The drive to work…
We’ve been working on a custom rec cabin down by Ninilchik off and on for two years. It belongs to our boss Jake and we work on it when there no other more pressing contracts.
It’s an open floor plan with a central vaulted ceiling. This light will be the centerpiece for the cabin.
It’s is of course meant to offer light but it’s mostly a decorative piece to bring that level of rustic Alaskana to modern times.
I used a piece of local Alaska White Spruce that we milled. I distressed it and sealed the 4×6. Then I repurposed a belt for two decorative straps and added some natural fiber rope to finish the straps.
It’s hung by 4 eye lags capable of supporting over 100 lbs.
The lights are string Edison lights fixed by staples around the moose horns. Jake supplied the horns. I used my Makita cut off tool to cut the horns from the skull. I drill two holes in each paddle to attach them to the beam.
I lengthened the cord with a swag light kit to allow it to plug into the switch controlled ceiling outlet.
I can’t wait to install it at the cabin. I’ll update with a picture once it’s installed.
No dogs we’re harmed in the making of these photos.
Happy New Year y’all. Woof! 🐾
Our homeschool group hosted the second annual holiday/winter party craft show today. Three of my kiddos were inspired to create goods to sell. A great learning opportunity.
The oldest had her stickers and digital art, of course. But this year she added some graphic acrylic charms and jewelry. The Alaska shaped keychains were popular!
Lil Bit got in on the action by creating some jewelry too. She had an array of earrings, bracelets and zipper pulls. She made the first sale with a nice pair of earrings!
Little Mister spent his time creating fridge magnet clips and snowmen magnets. They were very popular! He got very creative when designing these clips. I was quite impressed with his style.
They two girls manned the booth and handled the transactions. They had to keep a record of who sold what so they could rightfully divide the profits up at the end of the day.
They each were pretty happy with their earnings. Thing 1 needs to get her shop going so she can sell her inventory!!
All of that learning plus they got to see some friends and celebrate our STUCO sponsored food drive for the local food bank. Raising 615 pounds of food in total! WTG IDEA!!
This number is one I share with my mom. It’s our special day. Although it’s not today, I’ll go ahead and post about it early, since I’ll be done with my 30 days of Thankfulness series before it arrives!
She lives 3,825 miles away from me, give or take a few. Which means we don’t get to see each other frequently. So when we do get to see each other it’s a special event. We haven’t been together for our special day since 2012, the last one before I moved to Alaska.
Last time I saw her was in 2019. We went for a family visit, both mine and Dean’s. Which took us from sea to shining sea. Little mister got to play in the Atlantic Ocean.
That same year I made a solo trip back in August, since Rickerd (my stepdad) was ill. I stayed at her house and it was just me and her for most of the time. My siblings came for visits of various lengths but mostly me and her, her dogs and the spiders.
Brown Recluse Spiders had taken up residency in the spare room. I used DE like a priest uses holy water, it was everywhere, to keep those little demons away.
Mom had been keeping Rickerd company in his long hospital stay and was just in need of a respite, and some help with housework.
She had a crazy accident the morning I arrived, so thankful that she nor my sister Mert we’re harmed as a result. It really messed up her vehicle tho.
Consequently we were able to spend a lot of time together. 💗
I’m forever grateful that my Rickerd recovered and we still have his unparalleled wit and wisdom to illuminate our lives. I’m so very thankful to have been able to spend this time with my Mama. Grateful to my brother for fixing her vehicle.And blessed that we share a special day.
#grateful #thankful #blessed
P.S. update on Bergie, the Bergster, old man cat. He’s been doing well enough. Eating a little more now, still hates taking his meds. He’s strong enough to fight like the Dickens not to swallow his pill. Lol He rests most of the day, but usually picks a human to be near. He occasionally hides to be alone.
Alaska on my mind... 