{Wade Lake} Ennis, Montana

Camping at Wade Lake in Ennis, Montana was truly magical!
We woke up by the water and had a slow morning.
Becca made fruit quesadillas and we drank coffee before hitting the road for the Tetons.

I'm so grateful for my time with these women and with sweet August.
Their presence was easy and simple.
Just like the river!
Happy Tuesday, y'all.

{Evening Thoughts}

Nothing says take me to the mountains like a log cabin.

So thankful to have spent a couple of days here while in Montana.

{Gallatin River} Montana

Hitting the salmon fly hatch on the Gallatin was a blast!
It was also good to be on the river with Wes & Alex again.

We landed a cutty and a handful of browns and rainbows.
If you've never fly fished in Montana before add it to your bucket list!
It's amazeballs.

{Gratitude Lately}

Lately I've been thankful for a full quiver of cukies.

For new adventures with these two.

For buzzing bees.

For table forts.

For a healthy garden.

For date nights here with Tim.

And for all things pickled.
Here's to gratitude and how it turns everything into enough.
Happy Wednesday, y'all.
What have you been thankful for lately?

{Happy Papa's Day!}

To the man who loves her effortlessly, plays with her tirelessly,
and regularly reminds her to live up to her name, 

Happy Papa's Day. 

You are the best dad I know!

{A Papi's Love}

There's nothing quite like a Papi's love for his granddaughter.
Happy {almost} Father's Day, Papa.
The way you love on Brave is better than a Griswold #8 with a side of Banana Bread French Toast.
Love you,
Em

{Morning Thoughts}

Thoughts : When there are no words, bang it out.
Music is powerful.
Happy Friday, y'all!

{Today's Letters} Mom Life Edition

{Photo by Whitney Neal}

Dear Brave, this is the part of each day when you eat your dinner with a sand shovel and put black beans down my bra before giving you a bath. Being your mama humbles me each day but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even a beer or nap on the kitchen floor at 5pm.

Dear Laundry Cart, every afternoon you turn into a shiny red wagon and a rocket ship. Thanks for reminding me that imagination makes anything possible. 

Dear Twinner, this was the moment last Sunday walking out of church that I thanked baby Jesus for your glue gun skills. Thank you for making Bravey the only bow she's kept in her hair longer than 5 seconds.

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

{Pickled Watermelon Radishes}

I've never been one for RADishes, but I'll eat almost anything if it's pickled.
These rock.

Ingredients:
6 oz Watermelon Radishes (thinly sliced)
1 Cup White Vinegar
1 TBS Honey
1 TBS Sugar
1/4 tsp Peppercorns
1/4 tsp Kosher Salt
2 Cloves Garlic (roughly chopped)
1/2 Jalapeno (sliced into strips)
1 TBS Fresh Lime Juice

Directions:
1. Wash and cut radishes 1/4" thick.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the vinegar, honey, sugar, peppercorns, salt, and heat until ingredients are dissolved (about 2 minutes).
3. Place the radishes, garlic, and jalapenos in a sterile jar, and poor liquid over the top, leaving 1/2" of room at the top.
4. Screw on lid, let cool, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

{Evening Thoughts}

Babes will be the best thing you ever grow.

Promise.

{Dotty}

Watching this video reminded me the importance of slowing down, being patient with those I love,
and responding to others with gentleness and suspended judgement.
I encourage you to watch it when you have 10 minutes.
Happy Sunday, y'all!

{Otter Creek}

{Photos by Molls Roberson}

My first fly rod was a 9ft 5wt Orvis Access gifted to me a little over three years ago.
I've loved fishing with it and still use it often to this day!
For my birthday last summer Tim got me a 7.5ft 4wt Superfine Glass to use for small stream fishing.
It's been perfect for catching 9"-12" trout.
A couple of weeks ago I was in Brookville and used it to land a 22" bow. 

We watched as my rod bent all the way down to the cork!
I took a huge sigh of relief once I saw the fish in the net.
I've loved having a rod that makes catching smallies a blast but can also handle the big guys.
If you're interested in getting started in fly fishing I'd highly recommend getting an Orvis rod!
Their Encounter and Clearwater rods are great places to start.
Happy Saturday, y'all!
Hope you get to spend part of it outside!

{Belgrade} Montana

While on our way back to Bozeman we spent the night at an Airbnb in Belgrade, MT.
Bruce and Luanna live on the sweetest farm and were gracious enough to show us around.
They even let us feed their baby lambs!

We were in HEAVEN.
Happy Friday!

{Visiting Yellowstone : Fly Fishing Yellowstone : Lake McDonald : Avalanche Lake}

{Morning Thoughts}

Morning Thoughts : Rocks in every crevice is better than sand.
Happy Thursday, y'all!

{Fishing for Cutthroat}

Thanks to some new friends, we were able to spend time in Missoula catching cutthroat.
Tim had already landed his first but cheered me on until the last cast of the day.
I love they way he encourages me on the water!

{Avalanche Lake} Glacier National Park

Tim and I loved our 4 mile hike to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park!
The Western Red Cedars and water were absolutely breathtaking!
Catching wild cutthroats was bonus to an already amazing hike.
If you're ever in West Glacier we highly recommend you checking out Avalanche Lake.
Happy Wednesday, y'all!