half past 2023.

on january 10, my dearest grandma jenny went to heaven.

a quick flight to my other home to attend the funeral. leaving monty joel behind to keep yazzie company.

we miss you grandma 🤍

we leave for abbotsford on the 21st. a long drive in pretty snow through pretty mountains. the tiny white apartment welcomes us & it becomes our little home. a month passes. a month full of precious times shopping with carly jo & drinking chia. thrift shops & coffee shops & city lights. the rain falling. I fell in love with abbotsford. I want to go back.

a weekend to the island was fun.

it's february.

back in crooked creek & all we do is work.

in the shop & on monty's truck.

im so lonely for summer I can hardly breathe. & it's coming. the snow is melting off our hill. the icicles lose grip & shatter on the ground below.

tiny green things are finding thier way.

I work as secretary assistant in the shop now. & I love it.

such fun coworkers & a very fun environment. learning as i go.

a few things I love.

• going to mary jo's after work & holding small jude remington.

• riding horse with tessibel grace

• sitting on my porch to take in the sun

Our new friends Kyryl & Masha arrived from Ukraine on March 16. We have had so much fun helping them get settled & showing them all the things we love. Going shopping & on drives. Yelling at the deer we pass. Going for Tim Hortans every chance we get. we are so glad they picked us & we hope they stay forever ♡

april brings baby calves.

a fun trip to see mike & peggy & little apphia.

& then to didsbury where monty parties with sam. & I get to be with shaylee & mel & jordyne.

so good. i'm not done yet.

THEN we go to pincher creek.

favourite place ever.

we cowboy all day.

I feel so at home on my black horse.

his absolutely beautiful self rippling as we run.

best evening with my family.

best times. best times.

it's hot here. like 27 degrees hot.

we eat out side.

we shoot our bows & sweat drops off my forehead.

we bring honey & oats to the precious bears.

I love thier ears.

& thier soft grunts

as thier pretty paws stuff nums into big jaws.

lease days.

quading down. through creeks & valleys.

past mamas with cubs.

dear with white tails.

elk in the distance.

the dogs running. & running.

tongue's hanging out.

the sun beats down.

we eat lunch at the cabin.

the squirrels teasing the puppies.

sometimes we kill them.

yazzie inhaling squirrels like thier jellybeans.

& then we quad more. along the river.

sometimes we walk.

mostly we work.

pounding posts. clearing trees.

petting dogs.

my little garden gets planted.

my toes love the wet dirt &

now we wait for tiny plants to come up to this beautiful view.

with the very much help & support from my man,

I managed to shoot a bear with my bow & arrow.

an amazing evening. adrenaline & tears & an accomplished feeling.

in may my husband lets me leave him

for 9 days to go home for brandings.

fishburn ranch welcomes me.

all the days except sunday I got to rope.

my passion.

my face sore & aching from smiling so big.

your eyes on the mountains.

the blur of green beneath them stretching towards you.

the land is large.

&  beneath this huge sky there's a dot of activity.   ropes swinging.

branding smoke.

big hats.

hours of doing what I love.

all week my life was filled with this.

ropes swinging.

dust in my eyes.

ropes swinging.

& now this is my last calf.

a tear slips down, making a trail through the dust.

I pop my dallys.

& I am done for the year.

hugs to the cowboy friends.

hugs to swinging ropes & fishburn ranch.

I love you.

tired & sunburned

my stay comes to an end.

mom & dad bring me to calgary,

where monty joel with a handsome haircut,

is waiting.

a fun evening with mom & dad.

goodbyes. & off to colerado.

thankyou kari for the ride from denver to center.

joel & jenna & hugs & fun.

that week went by so fast.

a beautiful wedding day for Ced & Nae.

hikes & picnics

flowers & chickens

dairy barns & horses

sand dunes with sand boarding.

monty went with joel to a branding

& roped like a boss so I was proud.

little town of creed with interesting gold mines.

& then we hit a cow.

so message me for the whole story

(it was an experience for sure. )

jenna is kind & brave to drive us through the mountains to the airport.

my tears fall when she drives away because

I adore her.

she is my best friend.

& now we are back in smokey alberta.

thankyou jesus for keeping us all safe.

help all the people we love to not hit cows.

I love all my friends.

call me anytime cuz I miss u all.

ok bye 🫶🏽