Ayers Natural Bridge in WY

We stopped to finally see what the natural bridge was all about. It was very pretty, pets arent alllowed and there was a natural rattlesnake on the path to the bridge so our sightseeing lasted a total of 2 minutes. Just long enough for me to video a redneck throwing a rock at the snake.

Quick Trip to Kalispell

Kristian and I took a quick trip to Kalispell for work this week. It was fast and furious but we had a chance to have a little fun too. Did I mention we got pulled over on the home? Later...

Anyway, I took a few pictures from the side of road and wanted to share them. The first is really pretty. The sun was hitting the snow covered trees just right and it was divine.

The second is a little strange. I was coming around a corner and saw something I just had to stop and go back to take a picture of. I can't explain it but now I have a photo so no one can say I am making it up when I tell them the story.

So, about getting pulled over... We were on the shortcut through Valier, headed back to I-15 and the sun had just set. Off in the distance we saw some flashing red lights. Then we saw more of them. Then we saw even more. It looked like there were about 100 of them and they were spaced kind of strange. Then they were moving. I thought maybe it was a train. Needless to say, I was fascinated by them and kepting trying to figure out what they were and all the time not realizing that I was driving WAY too fast. We crested a hill and I died inside when I saw a cop sitting on the side of the road and I looked down to see the speedomoter read 85.



Back in the good ol' days of "reasonable and prudent" this would have been no big deal. I could go on and on about how and why that got taken away from us poor Montanans but then I might write something nasty and we wouldn't want that.

So the good cop flips his lights on, pulls a little Starsky and Hutch tire spin out of the pull-out he is sitting in and proceeds to pull me over. "Excuse me Ma'am, do you know how fast you were going?" *Why do they always ask this? Does it make a difference? If I didn't know could I play stupid?*

"No sir, I do now because I looked down but I was really freaked out by all of those red flashing lights. I thought it was alien invasion!" I didn't really say that last part but I did ask what they were. Turns out they are about 100 gigantic wind towers. Huh. I felt stupid but at least I didn't get a ticket. "I'll let you off with a warning this time Ma'am". I love the Montana Highway Patrol!

Thanksgiving 2008

This was my first year EVER of doing Thanksgiving dinner at my house. It was also my first time ever roasting a turkey. Ever. Did I mention EVER?

I was freaked and kept thinking I would ruin it and my family and friends would have to eat bologna on the special day. I implored my mother to by a "backup turkey" but she said she had "faith" in me. I was SICK. 

So, I did what any normal professional computer loving geek would do.  I Googled it. I ended up using a combined version of the brining and roasting instructions of Alton Brown and Martha Stewart. I boiled the brine ingredients and soaked the bird overnight and I decided to brown the turkey first instead of waiting until the end of the roasting schedule. 

I had my plans and I felt prepared. The brining went great and then it was time to get the bird in the oven. Great, I'll just tie the bird up with this big of twine that comes with every succulent ButterBall right? Wrong, there was a tiny piece of rope maybe 2 inches long on the packet with the bird. Now what? Well, don't laugh but I used minty fresh tooth floss. :-)  It worked great!

The bird came out moist and lovely. There were a lot of compliments but the most shocking was from my brother,the person who never eats white meat.  He had a helping and then seconds and then thirds!

I tried to make my living room inviting with a Thanksgiving-ey tablescape. Eat your heart out Martha.

Sons Are Kinda Cool

This photo/postcard is something I threw together the other night while going through my pictures from our trip to the coast. (More photos and posts to come)



He really is cute when he needs to be. I.e., begging for something or being ridiculous when Mom asks him to "pose" for yet another photo opportunity. This one was taken at Ruby Beach, WA. I already printed and framed it for my office.

The Great Salt Lake

I got to have a little road trip this past week to visit my friend and co-worker Angela in SLC. She has been attending Utah College of Massage Therapy this past year and I was able to watch her graduate last Thursday night. During the day, she took Martin (her friend from Antarctica) and me out to the Great Salt Lake where we explored Antelope Island, saw some wildlife and enjoyed the incredible view of the mountains and lake. Below are some photos that can't really do the place justice. BTW, the island has the second largest publicly owned bison herd in the US.

Be sure to click the photos to view them in full size!