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Category Archives: Photos

4 weeks

waiting.visit

I have waited exactly  3 years, 4 months and 1 day for this event. And now it is only 4 weeks away. 4 WEEKS!!

I’ll be in Anchorage, anxiously awaiting that Alaska Airlines flight to touch down… and deliver me my Seester and Yon and Duke. I can’t wait. I’m so excited I could burst, but I haven’t told the kids yet (except for Thing 1) because they will drive me bonkers. I’ll tell them when it’s almost time.

So much to do. So little time. Winter is coming.

Crab-apples and cranberries to pick. Rose-hips to snip. Jelly to make. Hopefully a moose to process… time will tell. Winterization to happen. A new chimney to install.

But until then, I’m over here counting down the days until the epic Alaska adventure and the margaritas commence…

Cletus

3rd Day

3rd Day 5-18

Hauled 4 gals. water and started work on garden-rained all A.M. until late P.M. worked until 11:30 P.M. tonight. Got strawberries – chives and one hill of rubarb (sic) in today. Noki is getting on my nerves already. 

Dad’s Journal

Dad kept a small notepad for a journal during his first days out at Gray Cliffs. It was one of the more precious things to be found at the cabin. It was in the little cabin, mildewed and damp. 

I love that I have this glimpse into the past and his thoughts as he begins his Alaska cabin journey. I thought that I would copy and share with you all.


Lot 306

Gray Cliff Sub.

1st Day May 16, 1987

Walked Bill &Barb back to beach & trk (truck) to say good-by, & watch the trk go down the beach-sense of alowness (sic) settles in. 

Setting up camp in early P.M. Got to listen to radio for correct time and set my clock. 7pm 


2nd Day 5-17

Started foundation and floor- got water, shot a spruce hen- worked on camp. 

Isn’t enough hrs. in day when have to cook, clean and work. Got over 1st day rush- finally ate sup at 10:30 p.m.-tired.

Orange is the New Black. errr nope, juice.

So we were gifted this nice box full of oranges. They are delicious, but even after eating on them for most of a week, we’ve barely made a dent. So today us Marmalade day and fresh OJ day. 

All sliced up and ready go simmer for 40 mins. 

3# 12 oz  of sugar is a lot! Candy in a jar.

Whilst simmering the oranges we made juice. And hade a math lesson plus economics for the oldest. 

Here’s Lil Bit making her own glass, totally self serve. 

She likes it. 

Here’s mine in a pretty glass of course. 

Now, back to the marmalade. I’m using Alton Brown’s recipe. 

10 jars of summer sunshine ready for winter’s darkness. 

And I whittled that box of oranges down to this…

So if you come see me this fall/winter I’ll share with you. 

Kenai River Festival Fun

Our third year attending the KRF. Lots of fun kid activities.

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They all tried their hand at the archery booth. And learned how difficult it is to put a lifejacket on with cold hands

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Thing 1 and I entered the Salvage Art show. She won two ribbons for her entries in the kids division.

Just Life

Yesterday the guys worked here at home prepping for the next job.

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Lil Mister was entirely too pleased to be able to participate. He was both foreman and tool boy.

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After an entire day outside with Dad he was tuckered out.

Check out my rhubarb. It is growing too fast to keep up with.

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Both of these patches need to be thinned this year.

Creativity Wall

I wanted a chalkboard in the kitchen that was both functional and an artistic statement. So I went floor to ceiling.

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Put the big clock up top,
 

Some fun doodles to represent our blended family and inspiration.

The kids and I all enjoy our various moments of creativity and keep our drawings up for awhile then  start  over.

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Chalky snapshots of our life.

Its Going Down

Fried morels.

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These babies are the last of ’em.

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And a few of them are stuffed with Kenai Cheese dip. Oh yeah.

Enrichment

If you provide learning opportunities and educational activities kids will learn and their interest will be piqued. Once a child has an interest they will seek out knowledge on their own. Give them tools and they will build.
And that is my fundamental education philosophy.

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Team work.

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Finished!

Version 3.0

Three years.

I often look for poems or quotes about Dads and their love, and Daughters and Dads and they all fall short.

No, we didn’t have the fairy tale Daddy/Daughter relationship, we had an imperfect relationship because sometimes that’s what life delivers you.

But we made the most out of what we had.

My imperfect life with my Dad is one of my most treasured memories.

Still miss you Dad.

Still love you.

Dad.CollageAAOM

love.honor.remember