We just got back from MT last evening. We boarded the plane on time - noting with interest how many dogs we have seen in the airport both going and coming. One cute dog went through the line on a leash attached to his human. When we got to the end of the tunnel - ready to board - the dog and human were there ... the dog in a basket with a blanket around him and comforting pats on the head from his human. After that we got settled in our seats. I got the window seat this time and the steward noticed Ellis struggling with the seat belt and got him an extension. On the way to MT Ellis was by the window and just stretched the seat belt over his lap and had a jacket folded up on his lap and flew without seatbelt buckled - unnoticed.
We had just taxied away from the airport and stopped when the steward came over the intercom and said we were going back because of a "situation." They made no further announcements as we waited and waited. At last when we got back to the airport the pilot and steward and a guy with orange vest all went to the back of the airplane. After awhile all returned then shortly after that the dog and his human. The human apologized to everyone in passing, "I'm so sorry! It's my fault. It was my dog." When they were gone we started all over - now with the safety speech and exits pointed out and demonstration of how the seat belt works, etc. I don't think they did all that the first time, being distracted with the "situation" I suppose.
It was a lovely flight and homecoming. We eventually found the place where our shuttle could pick us up to take us to the park&ride where the car was waiting for us. Allen and Krysta went, too. All of the boys in our family spent Christmas with their in-laws so we decided to spend Christmas with our daughters. We will have our Harshbarger Christmas the last weekend in January up at Nashwauk using Jerry and Trenda's house for our family gathering. (They are going to South Carolina to visit family then from there going to Florida for the month of February.)
I am reclining on my couch in this little addition Allen and Ellis made. We haven't stained and varnished the wood yet. Ellis has two lights to put in and a plug in to finish - tucking all those wires back in and putting the cover on. Then we need to figure out the window seat/storage. I guess we will say goodbye to the couch then. The storage area is going to be lined with cedar like the inside of a cedar chest. There is a lot more space in our living room now.
It sounds like we are in for a winter storm this afternoon and tomorrow. What a nice way to end the year!
Our visit to MT had many highlights. We saw the Mission Mountains. You could live there just for the scenery! So beautiful! They told us we were fortunate to see the mountains. Often they are shrouded with clouds.
We played games, ate way too much good food, made some Norwegian specialties, drove to Kootenai Falls, read the Christmas story, spent Sunday afternoon/evening with Deanne's friends - Tom and Sadie.
They had come to Dea's house Saturday evening to see the lefse making process and get a taste. Dea and Krysta made the lefse from start to finish. They asked if I would roll them out so it was a team effort. Sadie said it was a childhood dream come true - a chance to eat brown sugar with no disapproval from her mother.
We made cheese ball to go with crackers and chicken salad to go with the lefse if you wanted another option besides sugar. Dea heated up ham balls she had in the freezer. And we had a gigantic lettuce salad to add something healthy to the meal.
Dea has found a recipe for milk mush online. Better known as Rommegrot in Norway. I think I can send you the link to that or just type in Rommegrot and this blog comes up with history of the dish and a recipe. Krysta made that for breakfast Christmas morning while we listened to a song Deanne's friend sent about Christmas in heaven. So our milk mush was watered with tears.
We also listened to some comedians at different times throughout the weekend so we had laughter until our sides ached, too. On the way to Kootenai Falls I read "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" by Barbara Robinson. There is plenty of laughter and tears in that book!
We drove through the National Bison Range on our way to the airport. Next time I hope it will be in the summer so we can go on the roads that are closed for the winter. We saw bison and lots of white tail deer. A couple of coyotes. The mountains were curtained with clouds otherwise we would have gotten another view of the Mission Mountains. Any time we fly to Missoula I will beg to drive five miles out of the way to see them again - if it's a clear day.
I started a letter telling about the year - 2020. It got quite long winded and I'm only half way through - not even half way. We will start you off at the tail end of the year until the other letter gets finished.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
