Cowboy Christmas | Robbins Roost

By CHRIS ARNESON for the Missoulian
Photos by KURT WILSON of the Missoulian

Joanne Robbins
Robbins Roost
4375 Hwy 93 South.

Joanne Robbins takes her inspiration for Christmas from her home’s rustic feel.
Century-old pine trees surround the house on the outskirts of Missoula. An antique tractor sits in the frontyard.
So the Robbinses are using a “Cowboy Christmas” theme for the Holiday Home Tour.
“We’re ranchers, so it kind of fits out here,” she said.
She plans to get an early start on the decorating. Friends and relatives will help decorate during the Thanksgiving holiday.
She’s even flying her daughter and granddaughter in from Seattle to lend a hand.
“I’m importing family in to help,” she said.
But the biggest attraction isn’t going to arrive until just before the Home Tour. The Missoula Children’s Theatre will be putting up the set from the musical “Oklahoma!” in the Robbinses’ frontyard, including a collection of 18-foot-wide backdrops painted by Missoula artist Larry Pirnie.
Smaller works by Pirnie will be on display throughout the house, all of which will be for sale – including a life-size cowboy and cow. The proceeds will go to the MCT.
“I’m the most excited about Larry Pirnie’s things,” Robbins said.
Robbins plans to decorate each room of her home with a different characteristic of a Cowboy Christmas. One room will feature historical photographs of Missoula. Other rooms will feature things such as blue Delft dishes and antique spindles.
“I’m decorating as creatively as I can,” she said. “We’re trying to decorate with unusual things – things you have on hand. We’ll have some of the things cowboys use when you’re coming in.”
Robbins plans to incorporate horseshoes and harnesses in her decorations throughout the house. And her affinity for pine cones will show, too. She’ll incorporate them in the decorations of each room. She will also feature work from a number of local artists.
“We have so many talented people in Missoula,” she said. It’s important for Missoulians to support their local artists.
“It’s just a really positive thing to do,” she said.