Updated: Mar 12
When I'm not writing and doing a gazillion other things, I try to fit a little time in each month to go through the masses of digital photos I've collected over the years. A lot of the older photos need cleaning up, which is why I only get through a dozen or so at a time. These are a few of the eagle images I found in my latest search. Well, some I've pulled before, but I hadn't properly organized them, so they have resurfaced. All of these eagles are perched on a wildlife tree next to my old house, so there were a lot of opportunities to capture these amazing creatures.
I'm a little obsessed with eagles. I find them fascinating and beautiful, and of course each unique in personality. Like the one in the first photo above; just sitting there minding his (or her) own business and trying to figure out what the silly human is doing.
Whenever an eagle landed on any one of the trees near the house, I stopped what I was doing and I either took a few pictures or just sat and watched. Most of the time they would rest and gaze at the world around them. A lot of times they would hunt in the lake, waiting for an unsuspecting fish or duck.
Even Nara, my beloved best bud, would lay on the deck and watch them. She didn't bark; just watched.
Did you know that bald eagles usually mate for life, and they both share in the raising and feeding the young? How romantic.
Back to writing! I expect to have the first sneak peeks of the new book to share soon.
—MK
Updated: Mar 13
A collection of letters has been unearthed from the historic Hawk's Peak ranch by the descendants of Ethan and Brenna Gallagher, though it is uncertain when the letters sent to Scotland came to return to Montana. These letters give us greater insight into the lives of all the Gallaghers during the 1880s. For preservation purposes, the letters have been transcribed from their original form.
If you have not yet been acquainted with the Gallagher family and Briarwood, some letters may contain what modern folk refer to as "spoilers."
From Brenna to Maggie
Sent from Montana to Scotland
Updated: Mar 12
Huckleberry season in Montana is a beautiful thing. Every summer, huckleberries can be found in roadside stands, often alongside fresh-picked cherries, or at farmer's markets. They are a precious and pricey treat, for those who gather them must do so in the wild among the animals that want their fair share.
There's a fun scene in Gallagher's Pride that involves a hungry black bear and a berry bush. Ethan and I both enjoyed a laugh at Brenna's expense. She held her ground, though, and forgave us both. Thank goodness.
Did You Know? Almost all huckleberries are grown in the wild. They do not like to be tamed, and wild huckleberries are not the same as garden huckleberry varieties. There is also a difference between the varieties that grow in the eastern United States and those in the western part of the country. Wild huckleberries don't transplant well in part because they lack a centralized root system.
Did You Know? Huckleberries are full of antioxidants, high in iron, and a good source of vitamin C and potassium.
Did You Know? Huckleberries and blueberries are often mixed together in Huckleberry dishes to save money. They are similar in taste, but huckleberries are less sweet and have a distinct flavor all their own. It's worth investing in huckleberries, even if trying them only once.
Every bite of this cake is bursting with huckleberry flavor and a touch of cinnamon and spice. It's really quite delicate and airy.
Did You Know? "Recipes are basically instructions; receipts are a record of what has been received as part of a transaction. Both recipe and receipt derive from recipere, the Latin verb meaning "to receive or take," with receipt adding a detour through Old North French and Middle English. But there was a time when receipt was used for what we now call a recipe." (Merriam-Webster)
A quiet porch is a perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea. If you have a garden, treat yourself by setting up a chair and table, and relax with a cup of tea and a good book.
Enjoy, and thank you for visiting!
Have you read Gallagher's Pride? Visit the book page to learn more about Ethan and Brenna's romantic adventure.
