There Is No Limit to a Child's Imagination

As many of you know, we recently took a trip to San Diego.  While the trip was for my sister's wedding, I don't believe it is possible to take a seven year old boy that far and not stop at Legoland California. My son eats and breathes all that is Lego.  Every birthday and Christmas that comes around he meticulously scours his Lego catalog, marking each page while making his wish list. He saves his allowance for the next new Lego set to come out.  I don't think he slept the night before we were to go. 

 Theme parks are not my cup of tea, but to attend them with a child, it adds a whole new dimension and pleasure to the experience.  To add to the excitement, his grandfather went with us to the park.  What a day! I highly recommend taking your kids to some kind of theme park at least once in their lifetime.  And when you do - don't stand back and watch them ride the rides - get on with them! It completely changes the experience. His grandfather rode the roller coasters with him and even got wet in a water fight ride. It was so important to my son and I must say, Grandpa was having fun too!  Another point I want to make about this trip is how it spurs the imagination.  In our area, we are limited in the stores that carry

Lego products and you can only get the pre-packaged sets. I think my son's favorite part of the park was going through the Lego Factory.  There were rows of bins filled with Legos you could buy by the pound.  Mix and Match! He loved putting together his own set. The inspiration that Legoland offered has given him countless hours of building since we returned home.  My challenge to you this week is to set aside the picture on the box, file away that recipe you are diligently following, and let your imagination run wild!

The Wedding of Her Dreams

My little sister just got married.  It was her dream wedding.  Growing up on a farm in southwest Kansas, our family did not give much thought to the ocean or the beach.  While we often thought it would be a wonderful place to visit, there was no urgency to get there. Our family vacations led us to the mountains and what this rich land had to offer. My sister, however, developed a passion for the ocean.  Once she got older, her trips drew her to the coast.  When she met a fell in love with the man of her dreams (a fellow Kansan), the wedding planning began.  She surprised us all when she told us she was getting married on Coronado Island.  I am a traditionalist.  Why not get married in the church in our home town? Why are we all traveling across the country to a beach? Let me tell you why - it was her dream.  And if there is one thing my family has always done, it has supported dreams.  My parents may not have always understood or agreed with our choices about the directions we have taken in life, but they have always supported them.  So we all bought our plane tickets and began planning a wedding hundreds of miles away.

After much preparation, planning and phone calls, the day finally came.  I knew this day would be special - my sister was getting married afterall.  What I did not know, is just how perfect it would be.  There was a small attendance - only the bride and groom's immediate family and closest friends were there - over half of which had a part in the wedding. The setting was simply stunning.  The crashing of the ocean waves, the cool breeze in the air, the sun warming the sand beneath our feet.  While we were not in a church, I believe we could not have gotten much closer to God. His presence was everywhere. As my Dad walked the bride down the steps, many beach goers stopped to observe this moment. It was a perfect day - a day of hopes and dreams - and I could not be happier for my sister and her new husband.  I wish them the very best life has to offer.  May their journey together be blessed with good health, happiness, and a lifetime of love.

Crown of the Continent

I just got back from a camping trip in Glacier National Park with my family.  I wanted to share a few pictures with you.  Glacier is currently celebrating it's centennial year.  It is such an awe-inspiring place.  I thought I'd share a few pictures with some words of those who have stepped before me.  Enjoy.

Far away in Montana, hidden from view by clustering mountain-peaks, lies an unmapped northwestern corner- the Crown of the Continent. The water from the crusted snowdrift which caps the peak of a lofty mountain there trickles into tiny rills, which hurry along north, south, east and west, and growing to rivers, at last pour their currents into three seas. From this mountain-peak the Pacific and the Arctic oceans and the Gulf of Mexico receive each its tribute. Here is a land of striking scenery. George Bird Grinnell, The Century Magazine 1901

“Get off the tracks at Belton Station [Now West Glacier], and in a few minutes you will find yourself in the midst of what you are sure to say is the best care-killing scenery on the continent.” “Give a month at least to this precious reserve. The time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will indefinitely lengthen it and make you truly immortal. Nevermore will time seem short or long, and cares will never again fall heavily on you, but gently and kindly as gifts from heaven.”

John Muir -Our National Parks 1901

“There is no highway which will give the seer, the lover of grandeur of the Creator’s handiwork, more thrills, more genuine satisfaction deep in his being, than will a trip over this road.”

Governor Frank H. Cooney

Dedication of the Sun Road

July 15, 1933

An Inspiring Chat with Penny Hall

I am pleased to introduce a member of the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team, Penny Hall. Penny has an inspiring story that I'm so excited to share with you.  Pull up a chair and pour a cup of coffee and enjoy this inspiring chat with Penny.

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I came to the Madison Valley from Taos, New Mexico in 2000 with my husband who is an artist and fly fisherman. At the end of our two-month visit we decided to stay the winter and we are still here.

My first blessing bowl was created as a therapy project between eye surgeries. I was diagnosed as legally blind and wanted to prove to myself I was NOT blind. The challenges of changing sight and multiple eye surgeries required I find new ways to generate income. With the help of Blind and Low Vision Services my art business was born and eventually my sight was restored.

2. How did your Etsy Shop get started?

Although I had several outlets for my work I was looking for a way to display and sell online. A friend of mine told me about Etsy and I opened my shop in 2007.


3. What is a blessing bowl?
A blessing bowl is a container to hold all the good things in life. My journey through blindness to new vision taught me to focus on all the good things in life.


Prior to that time I was always worrying about the past, afraid of the future and not living in the present moment. Art is a wonderful form of therapy and self-discovery. The process of working

with the leather and creating the bowls taught me many things about myself. So, I fondly call them my “blessing bowls”.

 4. What is the process of creating a hand sculpted blessing bowl?
I begin with a huge cowhide. It covers a dining table that seats six people and rolls off onto the floor. The shape is cut out of the skin-toned hide, soaked, molded and left to dry for several days.
When it is completely dry I apply multiple layers of stain and any adornments as well as a clear acrylic finish for protection.


5. What inspires you?
The natural beauty of nature gives me my greatest inspiration. Visiting art galleries and spending time with other artists keeps the creative juices flowing.
The shapes are often inspired by the natural cuts, brands, insect bites and character marks inherent in the hides.

6. What do you love about Montana?
Montana is alive. The breathtaking colors of the constantly changing big skies are a feast for the eyes. The abundance of flowing water and prolific wildlife blanket the magnificent landscapes and feed the soul.

7. Where can we find you?
My home studio is in Ennis, Montana. You can view samples of the range of my work at http://www.penny-hall.blogspot.com/
My Etsy Shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop/pennyhall

My husband is currently working on our company web site

http://www.bearfeather.com/.

The following galleries and gift shops also represent my art.
Artquest Gallery
Hinsdale, Illinois
Artquest West
Ketchum, Idaho
B. Bar Ranch
Emigrant, Montana
Common Ground Western Art Gallery
Red Lodge, Montana
Creighton Block Gallery
Virginia City, Montana
District Gallery
Park City, Utah
Earthwood Artisans
Estes Park, Colorado
Earthworks Gallery
Waynesville, North Carolina
Ghostart Gallery
Helena, Montana
Kindred Spirits Gift Gallery
Kalispell, MT
Madison Crossing Home Room
West Yellowstone, Montana
Portiera Designs
Breckenridge, Colorado
Primary Elements Gallery
Cannon Beach, Oregon
Shining Mountain Gallery
Pray, Montana

Inconvenience

My refrigerator kicked the bucket yesterday.  We were working in the yard and the kids went in for posicles - they came out with bad news and melted icecream.  Thankfully, we have a large chest freezer and a camper with a mini fridge, so I was able to save our food.  After finding the best deal in town, we purchased our new refrigerator only to be delivered more bad news - earliest delivery will be July 27th!  That's over a week!  To further complicate things I have company coming to stay in our home this weekend while we go camping for four days and return with more visitors. Can it get any worse?  I've learned long ago not to ask that question - because it always can.  What my current predictament boils down to is siple inconvenience. Isn't is something how upset we can get when life happens?  How annoyed we are when things don't work properly? Don't begin to get me started on Montana's current season - Road Construction!  The waiting in line, the detours .

Why not take a moment to see what we can learn from these minor incoveniences.  Put in some extra planning, a little extra time, maybe add a dash of creativity and often what you get is a pleasant detour.  While incovenient for a few days in the end I get a new refrigerator.  This morning I was dreading my walk to the camper's refrigerator to make breakfast.  As I walked outside, the beauty of the morning was upon me - the birds were singing, the deer were grazing and the the sunrise was beautiful.  Maybe life throws us an inconvenience once in a while to remind us to stop and take a moment to appreciate what is in front of us.  My wish for you this week is to find the beauty in the inconveniences that come your way.  Another benefit for me is that I have an excuse to share these great etsy items with you! Please stop by these shops.  For the mint chocolate chip soy candle (Yes, that's really a candle) visit

Culinary Chiq Concepts  For a pattern to make your felt yummy food refrigerator play set visit

Dearmykids.  To make groceries that will never go bad, visit Buggabugs.

Big Sky Montana Etsy Team

"I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love, and it's difficult to analyze love when you're in it." -John Steinbeck

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you to the Big Sky Montana Etsy Team.  What a wonderful group of artisans living in or longing for Big Sky Country.  This team is inspired by the beaty of Montana and the artisans here want to share their products and inspiration with everyone around them.

I will be featuring shops from members of the Montana Team over time.  In the meantime, please search montanateamon the Etsy homepage for many wonderful finds.  Here's a sneak peak of the products you'll find!

My Seven-Year-Old Finished a Marathon Today

I'm so proud of him I just had to share this with you.  Now before you say a 7-year-old is too young to run that far, let me give you the details.  It was a kids marathon - ran in conjunction with larger marathon, half-marathon and 5k races in our community.  The rules of the kids marathon allowed for the youth to begin April 1st and begin logging twenty five miles.  There were no rules as to how this was done and many of the schools got involved and started walking groups at recess.  Sometimes my son would log 1/4 mile at a time and others up to 2 miles.  Watching my son progress with his training was such a joy.  He would join my speed workout group on the track. He would put his ipod on and run his own pace. The adults would give him high fives and encouragement as he completed each lap. As the summer has progressed, he began to complete a mile at a time with ease.  Today was race day. We went to the registration booth and he proudly turned in his training log.  He recieved his race packet, complete with t-shirt and race number.  #477 - he was so excited.   The course was lined with supporters.  One half hour before the race started all the kids warmed up together and the crowd was pumped.  As he took his place among the sea of participants he waved to me in the crowd.  And then the gun.  They were off.  Many sprinted away while others picked up a nice steady pace.  Many walked and some were tired after 200 yards.  All were doing it. They were each trying their best to complete their goal. 

Before long, I watched as my son rounded the corner on the last stretch home.  He was weary, but still going.  Just then he seen me and our friends that came to cheer him on.  He got a spring in his step and finished strong.  How powerful.  Have you ever had this feeling? To simply look up and make eye contact with someone supporting you?  It truly does give you a boost.  We all need to be there for each other. Sometimes just being present is enough. May you each be blessed with someone who is present in your life.  How does a child run a marathon you ask?  A little bit at a time.  Every day putting one foot in front of the other until finally each mile is marked off and the marathon is complete.  Couldn't we all learn a little bit from these kids and apply it to our everyday lives?

Does the art in this post inspire you?  If so, please take a moment to visit these Etsy shops.  For "Mile19" please visit Vetek Artist Maine. For the silver urban marathon pendant, please visit Saved By Love