We started a new rec cabin this week. It’s been a long break but I’m back.
This is a 14’×20′ on a picturesque lot overlooking Island Lake.
It’s always exciting to start a new project.
Hoping to end the week with three courses of logs done. We’ll see how tomorrow goes!
#aklife
#shebuilds
#winterwork
It’s a thing here in Alaska, to salvage moose after vehicle collision. If your lucky enough to get called, a quick response is required. Go pick up the critter beside the road and then bring it home to process it.
We got a call this morning just in time for Dean to load it into the truck and get it home, hang it up for me then leave for work. Lucky guy. So guess who got to process this little fella single handedly? Well I did have a good bit of assistance from Thing 2, so there’s that.
We had a host of onlookers patiently waiting for a scrap or two.
It was cold today and I had to work against the sub zero temps. It took me about 3-4 hours but I got this little guy quartered and in the house to clean up and prep for processing. The rest of the day was spent picking hair, cleaning and cutting up the quarters. My bathtub looked like Lizzy Borden had been there.
This calf was pretty small. About half of him was too damaged for human consumption so will be made into dog food for Panda Bear. The rest of him will be processed into tasty breakfast sausage.
Its bittersweet when a young moose goes this way, but we’re thankful for the opportunity to make something good come from it. Tomorrow will be another full day of grinding, making sausage and dog food.
#alaskalife
#moosesalvage
The high was a balmy 29° F today so we decided it was a great day to smoke a turkey.
Dean got the grill going with an indirect heat set-up. I spatchcocked our little turkey. Oiled it up and put on a a Spice Island turkey rub. And then we smoked it for 4 hours.
After four hours I put it in a moderate oven for about 45 mins while I finished the sides.
I made a potato salad reminiscent of Grandma’s but not quite as much mustard and not totally mashed. Then I worked super hard to open the can of Bush’s baked beans to round out the meal. BBQ sauce and an olive/pickle tray and bam, dinner’s ready!
#AKstylebbq
#familyaroundthetable
#itssogoodimfullbutkeepeating
Spent the weekend at the cabin. Went out with the idea of working on the deck posts but the frozen timbers were adverse to the idea. So we puttered around doing other things and relaxed a bit.
Dean pulled the leaning support post out from under the sun room and put in a temporary post until next spring. The old log post Dad installed had just rotted off and was skidding off its base.
The moon was so bright Friday night the kids thought it was full! Didn’t need a flashlight to go to the outhouse at night.
Saturday night’s full moon did not disappoint. We sat around the fire and watched the moon rise through the spruce trees.
The kids we’re catching up on LHotP episodes inside while Dean and I enjoyed the fire.
We had a wind advisory for Sunday and it started blowing early. Little Mister got a fright with a tree top breaking off and falling on the neighboring lot.
On our drive out there was a tree down across the road. So we made quick use of the chainsaw and cleared the road.
#thatsthewaywedoithere
#graycliffs
#alaskalife
No work for me today so the kids and I spent some time outdoors. We took a little walk to the sawmill. Little Mister wanted to go help Dad at work. So we leashed up Panda and went for a walk. Once there, Lil Mister went to work shoveling sawdust while Panda explored these new surroundings.
Then Lil Bit and I went berry picking for more lingonberries. And a botany lesson for good measure.
Just a regular day.
We got about one cup of berries this time, they are slowing down. Might get out once more for a few more. We’ll freeze these for making cranberry nut bread for Thanksgiving dinner.
#alaskalife
#lovealaska
#wildcrafting
Wildcrafting. Verb. The practice of harvesting plants from their natural, or ‘wild’ habitat, primarily for food or medicinal purposes. Also called foraging.
Wild crafting has been a way of life for me but since moving to Alaska it has gained significance. Foraging is a cultural practice here as Native Alaskans have been doing for eons. Plus there are simply so many edible things here in the wild. From spruce needles to mushrooms (multiple edible species), flowers and teas and berries. Oh the berries.
It’s autumn here and that means lingonberries, or as the locals refer to them, low bush cranberries are ready.
Britannica.com says this about the Lingonberry, (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), also called cowberry, foxberry, or rock cranberry, small creeping plant of the heath family (Ericaceae), related to the blueberry and cranberry. And they are delicious.
I’ve been checking them since moose hunting to see if they were ready and finally they are. We’ve had a few good hard frosts and that always makes them sweeter!
My berry buddy, Lil Mister, came along and we went exploring. He’s a good berry picker and with his lower-to-the-ground perspective, finds many that I miss!
My favorite parts of berry picking are the conversations which span the entirety of the 6 year old imagination, and that little hand slipping into mine and strolling hand in hand with my littlest one. It just melts my heart.
With this batch we’re going to try our first attempt at cranberry cordial. I’m using this recipe as my guide, but I reduced the sugar by half.
Now the hard part, waiting for it to macerate!
#aklife
#wildcrafting
Last few days of moose season. Tried out my moose calling skills, not so sure about this!
But the scenery sure is lovely with these fall colors.
#aklife
Since I never made that follow up post about their visit, I thought I’d share a few highlights.
I love moose.
They are so goofy looking.
Such majestic large creatures.
They taste great too!
In trying to perfect my moose calling skills for hunting season, I’ve been watching YouTube how to videos. Then I stumbled across this, The Best Moose Documentary Ever!
It really is!
It’s about a Russian moose farm and is quite thorough in moose life cycles, habits, behavior and full of tons of cute little baby moosies.
Watch it some evening!
#alaskalife
#lovealaska
#moose
Outside the Salty Dawg Saloon, Homer AK, after our kayaking trip.
Playing our grown up dreidle challenge game at Hanukkah.
He said he could eat the whole 5# block of cheese!
My little flower.
Visiting my Rickerd in the hospital after his aneurism surgery in August.
Pesach.
My holiday wreath at the office, Central Peninsula Advocacy Center.
Mark enjoying his 2nd, or 3rd? Childhood. What a sport he is! 
Lil Bit and the star of Willy Wonka.
Lil Bit & Lil Mister playing at Little Puffins.
Me & Lil Bit. She sure is growing up.
Our kayaking trip out of Homer.
Lil Bit and her violin instructor at Odies Deli, for a recital.
Thing 1 and her boyfriend at Pesach.
Her first formal recital.
Shirley Mae came to visit me! What a special treat!
Yom Kippur with Mark & Laquita.
Pirate’s 23rd Psalm driftwood art. Gifted to me by my fellow piratty dreadie at heart. 
Pesach flowers.
All spiffy!
Me and my girl at Salmonfest. 
Our violins.
Pretty lil butterfly at Mom’s house.
He wanted to be in the picture too.
Fishcamp sunset.
These two…
Lil Mister’s new Play-Doh set, he said look Mom, it’s you, she has dreadlocks!
Glorious cheese and fruit trays made by Mo.
Sukkot campfire.
Thing 1’s first multimedia art project.
Just us gals at our holiday party.
Hanging with my chicks at their birthday party.
Working on my copper salmon for the Kenai River Festival recycled art show.
Thing 1 helping my on a tile job.
Thing 1 with her new bunny “Francis” Franny, or bad bunny as I call her.
Solstice Sister’s dinner at Princess Lodge above Cooper Landing.
A glorious fire at Mo’s.
Miss Jane trying to infect Lil Mister with the bug.
Fun at Salmonfest.
Solstice Sisters dinner at Shawna’s before Niki leaves.
Wine & paint for Elaina’s birthday.
Fierce ninja warrior. He cracked his head open roughhousing with his brother. This child goes not do well with blood.
She wanted to try curly hair, so her sister put her up in rollers. Cute, but too much work.
Passing the time before our plane arrives. Our family trip to Kansas & Georgia to see family.
Epic ice unicorn. We had some killer icicles this winter.
Practice makes perfect.
Rock climbers out at Gray Cliffs.
Truth!
Dean’s siblings & Lil Mister in Georgia.
Solstice Sisters Fourth of July cookout. Photo bomber Thing 2.
Thing 2 learning to tape & mud. Working on the girl’s new room.Whew, what a upload of photos! 
Alaska on my mind... 