I scattered Karl’s ashes in the woods just below where Bear and I are standing. Just ashes, not Karl but it was the right time for me to let them go. I needed them with me until a month or so ago and then I knew I was ready and just waiting for the day that seemed right. Today was the day.
Twisted Dog: A variation of downward dog…
Twisted Woman: A glass of wine on a sunny SATURDAY (!!) afternoon :)! After noon, but considerably before 5:00…
Beardog on patrol.
This afternoon, temperatures at 60F! This is the first day that felt truly springlike with a warm-hot feeling to the air. And the sounds: birds, chainsaws, nailguns (neighbors working on their addition!), squirrels, small airplanes – everything and everyone enjoying a beautiful afternoon.
Bear alternated between lying in the sun and patrolling his perimeter with a few forays into Beardog Hill.
This hill, Beardog Hill, it apparently begs to be dug in. It was a favorite digging spot of Karl’s and now Bear has found it, too :)!
The waxing moon made an appearance in the clear blue sky.
And despite an early glass of wine, I DID start on the yard chores.
A Saturday afternoon.
I got an early start this morning. Bear and I were actually just coming in as I took this photo of the sun starting to appear above the mountains. The day promises to be true to the forecast of sun and spring temperatures. The birds were singing and a slight cool breeze stirred the air as Bear made his rounds and then had his morning treat next to me on Beardog point.
Good morning.
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MISSOULA MT
400 AM MDT SAT MAR 17 2012
.DISCUSSION…A RATHER POTENT WEATHER SYSTEM HAS BEGUN TO IMPACT
THE INTERMOUNTAIN WEST THIS MORNING AND WILL CONTINUE ITS
PROGRESSION NORTHWARD. AS IT DOES SO…PRECIPITATION IN THE FORM
OF RAIN WILL PLAGUE VALLEYS OF WESTERN MONTANA AND CENTRAL
IDAHO…WHILE SNOWFALL IS EXPECTED IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN. THE MOST
FOCUSED SNOWFALL POSING THE GREATEST IMPACTS TO TRAVEL WILL BE
ACROSS SOUTHWEST MONTANA…
Right, then… going to rain today here in northwest Montana.
Maybe a bit hard to distinguish…
but THAT is a Robin!!
In the U.S. of A., a robin is a sign of spring.
In the U.S. of A., St. Patrick’s day is confusing… Most of us have no idea other than “GREEN” and it relates to something Irish and is a grand time of having corned beef and cabbage, drinking Guinness or Irish Whiskey or both and generally being hilariously happy about what we know not :)!
Well, now.
St. Patrick was a 5th century cleric.
The Irish “rising” was more 16th-17th century.
There was a lot of hoo-hah in all of those 1200 years relating to religion and land and I don’t know what. Part of me is embarassed not to know considering the bloodshed. I’m currently reading the Outlander books by Diana Galbadon. They chronicle the Highland Scots in the 18th century. Ultimately, I’ve learned a bit more about christendom and my embarassment increases.
…moving on.
Corned beef brisket.
I make corned beef brisket as I make pot roast: sear the briscuit, deglaze, cover with liquid, cook low, slow and long.
Deglazing.
Well…. choices…
I had the Jameson’s (IRISH!) and the Amber Bock (AMERICAN!)
Oh-ho! No way was I using the Jameson’s…saving that for today’s sipping !!!
Pot deglazed, brisket put back with a bit more of the Amber Bock and water to cover…all in a 275 oven for 3-4 hours.
Meanwhile…
NOAA was wrong.
Funny looking rain…
St. Patrick’s Day: 2012…in Montana.
We continue with days of alternating rain/sleet/snow squalls and sometimes a bit of sun. This afternoon and this evening have been beautiful. The snow and ice in the yard and woods are mostly gone making walking comfortable again.
The week flew by – hard to believe it is the weekend again. I have pounds of blood oranges and pixie mandarins – some that hopefully will become marmalade this weekend. The biscotti jar is empty and needs to be refilled. And a corned beef brisket may find its way into the oven.
There will time outside with Bob and Bear – hopefully some more sunshine, but for now, we are enjoying Friday afternoon.
