Summer Picnic

I love summer – absolutely adore it. We have had a few cold rainy days but otherwise it’s been a gorgeous summer. A few weekends ago in Niobrara my mom, grandpa, and I decided to have an impromptu picnic at Niobrara State Park. We had found a cool picnic basket at the Goodwill store so loaded it up with goodies and found a perfect spot.



Something about dinning outdoors that makes the food taste better!

Izzy loved the occasion and the chance to explore the wide open spaces.


She would have loved it even more had we let her run free but park rules are park rules.
Point of this post being – take time for summer picnic’s. I always seem to be rushing around from work to one activity or another. I need to learn to slow down and enjoy life.

Big Beaver, Canada

I have wanted to visit Canada for awhile but haven’t yet made the journey. Since at the border figured I should at least drive into Canada and check it out, plus I wanted a stamp in the passport! Sadly they didn’t stamp my passport but I did explore a tiny bit. I wish I would have done research so that I could have driven to a fun town in Canada. Instead I just took the advice of the border patrol and went to Big Beaver (about 30-40 miles from the US border).

I was informed there is a cute shop there. There was indeed a cute shop.


But as luck would have it, the shop closes at noon on Wednesdays. I got there at 1230 on a Wednesday. I decided instead to walk around the town and snap a few photos.






It was almost eerie as didn’t see another pereson the whole time. It was fun to explore and enjoy the nice weather before heading back to the US of A. Along the drive back stopped to take photos of this cow as I loved the coloring.

He (or she) belongs to this bed and breakfast. I am not a fan of bed and breakfasts but this does almost look fun. A relaxing weekend in the Canada countryside.


I also stumbled upon another abandoned homestead. This one was really neat and again seemed sad that it was left to rot and fall.

Montana

My lack of blogging last week was due to a work trip to Montana. Gorgeous with wide open spaces, clear blue skies (a few rainy skies), and super friendly people. Most of my work was in or around Scobey, MT which is quite small.

Lodging choices were limited at best so I stayed at the Cattle King Inn.


My room could have definitely used a bit of a makeover to modernize it. But guessing most that stay there prefer it to be inexpensive instead of luxurious.



I flew into Williston, ND. My room there may also have needed a bit of updating…

Also I was informed by the Avis Rental lady not to exit the car under any circumstances in a large area on the map during my drive from Williston to Scobey….Of course where do I end up having to stop to use the restroom. Funny - I was definitely the minority! Ok no more complaining. Time to share a bit of eye candy. My morning run along this road was serene and relaxing.


I love running in the country. Fresh air and privacy. Downtown Scobey was probably three blocks and quaint.



I drove around to the various Ports of Entry and stopped several times to snap photos – sure had anyone driven by they would have thought I was crazy (that was my rental vehichle you see in the photo).

But my surroundings were so gorgeous I wanted to capture on camera.



Too bad the storms rolled in. I have a love affair with barns. Someday I want one of my own. I loved these grain barns.

They were everywhere but these particular two caught my eye as had been abandoned so the perfect photo opportunity.



The railroad tracks were still in place.


This abandoned homestead was pulling me in! Always curious why homes become abandoned and also saddens me as some are quite neat, this one was pretty small and basic.


All in all an interesting trip and I always jump at the opportunity to see new places. I did make a small day trip to a border town in Canada called Big Beaver. Photos to come next.

Emotional Wreck

It was confirmed yesterday that I am indeed not cut out to be a mom! Aeisha needed her yearly shots at the vet. She hates everything about the experience. Hates the carrier, hates being touched by other people, hates shots, etc…It breaks my heart to hear her cry and fuss. I stressed over this vet appointment for several days. Once the time actually came it seemed to go smoothly until she got a bit feisty with the vet and had to be held by an assistant with scary leather gloves while getting her shots. The sight of that and her sad little cries pushed me over the edge! I may have shed tears over the scenario. Wowza – if I am going to loose it over my kitty getting shots how in the world would I survive a child getting shots?

Recovered Chairs

I found this great dining room table

at a local thrift store in Council Bluffs for $250!! I loved it and thought it was a bargain – my dad thought it was expensive. Men! Anyway the chair cushions left a lot to be desired as you can see:

They actually look better in the photo than in person. They were an off blueish color and not overly clean. A few weekends ago my mom, grandpa, and I were at the cabin so I put them to work recovering:


Oh yeah Izzy helped out also!


(sorry about the slightly blurry photos not sure what was wrong with the camera).
The finished project:


Much better. Nice and clean, material matches the cabin décor, and the best part is they were made with love. Cheesy I know!