Walking around Anchorage

It's a quiet morning in my house today. Mike went to Anchorage to run some errands and Lilly is napping, something she hasn't been doing much of lately, napping or sleeping for that fact. We've had a wonderful long weekend. A nice thing about the Air Force is something they call "family days," essentially a day off, usually combined with an already given holiday. For example, they were given Memorial Day off, so to make it a four day weekend Friday was a "Family Day." Pretty cool right. I love four day weekends! 

We started this one out by meeting Mike in Anchorage for dinner at a new-to-us restaurant/pub/brewery The Moose's Tooth. We were pretty impressed, for those of you familiar with Rock Bottom, Moose's tooth beer is, well, I hate to say it, better! There main food is pizza, pretty good too, as well as their wings! Wings that will have to suffice as Buffalo Wild Wings doesn't exist up here in the Last Frontier. But enough about that, how about something with photos.

Friday, we had to go back to Anchorage to pick up Mike's car and get groceries. So off we went. Instead of doing just that boring run we decided, at the recommendation of our guide book, to do a walking tour around Anchorage.  Now I won't show you every photo, mainly because it wasn't really all that interesting. It was a beautiful day however and we enjoyed walking and being together. The walk itself has 24 stops I think and is supposed to take a couple hours. It includes stops at local breweries for those that need a rest, though some of those planned stops are right around the corner from the last stop, needless to say, we didn't do any stopping. A few historic buildings here and there and several bronze sculptures as well as the starting line for the Iditarod. (none of which I took photos of) During this trip we discovered our soon-to-be Sunday adventure but that has to wait for another day.  A brief photo tour of a few of the things we saw in Downtown Anchorage.

This is where we started, notice the fuscia plants? I have never seen any so big, seriously these things have trunks a good inch in diameter. Yes I know, most people don't care too much about such things but I do, I really do! Also if you look closely in the window you can see our reflection.

Another stop along the way. Mike let me take the camera and he pushed the stroller. If we keep it up, maybe my photography skills will improve. Ha! There is a history lesson for most of this but, well, I honestly don't remember it and don't feel like looking it up in the book. So if you are just dying to know, the name of the building is on the sign and I'm sure you know how to use google :-)

I'm not going to guess how many of these stands we saw. Kind of like hot dog venders in New York's central park I would assume, as I have never been there. Only difference is, here they sell Reindeer sausage. One of these days I'm going to try it. It certainly smells fantastic. 

Yes, I just had to put this in here, isn't it lovely? There was a huge bed of these in one of the parks on our walk. I could have stayed for hours. Such perfection and it all starts in one little seed!

Lil tolerates her stroller, hat, and seat belts, complete with shoulder harnesses (a bit extreme right) quite well for a little one. Mike figured out yesterday that her straps convert to just a lap belt so she doesn't have to have shoulder the harnesses. I can't imagine being shoulder harnessed into a stroller for hours. ~The reason for such torture though, she wants to turn around in the seat and climb up the back and that could very easily result in a face plant on the concrete~ Anyways, she's happier now that she can lean forward as we explore. 

I had to put this photo in! It's a stop on the walking tour and is described in the guide book as "unremarkable" they are right, not much to look at. The Pope did visit there in the '90's. 

And last but not least, one of Lilly and I. In this photo, we are on the opposite side of the bay from one  taken months ago. The ground was covered in snow then and I'm pretty sure the bay was mostly frozen. At one point in time they were going to connect the shores with a bridge making another way into the Valley. I'm not sure what is going on with that project but so far it hasn't happened.

So that is the end of your walking tour of Anchorage. For those of you just dying to go, let me know I'm sure we can take you. For the others, like me, a couple photos is plenty. Besides, there are prettier, more interesting places to go when you come visit. We really did have a wonderful time, even if the sights were pretty much well, "unremarkable" if you will. 

Yard work

I have been pretty busy the past week. Mike brought over dirt from our mountain in the back to fill up the space beside the house so I'd have someplace to plant things. I went to the greenhouse and bought lots of things and hardened them off and got them in the ground and into pots. Started seeds, that are now growing rapidly. Mike stained the front porch. It's really starting to look like we live here. I love driving by the house on the way home and looking at it, it's so... me, I think. 

The excavating company should be here in the next couple weeks to spread out our dirt, then we will have the task of raking, moving rocks, and planting grass. Maybe by the end of the summer we will have a decent yard.

The weather here is beautiful. Looks as though it's going to be another cloudless sunny day, high around 70. Perfect temp if you ask me. I think I'm going to be very happy here over the next few years!

For those of you interested in what I have planted, here ya go. I'm hoping to maybe plant some peppers and lettuce-y type things too, in pots. Though, maybe I'll hold off on that for next year.

Happy Looking!

Lilly got to ride in the wheel barrow until she tried to climb out the front. 

Hamilton in the midst of all my stuff.

All the dirt is in, notice the unstained deck. 

Stained deck and planted flowers and pots.

Along side the house here I have mammoth sunflowers that are just starting to show their little heads. I also have a purple colombine, and a hosta. As well as, morning glories, strawberries, white and pink petunias, and zinnias, and mint.

In smaller pots, I have chives and stock, dahlias, marigolds, snap peas and tomatoes, more sunflowers, alyssum, and some vinca vine too. 

Enough to keep me busy, I'll take pictures when things start getting bigger

These are my peas and this photo is for Audrey. She sent them to me back in the cold dreary months of winter and I planted them about a week ago. (I let Caswell plant one in his own pot, and he was VERY excited when he came on Tuesday and it was growing.)

More sunflowers to go...

Along this side of the house, so you see them when you drive by. 

Another view of the front of the house, I can't decide what I'm going to do with my windows, for now the keep getting moved around the house. Notice AbbyCat in the garage window? She was eating flies. 

Caswell

Last week I started babysitting all day Tuesdays and Wednesdays. My charge is Caswell, he's four, and is pretty good for a four year old. It's nice to have the company for Lilly and for two days a week the money is nice. He really isn't a problem, behaves pretty well and keeps me very busy for a couple days a week. Cas is pretty much all boy, lots of dirt and scraped knees, he tends to be very curious and I hear, "what are you doing," "what's that for" and "my mom lets me at my house," and my all time favorite after telling him he's not allowed to do something "but I've never did that before."  Needless to say, I know thoroughly enjoy my quiet evenings.

Popcorn

Lilly woke up the other night just as I finished making popcorn per Mikes request. I wanted my popcorn hot so I figured it wouldn't hurt if Lilly stayed up for a few minutes. Turns out she just wanted to be part of the party.

Curious

Daddy shares his piece

Once she decided she liked it, she couldn't get enough

Notice how big she opens her mouth...

Attempting to plant...

Didn't go so well, gave up and did it when she was napping.

She likes to dump things, and she's really good at pulling out the newly potted seedlings. 

The other thing she is good at is eating dirt. She shovels it in by the handfuls. Only problem is that I can't seem to get her to do this with food. Give her dirt, rocks, or dog food, and it's a totally different story!

A day with the Back Creek Potter

While we were in Indiana, Lilly and I were able to spend a day with a dear dear friend of mine and potter, Audrey Felger.

 A little of my past

~I have known Audrey, I guess you  could say my entire life. We grew up a couple blocks from each other and my siblings took art classes from her mother, Martha Beeson. We weren't friends until I think maybe high school when I started attending her youth group and giving her rides to school. (she never asked, I offered so my "attitude" was definitely unjustified) I will admit now, that I did not appreciate what I like to call her "artists" personality back then, over the years I have learned to love this and yes, even some of it has rubbed off on me.  I was rather uptight (yes me ) and would get frustrated as she was almost never ready those early mornings and I'd have to wait on her. We always had plenty of time, I'm sure something crazy like 45 minutes to drive the 7 minutes to Warsaw High. There were probably times that I was half way down Chestnut Ave and Audrey hadn't even closed to door yet. I can still see her, running out of her house, coffee in one hand back in the other and usually something for breakfast. If I could go back to those days, knowing what I know now, I would have parked and gone inside for coffee and breakfast. :-)
During high school, the Beeson women helped to develop a side of me that probably wouldn't have ever been discovered. They taught me first and foremost to LOVE coffee, yes that's right. I think of them often in the morning while I enjoy my first, second and sometimes, third cup. Evenings with a hot mug of decaf with cinnamon and whipped cream, real I think, not the fake stuff, are such pleasant memories for me. They also helped draw out my love of music, and taught me to see beauty and color in everything.
Thanks Audrey, for helping me to realize that life is not always about getting where you're going but enjoying the music, the color, the friendships, and of course, the coffee. Maybe some day we will be able to share those coffee nights and hours in bead stores again on a regular basis! ~

Back to the Back Creek Potter
 You can find Audrey's things here www.backcreekpottery.com


We had such a wonderful time with Audrey, the day in Jonesboro was beautiful. We got there late morning and got a tour of her gardens and studio. Spring arrived early in Indiana this year and the gardens were already full of lots of little green things, some not so little like the flowering rhubarb plant taller than Audrey I think. Lilly and I watched as Audrey moved Etta the Rabbit's cage and fence out into the sun for the day. Then we saw the tiny little place, complete with two parakeets, new windows, plants, 1000 pounds of porcelain, and of course the wheel where Audrey throws her creations. After that we went down to the pole barn where her inventory is stored and the glaze mixing, testing and the firing is all done. I had no idea how much of a process this all is. I also ordered some pottery from her while I was there. I can't wait until it comes, but am waiting on some new glazes I think. After that was lunch and a lovely Mexican place, McDonald's ice cream cones. Of course, a day with a potter isn't complete until a pot has been thrown, so, here are some photos of that part of our day.

Spraying down the dust, from what she says, you don't want to breathe too much of that in. See the boxes under the table in the back, that's what 1000 pounds of porcelain looks like.

Lilly was more interested in the rabbit pellets and the dustpan.

Centering, she says this is the hardest part. Spinning the wheel and molding the clay up and down to make sure that it is perfectly centered on the wheel.

So it begins,

I think this process is beautiful. I think it was about here where she said "it's too wet." But she kept going, pushing and pulling, a little touch here and there. Then...

It collapsed and a couple more not so gentle pokes turned it into a monster. See what I mean about seeing beauty in everything? I think I would have cried had it been me spending that much time on something to have it collapse. She said she's getting better at dealing with that part. 

Happy Girls

Thanks Audie for sharing your day with us. 

Spring in Alaska

I know that this is a little our of order but I couldn't help it.

While Lilly and I were in Indiana, Mike did a bit of exploring. Today, he took us to the river where he took Hamilton and then we checked out a park on the way home. It was warm (for Alaska), the sun was shining and we had a wonderful time. Since I left Alaska 2 1/2 weeks ago, spring sprung! I am amazed, more now than before, at the beauty of this place. This morning when I got up, at 5:30 am, the sun was shining and the sky was blue. The aspen trees are green, grass is growing and the combination of this with snow on the mountain peaks, is quite breathtaking at times. I'm lucky to live here.  So here are some photos of our adventure today.

See, green things! Oh how happy it makes me. I need to look up with this is, they are everywhere!

Yes we have dandelions in Alaska!

A happy girl in her back pack, on Daddy's back. 

What a view huh? The drop off about two feet in front of us was pretty intense. 

Hamilton went careening down to chase a couple of ducks. I can't imagine getting in that water, that is snow at the bottom. Brrrrr

I don't have any clue what this is but it looks pretty nasty!

He looks like such a good boy doesn't he? About five minutes after this he chewed through his leash. Guess I will add making a new one to the todo list!

Enjoying the sun!

I love my little girl!

Heading towards the camera, she's getting so fast!

She's tough, already doing push-ups.

A little Indiana

I wish I were better at taking pictures. Ya know, one of those people that walks around with a camera attached to them. I tend to think, "oh why bother, no one wants to look at my silly pictures anyways." Then later, I regret that I don't have pictures of the drive to Kokomo. Beautiful blue sky with spring green everywhere, baby corn plants popping up in the fields and a trip across the legendary Roann covered bridge. Nor do I have photos of Lilly, except on my phone, of her with Great Grandma Bolinger. Sometimes, I just don't think!
Lilly and I have had a wonderful time in the week that we have been gone. I am tired, I miss my husband, and Lilly is still adjusting to sleeping in a strange place, other than that, we are fine.
Lil has learned and changed so much since we got here. I think her cousins helped spur on the newest accomplishments including, properly crawling and sitting all the way up on her own. She also, on occasion, in the right mood, will mimic waiving. I'm not totally convinced that it's legitimate, but maybe, just maybe, she'll get it down in a few weeks. It's fun to watch her change and learn and discover this new world that has been opened up by her newly found mobility.