Sustainably Sadie

Check out my Sustainably Sadie column in The Madisonian newspaper.  I would love to have suggestions.  And while I may have myself spread a little thin with Buy Local, our family business, our family, now the article in the newspaper, picking up shifts at The Shack, and whatever else comes my way, I would like to keep this blog going as well.  I would love to have a comprehensive list of babysitters and home-based businesses and lists of hiking spots, etc etc etc.  I'm excited for the snow...I somehow ended up not cross country skiing at all last winter and I am dying to get out to Chief Joseph and be outside in the winter wonderland.  How do you love to spend winter in Montana?  Post your comments.  Brag!  

Sustain Family Traditions

Sustainably Sadie

Sustain Family Traditions

Despite stress-induced Grinchiness (a condition resulting in Grinch-like behavior during the holidays), there is something magical about this time of year.  Getting to spend time with family, enjoying special meals and holiday treats, tucked away together against the cold and snow—it’s idyllic and sweet.   When asked what special holiday traditions I treasure, my mind jumps to the seafood feast we indulge in Christmas Eve.  When we were younger, my brother and I would get to open one present early on Christmas Eve, as prelude to the big event.  Now it is more about the crab legs dipped in butter. 

Ice skating is also a holiday institution in the Clark household.  And since my Dad’s 50^th birthday, skating has meant Hockey, but when we were young there was also skating on the slough and irrigation ditch through Waterloo pastures.  What holiday traditions do you treasure most?  Is it easy to maintain those family rituals? Or does Life sometimes get in the way of baking with your children, going to the favorite sledding hill, or getting to Grandma’s for hot chocolate? 

Create new traditions!  Focus on the small things, like creating decorations with the kids, or checking out the neighborhood Christmas lights.  It can be difficult to break away from your parents’ traditions.  Be gentle and try including them when making a stand (such as doing Christmas Eve at your house this year).   

Family traditions are beautiful, passed down through the years and shaped by changes we experience in life.  Going to Church together, family ski vacations, shopping trips, visiting hot springs or simply being together puts a shine and glimmer on this time of year.  Celebrate the Solstice and change of seasons!  Celebrate the shortest day of the year (December 22) and the fact that the days will be getting longer!

Check out the blog, www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com and share your favorite family traditions.   

Twin Bits

The River’s Edge Gallery is open from 10 am to 4 pm every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday until Christmas Eve.  Contact Joie, 596-1969, to make arrangements to visit the Gallery after hours.  There are some amazing (and affordable) locally crafted items.  The Winter Bazaar has been cancelled for the rest of the season—too few customers.  The Twin Bridges Farmer’s Market has been scheduled to begin May 12, 2012.   

From the TBS Calendar:

Christmas Vacation until Wednesday, January 4, 2012! 

Jr Hi Boys Basketball practice starts Jan. 4.

Friday Jan. 6 Basketball in Whitehall

Saturday Jan 7: Speech & Drama @ Loyola; Basketball at Lone Peak

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Post comments at www.sustainablysadie.blogspot.com.  Email sustainablysadie@hotmail.com.  Call my cell (406) 531-1422.

Sarah Miller

P.O. Box 491        Twin Bridges, MT 59754

Favorite Sledding Hill

I would love to have suggestions for sledding hills in the Ruby Valley.  Post your suggestions!

Fall Festival 2011 a Success!!

 

Yeah, Fall Festival!!

Check out the Twin Bridges Community Association page on Facebook to see more fabulous pics!

Upcoming Fall Festival

The TBCA is hosting Beer and Brats in the Park Fall Festival at the RVNB Parking lot in Twin Bridges, Saturday October 1st.  The Fall Festival will be from 4 pm to 7 pm.  There will be polka, pumpkin painting, face painting, apple bobbing, family photos and a scarecrow contest.  I found helpful tips on How to Make a Scarecrow from http://www.halloween-website.com/scarecrow.htm

How to Make a Scarecrow

Traditionally, scarecrows were set up in gardens and fields to keep unwanted birds -- particularly crows, away from the crop. Now people are making scarecrows for their annual autumn Halloween decorations. Instructions are easy!
Homemade scarecrows can be quite fashionable and eye-catching. Choose bold colors and set up a display with corn stalks and bales of hay. Get creative, get the kids involved, use your imagination and make a scary scarecrow! The more menacing he looks, the more of a conversation piece he will be.

Supplies for Your Homemade Scarecrow

• Long-sleeved shirt
• Old pair of pants or jeans - preferably with patches
• Old pair of socks or boots
• Gardening gloves
• Straw hat
• Plenty of baling twine or string
• Safety pins
• A pillowcase or pumpkin for the head
• Fiberfill, newspapers, rags, or straw for stuffing
• Pencil, paint and markers for face
• Stakes (optional)

Assembly

To assemble your scarecrow, firmly tie the ends of the pants and sleeves on the shirt and stuff them with your choice of stuffing. Stuff the socks and gloves and tie on the ends. Fasten the socks (or boots) and gloves to the pants and shirt on the inside with safety pins (or bent paper clips.) Tuck the shirt into the pants.
If you're using a pumpkin for the head, it's best to carve it into a jack-o-lantern to take off some of the weight. It will take some wire to fasten it. A pillowcase works better and is far easier to attach to the body. Use a pencil and draw on the face. Follow up with the paint and markers to give him facial features. Then stuff the pillowcase and fasten it to the body with safety pins.
Top off your scarecrow with a hat. A straw hat gives it a classic look. Fasten the hat firmly so it doesn't blow off on windy days.
You can sit your scarecrow on the bales, or prop him up against them. Consider attaching him to some stakes with a hammer and nails to have him in an upright position.
Now, give your scarecrow decoration a name and enjoy. When the season is over, store him in a dry place for next Fall.

Ruby Valley Living

A great place to raise a family!!  A hard place to make a living!!

Justin and I have been so busy with our business and family life that we have not been able to get away for a romantic date night.  We still compile ideas for that perfect Ruby Valley evening.  Please feel free to leave suggestions and comments.  Eventually we could have a list of babysitters to call.  Let's work together to make our area a happy place to live (even in those really cold winter months)!

Star Gazing up at the Ruby Reservoir.  It's Free!!  Back up a picnic, the little lady, two blankets (one to lay on and one to snuggle under) and listen to the quiet sounds of the lake while you watch the late summer sky come alive!!

Date Night

Welcome to the Ruby Valley Living blog!  An information sharing space--  for our first blog post, we'll begin with "Date Night" -- a