Montana Aussie adventures with Erin-Jay

Another week of cooler weather has welcomed us here in Sanders County, and though I may already be cold, I love the fall weather.

It’s certainly been another week of busy here at the paper as well. Though with this past week I was able to spend a night away in Missoula and do a little window-shopping along with the normal errands that we all have to do.

I made my way into Barnes and Nobles, and all I can say is WOW! How awesome is it to have such a large book store right in Missoula? I think it was just fantastic.

I am a huge lover of reading biographies, so of course Barnes and Nobles is a big ‘tick’ in my book.

Even spending a good amount of time in there walking around having a quick ‘window shop’ look, I find it really is the perfect time to go in and check to see what books are on the brain shelf and what new releases may be there to pick up.

Just like a raining day, as the cold moves in and the days get shorter, it’s the perfect time of year to go grab a book and indulge your mind into something spectacular.

Let’s face it, there is always a book that you can find to enjoy. The trick is finding the genre that speaks to you, for me it’s biographies and true crime. I prefer the history, the delving into recaps of those that influence the world.

My other loved genre is that of the American West. Even so much that I picked up a book from Harvest Foods a few weeks ago that talks about the ‘Wicked Women of The West…again it’s just amazing what you can learn.

Even if those aren’t your preferred genres, the multitudes of others are just as great. When you sit down and think of it all, there are so so many books that have been made into movies.

So when you think about that journey your imagination takes when indulging into a movie such as Mrs. Peregrine Home for Peculiar Children; imagine just how much more your mind will take on when you read the book. Generally there are more aspects that are described in further in-depth detail than that of what you see in the movies.

I’ll be honest it took me a long time to become a reader and I am still not what I would consider a ‘full on’ reader either. But, there have been those books that truly keep me delving further and further into the pages that keep me up until all hours.

So what better way to indulge in the winter than with a good book, and maybe some home made soup as well.

I have to say being the New Englander I am, not only am I a huge fan of Clam Chowder (pronounced as chow-dah) just incase any makes a trip to New England any time soon…or the Boston area.

My mémère would make a taste tantalizing clam boil with all the trimmings. Clams of course, but added onion, sweet potato, potato, hot dog, spicy chorizo and pork links, and even thinking of it now makes me want to jump on a plane. Because there were always left over’s, even when you over indulge into the New England delicacy, she would then pull it all out, chop up the veggies and sausages then put it back in the pot, then voilà you have clam boil soup!

So when you and the family start thinking about the winter season and what you may have to put aside for those ‘snow days’, maybe start thinking about grabbing some books, and looking for new winter warmer soups to try. If you’re worried about the kids keeping the cabin fever at bay, why not try and find a book of their readability that also has a movie. For one read they get to sit back and also enjoy the movie as well.

But no matter what, I cannot wait for the first real snow, as I’m already looking to get stocked up on the soup to be ready in the freezer.

So until next week Sanders County as always…HooRoo