Silent Thursday : Happy in Montana

Jewel Basin at Sunset

Serene Sunday : Happy in Montana

A serene Sunday to all . When I was a wee nip I would read about the explorers that came to the North West Rockies. I would read about the Tribes that lived in these areas , the Lakota, the Crow , the Blackfeet. I would think about the men who chose to wander in a solitary manner for months and years at a time . I would think about how they would survive the solitude and scant human company . When I stand on this shore and in these mountains I can understand their love for the wild back country.

Winter Cleansing

We are two thirds of the way through Winter. Soon it will be a scant 4 weeks before the Vernal Equinox and the time to summon Spring.

Winter ,to the First Nations and the Native persons of the US , is a time of cleansing . To be brave like the Buffalo who faces in to the north winds is the work of the Winter .  The color on the Medicine Wheel symbolizing the North is White . Not surprisingly the North represents hardship and trials which when faced with courage also includes cleansing and strength. The winter winds bring snow so the Earth can rest under a blanket of white.  The winter winds take the leaves from the trees . Persons who face these winds head on like the buffalo learn patience and endurance in life .  Wisdom comes from the Northern direction. Take these last few weeks of solitude , when the Earth is still sleeping , to look within. To clear away that which is no longer useful . On a starlit night appreciate the quiet of the heavens and the distant howl of brother wolf.

Wild Fire Necklace

Today's necklace is smoky quartz with a Horse sterling slider bead . Embellished with American Turquoise nuggets, aquamarine, labradorite and chalcedony. Fine silver beads with sterling clasp. Listed on Etsy and Artfire . Celebrate the Year of the Horse

"He moved like a dancer, which is not surprising; 

a horse is a beautiful animal, but it is perhaps most 

remarkable because it moves as if it always hears music."

-  Winter's Tale, Mark Helprin

Year of the Horse : Earthy Raku lamp work earrings

It is the year of the Horse . All of you horse lovers and those born under the Horse sign will enjoy these earrings.Earthy  Lampwork Raku beads by Beads and Botanicals and bronze lost wax casting of the spirit horse by the Starspiritstudio in Colorado complete these fun earrings. 2 inches total length.

Northern skies earrings

Kingman Turquoise, Lapis, Citrine  Earrings

One of the delights here in the Northern Latitudes is the angle of the sun. You can have a cloudy day and then quite suddenly the sun will pop through the clouds and make everything quite golden. These earrings embody the blues of the sky and mountains with citrine sunny surprise. Made from Kingman Turquoise ,Lapis Lazuli , and faceted citrine. Terra Cast beads with sterling ear wires. A dramatic 2.5 inches in total length. Listed on my Etsy site.

Pocketstone Cafe

 Saturday is errand day . Time to wander to the local "big " city . Pick up the mail , grocery shop and stop by my favorite cafe. Good food and friendly people every time you walk through the door.  Paulette, the Pocketstone Barista, always has a welcoming smile on her face as you come through the door. The Pocketstone Cafe talking points are good, plentiful food , breakfast all day and their baked goods are fabulous. I can bake but as a single person this is a deadly habit. My solution to this dilemma is a once a week treat from the local cafe.

Downtown Bigfork MT

 We have had plentiful snow this year . Perhaps not the heaviest year but enough to satisfy the winter yearnings. Bigfork is not a large town but has just about everything you could need or want . My needs are simple so I am quite content to be here.

The best cupcakes in the world!

Perched in my snow bank outside the house are three of the Pocketstone's home made treats. The ever favorite chocolate cuppy cake. The Raspberry scone and last but not least the pumpkin bar with cream cheese frosting . Another fabulous favorite is the coconut cupcake. To die for. Just buy one . They are hard to resist.

Silent Saturday: Happy in Montana

The Garden Wall 

Turquoise and Lapis earrings

Sleeping beauty Turquoise and Lapis earrings 

This has been a cold week. Most of the Nights have been 10 below with a howling wind at the beginning of the week. Our high temperatures have 5 degrees at the most. Not good weather for car washing . A lot of energy needed to stay safe in the cold coming and going on daily errands.

Today's earrings are genuine sleeping Beauty turquoise from the now closed Globe Mine from AZ. These are paired with fine silver bead spacers and lapis roundels. Sterling ear wires complete. Happy Friday to all .

Frosty Purple lampwork bead earrings

Lampwork and sterling silver Earrings

Petite Earrings using hand made lampwork beads from Beads and Botanicals workshop. Fine silver spacer beads and sterling ear wires. A nice addition to this frozen Montana morning . Only 5 degrees for a high today and some viscous wind chills. Dress warm folks and for heaven's sake bring in the dogs.

Kingman Turquoise Earrings on sterling

Warm Earrings for a Cold and blustery Montana Day. Kingman turquoise ,fine sliver beads and slightly oxidized  sterling ear wires. Paired with a bright red bead . Perfect for your windy day . You can find these on Etsy in my shop.

Hearts for Valentines

Genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from the now closed Globe Mine in AZ. American turquoise faceted and smooth beads paired with amethyst , fine silver spacers and sterling hearts.

Sleeping beauty turquoise , sterling , amethyst earrings on ETSY

Sweet stack Sleeping Beauty Turquoise  Earrings sterling heart , Amethyst 

Sweet earrings with genuine Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from the now closed Globe Mine in AZ . Sterling artisan heart and faceted amethyst beads . In time for Valentine's Day.

Silent Sunday : -5 tonight

Beautiful Montana