Heat Wave

The title pretty much says it all.  Here in southeast Alaska we put up with a whole lot of really awful weather, even in the summer.  There is rain and snow and more rain, and a little more rain.  Last summer, it rained so much that a lot of die-hard Alaskans I know were moping and talking of moving down south.  But then, we had the past two weeks.  Such a stretch of warm, sunny weather that people start getting a little crazy with it.  And really, when your life looks like this, there isn't any other place on God's green earth I would rather be.

The past few days have even gotten above 80 degrees, which I swear feels closer to 100 here.  Yesterday we spent 10 hours at the beach, and I even swam in the ocean, head underwater and all.  But after days and days of boating, bonfires, swimming, playing, and sitting on the beach, I am officially sun burnt and out of clean laundry and groceries.  My kids have gone to bed at 10pm for so many nights in a row, it's starting to seem normal.  And we haven't really had a meal that wasn't hot dogs over the fire or a bag of grapes in eons.  And so today, even though it is another scorcher, we are laying low.  Cleaning the house.  Nursing our sunburns.  Eating real food.  And getting ready for tomorrow.

Also today: dealing with the giant pot half filled with leftover crab cooking water and crab detritus that sat on the deck sweltering all day yesterday and became home to five thousand flies.  Seriously, I'm not sure anything else smells quite like it.  But still loving Alaska.

Winter

Our visits to the beach are now complete with snow suits.  It's cold!  On this particular trip, it was just me and the girls heading out for a quick stop at the beach by our house.  I geared Cedar up in that outfit, and encouraged Molly to do the same.  She had been outside that morning.  I repeated the fact that it was really cold and windy.  I offered suggestions on clothing options.  And she insisted on wearing a t-shirt, a windbreaker, and pink sneakers.  And I said okay. 

Now, when she goes to skiing lessons or preschool, I sort of force her to wear weather appropriate outfits.  But she is so stubborn.  And the theory is that she has to figure out for herself that being cold really sucks.  And that you have to wear a hat and gloves and a winter coat in October in Alaska. 

So we went to the beach.  And we stayed for about half an hour.  And by the end Molly was in tears, howling about her hands hurting.  And her coat.  And Moooooooooom.  Why did you not bring my gloves??  So we went home.  And I'm not really sure anyone learned a lesson.  Except maybe for me.

Fiddleheads and Sea Stars

Spring is finally, finally, really here in the Far North.  The first of the edible wild plants in my yard have made their appearance. Fiddleheads! 

Molly and I only picked a few, but it was enough for pizza.  This one is topped with fiddleheads, seasoned ground venison, sliced mushrooms, fresh basil and three cheeses. 

We've also had some great spring low tides (both kids are going on day long beach field trips tomorrow).  The sea stars seem limitless.

In other news, I seem completely unable to control Molly's hair.  Happy Monday!

Sunny September Days

We've had this totally amazing September in the Far North. Everyone here in town with me knows what I'm talking about. You pretty much don't want to say it out load for fear of messing it up. I almost can't even remember what rain is. Almost. We've had warm, sunny days, and cool, crisp fall nights. Perfect for a bonfire on the beach with friends.

Lena Beach

An afternoon at the beach with good friends. I don't like to admit it, but there are some days when being a stay at home mom is really not tough.

I'm Cooking: Green Bean and Cremini Mushroom Saute with Bacon, Baked Brown Rice. Not a vegetarian meal, but low on the meat anyway. I had no recipe here, kids weren't so keen, but Bryce really liked it.