April Showers May Bring Flowers?

After a week of absolutely gorgeous weather - sunshine and in the 50's for the most part - we were warned that we were in for some rain, and maybe some snow. An unfortunate forecast, since the Heart Run was this weekend. Greg was signed up to run, and I signed up to walk. I was looking forward to the walking - for exercise, and because I was going to walk with a group of friends.

The Run was canceled. Too much snow - creating safety concerns, since runners & walkers wouldn't be able to see the terrain and might twist an ankle or fall. So we didn't get any rain - it was all wet, heavy snow. I didn't measure, but I got some good pictures.

If I still had my Geo Metro, I would've had to leave it at work for the weekend. By 5:30pm, the snow was deeper than the floorboard of the Geo. Thank goodness I have a taller car now - and I'm extremely grateful for 4-wheel drive. We burrowed in for the evening - watching movies and the snow. Glad I didn't have to do any more running around than what I already did. =)

Most of the snow will be gone within a day or two. Then I hope we're done with it for the summer!! Makes me wonder how Dillingham & Valdez are faring...??

Homey!

I got a call last night from one of my college roommates. She's in town - can we get together? Of course!! I haven't seen my Homey for *years* now... in fact, the last time we got together was the last time she was in town for training. It's comforting to know that even though we don't communicate very often, we can still connect once in a while and it's as if we haven't been apart for more than 10 years. =)

I gave her the Christmas card that I hadn't mailed out yet (my deadline for the remaining ones is the end of May), and I got updated pictures of the kids. We spent a fantastic evening visiting and reconnecting. Someday I'll make it to Ketchikan for a visit...

M's Birthday

Last week was warming up - as Spring should. I mean, we were in the mid-40's during the day, and night stayed above freezing. It looked like we were well on our way to thawing... until this morning. More snow. And tonight it's below freezing, so the roads are icy. Oh well. It'll get warm eventually...

Today is also M's birthday - O Happy Day! She had to work, so ate her birthday cake yesterday. I had some ice cream for you yesterday, M! Sara & I went shopping today - and to prove that she was here (and to show the snow on M's birthday), I took some pictures.

It's lovely packing snow...

Office Views

I was industriously working when a co-worker came over excitedly pointing out the window... and I was lucky I had my camera. =)

The moose was lucky too... we watched it cross the road one way, then turn around and head back across the 4-lane busy road. There was one fender-bender - a really smashed up hood because someone wasn't paying attention to the slowing traffic... and several close calls before the moose made it across the road and down the hill. He's luckier than he knows... there are several people in the office that enjoy a good moose burger or steak once in a while. =)

Winter Festivities

When your "winter" lasts almost 6 months, you have to find things to do to break up the monotony. So we party. Every February, we celebrate... whatever... at the Anchorage Fur Rendezvous. It started as a gathering of hunters & trappers to trade furs and get supplies. Now, we spend the time with parades, races, food, ice sculptures, sled dog races, snowshoe softball, ice bowling, fireworks and many other events. I know people who spent all day Saturday downtown for Rondy. They got up early enough to go to the pancake feed, visited shops, attended events, and just enjoyed the party atmosphere.

Fur Rondy

It's been a long time since I've been downtown for any of the Fur Rondy events, but this year Greg was part of a team running in the Outhouse Race. While I was too comfortable in bed to get up for pancakes, I did make it down for some shopping, food, and the race. No way I could miss that!

Outhouse Royalty

It started with the Outhouse Royalty walking the "prizes" down the course so the crowd could see what was up for grabs. Then each team took a run for the time trial - and so the onlookers could see the participants. Apparently, this year there were more entries than ever before, and a larger crowd too. One outhouse was done in a Mardi Gras theme, another like a rocket, a third in a mexican theme. There are specific rules about how many runners and requirements for construction - the outhouse has to have a seat, a roll of toilet paper, a rider, and reading material. Some were short, some tall, one decked out like a salmon... people were very creative.

GeoCache Express Racers

Our team created the GeoCache Express - a short outhouse in the style of an ammo can (?!?). I don't know how they did in the time trial, but they were quick and aggressive. Which netted them 2nd place in the open class, and 3rd place overall. Way to go!! Prizes are decorated toilet paper rolls, and the 1st place team got one of those Ed McMahon huge cardboard checks... for $5.00 (that they had to give back after the pictures were taken). They're already making plans on what to do differently for next year.

Time Trials

Competition

Rondy is a week-long smorgasbord of events. Yesterday will probably be most of my involvement - but it was fun. If I weren't content to be at home with things to do, I'd go down for the Running of the Reindeer. I heard that people dress up and act wacky to get the reindeer to run... like putting on a costume with carrots all over so (hopefully?) they'll be motivated to chase you. That might be worth seeing. =)

Valentine's Toses

Heather & I went to a real SPA today to get pedicures. If you haven't had one before, I highly recommend them. And while I won't be going back to the spa we went to today, I'll be frequenting spas more often and mall shops less. The whole experience was nicer and definitely higher quality - on the products used and the overall "pampering" feeling. My feet even got their own mask today. Of course, the spa was more expensive than the mall shops are, but we had gift certificates, so it wasn't too bad.

Mall Toes

The mall shops are okay - quick in, quick out. They've used a razor-type implement to get off dead skin - which, according to the gal at the spa, is very bad for my feet and even illegal in some states. Who knew?!? But the mall shops can give me a french pedicure with green instead of white and paint pretty little pictures on my toes. Apparently the spa is a little too high-brow for the pictures. And they didn't have lime green for the toes either. One color seemed close (and it had sparkles!) - but I was told that was sheer, so no one would see the color. I wanted something a little wild - since it's winter and only me and one or *maybe* two other people ever see my toes anyway... Oh well. I got a nice, respectable red for valentine's. That'll have to do.

Spa Toes

Office Politics

We're in the process of "organizing" the office. This entails removing the flotsam and jetsam of the office into the living room so we can determine what will be replaced and what is refuse. It's much more time consuming to put things back than to take them out. That's always the case, but sometimes it seems rather daunting. I'm half tempted to just open up a (sturdy) garbage bag and pitch things in. Unfortunately, as soon as it's gone for good I'm sure I'll find that we're missing something important and life will not go on as it should... so I'll take the time to investigate the eviscerated guts..

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Super Bowl

Superbowl Sunday is just another reason to get together with friends and eat. At least, that's what I think it's for... oh! and watching the commercials to see what's new and clever. Since our house is currently non-visitor friendly, we went to visit at some friends' house. My contribution was chili. Since I watched a Superbowl episode of Emeril (while I was exercising), I decided to try making Emeril's Chili. I normally use ground beef, but the recommendation from this show was stew meat. I figured that'd dress things up a bit...

Raw Chili Fixin's

I started cooking in our big stock pot, since I planned on doubling the recipe. Once it got pretty full, I was going to move everything over to our largest crock pot and finish adding ingredients there. Turns out my stock pot is bigger than my crock pot. Which was bad news, since I still needed to add three cans of beans and 6 cups of water. Fortunately, Big Blue is still in residence. I borrow Blue from a friend (quite some time ago) to make a large batch of chili. It's gargantuan - and heavy - and everything fit. Whew!

Almost Chili

Transferring to Big Blue

We also brought corn chips (Fritos) and shredded cheese for toppings. It was yummy. I only had two bowls - that covered lunch & dinner. The rest of the time I spent eating pesto, stuffed mushrooms, baked brie, boneless buffalo wings, and some cinnabon coffee cake. I really am going to need to exercise this next week, just to make up for all the eating I've done over the weekend.

Heather Eating Chili

I normally pick my team based on the color of the jerseys, so I would have gone with the blue team (Patriots). But this year I decided to go with the underdogs in the white jerseys - go Giants! An exciting ending to the only game of football I've (mostly) watched all year. But I *definitely* enjoyed the company and the food!!

Winter Snow

A few days ago I was thinking that we haven't had much snow this winter. So I spoke a little too soon. It seems that Mother Nature is working on making up for the previous lack (or just little bit) of snow by dumping. I also heard we're in for snow for the next few days. Looks like I'll become good friends with the shovel... Don't know how many inches we've accumulated so far, but it's a bunch. Fortunately it's a light, powdery snow so shoveling isn't too grueling.

The cold before the snow

Pic taken Thursday morning - snow is all from Wednesday evening & over night

As I was catching up on family news, I read an entry on my cousin's blog. (Shout out to Chad, Angie, & Abby!!) It seems they had a cold spell and had to bundle up. (You can see the FL winter report here: Florida winter) There are some days that I'd trade Alaska winters for Florida winters in a heartbeat. Okay - that's most winter days... =)

Frier in the Snow

The Red Wall

We replaced our sliding glass door - which meant replacing the trim. Which meant our previous shades wouldn't work and had to be replaced. Which also meant that now was an opportunity to make (drastic) changes, if we wanted. So we decided to paint the wall red. Which then turned into painting another wall red too... Can we say Project Scope Creep? =) Here's the progress:

Priming the Targets

Painting the Walls

Final Finish

We still have to put decorations back on the wall and paint the trim. The hangings will be done tomorrow, but we have company coming for New Year's Eve, so the trim will have to wait a couple days. I'll post a finale picture when it's all done...

Luminarias for Christmas Eve

ChristmasTime

We had loads of people over on Christmas Eve - it was so nice to visit with everyone and share some fun times. We did the luminarias again - and they turned out beautiful, just like last year (and every year we've ever seen or done them). It was a special way to spend the Eve of Christmas - with people we love.

The Christmas Tree

Christmas was very relaxing. We spent most of the day at home, playing with presents, and decided to take in a movie. I did not realize how many other people take in movies on Christmas Day. We left a little early, but when we got there I was worried that we wouldn't make it in to the theatre. But we were lucky, and we enjoyed National Treasure - The Book of Secrets.

New Cell Phone Handset for Greg =)

New Robe & Adjustable Height Tripod

New Book and iPod for ME!!

We're going to have more people over to the house on Monday - getting ready to greet the New Year with much ado. It's been a good year. Now I'd better get on the ball and finish our Christmas Letter - I hope to have it done and mailed by sometime in January... =)

Winter Solstice

I've reached my first winter milestone: Today was the first day that we started gaining more light. (Meaning yesterday - the day that's over & gone - was the shortest day of the year.) It won't be noticeable for another month or so, but I *know* the days are starting to get longer. Now I just have to make it through a few cold(er) spells, to where the longer days start getting warmer... =) Happy Winter Solstice!!

Christmastime Again

It's amazing to think that it's Christmastime again. I thought we'd be on top of things, but it looks like the Christmas letter is going to be late, and probably the out-of-state gifts too. We won't be getting to the post office quick enough to get them delivered in time. =(

On the bright side, this weekend was our third annual Christmas Caroling get-together. It's a tradition from my side of the family - one that I've missed greatly. I remember getting together with all the cousins, and going to sing to people with grandma & grandpa. We had quite the spectacular group!

So I spent this weekend baking and getting crock pot food ready (stew - yummm!). I made all my favorites (since I only make them once a year): ginger snaps, gingerbread rounds (they were supposed to be people, but I just made balls and smashed them flat), no-bake cookies, red & green chocolate dipped pretzels, three kinds of fudge (toffee, almond/peppermint, & peanut butter), and pecan sandies (with cashews instead of pecans). We also had actual gingerbread men & sugar cookies donated to the cause. For after singing refreshment I made stew, bread, pumpkin dip (new recipe), buscuits, & spiced cider. We also had eggnog on hand. It took some time, but it was well worth it!

We don't practice at all, so whatever we lack in harmonics we make up for with lots of enthusiasm! A very nice way to spend the evening! We also made plans for Christmas Eve - going to visit with friends - we'll bring our candelaria makings to set them up there. Oh, what fun!

The Carolers

Season Finale

I'm a bit behind on posting - so I'm going to take this chance to get some pictures out. The first bit are my flowers at the end of the season. They're full of blooms and so colorful - it's a little sad when I know they won't be around much longer. But here they're glorious... just before the end. (You can see the changes by looking here). These pictures are from September.

It got cold sooner this year than last year, or so it seems. We got some frost in late September, and a bit of snow in October. A good, healthy dose of snow in early November - then a warming trend that melted just about everything for Thanksgiving. My first winter milestone is less than three weeks away: Winter Solstice. Although unnoticeable at first, days start getting longer. Sad to say there's still lots of cold and dark to endure, but the first ray of hope is just around the corner... =)

October Snow

Early November Snow

Lovely Bits of Sunshine

I'm Thankful For...

We had Thanksgiving early this year - thinking that Dave would be gone before the actual day. Turns out he's still here, so we had the opportunity to have Thanksgiving twice - yay turkey! I'm sure we'll be having ham or something else for Christmas dinner...

Today, we went around the room asking what people are thankful for - here's a sample: family & friends; everything that life has given me so far; my health; having too much food on the table and not being able to eat it all; to be out of the hospital & mobile, and for all the ladies in my life; for having healthy cats and a job; dessert; zig-zag papers and roll-on deoderant; someone else killed & de-feathered the turkey for me; running water and indoor plumbing; not all pennies are made of copper; that Seward bought Alaska...

It's good to spend time with those we love and take a little time to remember the really important things... Hope yours was as happy as mine. =)

Dave & his ladies

The Group