Alaska Earthquakes Past Two Weeks

There are places in the world where the inhabitants have become desensitized to the movement of the earth below our dwellings and Alaska is one of these places, specifically Southcentral Alaska. The tremors and shakes roll through our lives and we pause long enough to guess the magnitude as if this was the best Price is Right showcase dream vacation package of the week.

Living in Anchor-town these past four years I have found myself becoming a bit too complacent and the thoughts of ‘it will never happen in my life-time’ have taken the place of the ‘we should be prepared’ and ‘we should have a solid exit plan for what if’.

I think I just discovered what I will be doing this weekend, and the American Red Cross is just the place to start.

Think safety first, have a plan, and have a good Saturday my friends.

...

High Five Friday for Jack Sprat

A view of Portage Lake from the north looking south. Portage Glacier is tucked behind the mountain on the right and located about the middle of this photograph.

Look what happens when you order a tall beer at Jack Sprat (and you did not really look at the drink menu)... you get a liter.  Woof!  This made my husband the Sky-Viking feel right at home.

Macedonian Salad - Organic mixed greens, herb yogurt dressing, popped sorghum, English cucumber, feta, Kalamata olives, and poached pear

Duck breast - farro, lingonberry port reduction, watercress, green beans, roasted carrots, shaved Pecorino Romano

High five Friday for a delicious supper out with my Sky-Viking at Jack Sprat in Girdwood.

And it is a good thing I was not the one driving.

Have a safe and wonderful weekend my friends.

...

Earthquake ~ 4.1

Just a quick slam and then it was gone.  

...

Portage Glacier Hike

Portage Glacier can be reached in the winter months by crossing Portage Lake after it has frozen over.  We took advantage of a beautiful spring day a few days ago to hike the six miles (round trip) to the glacier. The wind was favorable, and not too strong, and the skies were fairly clear for some spectacular views of the valley and the glacier.

...

I See You Monday

I see the cards you have played Monday and I raise you with an extra card of hope. 

 

May the workweek be kind to you.

...

High Five Friday for an Appreciative Eye

“Relationships come alive where there is an appreciative eye, where people are able to see the best in one another and create new visions together – with the desire for building not just new worlds but better worlds”.

Dynamic Relationships – foreword by David Cooperrider

...

Where is Your Attention Placed

“We see what we look for and we miss much of what we are not looking for even though it is there... Our experiences of the world is heavily influenced by where we place our attention.”

Dynamic Relationships

...

Broad Pass

The wind whips 

the trees quiver  

time stands still

between two worlds  

my future and my past 

this day was truly precious

I barely lived through it. 

...

Broad Pass Selfies ~ It's What We Do!

Broad Pass selfies ~ it's what we do!

...

High Five Friday for Bonfires & Family

High five Friday for one of my favorite outdoor activities, and spending time with our boys, our girls, and some truly awesome friends.

Long live the spark that brings love into your life.  May you always know where to look to find it.

...

Nature

"Nature to be commanded must be obeyed."

~ Francis Bacon

...

Today is Precious

"In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there will never be another just like it again. Today is the point to which all your yesterdays have been leading since the hour of your birth. It is the point from which all your tomorrows will proceed until the hour of your death. If you were aware of how precious today is, you could hardly live through it. Unless you are aware of how precious it is, you can hardly be said to be living at all."

~ Frederick Buechner

...

Tip Tuesday ~ Seeing Success

At the beginning of a project you need to know what success will look like. Envisioning the end results will guide you towards success.

...

Big Ole ~ Alexandria Minnesota

It is good to visit home and be among our people.  Read more about Big Ole's impressive story HERE!

...

High Five Friday for Beautiful Best Friends

High five Friday for beautiful best friends.

...

Off to School

No more riding the bus for these girls as they now both have their driver's licenses, and their own (shared between the sisters) car. But this does not make going to school any less painful.

Always drive safe girls and remember to keep it rubber side down and between the lines.

...

February in Minnesota

After a snowy first night in Minnesota we enjoyed a sunny bright day.  I know what you must be thinking, we left snowy Alaska to visit snowy Minnesota - in February.  And yes it does mean we made this trip for very special reasons.

...

A Sure Sign You are in Minnesota

It is a sure sign you are in Minnesota when 'uff-da' rings loud and clear in the air around most conversations and on the cookies at the local coffee shop.

...

Day Dreaming

I am not sure where to begin. Does this story start last year or just last week? I have been day dreaming of a surprise trip to Minnesota for so long, that now that it has actually happened I am wondering if I dreamt the entire weekend events during a long winters nap or was I truly there.

The proof is in the photographic evidence.

I was there. There was laughter, hugs, and joy. I felt the love, shared the love, and have been filled to the brim with love.

Long live love, childhood friends, and birthday surprise visits. 

...

March Snow

A snow squall in March that feels like a time warp backwards.  Has winter just begun or are we about to see the tell-tale signs of spring?

Hang in there my friends, this too shall melt and our fabulous Alaska summer will soon arrive in a blaze of sunshine.

...

My Apron

In the last 12 years, you have helped me create…

1,170 gallons of soup, chili and seafood bisque

624 Friday night pizzas

468 batches of rolls (my Great Grandma Glady’s recipe)

14,976 baking powder biscuits (I can make them on autopilot who needs to read the recipe-not this Momma)

923 batches of corn bread

18,720 dozen fresh-fried corn chips (thank you Taco-Loco for making the corn tortillas)

In addition, the pounds of enchiladas, the mounds of scared salmon (because the salmon is Alfredo), and all the summer time meals prepared on the grill, you have been a trusty companion.

Thank you for being there with me while I fed my family for all these years. It is now time to bid you a fond farewell ole apron, you have served me admirably.

...

Fear of Time

“Some doctors maintain that the neurotic fear of time itself is most harmful to body and mind alike, and that it can lead to premature aging. But we have the power to train ourselves in the practices that can bring healing, and restore us to health and happiness. If we focus endlessly on our problems and worries, we lose sight of what we really want, and who we are. Stress dissipates us and tears us apart.” 

Dominique Loreau, L'art de la Simplicité: How to live More with Less

...