Road Trip - Our State Capital

A few weeks ago (Valentine's weekend) we went on a road trip to Helena (Yes I am a little behind) , which is the capital city of Montana (for those that didn't know this fact).  

We were having a serious bout of cabin fever after the long winter, and this just happened to be the first really nice, almost springlike, weekend we had had in a few months. 

Helena is about an hour and half drive, northwest of Bozeman.  The drive there was wonderful and a warm 55 degrees! Oh Yeah! It didn't last long though. 

We were on limited time so we didn't get to do a lot.  But one of the things we wanted to do was check out the Capital building.  I brought my handy dandy camera and took several pictures.

The statue atop the dome is called the "Goddess of Liberty".

The statue of a man on horseback in front of the capitol building depicts Cival War Union General Thomas Francis Meagher. He took over as Governor of Montana Territory in 1864. 

The capitol building is over 100 years old. 

It first opened in July, 1902

These next few "fun" pictures were taken at the Museum of Natural History.

Dear hubby and Sweet Abby Girl... Ahhhh! 

My dear hubby... too bad he has 4 arms!  Ha!

There's my Daisy Mae!

Daisy with Dear Hubby

I'm thinking Daisy wasn't enjoying it too much

Afterwards, we spent some time driving around Helena, seeing what it has to offer.  I was very happy to find a Shopko (Love that store) and a Chili's Restaurant where we stopped to have dinner (Love this place).  Helena is the closest town to find some of our favorite eating and shopping establishments.  The next closest is Billings and that is 2-1/2 hrs away.  It's the price we pay for living in a small town. 

It was a great escape from being stuck at home all winter.  It was nice to get out and see new things, and use my camera.  I am already looking forward to the next road trip. 

Maybe... Just.... Maybe

I just completed my final papers for school and now I have a two week break. So maybe just maybe I will get some time to update this blog of mine.  I feel so behind! 

I am looking forward to my two week break from school so I can actually clean and organize my house.  Outside of work and school there is no time left for much else.  So this break will be used as a nice catch up. 

I am also very excited because I am taking a 4 day weekend at the first of April to drive to Cedar City, Utah so I can spend some time with my kids.  I can't wait! 

Little by little and gradually day by day I am beginning to see signs of Spring so maybe just maybe Spring is around the corner?  I hope so!  However, the snow that we are expecting to get tonight and tomorrow may delay it a while longer.  I am so done with winter!

I'll be back shortly with a real blog post... stay tuned! I've missed you all!

Frogs, Frogs, Frogs!!!

We went to see the new Frog exhibit a The Museum of the Rockies last week.  There were frogs from all over the world and it was awesome!  I forgot to take my real camera with me so I had to rely on my phone, but here are a few pictures. 

There was an African Bull Frog as large as an 18" plate.  Unfortunately it was not in a good position where I could get a picture of it.  My favorite were the Dart Poison Frogs.  These frogs have enough poison to kill up to 10 men. 

So many frogs blend in with their environments. 

There was a frog that looked just like a dried brown leaf. 

Unfortunately it was also one I could not get a good photo of.

These are some of the Dart Poison Frogs. 

I wish this photo would have turned out better.

If you ever get an opportunity to come to Bozeman, please make the museum one of your stops. This exhibit will be here until September.  Or maybe the exhibit will come to a museum near you in the future. 

I LOVE FROGS! 

What about you?

My Heart Hurts

On Sunday, we lost our sweet bird, Pablo, due to an accident that caused him to die.  One second he was coming downstairs to hang out with us and the next he was just gone.  For those of you who have pets that are like your children, you will understand how this hurts. 

We keep reliving the accident over and over and then we think about all the "what-ifs".  Why did this happen?

Our home will never be the same without this sweet bird.  He was my buddy.  His personality made me happy. 

We will miss the joy he brought to our lives.  We are very sad.   Our hearts hurt! 

Rest in peace, Pablo.  You will never be forgotten. 

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!!!

A Montana Winter

Here are some photos I have taken over the past couple months.  I want to share with everyone the beauty of a Montana Winter. 

Happy Winter to All! 

Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

I have three items in my kitchen that I love and use all the time.

The newest item in my kitchen is this beauty....

I received her for Christmas and I am in LOVE.  I love everything about this gadget including the color.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!  I have used a sunbeam mixer for years and I have hated it from day one.  If you don't have a Kitchen Aid Mixer yet, I highly recommend you ask for one from Santa next year.  You will fall in love too!

This gadget is my next favorite..... 

This is a  Pampered Chef Food Chopper.  It is my most used kitchen gadget.  I love it!  Now I have tried a few different brands of food choppers but those brands will never match up to the Pampered Chef  Brand.  I probably use this several times per week and sometimes several times per day.  I just got a new one for Christmas this year as my old one was used so much it started to fall a part.  Good thing they have a lifetime warranty! 

This is a Salad Shooter.......

And this is a gadget that I have used for several years.  I use it mostly for the cheese grater, but it does a nice job of slicing your vegetables for Salad or Pizza. I use the cheese grater attachment at least once per week.  It's that good!

What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?