big sky dreams

Once upon a time a girl from a concrete town in the North of England discovered inspiration in a book, planned a trip and found home. A place to breathe, to marvel and to dream. Now living closer to that dream, our family's heart travels the last few miles almost every day as we talk about our Last Best Place and tell each other "Love you more than Montana". var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-21810337-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[bigskydreams]

Lyle Lovett and His Large Band | Bend, Oregon

Amazing outdoor concert by Lyle Lovett and His Large Band at the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend. I am not quite sure what to be more impressed by his vocals, musicianship, or his wordsmith song-writing abilities.

[bigskydreams]

Horse Leather Bracelets | Belts by Gene, La Pine, Oregon

We discovered these at the Bend Farmers’ Market. Fantastic craftsmanship. Message me if you want Gene’s contact details; he has lots of styles/sizes and ships at a low cost. Bought one for each of the girls, one chose dark leather, one light and one painted; suits their personalities perfectly.

[bigskydreams]

Sisters 40th Anniversary Quilt Show | Sisters, Oregon

[bigskydreams]

Big Sky Reads | This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind Ivan Doig

I bought this book in September 2000 from The Country Bookshelf in Bozeman, Montana. Or rather, that is where I bought my first copy. I have read many, many books inspired by Montana, a love of the West, landscape, sky and family; to this day this remains my favorite book. Perhaps because on first reading, I was falling in love with the story and the land; but this book left me with an indelible mark. The writing is inspired. I find it amazing that in his preface Doig explains that when his manuscript returned from the first edit, only the smallest changes were recommended. When you read this book, when you share his life, you get that; it is written from the heart in such a pure and true way. This book moves you; to tears, to joy, to longing, to love, to appreciation, to treasure, to remember, to honor. 

I decided last week, to re-read this book again. I wondered if the second read would live up to my first impressions; it is better, sweeter. Now, I read with a different perspective, not that first love for the land and the people, but with a deeper understanding of the landscape, the towns, the culture. I had the privilege of hearing Doig speak during a book tour; it was quite wonderful to listen first hand to his stories. 

My second through fifth copies of this book were purchased on return from my inaugural trip to Montana and shared with my family. I wanted them to understand how I felt about the place, but also to understand how I felt about them.

I would be delighted to gift this book to someone, so you can discover this treasure for yourself. Leave me a comment/tweet/follow/heart, etc. and I’ll pick one person at random. 

This giveaway will end on February 28th, 2012 at which point one of my children will randomly select one winner. To enter, please retweet/like/reblog or comment before that deadline. 

[bigskydreams]

So sad to read the news of Ivan Doig’s passing tonight. I enjoyed meeting him twice in real life and was fortunate enough to have him sign my copy of This House of Sky. Still my favorite ever read.

[bigskydreams]

Victoria Sponge Cake | Nigella Lawson - How to be a domestic goddess

Can't keep my girls out of the kitchen; they want to bake, bake, bake. Last night they made, my favorite cake, Victoria Sponge with fresh jam, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries. Classic English cake and the girls definitely did it justice. Need to special order 8 inch tins (we only had 9 inch) but otherwise the girls did a fantastic job on this and even washed the dishes! This morning I woke up to my 8 year old asking 'can we bake'. We'll plan to set up a bake sale for charity, because their desire to bake is outstripping our ability to eat (the night before was chocolate molten cakes). 

[bigskydreams]

Montana Moose |  'I heart Montana, dedicated to the big (M) in Montana.'

You'd think we brainwashed them ;-)

[bigskydreams]

Making Rhubarb Crumble with my daughter. Life doesn't get much better than this.

[bigskydreams]

Tonka Wakon. My 15.1 hand Spotted Saddle Horse. 

[bigskydreams]

Road-tripping Yellowstone National Park | 

Even with sandwiches from the Pickle Barrel, drinks from the Coffee Creek drive-thru in Livingston and animal spotting along the way, it can be a very long day's drive in Yellowstone National Park if you are two years' old.

On this particular trip, we had to 'entertain' my daughter on the way home by burying her with jumpers in her car seat, so she could play hide and seek and then break out of them; again, and again, it was a LONG drive home. Yellowstone you are worth it.

[bigskydreams]

You build on failure. You use it as a stepping stone. Close the door on the past. You don't try to forget the mistakes, but you don't dwell on it. You don't let it have any of your energy, or any of your time, or any of your space.

Johnny Cash

[bigskydreams]

Happy Birthday Levi Strauss | February 26, 1829 - September 26, 1902.

Everyone here is rockin' vintage Levis today.

[bigskydreams]

Mine is Always the Americano |

Do good coffee beans really need anything else?

[bigskydreams]

Beartooth Pass | Montana 2007

Charles Kuralt proclaimed it to be 'the most beautiful drive in America'. The Beartooth Highway is the section of US Highway 212 between Red Lodge and Cooke City, Montana. It has a series of steep zigzags and switchbacks to the 10,947 ft high Beartooth Pass. I was so glad to be in the passenger seat on this drive.

[bigskydreams]

Days Aren't Long Enough | Steve Earle and Allison Moorer

The husband and I heard Steve & Allison sing 'Days Aren't Long Enough' in Bozeman; great song.

[bigskydreams]

Montana Acrostic | 

Loving Montana is a family affair here; we are all equally obsessed. My kids collaborated to create this acrostic with seven reasons why they love the state.

[bigskydreams]

Big Sky, Montana | Sneaker Love Marco Boulais

[bigskydreams]

Big Sky Reads | This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind Ivan Doig

I bought this book in September 2000 from The Country Bookshelf in Bozeman, Montana. Or rather, that is where I bought my first copy. I have read many, many books inspired by Montana, a love of the West, landscape, sky and family; to this day this remains my favorite book. Perhaps because on first reading, I was falling in love with the story and the land; but this book left me with an indelible mark. The writing is inspired. I find it amazing that in his preface Doig explains that when his manuscript returned from the first edit, only the smallest changes were recommended. When you read this book, when you share his life, you get that; it is written from the heart in such a pure and true way. This book moves you; to tears, to joy, to longing, to love, to appreciation, to treasure, to remember, to honor. 

I decided last week, to re-read this book again. I wondered if the second read would live up to my first impressions; it is better, sweeter. Now, I read with a different perspective, not that first love for the land and the people, but with a deeper understanding of the landscape, the towns, the culture. I had the privilege of hearing Doig speak during a book tour; it was quite wonderful to listen first hand to his stories. 

My second through fifth copies of this book were purchased on return from my inaugural trip to Montana and shared with my family. I wanted them to understand how I felt about the place, but also to understand how I felt about them.

I would be delighted to gift this book to someone, so you can discover this treasure for yourself. Leave me a comment/tweet/follow/heart, etc. and I'll pick one person at random. 

This giveaway will end on February 28th, 2012 at which point one of my children will randomly select one winner. To enter, please retweet/like/reblog or comment before that deadline.