Aunt Laura to the Rescue!

Part way through the epic pie making session, Aunt Laura arrived.  Thank heavens.  Our crust was horrid.  I had even purchased Crisco to try and do things officially, since I usually use butter, but nothing was working.

Laura took one look at thing, washed her hands, and got to work.

Of course she made it look effortless and easy.  Elaina has a pro mentor!  It was so instructive to watch.  Golden Delicious and I felt like we were watching food network.

Meanwhile Uncle Bechtel entertained Gracie.

Playing the binky game!  Gracie liked Mr. Bechtel.  Me too.  Smart girl!

Everyone's Home!

Thanksgiving was great!  Everyone was home!  Braeburn had to update the kids on all the stupid, stupid old spice commercials.  They are hilarious in a very strange way, I guess.

Golden Delicious decided that, as a Wadsworth, it was her duty to become an epic pie maker.  She made LOTS of pies!

 Braeburn offered to draw me a design to go on the hearth for Christmas.  I love it.

Goodbye Lovely Inn

and as the finishing touch:  a full moon was rising!  So amazing!

(and the pizza we had it West Yellowstone was yummy too :))

Art at the Inn

It is so fun to see art in progress.  I went to Yellowstone twice this summer, and never did manage to catch, "Jim", at work, but I loved studying what he was doing.

This is an adorable concept.  I loved it, especially since we had just watched Old Faithful and seen the little chipmunks.

And Lake Lodge.  I've always loved it here, ever since we first came to Yellowstone when I was 12.  Mr. Bechtel and I were going to stay here, but it costs too much money, and it's truly not very nice.  But it is lovely to eat dinner looking out the windows over Yellowstone Lake.

Inside the Inn

We had a great time exploring inside the building.  I took a picture inside a room and then Prairie said, "MOM! There are people in there!"  so then I scurried away.  How embarassing.

And here I am trying to get us all in a selfie.  

In discussing architecture, I think that although the fireplace is amazing, we might have to modify our plans because it would take about 100 million cords of wood a year to heat.

Field Trip to West Yellowstone

One day this fall, while reading Thoreau's ardent opinions about architecture in his book, Walden, we all remembered Old Faithful Inn.  Unfortunately Thoreau never saw Old Faithful inn but we knew  how it has the most awesome architecture of any building around. 

 Just like that, we decided to go to Yellowstone for the day.  I could read to the boys just as well in a car as I could in the house.

First, though, we stopped in West Yellowstone.  I wanted to show the boys some cute things in a shop.  You cannot imagine how little they cared about cute things.

Prairie Spy perked up a bit while imagining himself with a great slicker out riding on the range.

And Nova Spy was quite happy when we got our traditional ice cream cone.

And we were all happy at how pristine, warm and PERFECT! everything was.  And! NO TOURISTS!

Just imagine:  this room entertains thousands and thousands of people from all over the world during the summer.  And then, as winter approaches it gets tucked in and put to bed.  It's slumbering peacefully right now. 

Hi Granny!  I don't think it's erupting for awhile yet!

Hunting - Then and Now

Once upon a time (3 or 4 years ago) the boys went hunting and actually got something.  Yeah!  I was so grateful to have good venison and jerky all winter.  I despair of ever getting an elk again, though.  Growing up we would have an elk roast every sunday.  My brothers would get an elk each fall.  But then they introduced wolves, and all the elk vanished mysteriously, and now it seems unlikely that i'll ever get super healthy, grass fed, beyond organic elk meat again :)

This is why Mr. Bechtel likes to go hunting anyway.  Hiking quietly in the woods is very therapeutic.

Especially when it's all misty and surreal like a shot from Lord of the Rings.