hump day nuggets: little bits of the season in photos and words about the last week
What to say besides I cannot wait for the collision of Montana and Florida?! Dang, y’all.
Kelle and her two daughters arrive today. We’ve never met but we know each other. And here’s what I love the most: we are really different. Like, if we were at a cocktail party with a bunch of people I’m not so sure we’d pick each other out. But I am sure that after several cocktails we’d be all, that crazy fun bitch over there?! I LIKE her. And then we’d stay up too late and never regret it.
We met way back when we were new on the blog scene. When nine comments was a big day. And now she’s all famous and stuff. I feel a bit like I made my guest bedroom up for Gwyneth, Apple and Moses.
This will be such a unique experience. I fall hard for my friends. I have never before had a deep and true relationship with someone I’ve never hugged. I have this with Kelle. I called her when my baby was on life support, she called me when her baby was born with down syndrome. We’ve talked though some crazy, life-changing, big stuff. And we’ve never locked eyeballs.
Isn’t that insane? Doesn’t that make you love social media?
Yes.
People who fault technology and social media for driving wedges: like everything in life, it depends how you approach it. For me? Kelle? Bridges, connections, love come to mind more readily.
So here are some nuggets before this big ol’ experiment! We have some fun, collaborative things in store…
:: Harvest continues round here. We dug up our sorry bunch of potatoes. The poor spuds never got over their blight.
:: And Margot could hunt for worms all day. I can’t even tell you how much this makes me swell with pride. She talks to them really softly. I have to strain to hear, Hi little worm. You want to be covered with dirt? You like that? Be careful.
:: The sweetest thing to sneak up on:
:: We drove south, hugged by the Bitterroots.
Our friends raised us a pig and we went to pick her up. She was fat and happy eating kitchen scraps and roaming around the valley all summer. And then she was killed and processed two miles away. I am so thankful to our friends and to her. That meat will feed our family all year!
And on the way home with two loud children in between us and half a pig in our trunk, I was struck by the beauty I found on the ugliest street in Missoula.
:: Meal time is INSANE these days.
:: I grew sunflowers as big as my head.
And purt near as big as Ruby.
:: The messiest tea party on the planet.
:: Birthday party #13 this summer was at the Smoke Jumper Museum. Very cool.
And I threw my back out so this was my view while everyone carried on with cake eating.
:: Rhubarb is all smiles these days. And, I want to chew on her cheeks and nibble on that right ear that sticks out a bit. But Margot tells me it isn’t a good idea.
:: Margot likes to feed the chickens dirt food. She insists they love it.
:: I am about to sound like a big, fat cliché. What happened to the normal clip of time? How the hell do I have a nearly ONE year-old. Oh Ruby.
Happy hump day out there.
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50 Comments
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HA….I am your #1 fan…..1st in love, support AND comment! I will be back!
xoxo
I’m a new reader but I love what I see. I adore the outdoors, gardening, camping. And my little James is almost exactly as old as your little Ruby. Keep up the great blogging!
And I think I’ll try my hand at those sunflowers next summer! Stunning!
I hope you are all rested up for your visit with Kelle 🙂 I’m sure you will be talkin’ late into the night solving the world’s problems. I seriously can’t wait to read each of your posts. My two favorite bloggers…you guys might be running slow motion towards each other through a field but you have hundreds runnin’ right behind ya!! So much love for you guys! Have fun 🙂
And I’m with ya on that time flyin’ by thing. Forget the “easy” button, I’ve been lookin’ for the “pause” button!!
Love, love, love your pictures…your girls are just beautiful! I’m gonna be ordering me some of those adorable skirts for my precious girl here soon 🙂
xoxo, Angie from OH
how wierd- I found Kelle’s blog earlier this year, and then I find your blog through her blog and… you live in MY HOMETOWN!!! I wish I was there now, but I don’t regret moving to Portland.
My girl has those PJs and it cracks me up every time I see Margo wearing them around all day like regular ol’ clothes. 🙂
Burb! I too am so EXCITED about you and Kelle meeting!!!….can you pick a random person at the BIG Missoula INTERNATIONAL Airport to video this :)! I almost feel like this is a reunion rather than a first time meeting.
Sometimes, just like using the “F” word a big, fat cliché is the only way to go. The Ruby’s scare is still such a fresh and raw emotion for me that I cry just thinking about it…and you are saying it was almost a year has gone by….at the risk of using another big, fat cliché……My, how time flies!
Margot & Ruby, the photos of you here are just beautiful! Bug, I love worms too! Did you know I still go outside after a heavy rain and rescue worms from my driveway & return them to dirt? Yes they do like to “be covered with dirt”…good job! I Love You A Bushel & A Peck! Ruby, I have said this before…I see such soft, curious wisdom behind those big blues. You Are My Sunhine!
xoxo to all. Mom/Gram
just started following your blog. blaaaah – so cute. fun. simple. real. love it. i dig.
Can’t wait to hear all about you and Kelle meeting!!!! So excited for you!!
Margot talking to worms is so stinkin’ sweet! Love that!
Those sunflowers are INCREDIBLE! As our those last 2 pics of Ruby!
Have fun with your visitors!!!
omg have the greatest time with Kelle! That is so awesome. I am very much in the land of 9 comments being a big day haha…she is def a rockstar (you too)! Love you both and can’t wait to see pics from your time together.
I struggle so much with not being a big fat cliche when I talk about my daughter having just turned 1 or having just started walking or whatever it may be… There’s no way around it sometimes though… it is what it is, we moms all feel it, and there are only so many ways you can say it. How do our babies grow so fast?!
you’re so funny–gwnyth, apple, moses.
i think the whole blogging thing is amazing and love that you two are getting together. please take her to g’s dance class. (;
oh, and margot whispering to her worms? awesome. avi does that, too (sans worms)and if i try to chime in, he gives me a look and says, “I wasn’t talking to you, Mommy.”
they are getting so big. and i’m right there with you on the cliche, but dude, time is flying by at a pace that seriously confounds me.
xo
You know why I love social media? Because Janine introduced me to your blog, you introduced me to Kelle’s blog, Janine introduced me to Gillian’s blog, who happens to be a friend of yours! And all of these ladies are now part of my mommy experience and it is a better place because of it.
Can’t wait to read about your visit with Kelle, as I am sure it will be as inspired as you both are times 100. thanks for bringing so much to this “community” and have fun!
i like your new header, i bet you totally raise the roof!
,,,have a wonderful time together,,,very different but very much alike in your hearts,,,
Guess what… We just bought a pig too! Seriously… it’s scaring me now.. If only I had kiddos – they would be identical to yours!
The earth is sure to move when FL and MT FINALLY share the same earth under their feet. I’m anxious with anticipation and can’t wait to read your “I have meet my divine soul sister” birth stories. Have a wonderful visit with your sweet Kelle and her bandits!
ps….love your new Header “made in Montana”, just like Bug & Rubes!
xoxo
Love the new header and look to your blog! Raising the roof…te hehe!
I am so excited about you and Kelle meeting that one would think I was invited too! This is going to be good! You both might have to sleep for a week straight after your visit! Make sure the paparazzi isn’t hiding outside your house for “Gwyneth” to arrive!
Have fun! I know you will!
Jill B (Overland Park, KS)
Dig, I’m so excited about you and Kelle meeting up. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting her, she took our pictures when we were down in Naples.
I’m sure you guys will have the best time ever!! i can’t wait to hear all about it, and see the pictures of course!
I love your new tagline. 🙂
Love the new header and tagline.
And my kids try to feed our chickens dirt, and our cat green beans, and dogs plucked leaves off our crabapple tree.
I love that 2 seemingly different Mamas can create such a connection. Have a wonderful time!
i’ve been reading yours and kelle’s blog for almost a year now. when i saw you 2 were meeting i was actually excited! i don’t even know you guys, my husband would think i’m a nut! have fun with all the littles!!
I love your pictures. My favorite one of the bunch is the one driving down the bitterroot with the rear-view mirror. Outstanding!
Have a blast with your friend. life really never quits surprising us, does it? Friends come in all shapes, forms, and through all the life events that we are open to…..
I can only imagine the things you two have brewing! ENJOY!
Happy hump day right back at ya! Your girls are just gorgeous. I love Margot’s hair and all the attitude that shines through your pictures. And Ruby? Well, those big blue eyes are heavenly!
I know you and Kelle will have a super time together! I can’t wait to read all about it …
PS – LOVE the Elmo slippers!!!!!!!!
her worm conversation makes my heart happy that there are kiddos out there that are just as sweet as i hope my kids are.
aw. i hope you all have too much fun together.
Boy, are you in for it now, you are going to have a blast with your girlfriend.
Love the sunflower head.
I can’t wait to see what you and Kelle come up with for the blogs. And I am so relieved to read that you recognize how different you are in your similarities. I like your blog as in: I wish you were my sister so I could hang out with you all the time. I like her blog as in: I wish she were my sister’s friends, so I could see her occasionally.
This might be one of my favorite posts ever. The comment about Gwyneth & co. is hilarious, and I love the worms, the sunflowers, the tea party. Have fun.
I, myself, was just marveling at the amazing bringing-together power of the internets this very morning after a great email with a very different but very awesome blog buddy of mine.
And I remember *just knowing* that when you and I locked eyes, as you say so poignantly, that we’d be fast Real Life friends.
I’m just jealous that Kelle’s going to get to hang out with you this weekend! Have such a great and memorable time.
I can’t wait to hear (read) all about your and Kels hangout! So precious (and maybe you can get gwenny, moses and apple to stop by). Love your sweet ruby’s smile!
I am so excited to see and read all about you and Kelle’s “reunion/meeting”! It’s like two of my favorite blog worlds have intertwined — ah, heaven! You & Kelle have inspired & taught me in sooo many ways! Both of you women together truly make the most perfect human being! Thank you for sharing just doesn’t seem like enough but I am not as eloquent as the both of you but — THANK YOU!
So excited for you and Kelle! And to the social media dissers (I’ll admit I was once part of that group), this is a story we can point to : )
GORGEOUS pics! As always. Have so much fun with Kelle! Can’t wait to read all about it.
So I found you through Kelle’s blog and had to stop by and say how sweet it is that you two are friends and am happy to think about your meeting. My parents became friends with a lady on a plane once who lived across country and whom they’ve swapped visits with ever since. Long story, but friendship stories always make me smile. I’ll look forward to reading yours. The girls are precious. i have two girls as well;)
I don’t know who you’re talking to, but 9 comments a day is, er, would be, HUGE.
I started reading your blog through our pal Katie here in Denver a couple of years ago, and Kelle’s through yours not long after that. I feel like blog worlds are colliding and that only good things can come from that. Lots of epic photos and cute girls, at the very least.
Yup, social media and unforeseeable friendships that are somehow “meant to be?” Ha!!! Love it and all its blessings.
It’s midnight in California but I know you are still up, chatting away over a beer or two (that you probably brewed yourself!)
And dude, that sunflower is vivacious. Love the tea party pic. Your girls are GEMS, priceless gems.
Yup, social media and unforeseeable friendships that are somehow “meant to be?” Ha!!! Love it and all its blessings.
It’s midnight in California but I know you are still up, chatting away over a beer or two (that you probably brewed yourself!)
And dude, that sunflower is vivacious. Love the tea party pic. Your girls are GEMS, priceless gems.
Yup, social media and unforeseeable friendships that are somehow “meant to be?” Ha!!! Love it and all its blessings.
It’s midnight in California but I know you are still up, chatting away over a beer or two (that you probably brewed yourself!)
And dude, that sunflower is vivacious. Love the tea party pic. Your girls are GEMS, priceless gems.
Yup, social media and unforeseeable friendships that are somehow “meant to be?” Ha!!! Love it and all its blessings.
It’s midnight in California but I know you are still up, chatting away over a beer or two (that you probably brewed yourself!)
And dude, that sunflower is vivacious. Love the tea party pic. Your girls are GEMS, priceless gems.
Yup, social media and unforeseeable friendships that are somehow “meant to be?” Ha!!! Love it and all its blessings.
It’s midnight in California but I know you are still up, chatting away over a beer or two (that you probably brewed yourself!)
And dude, that sunflower is vivacious. Love the tea party pic. Your girls are GEMS, priceless gems.
I love the new banner! Altho I do miss Margot’s hand drawn banner of olde!
I love that you are your friend are about “lock eyeballs” !! As someone who is frequently stuck at home talking to the dog and friends in cyberland….I truly appreciate how strong your friendship is! Good for you both…..and may that first bottle of wine you share, hug and kisses of babes be so sweet! And then, for the rest of us…you can both blog about it next week !!!
Dig, I just have to say I know Kelle and Heidi , you 3 where meant to meet maybe not Heidi this trip. but you 3 have things in common , LOVE FOR LIFE! tell her Hi and have Kelle bring us home some of your Veggies from your beautiful garden. I found you also through them.
enjoy and have so much fun.Cant wait to see this fun trip unfold
Hey Nici 🙂 As always, I love everything about your post, but I just wanted to say that I think it is AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME about the pig that your friends raised for you. In my mind, that is the most ideal way to get your meat and most people are not so lucky. It will be the most delicious pork you’ve ever eaten and you can feel so good about how it was raised and the nutrition it is providing. It is a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing! Hopefully it will inspire others to do the same…
~Lisa
p.s. I don’t need to tell you to enjoy your time with Kelle and the girls. I know it will be incredible 🙂 Such a cool thing that you are coming together finally.
Oh how I love the “worm whisperer” story… makes me smile. I love it when my kids have their own thing going on with mother nature. Hope Kelle’s trip went smoothly & that the pair of you are over the moon… together at last.
xo
Kate
Nici! I loved your comments on meeting Kelle. I read her blog as well, and I have too been moved by her words. So I get it, the connection you have. But, I have to say I was curious how you felt about all the seemingly obvious differences you both have…. not anything too major I don’t think, but it will be so interesting to read about your first encounter “face to face”…. I love to think about and analyze how social media shapes us, both good and bad, and I am really curious to read your next post! On a side note, I have just spent the last two days at a weed workshop surrounded by Montanian women & men, and I have to say there is something about you folks from montana that is truly unique. You all seem to be warriors of some sort! xo
Hi! I hope you and Kelle have a ball together talking and loving on all of those pretty little girls and getting to know each other. I cannot wait to see photos and stories. You two have in common sweet and kind souls and I just know you will have a great time visiting and getting to know each other. Tell miss Kelle welcome to Montana for me okay? I grew up east of Judith Gap, Montana in the shadow of the Snowies and I love to share Montana with those that are worthy of the honor! 🙂 x M.
Can’t wait for you and Kelle to meet in person, and for the blogs posts that will come from the adventure. So meant to be, so envious I can’t be a part of it! Have a wonderful time!
-Jenny from Iowa
I think the creative energy orb over Montana must be something like the Northern Lights! Did you to touch rings and send off bolts of lightning when meeting, like Power Rangers? Have a fabulous time together. Wish I were there…but then, I have to ghost write all Kelle’s blogs–Anonymous is on to me, you know. Take the sap and make some good syrup–I know you can! Have a fabulous time–your children are heavenly! (My word verification is chidqua, which, translated means: Bite me Liz)
Okay Rik….you said what I was thinking in the last sentence of your post! 🙂
Have a wonderful week with those three girls – she chose a good week to get some genuine MT weather – I heard it is snowing in Glacier!
Beautiful pictures, as always 🙂
We just bought a 4H pig at the fair – so we’ll have to swap recipes!
I am new to you. I’m blown away by the photos. The flower as big as your head bites me in the eyes and all I can see is yellow-orange right now. Love, love, love it.
Grow on.