wednesday

 It's been another full week for us!

Sunday - church in the morning & book club in the evening
Monday - Charles presides at the Grace UMC (Missoula) church conference
Tuesday - school for Charles, appointments in Missoula
Wednesday - church in the morning, Worship on Wednesday in the evening
Thursday - school for Charles and the Stevi UMC church conference in the evening
Friday - church activities, appointments in Missoula!
Saturday - UMW and a funeral at the church

Works in progress

"Nasty Woman on the Left Bank"

Hidden narrative project

Charles has been busy in the studio this week on his next two projects.

In painting, he is working on the assignment which has to include a figure with a story. His work will feature a French woman floating in space. Oh, yeah!

In printing, his assignment is to come up with a self-narrative image using at least three colors (layers). He is using his December 25 birthday and combining it with the commercialization that is the holidays. He'll be using a yellow/orange split-fountain, red, and blue.

The Day After

Wesley finds a place to hide

Deer enjoying a stroll at UM

Two blocks from campus

We didn't get the election results we'd hoped for, but on Wednesday there were some reminders that life goes on.

Election 2016

Charles was among the early morning voters in Stevensville!

Fall is still happening

As seen today by Charles on Pine Street in Stevensville!

Charles' painting on display

"Landfall" on display

Charles had a painting, "Landfall," accepted into the 22nd Annual Juried Student Exhibit this week at the University of Montana. This was quite a thrill for him!

Christmas in the office

One of the Christmas Cactus in Charles' office has decided that conditions/timing is right to begin blooming. It is certainly welcome, what with the rain that has fallen in October!

All Saints Day in Missoula

Charles was on campus today where he noticed this sunrise over the hills on the campus' east side.