Yes, Alaska DOES have a "rainy" season, and we are in it. We've had rain all week, and the forecast for the weekend and next week is... you guessed it, rain.
It's okay by me though. I actually really like the rainy season here. Maybe I still have the old Alabama weather programed into me? Rainy season in Alabama meant hotter, more humid days. And wind with our rainy season generally meant hurricanes (and tornadoes). Thanks, but no thanks!
Alaska rainy season generally means overcast days, a gentle pitter-patter of raindrops (perfect for curling up with a knitting project and a cup of coffee while Disney does the babysitting), and a cool breeze.
This week's adventures have been fun for everyone. And I'm not even being sarcastic about that.
J took off earlier in the week to Fielding Lake for some fishing. He and a buddy brought home a 26 inch lake trout and three grayling, all of which are sitting in my freezer, until next week.
J reported that Fielding Lake is beautiful, and a good place for wildlife viewing. And by "wildlife" I mean that he reported lots of moose, caribou, and bear tracks. And, he reports, there is still SNOW up there! So strange, but in all the pictures of him fishing, he is actually wearing his winter coat AND thermals.
Meanwhile, Beans, The Little Nugget, and I spent the week doing our usual assortment of play dates, bread baking (including a mean sourdough), laundry, knitting, and container garden tending. The tomato plants have flowers, the kohl rabi is starting to sprout, and the lettuce is starting to look serious. Meanwhile, I should have listened to the advice of more experienced Alaskan gardeners concerning my pepper plant. Seems that we dipped below freezing (or close to it) a couple nights ago, and the poor pepper is struggling to hang on. It also looks like the high Delta winds might have gotten the best of my basil plant, and appears that something might have taken a taste of a couple plants on the back deck, but overall, things are growing and (sort of) surviving.
We took a break from the "same old, same old" to take a drive to Birch Lake this week. In addition to being a beautiful lake with great fishing, the Air Force has a nice campground tucked away back there. We drove through the forest to the campground to check it out.
J and I immediately got Camping Fever, which is a sudden desire to purchase a ton of camping gear, pack up your kids and fishing poles, and head out into the woods. Our drive ultimately ended in Fairbanks, with a trip through the camping gear aisle, and we officially have reservations for next week at the Birch Lake campground.
That said, we aren't exactly going to be "roughing it". The campground at Birch Lake makes the pretty comfy summer camp my parents sent me to when I was a kid look "rough". The cabins are equipped with a stove (like, a real one) and a fridge. The roughest it's going to get is that we won't have running water in the cabin we rented.
But ya gotta start somewhere. I suppose if we survive cabin camping, we'll move up a step to renting a camper.
The drive home was full of excited talk about campfires, fishing, and s'mores. I have my shopping list ready to go, and by my next update, there should be stories of lake trout roasting on an open fire.
But the highlight of the drive home was a black fox, trotting down the highway with his dinner in his mouth. As usual, I was left wondering why I never bring my camera...
Another drive this week took us further into bear country, as we headed south on Richardson Highway. We drove down to see the Greely Campground and scope it out for a future camping trip. Definitely more on the lines of "roughing it", but beautiful, and overlooks the river.
Along the way, I spotted several hares, and as I was commenting to J about how we would have had dinner if we had brought the .22 along, a flash of gray leaping through the trees revealed that a LYNX had beaten us to hunting.
WOW!!! That was pretty awesome to see.
In addition to the lynx, there was the usual assortment of moose sightings, and LOTS of hares. The moose are starting to make appearances with new little babies, and I've sighted several new mommas with twins this year. The baby moose are adorable. They are still the size of small horses, but a beautiful fawn color, and behave like little nervous wrecks, refusing to get far from their mommies.
We ended that drive with a stop off at a rock quarry that we initially thought was a small lake. No fishing, but beautiful scenery, and would make a nice kayaking stop one afternoon. Beans and I skipped rocks for a bit, picked a few wild flowers to take home and identify, and as soon as J pointed out HUGE moose tracks and some kind of large mammal scat, we headed on our way. Good thing, we learned later. As we retold our tale of the "awesome lake" we found to a friend of ours, he informed us that the field we were about to go trekking on was where someone has a trap line set, and the trapper has been pretty successful with everything from fox, coyote, wolf, and bear.
We spent the rest of our week catching some outdoor time between rain showers, and then finally donning rain boots and jackets for some fun at the park today. Enjoying the great outdoors has a rule: If you can't beat the weather, at least dress for it.
We are quickly acquiring wardrobes for every type of weather.
*As a side note: I can't believe how hard it is to find a rain coat in a 2T! It's ridiculous! Apparently, if you are smaller than 3T, you just have to suck it up and get wet. Period. Luckily, Beans doesn't mind, and actually really enjoys the opportunity to get soaking wet. *
That pretty much sums up our week. My weekend is sure to be full of baking, cooking, and shopping for our upcoming camping trip.
Meanwhile, I'm off to enjoy a slice of homemade blueberry cheesecake and a cup of coffee, and watch the next band of showers come through.
Next week promises stories of camping and camp fires.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Sunday, June 21, 2009
The Longest Day of the Year
And in sarcastic humor that I can only attribute to years of living with my dad, I would like to point out that the day is not actually longer. It is still 24 hours. (And my dad would be quick to point out that 24 hours is an estimate, not exact, which is why we have a "leap year", an extra day to cover the extra minutes in each day).
And speaking of dads, I hope all of you remembered that it is Father's Day today. I just BARELY remembered, and with the time difference, almost didn't get the phone call in to my dad. Luckily, I managed a quick hello and short chat. (And also fessed up to nearly forgetting.)
I also managed a VERY brief hello to my father-in-law, but just as we got past the hellos, the girls started proving that they can scream louder than I can talk. I'm pretty sure my father-in-law was laughing as I got off the phone to tend to the girls, but that's okay. Next month, he and my brother-in-law will get to hear the screaming up close and personal, since they are coming for a visit.
In my humble defense for forgetting it was Father's Day, J and I rarely celebrate such holidays. His work schedule hardly even allows us decent time to celebrate major holidays like Christmas and Easter. We even forgot all about our anniversary this year. I know. We're weird. But, hey. I do know he's the father of my children. And he must still be my husband, because he keeps coming home for dinner, and keeps sending his paycheck.
***
So, the summer solstice is here! Most loyal readers know how I feel about the long days here. For those just tuning in, um... not my favorite thing about Alaska. Maybe I was a vampire in a past life, or something crazy, but I really do long for NIGHT in my days.
That said, I'll admit that this year has been better than last year. It's been a gradual shift to full daylight. It's only been in the last week or so that J has had to listen to me grumble about how midnight and 4 am look the same to me. And it's only been in the last couple weeks that the full daylight has kept me awake and confused me in my night waking.
I find that I wake several times a night now (and not always just because of a new baby in the house!) and find myself seriously confused as to why everyone is sleeping when it's broad daylight outside. Until I look at the clock and discover that it's actually 4 am, and I'M the sucker that should be back in bed.
I am also finding that the long daylight hours make me feel a bit frenzied. When I wake (accidentally) at 4 am, I find that the daylight makes me feel like I should be awake and being productive. I have sudden urges to go to the kitchen and start baking bread or making coffee. The frenzy continues through the evening, when 10 pm sneaks up and me and I find that I still have so many things I want to do while it's daylight. Then the reality kicks in. Um, it's going to be daylight for close to 24 hours. And if I actually haul myself out of bed at 4 and start baking, or keeping myself up until the dark comes back, I'm going to be awfully tired when the girls finally wake at 8:00, and I am ready to take a nap.
I generally force myself back into bed, content to snuggle with the New Little Nugget, who is confused NOT by daylight, but as to why I would even consider removing her milk supply from the bed.
Like I said, this year IS a bit better than last. I no longer find myself gazing out the windows at midnight, marvelling at the light. I no longer find myself a complete insomniac, hoping without hope that the sky will suddenly darken.
No. These days, I simply grumble about how room darkening shades only do so much, and pray for rain, since the cloud cover makes things dark enough to justify turning on a light from time to time.
Besides, now that the solstice is here, we are on a "losing" streak. "Losing" about 6 minutes of daylight each day.
Or as I see it, gaining 6 minutes of night... glorious night.
***
We missed all the Fairbanks activities for the solstice this year. I had every intention of doing The Midnight Sun Run and various other things in the 24 hours of light. Then, I got a reality check and realized that I would much rather get my girls to bed at a decent hour, and avoid the whole "I missed my nap and now you are gonna pay, momma" drama.
Yeah... Maybe next year.
Meanwhile, the Moose Nugget Household has had a chaotic weekend. Both girls have colds. Little Nugget is on a growth spurt, which means the milk factory (AKA "mom") is working overtime. Beans is on a sudden streak of independence (like, even more than usual), and today, this independence has resulted in one tired, frustrated momma.
If anyone out there understands the following interaction, by all means, post comments:
Beans is trying to do something on her own. Suddenly, she calls for "help". I attempt to help, which results in her screaming, "NO! I'm do it!" Okay, fine. I say, "All right. You do it." This results in her screaming, "HELP!" I attempt to help, which results in... you guessed it. Full blow tantrum.
I'm at a loss, dude. Seriously. I found myself in an Einstein moment.
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
Another Beans moment today...
The never ending request for juice.
I just want to say that we NEVER have juice in our house. Aside from the fact that it's empty calories and mostly sugar, it gives Beans a horrible upset tummy.
For some strange reason, she has started demanding juice.
I have pointed out that we don't have juice.
I have taken her to the fridge to have her show me what she THINKS might be juice. (That results in standing in the open refrigerator screaming "JUICE!" at the top of her lungs, by the way.)
I have offered water instead of juice.
I have even attempted to bribe her with C-A-N-D-Y or popsicles, since we have no juice. Every response is met with screaming and tantrum. Over juice that doesn't even exist.
What is THAT about?
It's not all bad, though. Her independence is working up to trying to use the potty (hooray!), and even (dare I say...) weaning. The "I'm do it!" phase also means more time for me to sit back and play with the New Little Nugget, who has been flashing a sweet little smile, cooing, and even trying to giggle from time to time. And in spite of the challenges, it is amazing to watch the strong and determined personality of my "little" Beans come out.
* As I type this, however, she is finger painting with spit bubbles on my dining room table. Awesome. *
Things I thought I would never say in my life:
"Please stop spitting on the table. It's rude." (Not to mention, totally gross, dude!)
And the highlight of my day:
"We do NOT lick the potty!" (Um, she actually looked at me and asked, "Why?")
And that, my readers, is what brings me to (almost) the end of the longest day of the year. The sun is bright and shining, with no sign of the moon for the next, oh, several months. I'm headed to seal the cracks in the room darkening shades and convince my toddler that there is no juice in this whole house, and that she should just take a bath and go to bed.
After that, I'll be scrubbing the dining room table, and goggling ways to make the potty safe for human consumption.
The good news is, tomorrow will be 6 minutes darker than today. *grin*
Meanwhile,
Happy Moose Trails!
And speaking of dads, I hope all of you remembered that it is Father's Day today. I just BARELY remembered, and with the time difference, almost didn't get the phone call in to my dad. Luckily, I managed a quick hello and short chat. (And also fessed up to nearly forgetting.)
I also managed a VERY brief hello to my father-in-law, but just as we got past the hellos, the girls started proving that they can scream louder than I can talk. I'm pretty sure my father-in-law was laughing as I got off the phone to tend to the girls, but that's okay. Next month, he and my brother-in-law will get to hear the screaming up close and personal, since they are coming for a visit.
In my humble defense for forgetting it was Father's Day, J and I rarely celebrate such holidays. His work schedule hardly even allows us decent time to celebrate major holidays like Christmas and Easter. We even forgot all about our anniversary this year. I know. We're weird. But, hey. I do know he's the father of my children. And he must still be my husband, because he keeps coming home for dinner, and keeps sending his paycheck.
***
So, the summer solstice is here! Most loyal readers know how I feel about the long days here. For those just tuning in, um... not my favorite thing about Alaska. Maybe I was a vampire in a past life, or something crazy, but I really do long for NIGHT in my days.
That said, I'll admit that this year has been better than last year. It's been a gradual shift to full daylight. It's only been in the last week or so that J has had to listen to me grumble about how midnight and 4 am look the same to me. And it's only been in the last couple weeks that the full daylight has kept me awake and confused me in my night waking.
I find that I wake several times a night now (and not always just because of a new baby in the house!) and find myself seriously confused as to why everyone is sleeping when it's broad daylight outside. Until I look at the clock and discover that it's actually 4 am, and I'M the sucker that should be back in bed.
I am also finding that the long daylight hours make me feel a bit frenzied. When I wake (accidentally) at 4 am, I find that the daylight makes me feel like I should be awake and being productive. I have sudden urges to go to the kitchen and start baking bread or making coffee. The frenzy continues through the evening, when 10 pm sneaks up and me and I find that I still have so many things I want to do while it's daylight. Then the reality kicks in. Um, it's going to be daylight for close to 24 hours. And if I actually haul myself out of bed at 4 and start baking, or keeping myself up until the dark comes back, I'm going to be awfully tired when the girls finally wake at 8:00, and I am ready to take a nap.
I generally force myself back into bed, content to snuggle with the New Little Nugget, who is confused NOT by daylight, but as to why I would even consider removing her milk supply from the bed.
Like I said, this year IS a bit better than last. I no longer find myself gazing out the windows at midnight, marvelling at the light. I no longer find myself a complete insomniac, hoping without hope that the sky will suddenly darken.
No. These days, I simply grumble about how room darkening shades only do so much, and pray for rain, since the cloud cover makes things dark enough to justify turning on a light from time to time.
Besides, now that the solstice is here, we are on a "losing" streak. "Losing" about 6 minutes of daylight each day.
Or as I see it, gaining 6 minutes of night... glorious night.
***
We missed all the Fairbanks activities for the solstice this year. I had every intention of doing The Midnight Sun Run and various other things in the 24 hours of light. Then, I got a reality check and realized that I would much rather get my girls to bed at a decent hour, and avoid the whole "I missed my nap and now you are gonna pay, momma" drama.
Yeah... Maybe next year.
Meanwhile, the Moose Nugget Household has had a chaotic weekend. Both girls have colds. Little Nugget is on a growth spurt, which means the milk factory (AKA "mom") is working overtime. Beans is on a sudden streak of independence (like, even more than usual), and today, this independence has resulted in one tired, frustrated momma.
If anyone out there understands the following interaction, by all means, post comments:
Beans is trying to do something on her own. Suddenly, she calls for "help". I attempt to help, which results in her screaming, "NO! I'm do it!" Okay, fine. I say, "All right. You do it." This results in her screaming, "HELP!" I attempt to help, which results in... you guessed it. Full blow tantrum.
I'm at a loss, dude. Seriously. I found myself in an Einstein moment.
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting different results."
Another Beans moment today...
The never ending request for juice.
I just want to say that we NEVER have juice in our house. Aside from the fact that it's empty calories and mostly sugar, it gives Beans a horrible upset tummy.
For some strange reason, she has started demanding juice.
I have pointed out that we don't have juice.
I have taken her to the fridge to have her show me what she THINKS might be juice. (That results in standing in the open refrigerator screaming "JUICE!" at the top of her lungs, by the way.)
I have offered water instead of juice.
I have even attempted to bribe her with C-A-N-D-Y or popsicles, since we have no juice. Every response is met with screaming and tantrum. Over juice that doesn't even exist.
What is THAT about?
It's not all bad, though. Her independence is working up to trying to use the potty (hooray!), and even (dare I say...) weaning. The "I'm do it!" phase also means more time for me to sit back and play with the New Little Nugget, who has been flashing a sweet little smile, cooing, and even trying to giggle from time to time. And in spite of the challenges, it is amazing to watch the strong and determined personality of my "little" Beans come out.
* As I type this, however, she is finger painting with spit bubbles on my dining room table. Awesome. *
Things I thought I would never say in my life:
"Please stop spitting on the table. It's rude." (Not to mention, totally gross, dude!)
And the highlight of my day:
"We do NOT lick the potty!" (Um, she actually looked at me and asked, "Why?")
And that, my readers, is what brings me to (almost) the end of the longest day of the year. The sun is bright and shining, with no sign of the moon for the next, oh, several months. I'm headed to seal the cracks in the room darkening shades and convince my toddler that there is no juice in this whole house, and that she should just take a bath and go to bed.
After that, I'll be scrubbing the dining room table, and goggling ways to make the potty safe for human consumption.
The good news is, tomorrow will be 6 minutes darker than today. *grin*
Meanwhile,
Happy Moose Trails!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Urban Alaskan Pioneering
Like that even makes sense, eh? But there is such a thing. I know, because I made it up.
Here's the unofficial definition: Being a renter on base (urban-ish) means that I do not have the liberty of plowing up "my" yard. The base generally frowns on such things. Plus, there are rumors of crazy things being buried here. I don't particularly care for nuclear waste and alien ooze in my veggie garden, ya know?
Additionally, there is the Alaskan element to add to my gardening. The general idea is that it's a "cold climate" (especially when compared to Alabama, where we came from). This means that certain precautions (like never planting tomatoes in the ground) must be taken to be even somewhat successful in gardening around here.
And by "pioneering", I mean all kinds of homesteading activities. And my recent weeks have been full of such activities.
So with the Interior's official gardening season beginning (June 1), I jumped into as much gardening as a handful of containers and my 15 square feet of "yard" would allow. I am a huge risk taker with my tomatoes and peppers, leaving them outside in their pots through our cool nights. I know, I know. I am inviting lectures from Alaskan gardeners all over the place. Yes, I'll probably lose them. But for now, they are growing tall, overfilling their pots, and even getting some little yellow flowers. I'm not trying to be a risk taker, really. It's just that after a day of lugging around two small children, I'm not really motivated to haul in half a dozen potted plants that Beans will likely try to ingest or dump on the carpet before I can return them to the great outdoors each morning.
In addition to my pepper and tomatoes, there is a hanging basket of strawberries, several pots of herbs, a few pots of lettuce, salad greens, and radishes, and a plastic tote that is acting as a "raised bed" for my kohl rabi experiment. Not a bad start for someone with limited gardening space and babies to tend to.
Meanwhile, back at the urban pioneering site...
My wheat mill arrived! And with it, I purchased 45 lbs of soft white wheat to grind. The mill (Nutrimill, for those interested) is AWESOME, and quick. After a few minutes reading the manual, I was able to dump a few cups of grain in the mill and end up with enough fresh milled flour to bake two loaves of bread. I "cheated", and let my Kitchenaid do the hard work of kneading, but a couple hours later, the house was scented with the aroma of fresh coffee and hot bread, and all was well with the world.
Not to sound too hokey, but I curled up in my rocking chair with a slice of hot bread, a fresh cup of percolated coffee, and my knitting project, and was completely content.
Speaking of knitting...
I FINALLY made it to the knitting group at the library! I had so much fun and learned a lot. A whole lot, actually. See, I'm a hooker. RELAX, folks! Not a street girl, but a crocheter. (You crochet with hooks. Hooker, get it? HA HA HA!)
ANYHOO... I've never knit before. My grandmother used to make all of us grand kids (and there were a lot of us) a sweater every year for Christmas or birthdays. I'll shamefully admit that I did not appreciate the gifts as much as I should have as a kid. But now that she is gone, I miss those sweaters, and I hope that I'll soon be able to turn out gifts that my own kids will not appreciate. *grin*
Turns out I REALLY should have appreciated those sweaters. Knitting is enjoyable, but it is also a lot of work! To turn out a sweater (and some years, matching hats and mittens with them) for a dozen or so grand kids is no small task.
The gals at the knitting group were incredibly helpful, and before I left, even with a fussy baby in tow, I had learned to cast on and (roughly) how to knit. With a good instruction book in my hooker bag, I managed to teach myself the rest of the basics, and have a lovely-ish sort of scarf making it's way on the needles.
The knitting gals were a hoot, and I had a lot of fun. It was NOT the group of old lady grandmas I had mentally prepared myself to knit with, but a fun group of ladies of all ages. It was an evening of learning, needle clicking, gabbing, and getting to see another side of folks I had previously known as "just" the town mayor, the librarian, or the ladies I see at the store from time to time. Turns out that I will be back to knit again, and soon. Not only did I have a great time, I was informed that now that I had finally made it, I HAD to come back. And to seal the deal, I agreed to show up at the next meeting with a scarf for an auction at the town fair.
I just hope they don't expect that scarf to be too pretty, ya know. Anyone bidding at the fair, you'll know MY scarf. It will be the one that looks like it was knitted by a new mom (and new knitter!) with lots of help from a toddler who likes to watch stitches unravel.
Part of pioneering is also providing your own food, right? J and I have been trying to fulfill this pioneering obligation with making sure we take advantage of some local lakes. As if fishing isn't hard enough, it's a real challenge with babies in tow, but we've been having fun. I've enjoyed the sun (though it would be nice to see an actual sunset again), and fishing has been fun. Catching would be better, but J seems to have better luck when he heads out on his own. Could it be that a splashing toddler has something to do with it? Hmm.
Our spring has been full of these activities, campfires with friends, late (very late!) dinners and play dates that last into the evening hours. I AM enjoying this spring much more than last year, now that I know what to expect, and have forged some friendships that make the long days much more interesting. The world is beautiful and green again, and the only complaint is the bird-sized mosquitoes which can be found gnawing on any exposed flesh you offer them.
Hard to believe that we are already approaching the summer solstice! The solstice has taken on new meaning for me, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite days, as it means the night time will begin making its way back to our days. I know, I'm crazy. But I LIKE the night, and it's just weird, living without it. Getting used to it doesn't make it any less weird.
For friends and family: the girls are doing great. Little Nugget is growing, and started smiling a couple weeks ago. She's still a good sleeper and a great little baby. Beans is a hoot, and has been having lots of fun making new friends and *sniff* turning into a little girl, instead of my baby. Our days are full of discovering all the things she can do "by myself", and watching her develop the confidence and skills.
Coming up: dinner with friends in Fairbanks (after doctor's appointments), maybe a trip to Pioneer Park, and maybe even getting J to nail down a date for that family camping trip. More play dates, more gardening, and a couple road trips. And soon, meeting a new friend, as an online friend prepares to move to the Last Frontier.
Sorry to be so inconsistent about my blogging, but finding a few spare moments in my week is getting harder as the days get (literally) longer. I promise, more blogging tales as the daylight decreases, but for now, our family is out and about and enjoying local Alaska.
In the meantime,
Happy Moose Trails!
Here's the unofficial definition: Being a renter on base (urban-ish) means that I do not have the liberty of plowing up "my" yard. The base generally frowns on such things. Plus, there are rumors of crazy things being buried here. I don't particularly care for nuclear waste and alien ooze in my veggie garden, ya know?
Additionally, there is the Alaskan element to add to my gardening. The general idea is that it's a "cold climate" (especially when compared to Alabama, where we came from). This means that certain precautions (like never planting tomatoes in the ground) must be taken to be even somewhat successful in gardening around here.
And by "pioneering", I mean all kinds of homesteading activities. And my recent weeks have been full of such activities.
So with the Interior's official gardening season beginning (June 1), I jumped into as much gardening as a handful of containers and my 15 square feet of "yard" would allow. I am a huge risk taker with my tomatoes and peppers, leaving them outside in their pots through our cool nights. I know, I know. I am inviting lectures from Alaskan gardeners all over the place. Yes, I'll probably lose them. But for now, they are growing tall, overfilling their pots, and even getting some little yellow flowers. I'm not trying to be a risk taker, really. It's just that after a day of lugging around two small children, I'm not really motivated to haul in half a dozen potted plants that Beans will likely try to ingest or dump on the carpet before I can return them to the great outdoors each morning.
In addition to my pepper and tomatoes, there is a hanging basket of strawberries, several pots of herbs, a few pots of lettuce, salad greens, and radishes, and a plastic tote that is acting as a "raised bed" for my kohl rabi experiment. Not a bad start for someone with limited gardening space and babies to tend to.
Meanwhile, back at the urban pioneering site...
My wheat mill arrived! And with it, I purchased 45 lbs of soft white wheat to grind. The mill (Nutrimill, for those interested) is AWESOME, and quick. After a few minutes reading the manual, I was able to dump a few cups of grain in the mill and end up with enough fresh milled flour to bake two loaves of bread. I "cheated", and let my Kitchenaid do the hard work of kneading, but a couple hours later, the house was scented with the aroma of fresh coffee and hot bread, and all was well with the world.
Not to sound too hokey, but I curled up in my rocking chair with a slice of hot bread, a fresh cup of percolated coffee, and my knitting project, and was completely content.
Speaking of knitting...
I FINALLY made it to the knitting group at the library! I had so much fun and learned a lot. A whole lot, actually. See, I'm a hooker. RELAX, folks! Not a street girl, but a crocheter. (You crochet with hooks. Hooker, get it? HA HA HA!)
ANYHOO... I've never knit before. My grandmother used to make all of us grand kids (and there were a lot of us) a sweater every year for Christmas or birthdays. I'll shamefully admit that I did not appreciate the gifts as much as I should have as a kid. But now that she is gone, I miss those sweaters, and I hope that I'll soon be able to turn out gifts that my own kids will not appreciate. *grin*
Turns out I REALLY should have appreciated those sweaters. Knitting is enjoyable, but it is also a lot of work! To turn out a sweater (and some years, matching hats and mittens with them) for a dozen or so grand kids is no small task.
The gals at the knitting group were incredibly helpful, and before I left, even with a fussy baby in tow, I had learned to cast on and (roughly) how to knit. With a good instruction book in my hooker bag, I managed to teach myself the rest of the basics, and have a lovely-ish sort of scarf making it's way on the needles.
The knitting gals were a hoot, and I had a lot of fun. It was NOT the group of old lady grandmas I had mentally prepared myself to knit with, but a fun group of ladies of all ages. It was an evening of learning, needle clicking, gabbing, and getting to see another side of folks I had previously known as "just" the town mayor, the librarian, or the ladies I see at the store from time to time. Turns out that I will be back to knit again, and soon. Not only did I have a great time, I was informed that now that I had finally made it, I HAD to come back. And to seal the deal, I agreed to show up at the next meeting with a scarf for an auction at the town fair.
I just hope they don't expect that scarf to be too pretty, ya know. Anyone bidding at the fair, you'll know MY scarf. It will be the one that looks like it was knitted by a new mom (and new knitter!) with lots of help from a toddler who likes to watch stitches unravel.
Part of pioneering is also providing your own food, right? J and I have been trying to fulfill this pioneering obligation with making sure we take advantage of some local lakes. As if fishing isn't hard enough, it's a real challenge with babies in tow, but we've been having fun. I've enjoyed the sun (though it would be nice to see an actual sunset again), and fishing has been fun. Catching would be better, but J seems to have better luck when he heads out on his own. Could it be that a splashing toddler has something to do with it? Hmm.
Our spring has been full of these activities, campfires with friends, late (very late!) dinners and play dates that last into the evening hours. I AM enjoying this spring much more than last year, now that I know what to expect, and have forged some friendships that make the long days much more interesting. The world is beautiful and green again, and the only complaint is the bird-sized mosquitoes which can be found gnawing on any exposed flesh you offer them.
Hard to believe that we are already approaching the summer solstice! The solstice has taken on new meaning for me, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite days, as it means the night time will begin making its way back to our days. I know, I'm crazy. But I LIKE the night, and it's just weird, living without it. Getting used to it doesn't make it any less weird.
For friends and family: the girls are doing great. Little Nugget is growing, and started smiling a couple weeks ago. She's still a good sleeper and a great little baby. Beans is a hoot, and has been having lots of fun making new friends and *sniff* turning into a little girl, instead of my baby. Our days are full of discovering all the things she can do "by myself", and watching her develop the confidence and skills.
Coming up: dinner with friends in Fairbanks (after doctor's appointments), maybe a trip to Pioneer Park, and maybe even getting J to nail down a date for that family camping trip. More play dates, more gardening, and a couple road trips. And soon, meeting a new friend, as an online friend prepares to move to the Last Frontier.
Sorry to be so inconsistent about my blogging, but finding a few spare moments in my week is getting harder as the days get (literally) longer. I promise, more blogging tales as the daylight decreases, but for now, our family is out and about and enjoying local Alaska.
In the meantime,
Happy Moose Trails!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Campfire Songs
So, I didn't actually sing any campfire songs. But I did get together with a group of moms (and a handful of dads) for a day at Quartz Lake.
I am just going to be honest and say I was in dire need of an attitude adjustment that day. With Beans getting over yet another accidental allergen contact (read: more poop and vomit than you can possibly handle), New Little Nugget deciding that she would rather be held than anything else in the world, and J working overtime, I wasn't exactly in the most tolerant of moods.
I'll admit, I wasn't winning any "Nicest Mommy in The World Awards" by the time I got our three gal crew out the door.
A word of advice for new moms and other Super Woman type A personalities like myself: It's probably best to not get too ambitious when you have young ones.
I promised to bring S'mores supplies. I got ambitious and added a spiffy new camping toy... a ball that you fill with the ingredients for ice cream, and after thirty minutes of play, the advertising on the box promises home-churned ice cream.
Um, Truth-In-Advertising should have included a note that says "Your crew of kids will get bored and no longer care about the reward of ice cream after about 5 minutes, and you, the parent, will churn your own ice cream while simultaneously attempting to console crying babies, toddlers, grill hot dogs, and keep your kids from drowning in the lake at the same time." And after that, your kids will all whine for ice cream and complain that you didn't let them play with the ice cream ball.
ANYWAY... I have a feeling that all the kids present would have been perfectly happy with just S'mores. And next time, that is what I'll bring, instead of trying to be the coolest (and most frazzled) mom ever.
That said, the lake was beautiful. The kids all stripped down within moments of arriving, and waded out as far (and farther) than all the parents would allow. We are getting plenty of spring birds showing up, and there were a handful of ducks, quacking noisily as the kids chased them and threatened their nests. Across the lake, snow capped mountains tower over the scenery, and with a slight breeze and the sun beating down on us, I caught a glimpse of summer days to come.
For out Lower 48 friends... it was only about 70 degrees. And I'm sure the water was cold enough that Child Protective Services wouldn't exactly approve of us allowing the kids to wade, but gosh, we sure had fun.
And for all the trouble that ice cream churning ball was, the ice cream sure was good. I came home, snuggled tired kids, and took in the scent of sunscreen and lake water, and was glad I went.
Funny, campfire trips are a lot like child labor. The reward is great enough that almost immediately after returning home, you are planning on doing it again. A call to J, and there are now promises of getting the old Suburban ready (AKA "The Junk Truck"), and getting it hooked up to a rent-a-camper and heading out for the first family overnighter.
Before the die-hard campers give us any grief, I just want to say that I am NOT brave enough to take two kids under the age of two out in sleeping bags and tents in bear country. Maybe next year. The main goal is to get the kids used to the IDEA of camping, then go from there. Baby Moose Steps, y'all, baby moose steps.
The rest of our days have been busy, as usual. And more busy days ahead (of course)!
Today, if you happen to be in Delta Junction, check out Friendly Frontier Days, which is where Momma Moose Nugget is taking her brood today. And don't forget to stop in to the Farmer's Market, which is officially open. Just be sure to save a dozen farm fresh eggs for me!
As a side note, I have to giggle at myself. For those of you who suffered through my constant "fear of bears" posts through the last year... thank you. Last year, I was so fearful of anything off the main road. As things have thawed and we have begun exploring, we pass places every day where I flat out refused to get out of the car, fearing that a bear would dash out of the woods and gobble me up. Turns out that those "scary bear spots" are just a few yards from the road, and not even likely spots for squirrels, much less bears. (Not that it couldn't happen, but not as likely as I once thought!)
Yep. The Moose Nugget Family is heading outdoors this summer. With a greater sense of adventure and plenty of sunscreen and bug spray. Stay tuned for more of our adventures!
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
I am just going to be honest and say I was in dire need of an attitude adjustment that day. With Beans getting over yet another accidental allergen contact (read: more poop and vomit than you can possibly handle), New Little Nugget deciding that she would rather be held than anything else in the world, and J working overtime, I wasn't exactly in the most tolerant of moods.
I'll admit, I wasn't winning any "Nicest Mommy in The World Awards" by the time I got our three gal crew out the door.
A word of advice for new moms and other Super Woman type A personalities like myself: It's probably best to not get too ambitious when you have young ones.
I promised to bring S'mores supplies. I got ambitious and added a spiffy new camping toy... a ball that you fill with the ingredients for ice cream, and after thirty minutes of play, the advertising on the box promises home-churned ice cream.
Um, Truth-In-Advertising should have included a note that says "Your crew of kids will get bored and no longer care about the reward of ice cream after about 5 minutes, and you, the parent, will churn your own ice cream while simultaneously attempting to console crying babies, toddlers, grill hot dogs, and keep your kids from drowning in the lake at the same time." And after that, your kids will all whine for ice cream and complain that you didn't let them play with the ice cream ball.
ANYWAY... I have a feeling that all the kids present would have been perfectly happy with just S'mores. And next time, that is what I'll bring, instead of trying to be the coolest (and most frazzled) mom ever.
That said, the lake was beautiful. The kids all stripped down within moments of arriving, and waded out as far (and farther) than all the parents would allow. We are getting plenty of spring birds showing up, and there were a handful of ducks, quacking noisily as the kids chased them and threatened their nests. Across the lake, snow capped mountains tower over the scenery, and with a slight breeze and the sun beating down on us, I caught a glimpse of summer days to come.
For out Lower 48 friends... it was only about 70 degrees. And I'm sure the water was cold enough that Child Protective Services wouldn't exactly approve of us allowing the kids to wade, but gosh, we sure had fun.
And for all the trouble that ice cream churning ball was, the ice cream sure was good. I came home, snuggled tired kids, and took in the scent of sunscreen and lake water, and was glad I went.
Funny, campfire trips are a lot like child labor. The reward is great enough that almost immediately after returning home, you are planning on doing it again. A call to J, and there are now promises of getting the old Suburban ready (AKA "The Junk Truck"), and getting it hooked up to a rent-a-camper and heading out for the first family overnighter.
Before the die-hard campers give us any grief, I just want to say that I am NOT brave enough to take two kids under the age of two out in sleeping bags and tents in bear country. Maybe next year. The main goal is to get the kids used to the IDEA of camping, then go from there. Baby Moose Steps, y'all, baby moose steps.
The rest of our days have been busy, as usual. And more busy days ahead (of course)!
Today, if you happen to be in Delta Junction, check out Friendly Frontier Days, which is where Momma Moose Nugget is taking her brood today. And don't forget to stop in to the Farmer's Market, which is officially open. Just be sure to save a dozen farm fresh eggs for me!
As a side note, I have to giggle at myself. For those of you who suffered through my constant "fear of bears" posts through the last year... thank you. Last year, I was so fearful of anything off the main road. As things have thawed and we have begun exploring, we pass places every day where I flat out refused to get out of the car, fearing that a bear would dash out of the woods and gobble me up. Turns out that those "scary bear spots" are just a few yards from the road, and not even likely spots for squirrels, much less bears. (Not that it couldn't happen, but not as likely as I once thought!)
Yep. The Moose Nugget Family is heading outdoors this summer. With a greater sense of adventure and plenty of sunscreen and bug spray. Stay tuned for more of our adventures!
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Spring Has Sprung
Spring is in full swing, Alaska style! Hooray!
I just want to make an announcement: I saw GREEN this week! I was driving to a friend's house this past weekend and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Sure enough, the grass on the side of the road is indeed green, and growing. I made sure to pay close attention on the drive to Fairbanks on Monday, and discovered that in addition to the grass being green on the side of the road, the trees are beginning to bud. (A little help from the locals? Is it the birch trees or the cottonwoods that are sending out leaf shoots?) Yet another exploration at the park proved that the pussy willow is beginning to send out furry buds, and I should know. I had to pull about a dozen of them from Beans' mouth because she thought they were furry jelly beans. (She gets her "smarts" from her daddy.)
Our spring is proving to be incredibly busy, and I am loving it! Spring in Delta Junction means everyone is going outside. We've met so many new friends and done lots of fun stuff in the community, and we are eagerly awaiting all the things to come.
This month alone, there are playgroups galore, trips to the park, seeds to start, greenhouses to set up (ours has to be portable because of the rules on base), gardening to pine for, and best of all... The Farmer's Market opens this month.
Here's our recent and upcoming adventures:
-I felt momentarily famous when we went to the library Basket Auction. I didn't win a basket, but when we paid our membership dues for the Library Association, the lady taking our dues asked if I was the infamous Moose Nugget. (I am! I am!) Not only was it nice to meet another person from town, it was nice to go home and realize that someone actually does read my blog. And she enjoys it! (Take that, "Anonymous Reader"! There are folks that don't find me "torturous"!) *grin*
-We've made some new friends. And not just me. J has made new friends. Thank goodness. This means that when he starts talking about hunting, fishing, guns, and ammo, instead of just glazing over and pretending I am listening, I can say, "Um, yeah. I don't really care, so why don't you call your friends?"
(Just kidding. I still pretend to listen, then POLITELY chase him out of the house to go hunting or hiking with a buddy.)
Meanwhile, since I have also made new friends, he no longer has to glaze over and pretend to be interested in my latest crochet project, recipe, or otherwise girly things.
Speaking of projects... I can not believe that I (once again) missed the local knitting group meeting this month. I swear, there is a great knitting conspiracy to keep me from that group! I have been trying to get there for ten months. Every single month, something comes up that keeps me from going.
Next month, I swear, I am going. I swear it.
Other happenings 'round the Moose Nugget Household:
-Green things are growing. And I haven't killed them off... yet. I've got a handful of seeds sprouting in the house... kohl rabi, broccoli, and cabbage so far. I actually did manage to attend the MOPS meeting this past week, and came home with a pepper plant and three cherry tomato plants. And J gave me what I really wanted for Mother's Day, which was a $100 shopping spree in the garden section at Fred Myer, so I came home with a handful of houseplants, to satisfy my desire to be surrounded by green and growing things until I am "allowed" to plant outdoors.
Gardening in Alaska is going to be different, to say the least. I got a few strange looks when I asked when I could plant my tomatoes outside. The answer (for other southerners who are wondering why that's a strange question) is: you don't. Tomatoes grow in greenhouses here, or get brought indoors at night if you aren't lucky enough to have a greenhouse.
Weird.
But if it means I get tomatoes from my own "garden", then so be it. Incidentally, the pepper plant also doesn't go in the ground, "for best results".
I have to admit, I am chomping at the bit to get the garden going. Sowing seeds indoors and tending houseplants only slightly appeases my desire to dig in the dirt. That said, I have been warned by every experienced Alaska gardener I have talked to to stay away from the garden until the very end of this month, and possibly into the beginning of next month. As lore would have it, a full moon early in June means it may freeze the night of the full moon. (Huh? Any local want to explain THAT?)
Meanwhile, I have been amusing myself with plans that get bigger and more ambitious by the day. We are purchasing a portable greenhouse that will house my delicates, then constructing a couple raised beds that will house other fun veggies.
Speaking of veggies, another fun little thing we discovered this week is a fresh, organic produce delivery service! I ran into it accidentally (though I have to admit, a North Pole friend mentioned it to me some time ago, when it made an appearance in Fairbanks). Full Circle Farms, a CSA farm in the pacific northwest delivers a box of veggies as frequently as once a week.
Last week at the park, a mom asked if anyone was interested in a box that another participant was unable to pick up. I bought the box from her and found the most amazing fresh fruits and veggies, then headed home and signed up for the service.
This officially ends my complaint of the quality of produce available in Alaska. I know you've heard me whine before about the lack of fresh produce or the quality of what is available here. This stuff was AMAZING. And while it initially seemed expensive, when I calculated how much we are spending at the grocery stores for lesser quality non-organic produce, it came very close to the same amount.
Seriously... check it out: fullcirclefarm.com
I have also acquired a geranium basket. The guest speaker at MOPS encouraged us to plant something that reminded us of someone special in our lives. My mom has always had geraniums. (Though I suspect it is because they are hard to kill, right mom?) One year, we had birds nest in them, and though the plants suffered, we couldn't bring ourselves to evict the baby birds.
Since having the New Little Nugget, I have had a few waves of "homesickness", and having a bright basket of geraniums to brighten the house up makes me think happy thoughts of "back home".
Alright... I am officially out of time for this entry, which stinks, because I feel like I have only given you the tip of the iceberg (so to speak) of our adventures this week.
Coming soon:
-Visiting in-laws in July (dad and bro, who I miss dearly and can't wait to see!)
-MAYBE a visit from my own folks (mom, dad, and sissy), if I can convince them to come
-The new Cyber school principal and family, who I "met" online through a completely unrelated site! Neat people and I can't wait to meet them in person!
-Moose sightings galore. They are coming out in full force as the world greens up.
-Bear track stories, and how I hope my fear of bears has subsided enough to enjoy some exciting things this summer. J already reported bear tracks on his hike yesterday, as well as a dead moose carcass, which I suspect was the reason for bear tracks. Yikes.
OK. Off to make dinner for the masses. I promise a good Moose Lo Mein recipe soon, too!
Until next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
I just want to make an announcement: I saw GREEN this week! I was driving to a friend's house this past weekend and I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. Sure enough, the grass on the side of the road is indeed green, and growing. I made sure to pay close attention on the drive to Fairbanks on Monday, and discovered that in addition to the grass being green on the side of the road, the trees are beginning to bud. (A little help from the locals? Is it the birch trees or the cottonwoods that are sending out leaf shoots?) Yet another exploration at the park proved that the pussy willow is beginning to send out furry buds, and I should know. I had to pull about a dozen of them from Beans' mouth because she thought they were furry jelly beans. (She gets her "smarts" from her daddy.)
Our spring is proving to be incredibly busy, and I am loving it! Spring in Delta Junction means everyone is going outside. We've met so many new friends and done lots of fun stuff in the community, and we are eagerly awaiting all the things to come.
This month alone, there are playgroups galore, trips to the park, seeds to start, greenhouses to set up (ours has to be portable because of the rules on base), gardening to pine for, and best of all... The Farmer's Market opens this month.
Here's our recent and upcoming adventures:
-I felt momentarily famous when we went to the library Basket Auction. I didn't win a basket, but when we paid our membership dues for the Library Association, the lady taking our dues asked if I was the infamous Moose Nugget. (I am! I am!) Not only was it nice to meet another person from town, it was nice to go home and realize that someone actually does read my blog. And she enjoys it! (Take that, "Anonymous Reader"! There are folks that don't find me "torturous"!) *grin*
-We've made some new friends. And not just me. J has made new friends. Thank goodness. This means that when he starts talking about hunting, fishing, guns, and ammo, instead of just glazing over and pretending I am listening, I can say, "Um, yeah. I don't really care, so why don't you call your friends?"
(Just kidding. I still pretend to listen, then POLITELY chase him out of the house to go hunting or hiking with a buddy.)
Meanwhile, since I have also made new friends, he no longer has to glaze over and pretend to be interested in my latest crochet project, recipe, or otherwise girly things.
Speaking of projects... I can not believe that I (once again) missed the local knitting group meeting this month. I swear, there is a great knitting conspiracy to keep me from that group! I have been trying to get there for ten months. Every single month, something comes up that keeps me from going.
Next month, I swear, I am going. I swear it.
Other happenings 'round the Moose Nugget Household:
-Green things are growing. And I haven't killed them off... yet. I've got a handful of seeds sprouting in the house... kohl rabi, broccoli, and cabbage so far. I actually did manage to attend the MOPS meeting this past week, and came home with a pepper plant and three cherry tomato plants. And J gave me what I really wanted for Mother's Day, which was a $100 shopping spree in the garden section at Fred Myer, so I came home with a handful of houseplants, to satisfy my desire to be surrounded by green and growing things until I am "allowed" to plant outdoors.
Gardening in Alaska is going to be different, to say the least. I got a few strange looks when I asked when I could plant my tomatoes outside. The answer (for other southerners who are wondering why that's a strange question) is: you don't. Tomatoes grow in greenhouses here, or get brought indoors at night if you aren't lucky enough to have a greenhouse.
Weird.
But if it means I get tomatoes from my own "garden", then so be it. Incidentally, the pepper plant also doesn't go in the ground, "for best results".
I have to admit, I am chomping at the bit to get the garden going. Sowing seeds indoors and tending houseplants only slightly appeases my desire to dig in the dirt. That said, I have been warned by every experienced Alaska gardener I have talked to to stay away from the garden until the very end of this month, and possibly into the beginning of next month. As lore would have it, a full moon early in June means it may freeze the night of the full moon. (Huh? Any local want to explain THAT?)
Meanwhile, I have been amusing myself with plans that get bigger and more ambitious by the day. We are purchasing a portable greenhouse that will house my delicates, then constructing a couple raised beds that will house other fun veggies.
Speaking of veggies, another fun little thing we discovered this week is a fresh, organic produce delivery service! I ran into it accidentally (though I have to admit, a North Pole friend mentioned it to me some time ago, when it made an appearance in Fairbanks). Full Circle Farms, a CSA farm in the pacific northwest delivers a box of veggies as frequently as once a week.
Last week at the park, a mom asked if anyone was interested in a box that another participant was unable to pick up. I bought the box from her and found the most amazing fresh fruits and veggies, then headed home and signed up for the service.
This officially ends my complaint of the quality of produce available in Alaska. I know you've heard me whine before about the lack of fresh produce or the quality of what is available here. This stuff was AMAZING. And while it initially seemed expensive, when I calculated how much we are spending at the grocery stores for lesser quality non-organic produce, it came very close to the same amount.
Seriously... check it out: fullcirclefarm.com
I have also acquired a geranium basket. The guest speaker at MOPS encouraged us to plant something that reminded us of someone special in our lives. My mom has always had geraniums. (Though I suspect it is because they are hard to kill, right mom?) One year, we had birds nest in them, and though the plants suffered, we couldn't bring ourselves to evict the baby birds.
Since having the New Little Nugget, I have had a few waves of "homesickness", and having a bright basket of geraniums to brighten the house up makes me think happy thoughts of "back home".
Alright... I am officially out of time for this entry, which stinks, because I feel like I have only given you the tip of the iceberg (so to speak) of our adventures this week.
Coming soon:
-Visiting in-laws in July (dad and bro, who I miss dearly and can't wait to see!)
-MAYBE a visit from my own folks (mom, dad, and sissy), if I can convince them to come
-The new Cyber school principal and family, who I "met" online through a completely unrelated site! Neat people and I can't wait to meet them in person!
-Moose sightings galore. They are coming out in full force as the world greens up.
-Bear track stories, and how I hope my fear of bears has subsided enough to enjoy some exciting things this summer. J already reported bear tracks on his hike yesterday, as well as a dead moose carcass, which I suspect was the reason for bear tracks. Yikes.
OK. Off to make dinner for the masses. I promise a good Moose Lo Mein recipe soon, too!
Until next time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, April 24, 2009
A Spoonful of Sugar
Just for the record... a spoonful of sugar really DOES help the medicine go down.
What am I talking about? My recent absence.
Oh, I know. Most of you assumed I was just busy in New Baby World, right? Oh, we've been in New Baby World, alright, but we have also been in Everyone Has the Crud World.
Beans had some sort of vomiting/poop bug the week I gave birth to her sister. The following week, she caught a cold, then decided to add an ear infection to the mix. Not to be outdone, J decided he would also like to have the vomiting/poop bug. A week after I gave birth. I COULD have felt sorry for him, but I didn't. Instead, I huffed and puffed my way through those weeks I was supposed to be "resting and recuperating" and obeying midwife's orders to take it easy. But since we didn't obey any of her orders through the pregnancy to take it easy, I don't know why I thought I would be obedient AFTER delivery, ya know?
Nope. I ended up with some sort of cold/sore throat/ need an antibiotic bug. The antibiotics didn't work the first round, so I got another round of them.
And just to make sure she fit into the family, New Little Nugget decided she really wanted to go back to the hospital.
Yep. That's right. The hospital.
OK. Don't panic. She's fine now. But she caught some lovely little sniffle/cough bug from her very loving sister. And teeny little babies don't do colds so well. The doctor took a listen to her and admitted her for some testing and observation... and lots and lots of suctioning of Shrek colored goo out of her nose. Yeah, it was pretty gross.
The good news is: the family is on the mend (mostly). We are once again, home from the hospital, and sheesh... I really hope we keep it that way now! Half the family is on antibiotics (Beans and me). Half the family is drinking Imodium cocktails (J and Beans). Three fourths of our family are sick and tired of being sick and tired (J, Beans, and me). Half of our family could care less if anyone else is sick, as long as the breast milk shows up every couple hours. (Wanna take a guess on those family members?)
ANYHOO...
Things are getting better. And it just wouldn't be the Moose Nugget Family if there wasn't a "trial by fire" while getting settled into our new situation.
The end result is this: I am seriously relieved that J is going to go back to work next week. Don't get me wrong. I love him. A lot. And I really am glad I didn't have to handle two sick kids entirely alone. But...
He. Is. Driving. Me. Crazy.
Honestly. He NEEDS to go back to work. And not for the paycheck, but to avoid having someone coming to pick me up and put me in one of those white jackets and haul me off to a rubber padded room.
I used to look forward to all our retirement plans. Now, I am reconsidering. I think he should have a job forever. Even saying, "Welcome to Walmart" ensures that I get a good eight hours of peace and quiet in my house a few days a week, right?
Ahem.
I digress.
Speaking of my wonderful spouse, he is currently rabbit hunting with a new friend of his. I literally threw him out of the house today, telling him to make good use of his rifle... before I did.
Ahem.
***
ANYHOO... this brings me back to babbling about Alaska.
Rabbits. J is out rabbit hunting, and I'm nervous. Oh, I've had bunny stew and bunny pot pie before. But for those that don't know, there are different types of bunnies. MOST bunny-eaters are accustomed to cottontails. (Yes, like, "Little Peter Cottontail, Hopping down the bunny trail...") He's hunting hares, which ARE different, and we have been warned by seasoned residents that not only are hares "a little more gamey" (interpretation: does not taste like chicken), End of Winter hares are particularly gamey, since they have been foraging for food and living mostly on bark and other roughage. Hmmm... time to come up with some serious seasoning, or find a good stir-fry recipe.
Side Note: The longer I live in Alaska, the more I notice that stir-fry becomes my standby recipe for meat that I otherwise have no clue how to prepare or any inclination to eat.
Hey, if it works for dog, cat, and rat, it can work for Winter Hare, right?
And speaking of food... I have to take a quick moment to make y'all giggle about how "Alaskan" we are becoming.
You know you live in rural Alaska when...
Wile "in town", you take your daughter to Pizza Hut, and ask what she wants on her pizza. Beans was quick to reply, "Moosh." When I explained that they don't put moose on pizza at restaurants, she gave me a confused look and said, "Ok. Boo-Boo?" (Caribou).
The poor girl just could not understand what kind of pizza place did not make moose or caribou pizza, and I had to lie to the poor girl and insist that the sausage pizza was indeed "Moosh and Boo Boo Pizza", like mommy makes at home. (And even mor impressive, she knew it wasn't, and decided she would just eat salad instead!)
***
Moving right along in our Alaska Family update:
Spring really IS here! Granted, it's not like any spring I have ever really experienced before, but it's here! The days are growing longer... we are officially over sixteen hours of daylight now, and dawn and twilight have stretched our days with visible light from 4 am until close to 11:30 pm.
The days are downright balmy compared to our winter days- hovering in the mid 40s to 50s during the day. That said, we woke to off and on snow flurries today, as temps were in the mid to upper 30s.
Our recent driving to Fairbanks has revealed melting rivers and streams, and the roadside ponds are becoming visible again. Nothing turning green just yet, but I can't wait. Last year's green-up was amazing, with our weekly drive taking on an entirely different look each time we made the trip.
The weather has my green thumb itching to get something planted. J brought home a potted plant for me, but it wasn't enough. I picked up a few seed packets this last trip to town, and plan on starting a few things indoors this week. We won't be able to set out plants until the last week of May or first weeks of June. This year, I'm planning on a salad garden (carrots, and a few lettuce varieties), as well as trying to grow broccoli and kohlrabi, and a few varieties of peas, which I have been told will grow wonderfully here with our cooler weather.
We've been spending as much time outdoors as we can, in spite of being sick. After a long and cold winter, it's impossible to see any current reason to stay inside. With Nugget bundled up and in the sling, and Beans in a jacket and boots, we have gone on long walks around the base to see snow melting, play on mostly thawed out playgrounds, color with sidewalk chalk, splash in puddles (which we have lots of these days!), and meet other neighbors who have been waiting for the world to thaw before venturing out as well. Beans has been enjoying being ppushed around on her new tricycle, and J and I have had fun seeing all our friends and neighbors who also have new babies, or soon will... thanks to Alaska's most efficient way of keeping warm through the winter. (ha ha) Seriously, what else are you going to do when it's 40 below?
I know I said I love winter here. And I do. But I love spring, too.
I got to thinking about it, and I think what I really love about Alaska is the extremes of it. When it's winter, holy smokes! It's WINTER. There is no escaping the dark, the cold, the snow, the ice. When it's summer, it's SUMMER. There is light and life everywhere you turn. There is a flurry of activity, as everyone tries to fit in as much outdoor fun and recreation as the short season will hold. Spring and fall are constantly changing. Each day, you look out the window to a different Alaska. There is very little "same-ness". The same thing that attracted me to a career as paramedic (the fact that every day was going to be different and have it's own set of unique factors) is the same thing that attracts me to Alaska, and keeps me interested. Every day is different here. You keep your eyes open because you don't want to miss what's coming next. (Um, you also keep your eyes open all summer because the sun never goes away and makes it impossible for dark lovers like me to sleep, but that's a different story.)
***
As another little side note, we are quickly coming up on our one year anniversary in Alaska. This year has gone by so quickly that I can't believe it myself. Our journey into Alaska began May 12th. I have recently been reflecting on our last year and been amazed at all the things we've seen, done, and experienced... and this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It's amazing to have lived and grown so much over this last year, and then more amazing still to realize that we have really had to miss out on a lot of things because the pregnancy limited what we were able to do, or residency rules limited what we were able to fish, hunt, and various other things.
This coming year promises to be pretty adventure filled for us, as we finally establish official residency here and lose some of our limitations. Moose Nugget Followers should look for exciting stories this year of hikes with babies (and hopefully without bear sightings!), more exciting hunting and fishing stories, more road trips, and more "Alaskan Living" stories, as we enter our second year of our journey into Alaska.
A little closer to the anniversary, I'll blog-reflect on our last year here more in depth. But for now, I am still awed by Alaska, and so glad we came here. And this coming year, we are better prepared, from appropriate winter gear, to room darkening shades for the summer. We are armed with more knowledge, more information, a tiny little bit of experience, and a couple of decent rifles and a shotgun.
Meanwhile... I discovered the best way to bribe an 18 month old to take an antibiotic that smells (and tastes) like strawberry vomit is to promise a handful of jelly beans if she'll just take her medicine first. I'm off to bribe children and quite literally nurse everyone back to health, and put everyone to bed under a well-lit Alaskan night sky. For the record, it's 8:35 pm and we have a good two hours before sunset.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
What am I talking about? My recent absence.
Oh, I know. Most of you assumed I was just busy in New Baby World, right? Oh, we've been in New Baby World, alright, but we have also been in Everyone Has the Crud World.
Beans had some sort of vomiting/poop bug the week I gave birth to her sister. The following week, she caught a cold, then decided to add an ear infection to the mix. Not to be outdone, J decided he would also like to have the vomiting/poop bug. A week after I gave birth. I COULD have felt sorry for him, but I didn't. Instead, I huffed and puffed my way through those weeks I was supposed to be "resting and recuperating" and obeying midwife's orders to take it easy. But since we didn't obey any of her orders through the pregnancy to take it easy, I don't know why I thought I would be obedient AFTER delivery, ya know?
Nope. I ended up with some sort of cold/sore throat/ need an antibiotic bug. The antibiotics didn't work the first round, so I got another round of them.
And just to make sure she fit into the family, New Little Nugget decided she really wanted to go back to the hospital.
Yep. That's right. The hospital.
OK. Don't panic. She's fine now. But she caught some lovely little sniffle/cough bug from her very loving sister. And teeny little babies don't do colds so well. The doctor took a listen to her and admitted her for some testing and observation... and lots and lots of suctioning of Shrek colored goo out of her nose. Yeah, it was pretty gross.
The good news is: the family is on the mend (mostly). We are once again, home from the hospital, and sheesh... I really hope we keep it that way now! Half the family is on antibiotics (Beans and me). Half the family is drinking Imodium cocktails (J and Beans). Three fourths of our family are sick and tired of being sick and tired (J, Beans, and me). Half of our family could care less if anyone else is sick, as long as the breast milk shows up every couple hours. (Wanna take a guess on those family members?)
ANYHOO...
Things are getting better. And it just wouldn't be the Moose Nugget Family if there wasn't a "trial by fire" while getting settled into our new situation.
The end result is this: I am seriously relieved that J is going to go back to work next week. Don't get me wrong. I love him. A lot. And I really am glad I didn't have to handle two sick kids entirely alone. But...
He. Is. Driving. Me. Crazy.
Honestly. He NEEDS to go back to work. And not for the paycheck, but to avoid having someone coming to pick me up and put me in one of those white jackets and haul me off to a rubber padded room.
I used to look forward to all our retirement plans. Now, I am reconsidering. I think he should have a job forever. Even saying, "Welcome to Walmart" ensures that I get a good eight hours of peace and quiet in my house a few days a week, right?
Ahem.
I digress.
Speaking of my wonderful spouse, he is currently rabbit hunting with a new friend of his. I literally threw him out of the house today, telling him to make good use of his rifle... before I did.
Ahem.
***
ANYHOO... this brings me back to babbling about Alaska.
Rabbits. J is out rabbit hunting, and I'm nervous. Oh, I've had bunny stew and bunny pot pie before. But for those that don't know, there are different types of bunnies. MOST bunny-eaters are accustomed to cottontails. (Yes, like, "Little Peter Cottontail, Hopping down the bunny trail...") He's hunting hares, which ARE different, and we have been warned by seasoned residents that not only are hares "a little more gamey" (interpretation: does not taste like chicken), End of Winter hares are particularly gamey, since they have been foraging for food and living mostly on bark and other roughage. Hmmm... time to come up with some serious seasoning, or find a good stir-fry recipe.
Side Note: The longer I live in Alaska, the more I notice that stir-fry becomes my standby recipe for meat that I otherwise have no clue how to prepare or any inclination to eat.
Hey, if it works for dog, cat, and rat, it can work for Winter Hare, right?
And speaking of food... I have to take a quick moment to make y'all giggle about how "Alaskan" we are becoming.
You know you live in rural Alaska when...
Wile "in town", you take your daughter to Pizza Hut, and ask what she wants on her pizza. Beans was quick to reply, "Moosh." When I explained that they don't put moose on pizza at restaurants, she gave me a confused look and said, "Ok. Boo-Boo?" (Caribou).
The poor girl just could not understand what kind of pizza place did not make moose or caribou pizza, and I had to lie to the poor girl and insist that the sausage pizza was indeed "Moosh and Boo Boo Pizza", like mommy makes at home. (And even mor impressive, she knew it wasn't, and decided she would just eat salad instead!)
***
Moving right along in our Alaska Family update:
Spring really IS here! Granted, it's not like any spring I have ever really experienced before, but it's here! The days are growing longer... we are officially over sixteen hours of daylight now, and dawn and twilight have stretched our days with visible light from 4 am until close to 11:30 pm.
The days are downright balmy compared to our winter days- hovering in the mid 40s to 50s during the day. That said, we woke to off and on snow flurries today, as temps were in the mid to upper 30s.
Our recent driving to Fairbanks has revealed melting rivers and streams, and the roadside ponds are becoming visible again. Nothing turning green just yet, but I can't wait. Last year's green-up was amazing, with our weekly drive taking on an entirely different look each time we made the trip.
The weather has my green thumb itching to get something planted. J brought home a potted plant for me, but it wasn't enough. I picked up a few seed packets this last trip to town, and plan on starting a few things indoors this week. We won't be able to set out plants until the last week of May or first weeks of June. This year, I'm planning on a salad garden (carrots, and a few lettuce varieties), as well as trying to grow broccoli and kohlrabi, and a few varieties of peas, which I have been told will grow wonderfully here with our cooler weather.
We've been spending as much time outdoors as we can, in spite of being sick. After a long and cold winter, it's impossible to see any current reason to stay inside. With Nugget bundled up and in the sling, and Beans in a jacket and boots, we have gone on long walks around the base to see snow melting, play on mostly thawed out playgrounds, color with sidewalk chalk, splash in puddles (which we have lots of these days!), and meet other neighbors who have been waiting for the world to thaw before venturing out as well. Beans has been enjoying being ppushed around on her new tricycle, and J and I have had fun seeing all our friends and neighbors who also have new babies, or soon will... thanks to Alaska's most efficient way of keeping warm through the winter. (ha ha) Seriously, what else are you going to do when it's 40 below?
I know I said I love winter here. And I do. But I love spring, too.
I got to thinking about it, and I think what I really love about Alaska is the extremes of it. When it's winter, holy smokes! It's WINTER. There is no escaping the dark, the cold, the snow, the ice. When it's summer, it's SUMMER. There is light and life everywhere you turn. There is a flurry of activity, as everyone tries to fit in as much outdoor fun and recreation as the short season will hold. Spring and fall are constantly changing. Each day, you look out the window to a different Alaska. There is very little "same-ness". The same thing that attracted me to a career as paramedic (the fact that every day was going to be different and have it's own set of unique factors) is the same thing that attracts me to Alaska, and keeps me interested. Every day is different here. You keep your eyes open because you don't want to miss what's coming next. (Um, you also keep your eyes open all summer because the sun never goes away and makes it impossible for dark lovers like me to sleep, but that's a different story.)
***
As another little side note, we are quickly coming up on our one year anniversary in Alaska. This year has gone by so quickly that I can't believe it myself. Our journey into Alaska began May 12th. I have recently been reflecting on our last year and been amazed at all the things we've seen, done, and experienced... and this is the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It's amazing to have lived and grown so much over this last year, and then more amazing still to realize that we have really had to miss out on a lot of things because the pregnancy limited what we were able to do, or residency rules limited what we were able to fish, hunt, and various other things.
This coming year promises to be pretty adventure filled for us, as we finally establish official residency here and lose some of our limitations. Moose Nugget Followers should look for exciting stories this year of hikes with babies (and hopefully without bear sightings!), more exciting hunting and fishing stories, more road trips, and more "Alaskan Living" stories, as we enter our second year of our journey into Alaska.
A little closer to the anniversary, I'll blog-reflect on our last year here more in depth. But for now, I am still awed by Alaska, and so glad we came here. And this coming year, we are better prepared, from appropriate winter gear, to room darkening shades for the summer. We are armed with more knowledge, more information, a tiny little bit of experience, and a couple of decent rifles and a shotgun.
Meanwhile... I discovered the best way to bribe an 18 month old to take an antibiotic that smells (and tastes) like strawberry vomit is to promise a handful of jelly beans if she'll just take her medicine first. I'm off to bribe children and quite literally nurse everyone back to health, and put everyone to bed under a well-lit Alaskan night sky. For the record, it's 8:35 pm and we have a good two hours before sunset.
Until Next Time,
Happy Moose Trails!
Friday, April 10, 2009
She's Here!
Just a quick note from a very tired new mommy!
I don't normally like to share super personal info online, but...
Ruthie Elizabeth has arrived!
We spent two weeks in the hotel in Fairbanks, waiting for that "any day now" our midwife promised.
I'll spare everyone the details of the labor, but it was a LONG labor, which I did accomplish naturally. We are back home and everyone is on the mend.
Beans loves her new sister, but is currently mad at mommy. She is under the impression that New Little Nugget is HER baby, and rushes over to check on her for every squeak, squirm, and wiggle. Very cute.
She's a sweet baby... doing what babies do best. Nursing, sleeping, pooping. And staring in sweet baby amazement at all the things going on around her.
I will try to get some pictures up soon... it's on my list of new-mommy-things-to-do, but it's on a VERY long list right now, so please be patient!
Meanwhile, spring is finally springing, Alaska style around here. I never thought I would find it possible to sweat in 40 degrees, but I do. Airing out the house is a daily activity now, and so are the trips to the swings for Beans and Daddy, giving mommy and New Nugget a chance for some rest.
Stay tuned for reports on Bean's first Easter Egg Hunt. She was too little to care about Easter last year, but this year, has been suspiciously eyeing packages of candy, baskets, and egg dyeing kits. Daddy is taking Beans to her Easter Egg hunt this afternoon (on base), and she will wake up Sunday to more chocolate than any toddler should be allowed to consume, as well as her fair share of miscellaneous "junk in a basket", that should buy me a few moments of quiet time, right? *grin*
And once again, not to get "religious" on y'all... but I just want to give a little heads up about the meaning of Easter.
Easter is the reason jerks like me (and all the rest of us) are able to have a relationship with our Creator, and find forgiveness for all the really crappy things we've done in life. It's not the birth of Jesus, or even His life... and only in part his death. The truth is, He was the sacrifice for our sins and shortcomings, and most importantly...
He is Risen!
I hope your Easter morning is full of sunshine, wherever you are. I love sunny Easter mornings... a clear reminder that no matter how crummy a life you might have to be living, there is something bigger out that there than all of us, who loves us and wants a relationship with us.
Oh gosh...no, I'm not talking about church (y'all know how I feel about that and religious religion!). I'm talking about GOD, the guy who has created each of us, fearfully and wonderfully made. Go have some relationship with him. However you do that. For me, it will be watching my two beautiful girls, enjoying a few balmy arctic breezes, and hopefully, a clear view of these amazing mountains... and thanking Him, for giving me a chance to be better than "the scum of the earth".
Easter is all about the potential to be better people. Don't forget to go love your neighbor (however you define that) today. And if you are having an Easter feast, remember the people who have no one. Y'all know by now how I feel about all the lonely people on the holidays. Don't forget to love someone "unlovable" today... just like God loved you during your unlovable times.
I'm off to recover, nurse a baby, and snuggle a toddler. Until next time...
Happy Moose Trails!
PS-
SHAWN: your comment DID find us! We really enjoyed meeting you guys at the museum as well, and we are looking forward to a play date as soon as we are all back on our feet and feeling well.
I don't normally like to share super personal info online, but...
Ruthie Elizabeth has arrived!
We spent two weeks in the hotel in Fairbanks, waiting for that "any day now" our midwife promised.
I'll spare everyone the details of the labor, but it was a LONG labor, which I did accomplish naturally. We are back home and everyone is on the mend.
Beans loves her new sister, but is currently mad at mommy. She is under the impression that New Little Nugget is HER baby, and rushes over to check on her for every squeak, squirm, and wiggle. Very cute.
She's a sweet baby... doing what babies do best. Nursing, sleeping, pooping. And staring in sweet baby amazement at all the things going on around her.
I will try to get some pictures up soon... it's on my list of new-mommy-things-to-do, but it's on a VERY long list right now, so please be patient!
Meanwhile, spring is finally springing, Alaska style around here. I never thought I would find it possible to sweat in 40 degrees, but I do. Airing out the house is a daily activity now, and so are the trips to the swings for Beans and Daddy, giving mommy and New Nugget a chance for some rest.
Stay tuned for reports on Bean's first Easter Egg Hunt. She was too little to care about Easter last year, but this year, has been suspiciously eyeing packages of candy, baskets, and egg dyeing kits. Daddy is taking Beans to her Easter Egg hunt this afternoon (on base), and she will wake up Sunday to more chocolate than any toddler should be allowed to consume, as well as her fair share of miscellaneous "junk in a basket", that should buy me a few moments of quiet time, right? *grin*
And once again, not to get "religious" on y'all... but I just want to give a little heads up about the meaning of Easter.
Easter is the reason jerks like me (and all the rest of us) are able to have a relationship with our Creator, and find forgiveness for all the really crappy things we've done in life. It's not the birth of Jesus, or even His life... and only in part his death. The truth is, He was the sacrifice for our sins and shortcomings, and most importantly...
He is Risen!
I hope your Easter morning is full of sunshine, wherever you are. I love sunny Easter mornings... a clear reminder that no matter how crummy a life you might have to be living, there is something bigger out that there than all of us, who loves us and wants a relationship with us.
Oh gosh...no, I'm not talking about church (y'all know how I feel about that and religious religion!). I'm talking about GOD, the guy who has created each of us, fearfully and wonderfully made. Go have some relationship with him. However you do that. For me, it will be watching my two beautiful girls, enjoying a few balmy arctic breezes, and hopefully, a clear view of these amazing mountains... and thanking Him, for giving me a chance to be better than "the scum of the earth".
Easter is all about the potential to be better people. Don't forget to go love your neighbor (however you define that) today. And if you are having an Easter feast, remember the people who have no one. Y'all know by now how I feel about all the lonely people on the holidays. Don't forget to love someone "unlovable" today... just like God loved you during your unlovable times.
I'm off to recover, nurse a baby, and snuggle a toddler. Until next time...
Happy Moose Trails!
PS-
SHAWN: your comment DID find us! We really enjoyed meeting you guys at the museum as well, and we are looking forward to a play date as soon as we are all back on our feet and feeling well.
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