Arkansas; Part deux.

I'm home from my second trip to Arkansas to see Margaret and her family.  Last time I went in May and it was beautiful and this time in April it was equally as beautiful.  All the trees were budding and flowers were blooming and better than anything-- there was no snow!!


This trip was filled with kids, babies, cooking, relaxing, reading, and three other noteworthy things (not that kids and babies aren't..):
1) Cheese Making
2) The Spa
3) The Horse Races


Cheese Making: The last time I was in Arkansas (two years ago), Margaret had bought a book and the supplies to make cheese. We never found the time to do it so we made time this go-around.  We made Mozzarella Cheese and it was delicious!! It was easier than I thought and although someone gave up at the end (uh hem.. not me).. we still came out with a great end product.

The Spa: Margaret and her family live about 45 minutes away from Hot Springs, Arkansas. This is a historic area of Arkansas with hot spring bath houses.  I decided to treat my friend to a trip to the spa (and after a week with three little ones, I can now imagine how much she needed it!)... Neither one of us had ever been to a spa or had a massage. As someone who doesn't particularly care to be touched by people I don't know- I wasn't sure if I'd like it... 
So, we get to the spa, get in our robes, get in our room and by this point, have not stopped giggling the entire time.  Then the massage started and I was whisked away to a land of ooh's and ahh's..  We had a massage, foot rub and facial and they were all amazing.

 Horse Races: As Marge and I were driving through town we noticed lots of people heading one way.. I asked Marge where they were going and she said very non chalantly, "Probably the horse track"..  I knew immediately I had to join those people!  I had never been to a horse race, never had any desire to go to a horse race, but the mere thought of not going was out of the question.  So, after the spa- to the track we went!!  It truly is amazing the number of people that go, bet, sit all day (inside and out), and watch horses race for about 2 minutes at a time..  I loved it.  I bet on two races and won on two-- total earnings for the day: $15!  Had I not just been rubbed down with oil at the spa, Marge may have had to endure a longer stay at the racetrack..  For the record: Horses are beautiful animals and jockeys are funny little men.. tiny, tiny, men.. (I think seeing them was the best part!)

(my winning tickets)

Overall my trip to Arkansas was great! I loved getting to know Margaret's kiddos and having fun with them.. Marge and I are friends that never should have been-- We worked together at Big Brothers Big Sisters and she didn't like me! :)  Now, she is more like a sister to me than a friend and I am very grateful to have her in my life.

♥ ♥ Geoffrey, Opal, Margaret and Penny Sue ♥ ♥



Making myself a Parliament..

of Owls that is!  (a parliament is a grouping of owls)  :)

I saw these adorable pillows on a sewing blog and just knew I had to make one.. and one turned into two which turned into.. well, you get the point!

This first little owl was my test pillow.  I didn't purchase the pattern so I was winging it (no pun intended) with sizes and shapes and such.. I could NOT get the feet to work so I ended up using those cheap stretchy winter gloves you get for a buck.. They were easy to use but turned out looking a little funky... 

Owl #2 was much more successful.

They Never Get Old

This will be my 5th year back in Alaska and no matter how many times I see them,

moose are still exciting to see. 

This little one was in my front yard when I came home from work one day.  She made her way around my house munching on trees.  She was totally content with me sticking my head out the door 10 feet away from her to snap some pictures.  Zoe was in the window hissing at her when she came right up to the window fogging it up with her breath. 

I love Alaska.

It's plain and simple really.  I live in the most beautiful state.

I looked out my window at work the other morning and this was the sunrise (granted it was about 10:30 am or so) but it was still beautiful!

Let's just hope this summer is as beautiful!

2010 Talkeetna Bachelor Auction & Wilderness Woman Contest

For 4 years, on the first weekend of December, a group of friends and I travel the two and a half hours north to a small town called Talkeetna.  There, we participate in a weekend full of fun and festivities called the Talkeetna Bachelor Auction and Wilderness Woman Contest.

Day 1

We generally get to Talkeetna around 6 or 7pm.  We settle into our accommodations (we usually rent 3 places) and meet at the West Rib Pub for Burgers and Brew. From there, we head to the Fairview Inn for some beers, music and dancing.  Around 2am, we head to our cabins and go to bed.

Day 2

I am an early riser whereas my friends will sleep until 2pm if I let them.  I usually round up the gang around 10am for our favorite breakfast at the Roadhouse.  We all usually get the 1/2 standard which is scrambled eggs, potatoes, and reindeer sausage or bacon. It also comes with a hot drink and a cold drink.. (coffee, tea, juices) From there, we head out to sign up for the Talkeetna Wilderness Woman Contest.  Now let me explain the contest:

First round is running two empty 5 gallon buckets about half a block down the street. You pick up two water filled buckets and run (walk slowly) back to the start. You get 3 seconds taken off your time for every inch of water you spill.

Next round.... you have to run to a table, make a sandwich (mayo, cheese and meat), open a beer and run it to a bachelor who is sitting in an easy chair on the street..  from there you have to go saw a log, put it in a sled on the back of a snow machine (filled with other wood) and drive the snow machine around a track, stop, unload the wood and round 2 is done.

Round 3, you have a fishing pole with a tennis ball on the end of the line. The ball is covered with Velcro.  On the street there are "Velcro fish" lying around.  You have to snag a fish, run it over to a backpack, put it in a backpack, put on snowshoes and run over to a tree (about 100 ft away).  On the tree are balloons.. you pick up a BB gun and have to shoot a balloon until it pops.  Finished!

None of our group made it past the first round but we sure enjoy watching! I didn't participate thbecause I had pulled my hamstring muscle a week prior and it was quite sore.  I've participated in years past though.. and those buckets of water are heavy!!

Bachelor Auction

The Bachelor auction had 42 bachelors in it this year.  The earnings go to an abused women non-profit... Some women are there to win a bachelor and some of us are there for the fun of it.  Some of these Bachelors know how to put on a show!!  The auction lasts a couple of hours and it is a great time!  From there, we go back to the Fairview for another night of dancing, drinking and music!

Oh... I should mention that throughout this weekend, there is another competition.. The Bachelor Society puts out a booklet of Bachelors with bios of each bachelor.  The contest is to see who can get the most bachelor signatures.  (this is hard because you never know which guy is a bachelor!)..  Our friend Amy Lee LOVES doing this contest every year and this year she took home the grand prize: A rabbit fur can coozie.  It was soft and pretty but it sure made your hands stink after awhile!

(below is Taylor holding the rabbit coozie)

Overall it was a great weekend and everyone had a great time.  Can't wait for Bachelor Weekend 2011!!! For more pictures, click HERE!

This was pretty Amoosing....

I work in the heart of midtown Anchorage where busy roads lead to numerous businesses and developments.  My office backs up to Cuddy Park which is a busy place for ice skating in the winter and kite flying in the summer.  Surrounding the park is our city library, Lowes and Home Depot.  One day I looked out my window to the park to see 4 HUGE bull moose making their way through the trees.  Every now and then one would butt another one and they'd lock horns.  They slowly made their way from tree to tree not paying any attention to the people on the ice rink or the busy parking lot in front of them.  Regardless of how many times I see moose, I am still in awe of their enormousness...  beautiful creatures those moose.

p.s. you don't ever see bull moose in packs like this..very unusual

Last trip of 2010!!

When I first got this job and found out that traveling was part of it I was thrilled. What better way to see the state when it's your job that pays for it, right? Then, after almost 10 trips and 10 hotel rooms, my mindset changed a bit.  My new mindset is that there is no place like home-- seriously! 

With that said, I went to Homer this month.  It's a 4 hour drive south and not the prettiest drive you can do in this state and the furthest south you can go. The bluffs overlook the ocean and you almost get the sense you are on Cape Cod. (or so I've seen from pictures)  Wonderful houses and beautiful views made the drive go a bit slower with my camera constantly snapping shots.  (none of which turned out because I screwed up the settings..oops).  From there I made my way to Homer which has a little saying that goes:         "Homer - A quaint little drinking village with a fishing problem."   

I didn't partake in either thing (well I may have had a few beers). 

It is absolutely beautiful there.. I mean, really beautiful.  Homer overlooks Kachemak Bay and the spit.. the spit is a strip of land that stretches out into the bay and is their main harbor location.  I did my work and then had the time to spend with my old friend Nova and her family. Good times in a great location. I love this state. Enjoy the pictures!

 A beautiful Sunrise

 Kachemak Bay

The Homer Spit