Montana Bed and Breakfast Archives

April 17, 2015

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April Events in Missoula!

APRIL in MISSOULA is the time when the hills really do start to come a live with “The Sound of Music!” The colorful sights and sounds of birds and blooms, hikers, bikers and community fun are everywhere to be found. There is literally something for everyone at this time of year, so come out of winter hibernation to enjoy the many festive events!

-MMAC (Museum of Art & Culture) is celebrating 120 years of exhibiting Montana’s art collection pieces. Currently, a beautiful tapestry depicting every day life in Belgium, is among the art being exhibited. This viewing opportunity runs through May 23 at U of M’s Paxon and Meloy Galleries PAR/TV center.

-Missoula’s 47th annual Kyi-Yo PowWow takes place on Friday and Saturday, April 17 & 18. The theme this year is “We Are Montana.” You shouldn’t miss all of the colorful and extremely talented dancers and drum groups that come from far and wide to attend and help unify Native American traditions. The first Grand Entry Event begins on Friday at 7:00 P.M.

-A World Rhythms Concert with guest artist Edi Gbordzi, who grew up in Ghana, begins Friday, April 17th at 7:30. The events, including workshops, will be held in the Dennison Theater at the University of Montana. U of M’s West African Ensemble, along with other multi-cultural groups will perform!

-The Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge is full of life, particularly in the early spring. Take the short drive to Stevensville on Saturday, April 18th for a beginning birders walk at 10:00.

-Join the Montana Native Plant Society (Clark Fork Chapter) for an evening flower stroll in Pattee Canyon. Fairy Slippers, Glacier Lilies and Violets are among some of the flowers you may see on this April 18th evening. What a great way to celebrate Earth Day: click on the link for car pool information.

-Join Missoulians on Bicycles for several different weekend rides. On Saturday, April 18th the group will meet in Lolo and on Sunday, April 19th in Missoula. Be sure to click on the link for more information or call Chris Jauquet at 593-0032.

-The 38th International Wildlife Film Festival starts Saturday, April 18th with the Wildwalk Parade. The week-long festival offers many viewings to choose from and culminates on April 25th. For a listing of films and festival events, visit the link above.

–Jazzoula 2015 helps extend our Missoula Jazz Festivals into April! It is preceded by the Buddy DeFranco Jazz festival which already occurred in March. Missoula’s own local jazz artists will be featured from April 21-23rd- yep, we love to JAZZ things up in this town!

-Down the Hatch Fest, organized by The Orvis Company, takes place at Caras Park and the Wilma Theater for the third year! This April 25th event promises to bring tons of food and fun to Missoula. What better place than our own home town to put on a fishing and mini film festival? Missoula and the surrounding areas have some of the best blue ribbon trout streams in the world and this event helps celebrate that fact.

–Native American Flutist, Carlos Nakai, (“Earth, Wind, Fire”) joins Darko Butorac and the Missoula Symphony as a guest performer. This final concert of the season celebrates Earth Day and promises to be both unique and hauntingly beautiful. Performances are April 25th at 7:30 P.M. and April 26th at 3:00 P.M.

April has many Missoula highlights to offer visitors and locals a like. Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast is here to give you a relaxing stay during April or any other month of the year! Photo Credit: Trout- learni.st & Basspro.com, Edi Gbordzi & Carlos Nakai- Missoulian Newspaper, Others- Blue Mountain B&B

February 3, 2015

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Bed and Breakfast Montana

Crafting Crepes: Swedish Pancakes For Breakfast!

Are you celebrating National Crepe Day or just craving some crepes? Either way, look no further- we have the perfect breakfast recipe for you to try! There are many different types of crepes, from sweet to savory, filled and unfilled. Because of their popularity, there are also different ethnic varieties! We are partial to the type known as Swedish pancakes which are extremely light. It’s always fun to share a bit of our Swedish heritage with our guests. When you visit our inn you will see quite a few Swedish influences, from our Fjord horses at the base of the mountain to the delicate and very delicious Swedish pancakes we often serve.

The Scandinavian countries adopted traditions from many other European countries- among them, the crepe from France! The first time I tried this delicacy was actually in Libby, Montana during their Scandinavian Fest. Brady and I had never tasted a pancake so delicate and lovely that it felt like it was melting in your mouth. We ask for the recipe, which was large enough to feed a small army! It called for three gallons of milk and more chickens than I want to imagine for the eggs!

Long before opening our bed and breakfast, we reduced the Libby recipe and experimented a bit. The final “product” is delicious and a favorite of guests, family and friends. We hope you will try this recipe for yourself or come visit us in beautiful Missoula, Montana, where we do the cooking for you! Believe me when I say, there’s nothing quite like a Swedish Pancake that’s hot off the griddle and still warm to the touch.

RECIPE:

Ingredients (should be at room temperature):

1 1/4 C. flour

3 C milk

5 eggs

5 T sugar

5 T butter

Directions:

Reserve 2 cups worth of the milk.
Mix 1 cup of the milk with all of the ingredients and stir.
Next, slowly stir in the rest of the milk.
Melt butter on a regular griddle at 375 degrees or higher. Use 2-3 tablespoons of batter to make a 4 inch, round pancake.
When the pancake looks slightly brown, carefully flip it over (about 30 seconds per side).
Roll up the pancake and place it in a warming oven while you cook the rest of the cakes.
Once you get the hang of making one pancake, you can try making 2-4 at a time.

To Serve:

Take the entire platter of crepes out of the warm oven and sprinkle them with powdered sugar.
Try one of the delicate pancakes without extra toppings so you experience the light, buttery beauty of this special crepe!
Additional butter and home made jam can be placed on the table. We hand pick red currents from the garden to make syrup.
A traditional Swedish Lingonberry preserve is fun to try as well!

A Vacation in Missoula:
Missoula is a wonderful place to come on a vacation. Our town has so much culture, history and nature to offer tourists. We have blue ribbon trout streams, concerts, unique shopping opportunities and so much more. If you wish to enjoy nature while still being able to enjoy city events, then a get-away at Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast is perfect for you! In the winter there’s skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and indoor events. In summer you’ll enjoy hiking, horse back riding and so much more. One activity that is both popular with kids and adults is the Missoula Carousel. Our Fjord horses were used as models for the two carved, carousel Fjords. You can enjoy the carousel any time of the year and the artistic craftsmanship and variety of ponies is remarkable.

January 3, 2015

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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*An INNside View!

New Year’s Poetry: The Seasons

A New Year’s Poem
From Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast

“The Flight of December”

Where did the last of December go?
Whisked away by blowing snow
Taken on the wings of birds
Lovely songs now distant words

What is changed come New Year’s Day?
Some things gone whilst others stay
Reflecting back on days gone by
Renewed delight in winter’s sky

By Elaine Anderson-Wood
January 1, 2015

Our library here at Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast, as well as our small gift store, provide a wide variety of reading materials for your enjoyment! Below, I’ve shared one of my favorite poems that fits particularly well with this time of year.

I love Swinburne’s poetic style as he describes each season of the New Year! Enjoy the addition of photos taken here at the bed and breakfast. We wish everyone a very happy 2015!

“A Year’s Carols”

By: Algernon Charles Swinburne

JANUARY

HAIL, January, that bearest here
On snowbright breasts the babe-faced year
That weeps and trembles to be born.
Hail, maid and mother, strong and bright,
Hooded and cloaked and shod with white,
Whose eyes are stars that match the morn.
Thy forehead braves the storm’s bent bow,
Thy feet enkindle stars of snow.

FEBRUARY

Wan February with weeping cheer,
Whose cold hand guides the youngling year
Down misty roads of mire and rime,
Before thy pale and fitful face
The shrill wind shifts the clouds apace
Through skies the morning scarce may climb.
Thine eyes are thick with heavy tears,
But lit with hopes that light the year’s.

MARCH

Hail, happy March, whose foot on earth
Rings as the blast of martial mirth
When trumpets fire men’s hearts for fray.
No race of wild things winged or finned
May match the might that wings thy wind
Through air and sea, through scud and spray.
Strong joy and thou were powers twin-born
Of tempest and the towering morn.

APRIL

Crowned April, king whose kiss bade earth
Bring forth to time her lordliest birth
When Shakespeare from thy lips drew breath
And laughed to hold in one soft hand
A spell that bade the world’s wheel stand,
And power on life, and power on death,
With quiring suns and sunbright showers
Praise him, the flower of all thy flowers.

MAY

Hail, May, whose bark puts forth full-sailed
For summer; May, whom Chaucer hailed
With all his happy might of heart,
And gave thy rosebright daisy-tips
Strange frarance from his amorous lips
That still thine own breath seems to part
And sweeten till each word they say
Is even a flower of flowering May.

JUNE

Strong June, superb, serene, elate
With conscience of thy sovereign state
Untouched of thunder, though the storm
Scathe here and there thy shuddering skies
And bid its lightning cross thine eyes
With fire, thy golden hours inform
Earth and the souls of men with life
That brings forth peace from shining strife.

JULY

Hail, proud July, whose fervent mouth
Bids even be morn and north be south
By grace and gospel of thy word,
Whence all the splendour of the sea
Lies breathless with delight in thee
And marvel at the music heard
From the ardent silent lips of noon
And midnight’s rapturous plenilune.

AUGUST

Great August, lord of golden lands,
Whose lordly joy through seas and strands
And all the red-ripe heart of earth
Strikes passion deep as life, and stills
The folded vales and folding hills
With gladness too divine for mirth,
The gracious glories of thine eyes
Make night a noon where darkness dies.

SEPTEMBER

Hail, kind September, friend whose grace
Renews the bland year’s bounteous face
With largess given of corn and wine
Through many a land that laughs with love
Of thee and all the heaven above,
More fruitful found than all save thine
Whose skies fulfil with strenuous cheer
The fervent fields that knew thee near.

OCTOBER

October of the tawny crown,
Whose heavy-laden hands drop down
Blessing, the bounties of thy breath
And mildness of thy mellowing might
Fill earth and heaven with love and light
Too sweet for fear to dream of death
Or memory, while thy joy lives yet,
To know what joy would fain forget.

NOVEMBER

Hail, soft November, though thy pale
Sad smile rebuke the words that hail
Thy sorrow with no sorrowing words
Or gratulate thy grief with song
Less bitter than the winds that wrong
Thy withering woodlands, where the birds
Keep hardly heart to sing or see
How fair thy faint wan face may be.

DECEMBER

December, thou whose hallowing hands
On shuddering seas and hardening lands
Set as a sacramental sign
The seal of Christmas felt on earth
As witness toward a new year’s birth
Whose promise makes thy death divine,
The crowning joy that comes of thee
Makes glad all grief on land or sea.

Algernon Charles Swinburne was an English poet, playwright and novelist. The eldest of six children, he was born in London, England (1837) to a wealthy family. Swinburne’s father was an admiral, and his mother was a daughter of the 3rd Earl of Ashburnham. He was educated at Eton and at Balliol College in Oxford, but never completed a degree. The lack of a degree and his struggle with alcoholism didn’t stop him from success, however. Swinburne was one of the most accomplished lyric poets of the Victorian era- nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature every year from 1903 to 1907 and again in 1909 (the year of his death). Apparently, H. P. Lovecraft considered Swinburne “the only real poet in either England or America after the death of Mr. Edgar Allan Poe.” 1 Besides his love of writing, Swinburne was said to enjoy riding his pony across the moors; just a little tidbit that for me helps romanticize his character even more!

Additional Sources:

-http://swinburnearchive.indiana.edu/swinburne/view#docId=swinburne/acs0000503-01.xml

-http://swinburnearchive.indiana.edu/swinburne/

-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

-http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/algernon-charles-swinburne

-http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/swinburne/acsbio1.html

-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algernon_Charles_Swinburne

-http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/577089/Algernon-Charles-Swinburne

-http://www.poemhunter.com/algernon-charles-swinburne/

The photo on this page is taken from the copyrighted Wikipedia Algernon Charles Swinburne; it is used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. It may be redistribute providing that you comply with the terms of the CC-BY-SA.

Footnote:

1. H.P. Lovecraft, Selected Letters: Volume 1. Sauk City: WI: Arkham House, 1965, p. 73

November 26, 2014

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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*An INNside View!

THANKSGIVING: Recipe Sharing, Safety and Caring!

Thanksgiving: Serving up each recipe with a side of SAFETY in mind!

If you are WILD about RICE (or even not so wild about it), you will love this recipe! It’s best made a day ahead so the flavors truly have time to blend together. I find that even folks who aren’t fond of mushrooms love this dish, unless you have allergies of course! That’s a topic that can be serious, so I’ll come back to in a second. The recipe I’m sharing today has been handed down through my mother’s side of the family and is an all-time favorite around the Thanksgiving table. Since my mom grew up on a cattle ranch in Cody, Wyoming I like to play up the WILD SIDE of the rice with an image of a bucking bronc.

Brady and I try to stick to the rule of making a recipe the way it’s written the first time around. I do admit that we taste test along the way and in the end the recipe is often spiced up a bit. Unless you have a true allergy, I highly recommend trying this recipe the way it is. For example, don’t be tempted to skip the water chestnuts; their delicate crunch is part of the magic that makes this dish really light up!

SAFETY & SERENITY: During the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it can be easy to overlook ingredients that create a safe, serene atmosphere. Overlooking a recipe ingredient can change the taste of a recipe tremendously, but usually it isn’t a life-altering event. There are lots of kitchen safety tips that are important to keep in mind, but one that is often overlooked is the issue of ALLERGIES! Because of our bed and breakfast, we are always conscience of the dietary needs and preferences of guests on a daily basis. When you’re not in the business of needing to know, it’s easy to forget this aspect in the midst of holiday laughter and fun. Unfortunately, at family occasions and pot-luck events, the issue of allergies sometimes falls short of being on any safety list. I know plenty of family dinner tales that tell this all too well! In fact, this particular recipe, though one of MY VERY FAVORITES would need to be served with a warning sign and here’s why.

Tales NOT to be “RE-TOLD, here for YOU in Three-Fold:

-Mysterious Mushrooms: Many years ago, one of my dear friends spent half of Thanksgiving Day in the emergency room, the culprit- mushrooms (the common cooking kind). A botanist once told me that everyone is allergic to mushrooms to some degree but that it varies a great deal from person to person and mushroom to mushroom. Having to watch an emergency crew come into a family home on a holiday is not for the faint of heart! Remember this story and keep it smart.

-Ornery Onions: Another friend I have gets violently ill if even a hint of onion is in a dish. The flu season is bad enough without “catching” it just from something you eat!

-Well, NUTS: … And then there’s my cousin whom, like many people, is deathly allergic to certain nuts. One time he ended up in the emergency room after kissing his wife TWO HOURS after she had eaten hazelnut ice cream; now that gives some lip service to the meaning of a NUT ALLERGY! My wild rice dish calls for almonds, which are technically not a nut. Because of this, my cousin can have this dish, but I’m sure there are many almond allergies out there! While on the topic of nuts, I know of a little girl who has her very own peanut sniffing service dog. Without him, she would never be able to visit enclosed public spaces- it’s that serious. Don’t underestimate the power of nuts and seeds, they pack lots of protein and sometimes a nasty punch.

Today, gluten-free and other diets are common and it’s only courteous to, in some form, cater to those needs. But, you ask,… What IS the best way to deal with everyone’s needs in a simple and caring way? At our gatherings, we’ve gone to the following motto.. “RECIPE SHARING IS CARING! Anyone bringing a dish also brings a side of recipe cards, that way nothing is accidentally overlooked. Since Thanksgiving is about sharing, it’s a good time to take that to heart! There’s no need to hoard a secret recipe. Here at Blue Mountain B&B, we’ve always been happy to share recipes with guests and it hasn’t stopped them from coming back yet. If anything, it creates a feeling of true family when you share something you’ve put a lot of love into.

One last word to the wise! It’s always smart to maintain some checks and balances. Don’t rely totally on one kind of food safety strategy. You’d hate to weigh in on all the fun just to have it suddenly go sour because of an oversight. Whether you are hosting the party or you are a house guest, let your needs and those of others be known if it’s direly important. If it’s more of a food preference or slight restriction, the recipe cards are a great way of discretely “discussing” dietary issues!

Photo taken by Pam Morris, Colorado

Now, on another note… here is a recipe that should make you sing! I know it does that to me, so be forewarned. I dub tomorrow, WACKY WILD RICE MAKING WEDNESDAY. If you care to join me, please dig in!

RECIPE: Wonderfully Wild Rice Bake!
½ C. Wild rice
½ C. Rice (white or brown)
1 C. Onion, diced
1 C. Celery, diced
2 T. Butter or olive oil
1/4 C. Soy sauce
3 oz. Can mushrooms
5 oz. Can water chestnuts, chopped
1/3 C. Slivered almonds

DIRECTIONS:

-Cook rice as directed(on packages).

-Saute onions and celery in butter and then add the almonds.

-Mix all ingredients together and let sit over night if time.

-Bake the next day at 350 for 20 minutes.

CHARITY & Giving Thanks: Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for so many things… our family, our friends, our health and happiness. Remember to donate something to your community as well as your family! Some schools as well as food pantries and shelters can really use donated items as well, so call and ask! As a kid, one of my favorite memories is my mom taking two beautifully browned birds out of the oven; one for us and one for the local Poverello Center. We’d always take it down as a family the day before the holiday and somehow it made my heart feel just a little bit better.

Here at Blue Mountain B&B,we do as much as we can to help various non-profits in Missoula. Some of them help those in need, some help Missoula’s cultural community, some keep our wilderness areas wild and last but not least, our history a live! We welcome you to stay with us year round. Blue Mountain is a place of beauty during all of the seasons and we are truly thankful for the guests that visit us and soon become like family!

Photography Credit: Photos taken by Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast and uploaded from WordPress Insights. If you personally recognize a photo that has not been given proper credit or you have any comments or questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email! 1-406-251-4457 stay@bluemountainbb.com

May 14, 2014

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Bed and Breakfast Montana

Tasty Buttermilk Biscuits from Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast

May 14th is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day!

You will find that our Blue Mountain B&B BUTTERMILK BISCUITS will literally melt in your mouth. They are hard to resist right out of the oven and make a delicious treat smothered in honey or homemade jam. For our guests, these flaky homemade biscuits are a breakfast favorite when served with our biscuits and gravy recipe, passed down through the family.

The biscuits also make an excellent lunch accompaniment when paired with one of our savory soup recipes. For dinner, they always go nicely with one of our many Western BBQ specialties. Every year, we have a French family that stays with us just for our BBQ dinner and the views that go with it.

Note: Just adding shredded cheddar cheese to the dough and basting them with melted garlic butter gives the biscuits a whole new, amazing twist!

Buttermilk biscuits are almost in the same league as baseball and apple pie- a true American standard.
No matter what meal you serve the biscuits with, they always will be a BIG HIT!

Basic Ingredients:

4 C                   Flour
2 T                   Baking powder
2 tsp.                Sugar
1 tsp.                Salt
12 T             Butter
1 ½ – 2 C          Buttermilk

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

*Breakfast Biscuits (We often serve with biscuits and gravy.)

-Mix dry ingredients together, then cut in butter with a pastry knife. The butter should be in pea-sized pieces (or just a bit larger).
Fold in buttermilk and then knead on floured surface about 6 or 8 times. Pat out to 1″ thick (an 8×8 inch square). Cut in 16 pieces and bake for 14 min.

*Dinner Biscuits (Served with savory soups and BBQ dinners)

-Add the larger amount of milk and mix in 2 C. shredded cheddar cheese. Drop large spoon fulls of dough onto a baking sheet (we use a silicone baking sheet or parchment paper).
Bake for about 14 min. Take out of oven and baste with 3 T. melted butter mixed with 1 tsp. granulated garlic. Serve right away!

We hope you enjoy trying these out in your own kitchen or possibly spending a night here at Blue Mountain B&B! In the summer and early fall, guests enjoy eating outside by the waterfall. In the winter and spring, our large picture windows look out on our Japanese water garden to the west and the Bitterroot River and Missoula to the east. The view is ever changing and beautiful and our elevated location makes one feel like they are in a comfortable castle or a mountain chalet. We welcome you any time of the year for a wonderful retreat!

June 24, 2013

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Bed and Breakfast Montana

Seasonal Changes at Missoula’s Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast

An INNside View!

Seasons and Seasonings at Blue Mountain B&B:

With summer almost in full swing, it’s fun to think back on the various seasons and what each one brings to Montana and to Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast. I never tire of the beautiful seasonal changes that western Montana offers to residents and visitors alike. Sometimes the changes are quite subtle, which has been the case this year with our transition from spring to summer. Luckily, summer has crept upon us with a refreshing coolness. The mountains and valleys are still green, the peaks are capped in white and the wildflowers are particularly lovely. The rain has definitely been welcome and we hope it will continue from time to time in the next months so that the fire season doesn’t hit with such a bang.

*At the Inn:

Here at Blue Mountain B&B, the changing seasons bring delightful new views as well as new specialties to the table. During the gardening months, fresh varieties of fruits and vegetables abound. We take great care in preserving the bounty that the summer brings so that guests are able to enjoy fresh flavors throughout the winter months as well. Some of our jam and jelly specialties include home made huckleberry-raspberry, apricot and red current. Both of our sets of parents live on Blue Mountain as well and between the bunch of us we are able to grow a lot of the fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables ourselves.

*Locally grown products:

If we can’t grow something at the B&B, then we often turn to Missoula’s Good Food Store and the local Clark Fork and Missoula Farmer’s Markets. We especially love the fruit from Forbidden Fruit Orchard, the huckleberries which some of the Hmong families pick and the Dixon Melons.

As guests, you can enjoy both a Saturday morning market and and evening market during the warmer months of the year with vendors selling all kinds of things from produce and cheese to jewelry. When the weather turns cold, Missoula takes it’s wares inside where people can enjoy a winter market on the weekends. If you are interested in finding huckleberry or other Montana products, we have a lot to offer in our little Wood Ducks and More Country Store. If you are looking for Montana made products in town, we recommend the following stores: Brown Bear Resources and Mother Moose.

*A Room with a view:

Views from every room at the inn celebrate the changing of the seasons as each day brings a little something different than the next. Even when the valley is fogged in, one has the sensation of being in a high mountain castle. The views from our dining and living room areas are like a living picture frame, ever changing and beautiful. During late spring, summer and early fall, the sound of the water fall accompanies views of the valley and the smell of a fresh, gourmet breakfast.

For me, winter brings the most wonderful feast for the eyes of any season. There is nothing more beautiful than a soft dusting of snow covering the garden walls while the pond is bathed in the moon’s lovely light. Then again, “summer’s snow” is just as spectacular when the lovely Syringa bushes blanket the hillsides in late June. Their white, fragrant petals attract Swallowtail butterflies and for a couple of weeks, the hills truly smell heavenly. June is truly a wonderful month to make a reservation specifically for The Syringa Suite, our room named after this fragrant flower. The Syringa Suite has a private deck that adjoins the hillside, offering spectacular views of this flowering shrub as well as the water fall and koi pond below.

If you want to grow your own Syringa from some transplants, Blackfoot Native Plants Nursery and this link will help you get started!

*Deer hardy plantings and local nurseries:

Maintaining the house and grounds offer both Brady and me a change of scenery every single day. The winter months involve quite a lot of driveway plowing which is one of Brady’s (and the dogs’) favorite activities. He also loves any work that involves a mile-high view and a ladder. At least it makes cleaning out the rain gutters and putting up new outdoor blinds interesting. When our Godson or other family friends help out, it’s always fun to see how work starts to unfold into play! Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a lot of sweat and “blood” that goes into creating new flower beds, pulling weeds and doing other odd jobs. This year, in particular, we have re-done a lot of our flower beds and are trying to find deer hardy alternatives to some of the more tasty plants. The work always seems worthwhile and truly enjoyable, especially when we treat ourselves afterward. After a big day of work, we sometimes splurge by taking a couple of swings on the hammock, dipping our feet in the pond or enjoying some huckleberry iced tea- things usually reserved for our guests.

Missoula has quite a few local nurseries that are really helpful when trying to find plants that are compatible with climate needs and personal tastes. When looking for annuals, Caras, Earth and Wood, Marchies and Ibey are always helpful. Most of our perennials, along with our hanging pots, come from Benson’s Farms and Pink Grizzly which are part of the fun River Road Neighborhood.

While the summer involves planting and the winter plowing, spring and fall both involve a lot of ponderosa pine needle raking- one of my favorite activities. It’s something that always calls for a hot dog roast if the weather cooperates and fire season is nowhere near. If you’ve ever burned pine needles, it is actually quite mesmerizing. The needles glow a beautiful red and then gradually disintegrate into nothingness. The best part is that wonderful forest smell that allows me to “go camping” in my very own back yard!

*Plan your Montana get-away:

No matter when you come to Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast you are in for a treat. Every season offers its own spectacular kind of beauty which both energizes and calms the mind, body and soul. Whether you come for the winter skiing, a hike through the endless spring flowers, a summer float down a river, or an autumn ghost town tour, you will find beauty and fun wherever you go. You are always welcome to call us for additional details (1-406-251-4457) or visit the Area Page on our website for a listing of Missoula events and activities. There is nothing we enjoy more than helping people plan the perfect Missoula, Montana get-away no matter what time of year it may be! You are welcome to follow us on Facebook where we post recipes as well as upcoming history, cultural and community events. Come join us one way or another for a one of a kind Blue Mountain experience!

June 21, 2011

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Montana historical sites

Philipsburg’s Opera House Theatre

About 75 minutes southeast from our Missoula MT Bed and Breakfast is the quaint town of Philipsburg. Historic buildings line the streets of the town’s small downtown area, filled with interesting gem shops, heavenly candy stores, and tasty restaurants. Philipsburg makes a terrific day trip for guests of our Bed and Breakfast Missoula, especially during the long days of summer.

Check out Philipsburg's Opera House Theatre this summer.

A unique attraction in Philipsburg is the Opera House Theatre. Recognized as the oldest continually operating theatre in the state of Montana, it has been entertaining the public since 1891. For that reason alone it’s worth a visit.

See the following productions during the 2011 season at the Philipsburg Opera House:

Leaving Iowa: a riotous comedy about family vacations.

Security Breeches: an adult-themed farce about espionage and underwear.

Vauderville Variety Show: a fun mix of music and comedy.

Don’t just travel to Philipsburg for the theatre. While there, pan for gems. It isn’t necessary to drive the winding road to Sapphire Mountain, for buckets of gem-filled earth are brought to several locations in town. Good eyes and patience will undoubtedly be rewarded with a few sapphires or other gems. Professionals will evaluate your treasure, which you may either keep as is or have heat treated and faceted.

Additional information and tickets for the Opera House Theatre are available at Opera House Theatre.

Reservations for our Montana Bed and Breakfast are available at Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast.

June 19, 2009

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Bed and Breakfast Montana

Missoula Weddings

Host your wedding at our Montana inn

We really enjoy hosting weddings at our Missoula bed and breakfast. Our 20 private acres overlooking the Bitterroot Rive, Missoula Valley and Sapphire Mountains are an ideal setting for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception. We enjoy hosting all sorts weddings: sunny, warm afternoon affairs, cozy events indoors, or an evening ceremony outside, with the sky ablaze overhead as you say your vows. Be wed outside by a koi pond or waterfall, or on a deck with stunning views at your backs. We can accommodate up to 45 guests for an outdoor ceremony and reception when the weather is fine (June through September). If you prefer an indoor wedding, we can host 20 guests for a formal reception, or 30 guests for an informal one, with some guests at tables and some relaxing in the living area.

We want your wedding to be as relaxing and free of worry for you as possible. We will devote all of our attention to your event; while you are here, your needs are our highest priority. We hope you will consider hosting your wedding at our Montana bed and breakfast.

May 23, 2009

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Montana outdoor recreation

Missoula Bed and Breakfast celebrates the Bitterroot Valley

The magnificent Bitterroot Valley spreads south from Missoula towards remote Horse Creek Pass. The Bitterroot River runs down the middle of the valley that is framed by the Bitterroot Mountains on the west and the Sapphire Mountains on the east. Native Americans used this valley for generations as a natural corridor in their migrations, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through here. Indeed, there is much history in this valley, which is home to the first European settlement in the state of Montana; be sure to take time to visit the St. Mary’s Mission and Fort Owen State Monument in Stevensville.

Opportunities for outdoor recreation in the Bitterroot Valley are endless. From fly fishing to horseback riding, mountain biking to llama treks, there is sure to be an activity that is just right for you. There are numerous hiking trails through the pristine Bitterroot National Forest, and forest service roads that lead to remote waterfalls. Ask us about some of our favorite ways to get out and enjoy it when you stay at our Bed and Breakfast Missoula.

Our Missoula Montana Bed and Breakast is located southeast of Missoula, just off Highway 93 – the core of the Bitterroot Valley Scenic Drive. Fortify yourself with our home cooked breakfast and then hit the road. The beauty of the Bitterroot Valley will awe you, and the historic towns will charm you. Head for the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge and look for nesting osprey and other wildlife. Or keep going south to Lost Trail Pass, where you will find good hiking.

No matter what you do, we feel certain that you will grow to love the Bitterroot Valley as much as we do here in our Montana bed and breakfast.

March 11, 2009

By Brady & Elaine Anderson-Wood

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Bed and Breakfast Montana, Missoula Community, Missoula Points of Interest

Bed and Breakfast Montana: A Carousel for Missoula

“If you will give it a home, and promise no one will ever take it apart, I will build A Carousel for Missoula.” That was the promise Missoula cabinet-maker Chuck Kaparich made to the Missoula City Council in 1991. And now, in the heart of town, is a Carousel for Missoula. The Carousel stands as a stellar of community involvement.

Kaparich, who had spent many childhood hours on the carousel at Columbia Gardens in Butte, Montana, had already carved four carousel ponies and had purchased an antique frame in thousands of pieces. The City Council agreed and the journey for our community began. This Carousel is only 15 minutes from our Missoula lodging, and a must-see for families!

Woodworkers instruct young & old to create a community masterpiece

A board of directors was formed to facilitate organization and fund raising, Kaparich taught others to carve, mechanics began the process of restoring 16,066 pieces, painters were recruited, and Missoula began working together to create a treasure.

By Opening Day, May 27, 1995, over 100,000 hours of volunteer time had gone into the construction of 38 permanent ponies, three replacement ponies, two chariots, 14 gargoyles and the largest band organ in continuous use in the United States, all within a jewel box building.

The finished project

School children collected over one-million pennies to adopt four ponies! Although this beautiful piece of work started for the kids, it enriched the hearts and souls of all that worked on it! The project continued with the Dragon Hollow play area right next door to the merry-go-round. It took just nine days to erect this expansive play structure through the hard work of volunteers. This children’s play land is in the heart of Missoula. It would be a great place to stop during some window shopping while staying at our Montana Bed and Breakfast and have a picnic or let the kids run wild for a little while you get off your feet.

We have always been proud community members and are looking forward to sharing the beauty and wonder of the Bitterroot Valley with you when you come to our Missoula MT Bed and Breakfast. See you soon!

Montana Bed and Breakfast

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Algernon Charles Swinburne

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Philipsburg’s Opera House Theatre

Missoula Weddings

Missoula Bed and Breakfast celebrates the Bitterroot Valley

Bed and Breakfast Montana: A Carousel for Missoula

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