Stone Creek Haven

Mini Shop Update

2011-11-22T16:54:00.001-07:00

Good day to you Friends!

The ETSY shop was truly neglected this summer. But, I am happy to say, I had a wonderful summer and I wasn't always super tired. So instead of working like crazy on jewelry, I focused on the Farmers' Market and having fun. It just so happens I haven't posted an item on ETSY since June, HOLY CROW, here are several offerings. They are currently in the shop and you can get to the link directly to your right! Thanks for stopping by for a visit, I really appreciate it!!!!!

Happy Turkey Week,
Krissy Lee

Turquoise Vestige Ring

Buena Suerte Necklace

Panache Saddle Ring No. 11

Biggerstaff is Pushing a Mean Pace

2011-10-16T14:45:00.001-06:00

If you would like to see how we got this far and to see more photos, go HERE to my Flickr account.
Happy Harvest Sunday to you and yours.
Cheers,
Biz

Progress Update

2011-09-29T17:35:00.000-06:00

Thanks for your patience....

I am well overdue for an update.

Cheers,

Krissy

The House is Gandhi with the Windy

2011-08-25T16:59:00.000-06:00

Howdy Friends and Family,

In case I wasn't clear before, our house is gone and we are starting from scratch, including the landscape. I knew this fact going into the project and all along, but it wasn't totally apparent to me until we showed up on Aug. 8th, after a few days of vacation, and our house and lot were and dirt pile. Adding to my "deer in the headlights look" and general feelings of conflict regarding the loss of the old house and the wondering of our future, kitty was missing. I could piece back together that Noche, our 12 year old kitty, had been in the neighborhood for two nights while we were in Red Lodge, MT. Noche had come back home to his house of 9 years and wondered what the heck had happened. According to the neighbors, on the morning of 8/8 they awoke to some terrible moans, meows, howls and the like. Noche was sitting in the middle of the dirt pile letting the whole neighborhood know that this whole idea was BULL SHOCKEY and he wasn't having any of it. When we got home that day and patched the stories together, I knew he must still be in the neighborhood. I stopped by the house many times that day and sounded my whistle that we have him trained to, and never did find him in the daylight. I went to bed and didn't sleep very well at all that night. I awoke at 12:45am and buzzed back over to the house and Noche was meowing around the foundation. All is well and my stress level has decreased. Not only are we building a house, I am working through some life issues that I didn't even know were problems yet. Have I told you how much fun building a house can be?

Puttin' My Happy Face On

Building a life and house all at once,
Bisquit

The Work Begins

2011-08-22T13:09:00.001-06:00

We are out of the house, the power has been disconnected, with a

temporary power source installed,

and our new water well was drilled.

Each day there is a hum of activity

and I stop by there to pick up our mail daily.

Really I just use the excuse to be over there

to see the progression of work.

This project is really a GO,

and I am getting excited about

our finish date in November.

Yes, you can build a whole new house in

four months.

The next time we saw our house, it was a hole in the ground.

Stay tuned for more updates.

Happy Monday,

Biz

Stealth Cam Shots from the Cabin

2011-07-18T17:46:00.000-06:00

Hey there,
I have missed you! We have been busy, as always. Instead of carrying on that it is too much, I am going to assume that life will maintain its busy-NESS and adapt. After all, I get more done when there is more to do. For a Christmas present (we don't celebrate Christmas with our friends on the correct date, ever) we recieved a Stealth Cam from Don and K-Mac with the intent of putting it at the cabin. We got it placed in a location that Scoot and I thought might get some action because of scat and tracks we had seen before in the snow. Luckily we were right, we are not alone!!!! I can't explain how happy this makes me, I love having a set of eyes at the cabin when we are not there. Check out the visitors.

Camera location, about 100 yards from cabin.

I was so excited, Fletch levitated for me!

Testing,

...testing

Heading home for the weekend.

Critters!!!!!

::::::

THANKS, DON AND KMAC, we love our gift!!! The cow moose are my favorites, we thought she may come around for her debut! The camera settings take a shot about every minute, if there is action. That's why we got two shots for the same moose, she was hanging out.

Thanks for the visit,
Lolita

The Fletcher Family Scramble

2011-06-24T10:47:00.002-06:00

Well hello there,

After giving little hints in my blog post previously, and upon have been given the permission by our architects, we can finally let the cat out of the bag. Fletch and I are doing a total remodel of our 1960's 900 sq/ft home. We have called this our nest since 2002 and to be frank, this isn't going to be easy to knock it down. This is my husband and I's first house and what we called ours since living in our sweet little mountain town. Last summer, beginning in May, we had an offer into an amazing house that we called the Red House. To make a long story more brief, it was a short sale and in a total mortgage buying time warp. We just couldn't get excited about the house any longer after having put up three offers and having none work out just right. I didn't mention it here, because I don't deal well with dissapointment and so I could never get excited. Really, this was just a blessing in disguise that allowed us to re-evaluate our wants and needs. What we wanted was a new house, in our existing neighborhood, next to the Lowry's, with all our special needs. After a bit of research, and because we live in the county, the best plan was to build on our existing site because we could avoid all the sticky city covenance crap and building permitting business. See, we live in Bozeman right in town, but are grandfathered in to a county set up with nothing more than a landuse permit required to build. Oh goody! Lindsay Schack and Tuya Studios are the architects we have been working with since February to get our desires on paper. We decided on going with Biggerstaff Contstruction of Big Sky to build our custom Fletcher Flat. We will begin work after the 11th of July and hope to be finished in four months-ish, heavy on the ish!

So that's the story in a nutshell. Fletch and I are going to do our best to be gentle on each other, a family pact we have already established, because the stress is building. We do what we can to get outside since the weather has finally decided to warm up, smearing fat together in the woods seems to be the best remedy of late.

Happy weekend.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kristin

Our House Now.

The Partners' House,

Our Home for 5 months,

luckily only 4 blocks away.

Fletcher's New Flat

View from the front.

Yep, that's a flat roof on the garage!

View from the backyard.

Elevational Details including:

rolled steel gutters, a sliding panelled door w/exposed hardware,

framed and detailed window brows, reclaimed wood siding,

entry nook, and a clean volume.

Continued details:

Master Bedroom above the garage with enclosed

steam shower and river rocked detailing the floor, private master

patio with 3 paneled sliding door.

See that garage door on the back, that's to my new studio!!!!

I will have a workbench on coasters and will

schelp projects outside to work.

I am also excited about the finished texture on the garage volume,

it is a layered and trowelled plaster in a dark slate that will have

a velvety texture when completed.

New Kitchen:

angled garden window, marble pastry slap,

Alder chopping block, an open floor plan,

and a Blue Star cooking range.

Bro, Sister-in-Law and Dad.

Check out the Aspen tree in 2005,

the year we got married.

And would you look at it last week?

Unfortunately this baby is getting the yank,

the top half is dead and way to close for our new

two story garage structure.

These are the parts that are going to be hard.

But we do have the garden planted!

If we completely meltdown

and when all else fails,

we will run to the hills by our

CABIN!

We are in fact headed up this afternoon,

I have to get going!

Hasta luego otra vez,

Biz

El Trabajo de Mis Manos

2011-06-01T17:08:00.006-06:00

Howdy Doody,

Please excuse me for my bliggity blog absence, I am not sure where the month of May went? Maybe down the stream with the rest of the rain that has hammered us. No compaints on rain, we are green as can be. I would just appreciate a bit more sunshine. These weekend promises to be sunnier, we can't wait.

I have been keeping my torch hot, but not crazy hot! Here are some goodies that were smithed up from scratch in my little shop.

Manly Bangle in sterling.

Sweet Swinging Hoops in sterling.

Antique vintage glass and pierced floral design.

A first in piercing designs.

14k white gold wedding band,

also a first in using 14k gold white.

Mommy neckace of

14k gold and sterling.

My first little owl,

crafted in sterling and Mokume.

Laura snatched this one up, right quick.

My second hand crafted owl,

of sterling and Mokume.

He hasn't flown far from

MY neck since his birth.

Mixed Metal Luxe Earrings,

of sterling, copper, 14k gold and turquoise.

And introducing feather earrings...

by the gobs.

Thanks for browsing. Stay tuned for more bombshell news this week. Fletch are I have about two weeks to COMPLETELY move out of the house. The tenor of change is resounding in the Fletcher house. I will let you know of our plans soon.

With gratitude,

Biz

Springtime Jig

2011-04-29T06:41:00.009-06:00

Happy Friday,
I hope this note finds you well and that the week is winding down to a Friday Happy Hour! In the Northern Rocky Mountains we are still snowing and experiencing some onery and ferocious storms which come in the form of rain, sleet, gropple, slop, flakes and the like. I tell you, this is the hardest time of the year in Bozeman. I am ready to be done skiing, but it is far too muddy to do anything else. Spring mud season is a beast of her own caliber. So my Springtime Jig is to show Mother Nature that I am holding strong in a flowered skirt, because there aren't any flowers popping in the garden. In fact, we are something like %135 of our normal snowpack in the Gallatin Range and hubby left at 6am this morning to ski powder that fell yesterday. Truly, all this snow and moisture will amount to ample stream flows for the fishies and less forest fires. I wrapped up two major projects with deadlines at the real job, I am thrilled that it is Friday, and we have an exciting birthday party this evening.

Do have yourself a good day,
Lolita

PS. I took these photos alone with the help of a remote control :)

A Ski Tour of Small Mountain Bridger

2011-04-18T15:15:00.007-06:00

Welcome to your week, I hope it is treating you well. Several weeks ago, when the snow was still fluffy and the weather still wintery, I enjoyed a beautiful day at Bridger Bowl with my best ski pal, HUBBY. The first video is a tour from the ridge, just off of Schlachman's lift. To ski this area, a beacon is required, and we always bring along shovel, partner and probe. More this year than ever, Fletch and I have resort skiied and had plenty of days in the back country. This has been a fabulous winter!

The second video is me filming Scott fluffing and flirting in the cold smoke. And you get to hear my voice, for all of us that haven't met in the flesh. Just so you know, Scott and I talk bird....in which CAW is a universal word and totally effective communication. CAW can .... divulge your whereabouts, announce you are lost, say you are ready, locate your husband in the forest or snow storm, OR, say I am ready with the camera, SKI ON!!!! See for yourself.

Cheers, Bisquit

I'm Lucky, Gemmy, and Random

2011-04-13T01:46:00.008-06:00

Howdy Hump Day La Gente,

First to report, the lucky part: The Fletchers have a new family member as of today, we welcome Holden Fletcher. HAPPY BABY, Steven and Kirstin. We are lucky and blessed, as this is the second munchkin born in our FAM, Madeline was just born last month. So Fletch and I are Double-Aunt-and-Uncle LUCKY.

Now to the gemmy and random part. Since I am a civil servant and there was the looming issue of the government shutting down and such, I thought I might have a couple of days off. Rather, we have a weeks worth of money to work with and we will see next week. Eh hem......getter done already, SENATORS. So we went to work happily, as usual, and the week's work travels took me to Red Lodge, MT. This is my favorite town, by far, next to Bozeman, in Montana. Given this ripe opportunity I snatched up some stones cut by a local lapidary that works in town. Would you look at those stones? And Joe took me on a tour of his newly located shop which houses his miriad of stone cutting tools. Clearly this tickled my fancy, I love to see how raw rock makes it way to cabochons, and I asked as many questions as I could. And boy howdy, I can ask some questions.

Enough banter, here are the goods.

A bunch of turquoise, Tiffany Stone w/ Drusy Vug,

Burro Creek Jasper w/ Drusy Vug, Cobaltocalcite Drusy

Love my new IPhone and I am

making feather earrings.

Feather Flirts are still in

the trial stages to see

how they wear.

The Cobaltocalcite Drusy with all its fancy

Malachite crystals.

More than ever:

He's my nook and I fit in his cranny...

under the chin, right in the sweet spot

where I belong.

Good Photo Mr. Shanky

Mom knows, so the news is out.

I got a tattoo....my covey of huns

in flight....

our home birds.

And last but not least,

we put Bridger Lift access to bed.

We wore our best 80's wigs for support and

rounded out the year with an

epic 120" inch base.

While the season of lift access is a thing of the past,

I am sure my hubby will convince me to skin

up Bridger in a bikini like last year.

And I probably will,

but only if the sun is shining

and I can tan my

Montana Winter White Fat.

Over and Out,

Mc-Fletch-Rae

We Got All Dolled up for Baby's 40th Birthday!

2011-04-06T18:03:00.010-06:00

Scott turned 40 on 3.26 and we went all out for his 1920s birthday celebration. The party wasn't a suprise, he picked the theme, but many of the details were. As you can see from the photos, everyone wore their best to contribute and the whole event was a masterpiece. Thanks a million to the Kingleys for hosting the event at their house, Jess for helping me plan the awesome party, Molly for designing the invitations and Robyn for decorating. I was thrilled to see everyone's costume, thanks FRIENDS, for adding so much to the party. If you can't tell, we love dressing up!!!!!

With some colored streamers, fresh tulips, candy ciggys, doilies, 14 different kinds of appetizers, Cosmopolitans, Lime Rickeys, feathers, fedoras, and fringe you can turn your house into a Speakeasy in just an afternoon. The Dames were looking hotsy totsy and the men weren't lookin' too shabby themselves. Believe me, this was no dry juice joint.

Happy Birthday Week Fletcher!!!!! I love you more and more each year.

With gratitude,

Bisquit

If you want to see more, go HERE, to my Flickr account.

The Skiing Has Been The Bomb - Vol. 4

2011-03-23T22:47:00.007-06:00

Howdy,

I am still embracing this weather, enjoying the blanket of snow while we have it. These pictures document a ski day with Fletch that was awesome. The blue sky was seen, the sun blazing and a powder day....this is called a Bluebird Day for you non-ski junkie types. Luckily I got to spend it with my favorite ski buddy whom also happens to be my husband. Boy I am lucky!

The usual self portrait.

Schlasman's Lift shut down for a short stint,

so we had a bask in the sun.

Our home hill.

Vodka tonic for a road soda.

Soaking up the sun to the fullest!

And last but not least, here is a VERY short video of Scott in shoulder deep powder, AKA Montana Cold Smoke. I was just getting adjusted to the video camera on my Iphone so it isn't the best. However, the powder was the BEST!

I do appreciate your stopping by for a visit, more than you know.

Love,

Biz

The Skiing Has Been Opulent - Vol. 3

2011-03-16T12:20:00.005-06:00

Howdy,

Today we are under a blanket of clouds, and oscillating between snow, rain and sleet. I told myself this morning to relax, Spring is coming, so no reason to get excited. This mud season that comes every year always does this to me. So for now, I will show you some wintery photos that document a short ski in which we explored the Clearwater National Forest.

Jess and Dan

Jess and Scott gearing up.

Post ski:

Scott, myself, Dan, Jess and Jon

With a little attitude:

Scott's back hurt, can you tell?

Homebound:

broken windshield in Montana = the usual.

Have a great humpday,

KLF

The Skiing Has Been Lush - Vol. 2

2011-03-14T18:32:00.008-06:00

Happy Monday to you.

As I said I would, here is the next installation of our skiing photos. While others are enjoying spring, with blossoms blooming and bulbs pushing upward, we are still under a good cover of snow in the mountains. We have started to melt in the valley and it is a sloppy, muddy mess where ever you go. The time change has made a marked difference in extending the amount of daylight we have, a welcomed switch. I have to keep telling myself that we have probably 6 more weeks of winterly-like weather; sleet, rain, slop, mud, and repeat. So I can't quite get excited for warmer weather yet. We are still skiing our pants off.

Several weekends ago, Fletch and I skipped out of town and travelled to Lost Trail, MT for a we-need-to-get-out-of-dodge quick trip. The skiing was delightful and we were lucky enough to stay at Shaw's family cabin very near the ski hill, in Idaho. Montana is such a dreamy place. Lost Trail Ski Hill takes me back to when skiing at small resorts as a child was what I lived for, my roots. Really this hasn't changed :)

On the road.

Montana at its BEST.

Dan, Scott, Jess, Alida, Jon, Qui, Shaw, and myself.

Nice "action snow throwing", Fletch!

Thanks Shaw!!!!!

Holding Tight for Spring,

Biz

The Skiing Has Been Majestic - Vol. 1

2011-03-03T00:30:00.005-07:00

Hey there family and friends,

I hope your week is treating you just right.

I have been in "Helena -handbasket"

all week for the real job.

They have been keeping me busy

and the time has hastily past.

Nonetheless,

I am so ready to join my family at

home tomorrow.

Without further banter.....

here are some photos of Hubby,

Jess, Dan, Henry and myself

on a early morning back country

ski before work.

The Skiing HAS Been Majestic

Volume 1

with three more to follow.

A peek of the Gallatin Valley to left

and the tail end of the Bridger Range.

Henry

Fancy Hubby

Self portraits of us

before the decent.

I am not sure what my pinky is doing

in this last picture.

Posing, I guess.

Maybe I needed if for balance?

Ciao,

The Shooshing Biz - ski- it

Friday Goodies

2011-02-25T17:00:00.007-07:00

Happy Friday, Friends.

If I haven't mentioned it lately,

or even if I have,

thanks for reading my blog.

You are all the cat's pjs,

and I like you a bunch!

Here are two goodies that are already in the

SHOP,

as I am writing this.

A Cowgirl's Gem Along the Path

(sterling and fine silvers,

with Turquoise)

Mountain Mama Charm Necklace

(handmade charms of sterling

and copper)

I am headed straight to Happy Hour,

after a few necessary errands.

Later week, I am done with you!

Hasta Luego,

Bizcocho Feliz

Introducing Our New Cutest Niece!!!!!!

2011-02-24T17:13:00.006-07:00

Her name is

Madeline Frances McRae.

We are sooooo proud of you, Jef and Yolanda.

Our hearts are boiling with joy.

She was actually born on Monday 2.22.11.

My middle brother Jef says,

"She was born yesterday at 1231 and was 6lbs, 8 oz, 20".
She is a keeper."

He took all these early shots.

I love her precious face in the first photo and how

small she looks in my brother's hands.

Mom and baby are heathy and happy!

I am the proudest Auntie Bisquit ever.

Feeling the family grow with love,

Kristin Lee McRae Fletcher

Freshly Smithed

2011-02-10T17:49:00.009-07:00

Howdy Doody,

Here are some freshly

smithed silvers and a

long over due shop update.

Thanks for stopping by for a gander

and have yourself a good day, will ya', eh?

A New Batch of Saddle Panache Rings:

made of copper and sterling silver,

some Mokume,

each are totally unique,

and wear like a dream.

I haven't taken mine off.

A custom order.

In the shop now.

This one is for the picking too.

Big Sky Western Ring

(handmade of sterling,

fine silvers,

and Peruvian Blue Opal)

Lineage Turquoise Spikes

(handmade of turquiose,

sterling,

and Czech Crystals).

They have a svelte movement

about them.

A Custom Anniversary Order,

Thanks Jon!

(garnet, sterling and fine silvers)

Snow Bunny Studs

(A B-Day gift for Kate,

she needed posts :)

sterling silver and faceted pearls )

Barbed Spikes

( For J.Bene.Shanky,

she lost a mate)

Now the dust has been

cleaned off the shelves.

Thank goodness I got off

of dead center for listing

items on ETSY.

Do have a swell day,

won't you?

The Smithy Bizzy

xoxo

A Jaunt in the BC

2011-02-07T16:17:00.007-07:00

With all the great snow we have been getting, the back country skiing has been amazing. Enjoy these photos of our day. I can't tell you where we were, just in the Gallatin Mountain Range, or my friends would thump on me. Sorry!

I am always the caboose.

My new AT (alpine touring) boots.

New BCA backpack,

also from hubby.

He takes amazing care of me!

The turquoise color is swell and the

mesh helmet holder rules.

I was chanelling excellence

with my Apolo Anton Ohno bandana.

Scott and Don

John, Jess, Scott, Dan and

Don

We had a blast,

thanks for always waiting for me!

Happy Winter,

Snow Bisquit

Plata Brillante y Nuevo

2011-01-18T17:44:00.008-07:00

Good day to you,
Here are some freshly smithed jewels for the new year.

And now I am getting on my metal crate and am standing up straight, eh hem. Some might call it a soap box.

I had a realization the other day that was profound. After a few years of metalsmithing jewelry of the handmade sort and really trying to flesh out ideas that represent myself and my roots, I have developed a western flared style that suits me just fine. Rather than constantly searching the interwebs for inspiration, I find myself looking to the real world for inspiration and then go to my sketch book to document the ideas. I would like to come clean on a stickler point. This used to bug the shit out of me. Why not just let the flow of ideas develop through your design as it is crafted (my old way of fabrication)? Well, it doesn't work for me anymore. As time has passed and themes within in my designs are built upon, becoming more involved, a sketch book holds my many thought tangents. One other thing I will also divulge. I couldn't understand why certain smithers refused to browse jewelry on ETSY. This too puzzled me. Plume, we conversed about this at length. Rather, you answered my myriad of questions, thanks. As time answers many questions, I realized this worked for me, as well. While ETSY is an amazing marketplace, it is also a huge source of copying and borrowing others ideas to be your own. I am not saying that you shouldn't do this, it just doesn't do it for me. In fact, it gets me heated and I realize, what I had written just a few sentences ago. Focus on your own design elements and build upon those, while drawing inspiration from your everyday experience. As my work flow has changed, so has my way of creating, which has allowed me to take baby steps. Because really for me, it just one big science project.

Great, now I am really sounding like an artist. Crap, I am just more of a fabricator. Artists have dreamy studios with the light gleaming in on fresh cut flowers. My work space is a shop...dirty, dusty, woodstove burning, damn it's cold in the garage, shop.

Okay, I stepped off my box now. Thanks for listening.

Maverick Earrings,

sterling silver

Panache Saddle Ring,

sterling silver and copper Mokume Gane,

in the shop now

This Panache hasn't left my finger since I made it.

Panache Saddle Ring,

sterling silver and copper Mokume Gane,

for me

Double Horseshoe,

sterling and copper,

a custom order of Cousin Morgan,

Thanks!

El Gran Suerte

made of sterling silver,

a second version, also in the shop.

Have a swell evening,

with gratitude,

Kristin

The Best Little Bath House

2010-12-30T13:51:00.005-07:00

Howdy Doody,

As promised, here is another bliggity blog post and an introduction to The Best Little Bath House located in the Bangtail Mountains, our Stone Creek Haven. The Bath House has the very amazing sauna and a soon to be shower. We have been using the sauna, crafted of untreated cedar from head to toe, since late summer and enjoying every sweat we can get. Now with a snowy blanket covering the ground, we find a roll in the snow is just what the doctored ordered to cool off once you have sweat your arse off. After your roll in the snow, a dash back in the warm sauna to heat up again, and repeat, and repeat.....now you get the idea. Dan and Hubby designed the sauna after the traditional Norwegian style in which the floor is meerly a deck floor. This and the window allow for plenty of air ventilation so your breath is never taken from you. Upon getting toasty as can be and realizing you must go, you already await your next sauna.

A photo of the cabin and the bath

house to the left,

before the snow flew.

Please leave your boots at the door.

Steamy and dreamy.

Multiple levels for all temps.

The sauna just melts us.

The Steamy Bisquit

PS HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

2010-12-27T14:11:00.009-07:00

Good day Friends and Family,

I write today wishing you the best of Holiday goodies, cheer and delight! The Fletchers have definitely had their share, with more New Year festivites planned for this weekend. It is very clear that while the blog has been collecting dust, I can't lie, we have been skiing. Even my Mom mentioned, "Why aren't you blogging daughter"? After our whirlwind trip schedule that started in November, we are happy to keep cozy at home over the holidays. And maybe I will even start bloggin more, oh goody!

Please enjoy the following photos that document how skiing has filled our snowy lives.

Champagne celebrating another year of skiing together.

Fletch and I document our years together by ski passes,

this marks year 13, holy crap!

The New Bridger Lift...

new, shiny, and fast.

Post ski parking lot libation.

We have to ski into the cabin

until the snow melts,

and this is just fine for us.

The Bath House with

the warmest little sauna

you have every sweat in....

I can't begin to describe how swell the sauna has been to enjoy.

It's imbued internal heat keeps

your blood warm even after you have left.

Our homemade herbal oil tincture melds with the aroma

of freshly cut cedar which adds to the overall catharctic experience.

Hubby makes sure we take breaks every 15 minutes, like the good

Norwegian way.

Did I mention scantily clothed snow baths,

these are the best!

A back country skin up our new run,

"Afternoon Delight".

The necessities...

beacon, shovel, probe, Hubby...

CHECK!

X-Country Tomfoolery Skiing

with Robyn.

Ding dang it was cold!

Max Lowry, our favy neighbor,

even got new skis.

Soon, he will ski!

Hope you are getting out, even if it's really chilly! Bundle up and then drink hot chocolate when you come in....that's the best.

More sauna pics from Stone Creek Haven to come.

Cheers,

El Bizcocho Feliz

Join Us!

2010-12-08T16:17:00.009-07:00

Holiday Open House at Girls Outdoors

Thursday Night from 4-6:30

20 N. Tracy Bozeman, MT

Drop in for a tasty beverage while gazing upon fancy holiday jewels and outdoor clothing.

Plus Downtown is Ladies Night on Thursday Evening!

Below is a brief preview of newly smithed items that will be available during the open house.

Vestige Ring

sterling and turquoise

Wishbone Necklace

sterling and turquoise

embellished with a feather, hangs 24"

Salt Chuck Necklace

sterling and fresh water pearl

Panache Saddle Ring

sterling and copper

Snow Bunny Posts

sterling

So you can still look girlish,

without freezing your lobes off.

Silver Spikes

sterling

Simple Hoops

sterling

Ruby Kiss Posts

Mixed Metal Pebble Stackers

sterling, 14k gold, copper

Hodgito Posts

sterling

Hodge-podge little posts.

I will be making more of these...

love how the dapped feather curls over your lobe.

Hammered Silver Spikes

sterling

Simple Hoops

sterling

Salt Chuck Ring

sterling and fresh water pearl

Happy Holidays,

Smithy Bisquey

A Thankful Thanksgiving

2010-11-25T08:31:00.016-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!

Next to Halloween, this is probably my favorite holiday. Both have small expectations with great fun and rewards, these are my simple joys. We are going to our friends house in town for some home cooked food, drinks and hot tubbing. After MAJOR family Fletcher consternation, we decided that an 8 hour drive to Hettinger, ND in -20 to -40 degree temps on ice, for a pheasant hunt, would not be the wisest decision. Albeit, a tough decision, we had just driven this same stretch last weekend on ice, not fun!

The following pictures document our deer hunt last weekend near Ekalaka, MT. Let me say ahead of time that I did a fair amount of talking with God, given the cold weather and that I harvested a deer. This is never easy for me and takes a ton of mental preparation. Which is to say, that if I had a good shot, one that I was comfortable with, I would have to take it. This is my 5th year of deer hunting and I have only got one deer 4 years ago. So while this was a success for me, I owe it all to my husband whom is my #1 GUIDE and who ensures that all my equipment will provide for a successful hunt. This was a thrill to him too!

Game face,

with camo makeup.

And I got glasses to help me see

far.

My #1 GUIDE

Our buddy Don came along

for the first time.

A nice 4x4 Whitetail buck,

still in velvet.

After a bit of research,

we call this deer a stag.

It ended quick, one shot and

done.

I am grateful.

Home Sweet Home

Brother in Law, Steven,

cooking crab and brie stuffed salmon.

We always eat amazingly!

Da Boyz,

Steven, Don and Scott

Waiting in anticipation for the sun to rise.

Battle Butte (L) and Lone Woman Butte (R)

There was no shortage of whiskey drinking :)

A Fletcher Family Tradition,

the butt warmer.

Do it when no one is looking or do it when all your friends

can do it at once.

That way, no one sees.

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Sam always brings Jagermeister,

for us deer hunters.

Tent camping

Fancy Cocktail

made by hubby.

Yummy lasagne and salad.

The pooper.

Brenda, my very fun

mother-in-law.

Wishing you the best of Thanksgivings.

Cheers,

Krissy Pants

Halloween Recap

2010-11-05T10:03:00.012-06:00

It is true, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays,

next to Thanksgiving.

This year, the coworkers from the

real job dressed up and we had a sporgasbord lunch

while we giggled over costumes.

Kate and I rocked some sort of '80s get-up

so we could be thematic.

As you can see from the pics below, I had

way too much fun with my makeup.

Jill as Tim

Steve as Little Red Riding Hood

Disco Pete next to Obama

Kate and I

(Joe did the photo shoot)

On Saturday, we donned another get-up

and ventured out to the Filling Station to see

Cure for the Common, after having

jello shots, apps and other goodies at Jess' house.

Dia de los Muertos,

Me llamo Muerta,

as Flo so named me.

La Muerta and Flo

aka big time trouble

Would you look at those lashes?

Dancing Tacos and a Witch

with her bum hanging out.

Flo can balance wine bottles on her head.

Disco Ryno

Flo, Madonna and Sha

At the Filler,

Cure for the Common

Garret, below

And the cutest skeleton Max

Lowry ever,

I love this little guy.

Hasta Luego,

La Muerta

The Annual North Dakota Wild Chicken Hunt

2010-10-23T11:01:00.019-06:00

Happy Weekend,
I hope yours is as peachy as can be.

A bit belated, but well worth the posting, here are some pictures and details of our annual hunting trip to North Dakota. Every year for opening day of Pheasant, we pack up and head east to meet up with our Colorado friends at the Stein's place north of Dickinson for bird hunting. I am the only lady invited, probably for good reason. Clearly, it is man bonding time including shooting, cocktailing and hunting, but the kicker is that we jammed 6 people and 8 dogs in a single wide trailer for four days of festivites, and really no privacy. But I love it, and the boys keep inviting me back, as the only lady with first right of refusal. I would be silly and stupid to give up my spot! Really all the boys, after they limit early, strategize and help me to bag a bird or two. This experience provides for belly laughs, multiple dog howl offs, plenty of Bloody Marys and whiskey. Oh goody, our annual red neck hunt, and it was such a blast.

Bella, our Brittany, is on injury reserve. She tore her shoulder muscle hunting and probably powered through it. She showed no signs of being lame or whimpering until we were in the truck and headed home. Bella cried and wined from the Steins to Glendive, MT....well I may have cried that long too. It was torture. Currently, she is on the mend after pain killers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers. We start physical therapy next week and she is getting better, slowly. So as quickly as our bird hunting season began, it quickly quieted to a whisper until we get our star pointer back to racing form.

With great elation, I did limit one day on Pheasant and also shot a Hun that same day. 4 birds is the most I have bagged ever in a day with a total of 9 birds on our hunt. Thank goodness all the training, skeet shooting, and Fletcher hunting strategy has come to fruition. In past years I have nearly chewed through my plastic whistle in annoyance and angst, but not this year. My bird hunting zen has finally found a home, and with the help of Bella, all the Fletchers are having way more fun hunting. Shooting better doesn't hurt either. We ended up bring home two dozen Pheasants, 4 Sharptailed Grouse and a few Huns, a nice mixed bag of wild chicken.

Disclaimer: It may be quite possible that some of you as readers will find the below photos of our birds to be offensive or gross. But I would rather have it this way. We harvest birds that we have worked hard to find and hunt, it is just not that easy, for me at least. There is something very serious and wholesome in taking a critter's life to sustain yours. The Flethchers have seemingly built a lifestyle around this philosophy and take great pride in personally harvesting our meat, knowing where it came from, taking the time to process and freeze our game, to picking out the ideal recipe to compliment the game's wild and yummy flavor.

Thanks for reading and thinking a bit :)

Another good reason for fingerless gloves,

you can still shoot your gun.

The Steins' Place,

along the Knife River,

our hunting grounds.

Framed Crested Wheatgrass,

I think it looks like a fish skeleton,

an easy identification.

Home Sweet Home

Gary took these awesome sunset pics.

A Day's Harvest:

Eric w/ Hank and Sammy

Scott

Bella and I

Puddin

and Gary...

Porter is in camo up front.

Hard workers:

Porter the GSP

with the Brittanies...

Remy, Cooper, Bella,

and Hank.

I love feathers, the colors,

and the patterns of Pheasants.

Sharptailed Grouse

More Pheasant Feathers

How you move a picnic table in

No Dak, eh?

L'nette Stein and Eric

Bella and I

(Gary took this)

I love this old house,

built of mud, straw and brick.

Asshole to belly button,

in the trailer.

Gary, Zach, Eric, Scooter,

and Andy

Bella and Porter

Puddin and Cooper

Zen-Huntress

Bisquit of the Corn

Ciao,
Shooter

10 YEARS on 101010

2010-10-15T00:41:00.006-06:00

Good Super Early Friday, Friends!

I am writing to you in pjs from our Bozeman Bungalow while listening to our very hurt puppy snore in her bed. Bella tore her shoulder muscle hunting and will be out for two weeks with NO activity, more on this to come. She is doing better but it is truly heart-wrenching to see her in this much pain.

And thanks for reading this blog, lots of you have told me that you do, and I appreciate it a bunch.

Last Sunday I celebrated my 10 year anniversary with NRCS. I can't believe how fast 10 years have flown by. Shortly after moving to Bozeman in 2000, I was hired by NRCS as a GIS digitizer developing digital soil surveys. Thank goodness that job lasted only 4 years, it was worse than watching white paint dry. While it was totally worth it to get my feet in the door, I have since been in my current postion for 6 years as a Cartographer on the Area Office staff here in Bozeman. To sum it up what that NRCS does....well, we spend your tax payer dollars that are allocated through the Farm Bill on conservation projects for private landowners. Yes, I am a bureaucrat and happy to be a civil servant, as well. My mixed bag of duties include office work, making maps, running GPSs, training to our Field Office Staffs, trouble shooting computers, geodata management, payments, field work, electric fence building, grazing plan maps, and everything in between. Clearly, it is never the same and includes so many duties, I love the variety. Bottom line, I am very grateful and do enjoy my work.

On the day of the photos below, we were in Musselshell and Golden Valley Counties near Round Up, Montana earlier this summer. We were out scouting for cultural resources from our ancestors and would re-route our proposed fences should we come to a site. We found a few chips from American Indians and several homestead sites from more recent years. It felt like it was just me, the grass, the plains, and the sky. Somedays, I can't believe I get paid to have so much fun. If my Grandpa Hawk was still alive and I told him I got paid for being on the lookout of FLS (funny looking rocks) he would crack up!

a chip

my ride

our new fancy GPS

YEEE HAWWWW!

an old well site

what do you suppose this is?

pottery shard from a crock

they even had turquoise glass back then

more glass shard

My Grandpa's little Bureaucrat,

Kristin

From the Field to the Table

2010-10-04T12:50:00.004-06:00

Hola la Gente,

I hope your Monday is going swell as can be.

Last weekend the husband, puppy and I went out for a walk in search of birds. It was 85 degrees and hot a heck, so we didn't have a lot of time. We did find one covey of Huns (aka Grey Partridge) and with the help of our pointing puppy, we bagged a threesome. One for me and two for Hubby. This was my first bird hunt of the year and my first shot proved to be a success. I thought that there was no safe shot I could take, as the birds rose and flew in front of Scott and Bella. Huns are incredibly tricky to hunt, and knowing this, I waited only a second more and one Hun pealed off to the right in front of me and I had time to make a safe and targeted shot.

Upon returning home we cleaned up up our goods and promptly made Hun Noodle Soup with vegetables from our friend's garden with egg noodles. Boy howdy, this was tasty soup. There is a very satisfying feeling putting your efforts and skills to work in a hunting dog, practicing your shooting skills, spending a wonderful day in the field with my family, and FINALLY bringing home food of which you know for certain where it was harvested. I think that is why the soup tasted even better.

Bella's post hunting swim

Huntress of the Prairie,

Bizcochilicious

My Favorite Pink Legume

2010-09-24T17:00:00.005-06:00

Good fall day to you and happy Friday to boot.

Every since I have been travelling between Big Timber and Harlowton, Montana this field of Sainfoin has absolutely mesmerized me. How can there be an entire field of just pink flowers? This year the hail had its way with the legume crop but many flowers still perked up to bloom. So this time, instead of just rubber necking the field from afar, I parked the rig and hopped the fence. Afterall, how could one be trespassing if for the sake of science I must further investigate? I would talk to anyone who might stop for a visit while I was having a little photo shoot, but no one stopped to chat about what I was doing on the wrong side of the fence and why? Aside from being gorgeous, this special legume is nitrogen fixing and beneficial in soil and the nutrient cycle and it is non-bloating for critters should they over eat in a green field. NRCS recommends Sainfoin in some wildlife plantings and some seed mixes for pasture plantings but I have never seen a whole field of the plant. Check it out for yourself in the photos below and learn even more HERE.

See what I am talking about?

We have a weekend packed full of canning plum jelly, cabin chores, dates with friends, our first try of the sauna at the cabin, and bird hunting on private land. I am just giddy.

I hope you have swell plans.
Be well,
Frisky Bisquit

Ladies Night at the Cabin

2010-09-17T13:43:00.009-06:00

Happy Friday to you Chaps!

The ladies and I spent a couple of

splendid days at the cabin last weekend

and I am now just getting the pictures posted.

It was a hoot and quite relaxing,

as well.

We read though magazines together,

ate chicken fajitas (that Jess made us),

cooked popcorn on the open fire in our

vintage popper, biked a bit,

and just layed in the sun.

Here, you take a look:

Jess, Shannon, Audra,

and Eletra

Rocchi

(Jess' dog whom has one blue and one black eye)

My favorite chocolates.

corn popping

A morning mountain bike ride

Luca

(all our dogs drink from a Camel Back hose)

A snowy Ross Peak

in the Bridger Range

Audra cleared the STEEEEEEEP part

Shannon crossing Moody Creek

Thanks Ladies, let's do this again sometime soon. It may take a ski to get there but it is totally worth it!

Cheers,

Kristin

Mi Mamá y Hermanito

2010-09-08T21:03:00.011-06:00

Happy Fall Day to You!

It may not feel like the season is changing where you are, but here we are feeling the tickle of damp, chilly temps on our skin. Our Montana blood has thinned over the summer and has yet to thicken to its viscous winter consistency. Fall is here in the west.

Mom and Nick, my little brother, were just here for a long visit over Labor Day Weekend. They wore me out, as our schedule was filled to the brim with activites. We were either stretching our legs with exercise or enjoying each other's company over great food, friends and drinks. I dare mention the red wine consumption....let's just say we tried to taste ALL the ones we thought were or might be worth trying, and we succeeded. Please enjoy the following photos which document their visit.

Mom in boots and a skirt

on my cruiser after a martini or two.

K-Mac, Mom and I

at the Willie Nelson Concert

in Big Sky, MT.

Karen is the best at concerts.

Mr. Willie Nelson

Bill and Desiree

See how fun she is?

Shrimp, Procuitto and Pineapple

appetizer at the cabin.

Talapia Fish Tacos

that were savory-licious!

My Food Model,

Nick.

Mom cooked up camp

bisquits in a hole with fire coals,

I took notes.

She is the best camp cook I know,

truthfully.

I have taken all my good tips from her...

because cooking on an open fire is a

refined skill.

Hot bisquits.

The Sauna/ Bath House

has a chimney,

benches,

and smells within

like a freshly cut cedar tree.

A black bear on our hike up

South Cottonwood Creek.

Say whaaaa?

Nick and Max Lowry

Also accomplished on this trip.....

hand written notes in sharpey marker on the back of my important family art with Mom's help,

Mom polished my toe nails in turquoise blue,

I realized what a nice person Nick has become (his manners are fantastic and I am so proud),

Mom and I traded each other's small for big clothes ( I am a shrimp and she is tall),

giggle, giggle, giggle,

drink more wine,

and lastly....

Jeff (middle-bro) and I were 12 and 17 years old when Nick was born and so he was mostly raised by himself, but we are all so much alike it isn't even funny.

Thanks so much for the visit...

MOM and NICK,

we had a blast.

With Much Love,

Bizcocho

The Annual Fletcher Soiree

2010-08-26T16:20:00.010-06:00

Well hello there blog readers and friends alike, nice to visit again.

The Fletchers, et al, visited us in early August joining us in Bozeman, and I am now just getting to posting the pics of our time together. They were here for 5 days, all 9 of them, and I assure you, there was never a dull moment.

There visit included, but was not limited to:

BBQing with friends and family

a stay at the cabin (including an orchestral snore off of great proportions)

schlepping several hundred pounds of rock (thanks to Steph, Bren and the girls)

a visit to Chico Hot Springs

driving lessons for Charlee in Uncle Scott's truck

cocktail and beer consumption, usually by lunch

belly laughs

hugs

relaxing chill time,

and so much more.

Brin and Kaden

Bryce and Kaden

(our family and our friend's kids

gelled like jello)

Sam (father-in-law) obliged

me with the dorky jump pics.

Gosh I love these,

they make me giggle.

Steve (brother-in-law) and Kirstin

Our nieces,

Charlee and Kiley,

my are they pretty girls!

Stephanie (sister-in-law)

in a kid sandwich.

Dinner at the cabin.

Brenda

(mother-in-law)

Brin loves bugs.

She's a princess that likes to get dirty,

this girl is after my heart.

Thanks so much for coming, we had a blast! You are coming next year too, right?

Bye for now,

f-l-etcher

Foodie Swap y Mi Nueva Amiga

2010-08-16T15:58:00.007-06:00

Hola Mis Amigos,

I bid you a good Monday. I took part in The Foodie Swap of 2010 and received a sweet package of goodies from my new friend, Valentina. I can't tell you how much fun it was to gather up various goods for a swap. Valentina blogged about the experience and also posted a video and is quite a great gal. I am smitten over her name, her accent and that she speaks Spanish fluently. Having a new penpal reminds me of being young, friends can come in all forms and just at the right time. I really enjoy speaking Spanish and it is probably no coincidence at all that Umber Dove paired us up together.

Below is a pic of my unexpected loot:

lavendar honey

grapefruit marmalade

rhubarb chutney

hand picked yummy tea

a hand written note (probably my favorite part)

a cute terrier pad of paper

THANKS SO MUCH VALENTINA!

and thanks too, Dovey, for putting this on.

Hasta luego,

Bizcocho

We Scored The #5 Bridger Chair

2010-08-04T16:21:00.004-06:00

Howdy Chaps,

I am excited to report that the Fletcher's are feeling very lucky these days, as we won the right to purchase a retired Bridger Lift chair from our local Bridger Bowl. Out of 175 entries, I was 42 and hubby was 70. So we purchased two chairs, #5 and #8. We kept #5 and gave #8 to our best buddy, Uncle Don. He was thrilled, we suprised him for his birthday. For so many entries, we were super fortunate to score two chairs, because so many others didn't have the chance. What are we going to do with it, you may ask? Why we plan to take it to Stone Creek Haven and hang it from the trees. Until then, it will keep our Big Sky Gondola company in the backyard. For if it weren't for skiing and moving to Montana, my husband and I may have never gelled so sweetly like we have in our present state of marriage bliss. We love our new #5.

At home in the Montana,

Frisky Bisquit

PS. Thanks again for stopping by yesterday to comment on my new do, you are all the best!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

2010-08-03T14:39:00.008-06:00

Hey Peeps,

I TOLD you I was going to cut my mane off. This was a big decision. And that is what I did! An extra bonus is that I am donating my pony tail to Locks of Love. Even better. I must admit, I am inspired by THIS special woman, UMBER. Stop on by to see her if you haven't already.

Old Do

Yay!

I rocked a short do when Scott and

I first started to like each other.

Notice how young we look.

Nick and I

(little bro)

The offerings:

(bye, bye *stripper stripe)

SHAAAA Bam!

My hair looks soooo dark,

this is my natural color

with a few greys sneaking in.

I lost two pounds off in shag,

Husband even paid for it and loves the cut.

Have I mentioned how

BRILLIANT and WONDERFUL

my husband is?

Well.... he is all that, and

sop it up with the Bisquit!

Off to the market,

xoxo Biz

*stripper stripe was one name among many that people called the dyed strands of hair I had, I am by no means a stripper, THANK YOU :)

Busy Markets and Custom Orders

2010-08-02T17:19:00.007-06:00

Good day, eh?

I was looking at my blog posts and noticed I haven't posted pics of jewels in months. It certainly is not because I have been on a smithing hiatus. Frankly, the markets and custom orders have kept me busy as a bee. As a result, shop updates on ETSY are scarce at best. This will change in a month or so when the markets start to slow. I will beef up the shop inventory at this time. Thanks for stopping by for a visit and so have yourself a swell Monday evening.

Mixed Metal Bangles

(sterling, copper, and brass)

Barbed Wire Hoops

(sterling construction,

in the ETSY shop)

Half Hammered Drops

(sterling and turquoise construction)

Organic Rustic Ovals

(sterling construction)

Turquoise Tumbleweed

(turquoise, sterling and 14k gold)

Guitar String Stampings

from my husband

adorn the band.

Custom Order

(turquoise and sterling)

Conjuntos Necklace

(sterling and 14k gold)

Golden Glitzy Earrings

Los Mixtos Stacking Set

(turquoise, chalcedony, sterling, copper, 14k gold)

Turquoise Ring

(sterling)

Turquoise Ring

(sterling)

That's all for now folks.

My hair is dumb and tomorrow I am cutting it off.

And not just a trim either, I am shedding my shaggy mane.

A long hair for only one more day,

Bisquit

Mr. Cabin, your new friend's name is Little Miss Bath House

2010-07-23T14:07:00.008-06:00

Good Friday to you friends!

The Fletchers have been busier than ever. The summer is upon us and we have been consuming mass quantities of frozen cocktails to help us manage the heat.

The Bath House is well on its way to being built at Stone Creek Haven. Dan is building it, as he did an amazingly meticulous job on the cabin. Some of its details include rough hewn logs from the property adorning its front porch, a wood burning sauna with multiple levels for lounging, and an attached shower and changing room. We all can't wait to use the sauna. Because in Montana, there is no doubt that we will use the sauna year around. Even the warmest of summer days have chilly evenings that a sauna would be just fancy!

In other news Hubby hit a tree, freakin' hard too, mountain biking last weekend. He is okay, but now not healing quite fast enought, according to him. As some of you may know we do this a bunch, and he even more. My husband is addicted to mountain biking and I am okay with this. He is taking it easy while mending, which is like keeping a cat in a bath tub full of water. When he came home after it happened, I encouraged him to go see the doctor, as he could have easily broken ribs. He assured me that it was unnecessary, he knew what a broken rib felt like, his were only REALLY BENT. Hummm, what's a wife supposed to do with this? I have been continuing with the frozen cocktail and massage treatment while hoping for a speedy recovery. I am so glad you are safe Scooter, you scare me!

Birds on a branch:

for drying wares,

more cabin sprucing.

Blueberry Pina Coladas

(cups by Ona J. Meyer

a local potter)

Pina Coladas

(garnished with cherries by Husband)

I have tomorrow off from the Farmer's Market.

My first free Saturday morning of the summer, yes!!!!

Happy Weekend!

Filling the blender with ice,

Biz

Family Love

2010-07-13T23:09:00.007-06:00

We road tripped to Lander, Wyo. over the Independance Day Weekend, as we have for years. I was born here. We had a splendid visit and had some much needed family time. For the first in 5 years, I was with my brothers. And boy did I cherish it.

Gram and Bisquit Sandwich

(Grandma Martha and Gram Dulcia)

Gram, Gramps, Nick and Scott

My brothers are almost 29 and

freshly 17, and they are TALLLL.

And I am short, I take after the Grams.

L to R

Aunt Noni, Me, Bryk, Martha, Yolanda,

Jef, Nick, Scott, G. Martha,

Janet and Dad.

Bella is hiding.

Dad and Janet's Home Remodel

They are quite the design duo,

the outdoor living room is their coop design.

Bella Loves Grandma's House

AND Grandma

Gram Martha and A. Noni

relaxing in the outdoor living room.

Barklay and Bella joining them.

(Barklay left us today, as

he was riddled with cancer, bummer)

The Family 4-10 single shotgun and Nick.

I shot my first bird with this gun.

We have a family ritual, 3 years and going,

details not to be discussed here.

Jef and Yolanda

(sister-in-law w/ bro)

AND THEY ARE PREGNANT

!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I CAN'T WAIT!

Have I mentioned this sensational

outdoor living room?

It is the cat's meow,

and that's good.

Happy summer day to you all,

Kristin Lee McRae Fletcher de Montana

The 7,345th Reason I Love The Cabin

2010-07-01T13:33:00.013-06:00

And the reasons keep coming. Summer is finally upon us in Bozeman, thankfully. We had a wicked spring. With a full time job and two farmers' markets currently saturating my schedule, it is more important than ever to spend quality time with my husband. Here is where the cabin has been our savior. We sneak out of town with bike gear, a duffle bag of extra clothes, food, water, drinks, the dog and we are cabinbound. It doesn't even matter if the weather is crappy, we can wait out the storm during a nap in our cozy haven. Below are photos from 3 different trips to the cabin.

Bella Dillon Fletcher

Dinner

This BBQ sauce rules!

A fog upon us.

False Lily of the Valley y la fedora.

Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Cabin sprucing.

Including:

vintage scroll mirror,

broiler for holding wood,

a cool star vintage trivet,

and vintage iceskates.

The Shanktowns and Fletchers

(they are really the Shanklands,

but I changed their name)

The Lowrys in the hammock.

More Arrowleaf Balsam Root

and Larkspur.

Jess and I

Tired dogs,

Bella and Eletra

Have a swell day!!!!

Biz

Calling All Green Thumbs

2010-06-22T00:47:00.008-06:00

EDIT::::

Thanks to my friend Shannon, she helped to identify this plant as an Epiphylum species in the Cacti Family. It's common names are Orchid Cactus and Leaf Cactus. This is the bloom that just kept getting more and more amazing! There was also a wet drip coming from the bottom of the bloom, you can see this in the above picture. This is definitely flower nectar because it tasted as sweet as sugar, I sampled it.

Good day to you!

Can anyone tell me what

the heck kind of plant I have

in the following photos?

It was given to me by a co-worker

and I have been growing it

in a full sun south facing window.

This is the first time it has ever bloomed!

These flowers are so amazing.

I think it is a succulent and it

has small spines.

Your help with its identification

would be mutch appreciated.

And two more blooms to come.

I am thrilled with this plant.

In other news....

I was featured on the front page

of ETSY with this

Copper Saddle Ring

in this Country Living Treasury.

BOY HOWDY!

Enjoy your day,

The Green Bisquit

The Gems of Late

2010-06-16T17:00:00.008-06:00

Hola!

This makes twice today that we may meet

for a visit.

I am playing blog-catch-up.

Without further banter:

Cuff of sterling, chalcedony and chrysocolla,

a custom order.

Meet Sancho Panza, your new sidekick.

A spiffy cuff made of sterling, turquoise, and

chalcedony.

In the SHOP now.

A birthday present for Robyn,

sterling and aquamarine.

A custom order for Abby.

Made of sterling and beach glass found on our

trip to Cabo San Lucas.

A custom stacking set

made of sterling, copper, and brass.

Mirabelle Pink Champagne

Fresh Water Pearl and

good luck sterling feather necklace.

And another...

Enjoy your evening.

We rained all day here.

Yours truly,

The Almost Soggy Bisquit

A Field Day in the Big Horn Mountains

2010-06-16T16:15:00.004-06:00

Yesterday we traveled deep into the Big Horn Mountains

of Montana to teach a soils class to

graduating seniors from the

Crow Indian Reservation.

Kate, Jeremy and I had a swell

time teaching.

Black Canyon is so beautiful, pristine,

and an ideal place for a work day.

As a cartographer for the NRCS,

I get the opportunity to teach kids, too.

I really like this part of my job.

Kate spotted this mushroom and she didn't know what it was.

Lucky for me, I DO, and we ate if for dinner.

This little tasty beauty is a wild Morel Mushroom.

Really mid June is a bit late for these,

but we are just getting a bit of sun from summer now.

Time to look for more, as this is the only

Morel I have harvested.

NOTE:

Make sure you know what you are eating,

False Morels are poisonous.

With Love and Squeezes,

Krissy Fletchy

Recapitulating the Weekend

2010-06-08T13:50:00.004-06:00

Hubby and I rode Stone Creek Proper

on Saturday.

Our first sunny day in weeks!

East Side of Bridger Range

He wanted to keep going,

but he always wants this :)

Mom and daughter.

Switchback.

Hubby took these of me in my new

b-day bike jersey.

Elk

Safety first.

AND THEN....

Girls Nite OUT on

Saturday!

Hall Pass

A Sunday hike to

Ousel Falls

in Big Sky with

the ladies.

What a blast.

Living for weekends,

Bisquit

Aged To Perfection...

2010-06-02T17:21:00.008-06:00

.....yet still in the refining process. I celebrated by 34th birthday over the weekend and as a result, I have been pondering. I do indeed feel I am doing exactly what I want to be doing, making maps and such as a civil servant and metalsmithing. I couldn't be happier with my husband and our lives together. I think age is really just a number, aside from my knees and such, aching from fatigue and general wear and tear. This was truly one of the best birthdays ever (thanks Husband) and some of the amazing details include:

a party and sleepover at the cabin with friends

a new hammock for the cabin

4 birthday deserts (Mexican Chocolate Cake, Strawberry Chocolate Tart, Rhubarb Strawberry Cobbler, and a work cake)

a house party with the UFC fight on the big screen and dear friends

a new belt buckle

the cute sun dress I am sporting in these pics

The Fame Monster cd by Lady Gaga from my Gram (love it!)

a blank check for a new macro lens for our D90 camera (eeeeee, shriek)

bike gear from hubby

....and so much more.

Thanks to everyone, I so do appreciate how great of friends and family that I have. I love you all!

Here is a short series of photos that detail my refinement process.

I have learned to be polite and act like a demure young lady.

But I will always be young at heart!

Hair-Flip-Sass

Doinggggg

Pinky Pose with an Attitude

My Birthday Ruled!

My life is extraordinary at 34 and I wouldn't change a thing.

With love,

The Bouncey Bisquit

A Strong Handshake Makes an Impression

2010-05-27T12:13:00.003-06:00

When Hubby and I were in Denver a few weeks ago, I met one of my husband's peers. We met for the first time and then went about our visiting, partying ways and I didn't give it much thought. A bit later in the night, we visited again. He asked me, "Why do you have such a stong handshake?". I already knew this but I thought for just a moment and the reply way easy, "Because my Mom taught me to do so". It is as easy as that and a very important lesson, it does make a difference, and I will always remember. I don't like a limp handshake, I think it has developed into a pet peev of mine. Whether it is true or not, a limp handshake says I am at half mast, and a firm one says I am here and ready to take on the day. A first impression is very important to me and one that I always remember of others.

Mom also taught me that money does not make a person. If you have manners and a bit of hummility a person can interact with anyone. I have found this to be true, as well.

So Mom, I made this necklace for you as a symbol of your motherhood all wrapped up with memories, nastalgia and life lessons made into a silver pendant of pride. YOU did a great job with us kids and we do love you with all our hearts. Sorry it is late, but I learned it from watching you.

See below for your new necklace,

a picture of Nick, Mom and I,

and a picture of a rose bouquet for you.

Sorry, no pics of all us kids :(

Happy Belated Mothers Day!

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

I turned out like my mother,

after all !

And I am okay with this.

Love you MOM!!!!

Your munchkins,

Kristin, Jef and Nick

Mom also has a successful horse business. Check it out here.

Have You Eaten Your Glacier Lily Lately?

2010-05-25T01:22:00.005-06:00

Good evening to you. Hubby and I spent last Friday night at the cabin. We knew it would be great but the flowers were amazing. The Glacier Lilies were in full bloom, there was an entire field of them. I had to nibble a couple of the blooms. They are a tasty, velvety, sweet treat that comes once a year. After reading a bit, the bulbs are edible and eaten by deer and bears frequently. I have been eating just the blooms since 1997, we are lucky to have these wildflowers in Montana, as they are one of my favorites. Make sure you do you homework before you dine, I don't want you eating something that will turn your stomach, or much worse. Their nodding posture, as well as, their two leaves coming out of the base of the plant will help you with identification.

We awoke to snow and trees that were dusted by silver sparkles, but only on one side. This place is so sweet I can't believe it. Have I told you how nice it is to camp at the best spot ever, but never do we have to take down our tent? And the weather is a welcome factor. During this stay, the quiet pitter patter of sleet on our steel roof put us in a deep slumber. I feel grateful to have such a dreamy haven. Actually I feel grateful for many things lately, and that is calming.

Be well.

My Gram's Baby Girl,

(she called me that on the phone today :) )

Kristin Lee

Stone Creek Haven

Mini Shop Update

Biggerstaff is Pushing a Mean Pace

Progress Update

The House is Gandhi with the Windy

The Work Begins

Stealth Cam Shots from the Cabin

The Fletcher Family Scramble

El Trabajo de Mis Manos

Springtime Jig

A Ski Tour of Small Mountain Bridger

I'm Lucky, Gemmy, and Random

We Got All Dolled up for Baby's 40th Birthday!

The Skiing Has Been The Bomb - Vol. 4

The Skiing Has Been Opulent - Vol. 3

The Skiing Has Been Lush - Vol. 2

The Skiing Has Been Majestic - Vol. 1

Friday Goodies

Introducing Our New Cutest Niece!!!!!!

Freshly Smithed

A Jaunt in the BC

Plata Brillante y Nuevo

The Best Little Bath House

Happy Holidays to You and Yours!

Join Us!

A Thankful Thanksgiving

Halloween Recap

The Annual North Dakota Wild Chicken Hunt

10 YEARS on 10*10*10

From the Field to the Table

My Favorite Pink Legume

Ladies Night at the Cabin

Mi Mamá y Hermanito

The Annual Fletcher Soiree

Foodie Swap y Mi Nueva Amiga

We Scored The #5 Bridger Chair

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Busy Markets and Custom Orders

Mr. Cabin, your new friend's name is Little Miss Bath House

Family Love

The 7,345th Reason I Love The Cabin

Calling All Green Thumbs

The Gems of Late

A Field Day in the Big Horn Mountains

Recapitulating the Weekend

Aged To Perfection...

A Strong Handshake Makes an Impression

Have You Eaten Your Glacier Lily Lately?

10 YEARS on 101010