Happy Winter

Posted on December 23, 2011 by tiatroy

Wishing you all a very happy holiday, Merry Christmas and wonderful Hanukkah.

Whitefish, Montana. Photo by Brian Schott (www.brianschott.com)

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A Winter Week in Photos

Posted on December 16, 2011 by tiatroy

Happy winter. This week started out with a sleigh ride (AKA Dodge Durango drive) to the Montana winter village of Whitefish. Along the way, we saw and did the following…

Stopped at the Tamarack Brewing Company in Lakeside, Montana.

Here, we filled our bellies. Their french fries are so good, you'll leave wanting more.

We were welcomed to Whitefish with cutesy Christmas decorations. Love.

Had a bedtime snack of bread pudding at Tupelo in Whitefish.

After spending a few days visiting with folks, attending meetings and spreading general Christmas cheer, we headed for home. This little missy was greeted with the following…

The warm glow of my very own Christmas tree, put up by a local elf while I was out of town.

A Montana ornament, made from local beeswax.

And hugs from my very own little elf.

It was a good week. Happy Christmas.
TT

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A Montana Christmas Giveaway

Posted on December 8, 2011 by tiatroy

Just call us Santa’s little helpers.

Santa's Little Helpers

This week, we’re giving away a basket of Western Montana goodness to one of YOU! The basket includes a GlacierMT water bottle, mug, Glacier National Park guidebook, GlacierMT luggage tag, mini red bus, 406 trucker hat and chocolate from Montana Island Lodge.

Montana Goodies Galore


Why? Well, it’s simple really.
1) We love Montana.
2) We really love that you read our blog, week after week.
3) And finally, we really, really love giving presents.

To enter, leave a comment on this post and tell us what you love most about this time of the year.

We’ll announce a winner next week! Comments will close Thursday, December 15 at NOON, Mountain Standard Time.

Happy Christmas,
TT

UPDATE: Congrats to our winner, Laurie H. of Minnesota! Random.org chose her as the winner. We hope you enjoy your basket of Montana goodness!

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Giving Thanks

Posted on December 2, 2011 by tiatroy

Last week, I packed my bags and headed for my childhood home. During the two-hour drive over the river, across the mountain pass and through the woods to my folks, I had an excited anticipation of just being home. My schedule this summer and fall (between weddings, adventures and daily life) got the best of me and I hadn’t been home for a few months. For this mama’s girl, that was simply too long.

And, to my delight, it seemed like the weather wanted me to get home as badly as I wanted to. Tuesday afternoon greeted me with this…

Clear roads and snow-kissed mountains.

After I arrived home, this was my first stop.

The family store.

For my family, the store almost seems like a more natural first stop than home. Likely, because much our growing up years were spent there. It was there that we spent hours stocking groceries on the shelves, unloading trucks, continually cleaning the more than 100-year-old building and waiting on customers (which was always my favorite part).

While we spent ample time at the store over Thanksgiving break, we also made sure to spend time together at home. Cooking, cleaning, watching movies, laughing and having long overdue visiting sessions.

The view from Lover's Lane.

We decked the halls (and windows) at the store.

Baby brother.

And for this girl, it was just what the doctor ordered.

Wishing you each lots of love, joy, friendship, peace and warmth during this Christmas and holiday season.

Montana hugs to you,
TT

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Montana’s Small Business Saturday

Posted on November 18, 2011 by tiatroy

It’s cold and snowing in Montana. To which I give a hearty “woo hoo!” because that means winter season is nearly here. Which also means that this girl had to wear her snow boots this week and has been perpetually chilly. But no complaining here! Instead, while I wait for my body to adjust to the stellar winter we’re about to have, I’m going to bundle up and spread the love…in the form of small business shout-outs.

Small businesses have a legacy in Montana…One founded upon hard work, long hours and a mix of blood, sweat and tears. Some have stood the test of time and have been passed along generation to generation, while others may still be gaining their footing in Big Sky Country. But whether they’ve been here for years or are just settling into their own corner of Montana, I love ‘em just the same, as they often bring that extra dose of heart and soul to an area, street corner or town.

Here’s my list of some (please note this is not an all-inclusive list) of my favorite small businesses that call Montana home…and why they sparkle in my eyes.

-The Toggery, Whitefish
It’s the perfect combination of outdoor apparel and cuteness.

-Tupelo Grille, Whitefish
Two words: Bread pudding.

-The Montana House, Glacier National Park
Open year-round, this shop is the ending to my perfect winter day in the park, filling my need for hot tea and treats.

Elk Camp Art Gallery & Showroom, Eureka
A brand new shop, this gallery features artists and craftsmen from the heart of the Tobacco Valley.

-Kettlehouse Brewery, Missoula
They have two locations in Missoula with great beer, but for this girl they sparkle because they work with Big Dipper Ice Cream to create beer-flavored ice cream treats. Yes, please.

-Hidden Legend Winery, Victor
A family owned winery, Tim uses local honey and berries to make their (award-winning) meads. PS: I love local honey.

-Monte Dolack Gallery, Missoula
Monte’s work manages to inspire and calm me, all at once.

-Lincon’s Silver Dollar Bar & Gift Shop, Haugan
A childhood favorite pit stop, there are more than 50,000 silver dollars on display.

To the small businesses, and their stalwart owners, thanks for being a part of Montana.
TT

PS: SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Saturday, November 26 marks the second annual Small Business Saturday, with many stores across the United States offering discounts, deals and specials in their shops to encourage consumers to shop locally.

Here are a few deals from around Montana for November 26…
*Whitefish: Purchase a $25 gift card at The Naked Noodle and get 10 percent off meal purchases.
*Augusta: Allen’s Manix Store is offering 15 percent off non-grocery items (excluding guns). Just down the street, Latigo and Lace is offering 15 percent off on T-shirts and additional selected items.
*Missoula: MSO Hub is offering 15 percent off (excluding clearance and non-profit organization items). And just a few doors down, MkLAREN Boutique is offering 20 percent off storewide.

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Christmas is Coming, Montana

Posted on November 10, 2011 by tiatroy

Let’s talk about something that I love almost as much as Montana. Shopping. While you might envision me out herding cows (right, dad?), cruising the hidden corners of Glacier National Park and digging in the Montana dirt, it’s time you envision your messy-haired friend as a shopper.

You see, I come by it honestly. Look at this cute bundle that is my mom. She is a shopper and taught my two sisters and I the lay of the shopping land.

Last Christmas. (Don't mind my brother's hair...it's longer and prettier than mine).

While the town I grew up in was (and still is) small, my family owns a general store that literally has the motto “If We Don’t Have It, You Don’t Need It.” I’m sure you can only imagine the goodness that is packed into those four walls. As an added bonus of having a store as part of our family, my mama would let me peruse the catalogs with her, ordering things like Montana Silversmiths jewelry, wall hangings, toys and chocolates.

So it should really be no surprise that all these years later, I still love shopping.

Which leads me to the best part of shopping in Big Sky Country…being able to scoop up locally made goodies that are distinctly Montana. And since Christmas is indeed coming, it’s time that we start filling our lists. Here are some of my “top picks” for 2011…

A MONTANA NECKLACE. Cloth & Crown, a local boutique in downtown Missoula, sells these little beauties in gold and silver.

I like to wear my Montana close to my heart.

THE BEST HONEY you’ve never tasted (and the cutest beeswax ornaments I’ve ever seen) from Glacier County Honey in Babb.

Local bees made this sweet goodness.

CHOCOLATES, CARAMELS and CANDY. The Sweet Palace, and their delicious caramels and chocolates, has to make the list.

Two years ago I gave Papa Bear coconut haystacks in his stocking. Pretty sure that cemented my place as favorite child.

GLACIER COUNTRY GOODNESS. And (insert shameless plug here) for those of you that want to take home a little piece of Glacier Country, check out our travel mugs and water bottles. (The water bottle is my favorite of all time).

Your own piece of Glacier Country.

Happy shopping.
TT

PS: Santa, if you’re reading this, I was REAL good this year.

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Why Do You Love Montana?

Posted on November 3, 2011 by tiatroy

Oh, hi. First things first, it’s good to see you here. No matter where you’re reading from, I hope you enjoy the adventures we take together each week…thank you for letting me share my little piece of Montana with you. I love it.

A couple of weeks ago, this messy-haired blond wrote a blog about Montana and all of the reasons I love it. See that blog here.

Afterward, I started wondering what your reasons are for loving Montana.

Is it the view of the stars when you’re camping in the Bob Marshall Wilderness? Maybe it’s the incredible history and rich culture of the American Indian tribes? Or is it the unexplainable connection and sense of giddiness you feel when this sign greets you?

Welcome to Montana. Photo courtesy Julia Bennion.

Well, as usual, my curiosity got the best of me. So I asked a few of my friends the big question, “Why do you love Montana?”

And their love for Montana, and willingness to share it with me, was even more than I expected.

Here are some of their responses…

  • “We love Montana because it’s not easy.”
  • “The…everything.”
  • “I love Montana because of the way of life, the freedom, the open spaces and the mountains.”
  • “It’s home to several local cafes with make the best homemade french fries ever.”
  • “My heart is there.”
  • “The sudden view of the Missions when you drive up Highway 93 around the last turn into the valley.”
  • “The simultaneous warmth and independence of the people. The traditions of the West. The chance to see parts of the natural world as they were intended to be seen.”

Now it’s your turn. What do YOU love about Montana?

Sending you warm Montana-lovin’ hugs,
TT

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Good Eats in Montana

Posted on October 28, 2011 by tiatroy

This is what I’ve been doing the last two days.

Homemade cookies=a sweet dinner

The Whiskey Barn at Glacier Distilling Company.

Good morning, Good Medicine Lodge.

Homemade goodies from San-Suz-Ed RV and B&B. Yes, please.

Eating delicious goodies, treats and meals made in the heart of Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Now if you’ll excuse me, I think I’d better go hike it out.

xoxo,
TT

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My Montana Love List

Posted on October 21, 2011 by tiatroy

I love Montana. As in I totally heart it. It’s a place that I don’t know if I’ll ever get enough of…

The simplest way for me to describe it is like having a crush that never goes away. And on this crisp, fall day, I’d like to share with you a few reasons that this messy-haired blond girl loves Montana.

-Montana is pretty.

Hello, beautiful.

-Montana has more cows than people. (How can you not love a place like that?)

Moving cows along the Rocky Mountain Front.


-Montana is real and true.
-In Montana, life is how it’s supposed to be.

Fun in the great outdoors.


-Montana is where I grew up. Literally and figuratively.

Little munckin to big munchkin.


-Montana is a charmer. And I can’t resist a charmer, even when I try.
-Montana has cowboys. The real ones. I also can’t resist a cowboy.

Hello, adorable cowboy.


-Montana is no stranger to hard work.
-Montana is family.

Family bonding=Rafting the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.


-Montana is home.

What do you love about Montana?
TT

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Autumn + Wedding=LOVE

Posted on October 14, 2011 by tiatroy

Last weekend, we headed north for the wedding of a dear friend, Sara, as she married her prince charming, Clay (Ahhhh). The wedding was at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake and it was beautiful. Not only was the bride glowing, but the location was absolutely perfect.

Pre-wedding, looking out at Whitefish Lake. Photo courtesy Holley Schmid

After a fun-filled weekend, one of our friends needed to catch a flight out of Missoula so we jumped in the car and made our way back to the Garden City. And I have to tell you, it was a gorgeous day for a drive. The air was crisp, the sky was blue and the Mission Mountains were stunning.

Driving into Polson, Montana.

Cruising through downtown Polson.

Ninepipes Wildlife Refuge

Autumn weddings may be my new favorite thing.

Until next week,
TT

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