We Aren't in Kansas Anymore!

-->

The thing is, it's been darn near 40 degrees here in Anchorage for the past week or so. These temperatures certainly aren't normal for this time of year, nor is the lack of snow. 

Am I complaining? No, of course not.. don't be ridiculous. It's 40 degrees in January!

Yet, it is such a drastic contrast from last year when Anchorage beat it's all-time high snowfall record that it is just a bit disconcerting. Let's not forget the plethora of earthquakes that have been shaking our houses and nerves too! Something fishy is going on here.. damn Mayans.

Now I love Alaska, but if it's going to break off from Canada and fall into the freezing waters surrounding it, I'd rather be elsewhere. I digress.......

Speaking of water.

I went on an excursion down the Seward Highway with my youngest brother today, with the goal of getting water. Yep, you heard me, water. 

Just past Beluga Point, at Mile 109, jutting out of the rocky wall that follows the contours of Turnagain Arm, protrudes a 5" pipe.  From this pipe runs what some folks call:

"The purest water around!"

As someone who is naturally pessimistic and a bit dubious, I never, in a million years, thought I would drink water from a pipe coming from God-Knows-Where carrying water with God-Knows-What in it.  But then.....

My neighbor brought me some one day after assuring me it was good to drink and saying (with a Polish accent):

"Well, it shit, must be good because we've been drinking it for 10 damn years!"

As the aforementioned skeptic, I took the water (you don't deny a gift from a Polack) and proceeded to research said water. He was correct, there had been many studies done throughout the years about that spring, all of which praised the alkalinity and mineral content.  So, I drank it. It was good.. as good as any water can be I suppose.  Then again, the water that comes from my 70+ year old cabin is often brown so I take that back.. it was good water.

In the end, I now get my water from the spring. Which is the whole point of this story and my excursion today.

To make a long story longer, my brother and I went to fill my water jugs and along the way, we took a detour down off the highway and to the water and up the McHugh Creek trail to the point where my lungs told me I had had enough "exercise" for the day.

It was a beautiful day.

I climbed up on the rocks overlooking the water. I attempted to "hold" the sun but the lighting wasn't allowing for it. The sound of the icebergs crashing against the rocks was pretty amazing.

The railroad heading towards Anchorage with the inlet on the far left.

Winter Wonderland

The other day I was driving to yet another Christmas party when I entered a mystical, foggy abyss.  My first thought was that a moose was surely to be lost in the fog and would end up standing in front of my fast moving car.  Fortunately, that was not the case.. whew.  

Although it was -9 outside and I was wearing inappropriate attire for traipsing through the snow, I had to get out and take a few pictures of the fog across the river. AMAZING.  If I had been warmer, and not out of breath from running to and from my car (cold air really hurts the ol' lungs), I could have stayed out there and just stared at it....and pondered life for a bit. Instead, I took these in about 3 minutes, ran back to my car, and away I went.

(don't forget, you can click on pics to enlarge)

Here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a spectacular New Year!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow??

I get it.

 I live in Alaska.

  It snows here. 

   Understood.  

But over a foot of snow in the blink of an eye?  

No Comprendo!!

 

The snow does have it's benefits:

- It's pretty

- It's fun to play in

- It's not as cold out when it snows

- It makes my house look even cuter (really, it does!)

- It requires me to get outside and work off a few calories

.. other than that, snow sucks.

 

 

Ode to Zoe

 For those of you who have known me at any time in the past 12 years, you know Zoe.  

Next month she will turn 12 years young.

She has traveled with me from state to state, through another country, house to house and has been my constant companion.  Some of you have children, I have a cat. Don't judge.

If you don't know Zoe, here are a few facts about her:

• She sheds at least 20 hairs a second.
• She doesn't drink out of a water dish; always the sink or someone's glass.
• She sleeps on me at all times.  (and snores)
• She has no front claws but is efficient at catching critters.
• When she was a kitten, I also had a cockatiel.. and they were friends.
• She likes to sleep under the covers.
• Sits in the bathroom when I shower and while I get ready in the morning.
• Doesn't eat people food, with the exception of doritos.
• Gets super frisky at night and is in "attack" mode.
• Will let me hold her in any position.
• Loves to be brushed.
• She is mildly obese.

So in celebration of her upcoming 12th birthday, 

please enjoy this slideshow of my favorite, furry feline.. Zoe Louise.

Zoe - how to create a free slideshow

Peter Piper Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers...

A peck? 

Well if you must know, a peck is equivalent to 2 gallons or 8 dry quarts or 16 dry pints. Two pecks make a kenning, and four pecks make a bushel.

Now that we've got our lesson out of the way, I have some exciting news!! 

I made pickles! 

I had been waiting and waiting to find small cucumbers to pickle but couldn't find them. Lo and behold, I found them at Costco!  Granted, I think I spent more on cucumbers than I would have if I had bought 4 quarts of pickles but who cares!!

I added a bit of garlic to my dill brine and let me tell you-- they are delicious!!  I can't believe I've waited this long to make them.  Next year, I am growing cucumbers and making pickles again. Yum!

 

So I'm a bit overzealous.....

I had big plans this year to plant a bountiful garden with herbs and veggies.  Unfortunately a little thing called Life had other plans and I ended up planting too late.  Although it was fun to see things grow, it isn't so fun to realize they aren't ever going to grow the actual veggies. Case in point: nice beet greens- no beets.  

  One thing that did/is/trying to survive the late planting, cold temperatures and tons of rain is my carrots.  As I walk by them everyday and wonder how they're doing, I get excited for the harvest. 

Unfortunately, I got a little too excited yesterday and thought, "I'll just pull one up to see how big they are!"  One led to two.. three.. four.. twelve.  I couldn't stop! Then I told myself I was just giving the other ones space to grow so the pulling continued.  I was so excited about my mini carrots that I ran over to my Polish neighbors to show them my bounty.  Instead of ooh's and awe's I got laughs and giggles. Fair enough.. Fair enough.  

  BUT-- Those little one bite nibblers were pretty tasty!

Foodie Penpal Delivery!

As you know per my recent post, I am a Foodie Penpal.  I received my package from Julie in Nooksack, WA today and it's wonderful!