snorkelin'

just cant get enough of our (only) friends in the state and one of the most beautiful places, seward. had such a nice time visiting rich, les and lydia in a quick over night. we managed to find some fresh anehiems and roast them on the bbq then whip up a nice batch of green chili. also came bearing one raspberry pie. not quite as good as nanas, but pretty yummy.

today was wood day at the jacoby's. we managed 2 cords in short time. a fall pasttime for sure. now, we just need them to come up here the weekend we get ours delivered, hmmm.....jade even got to ride in the back of a pickup with his pa (dont tell) to the wood pile and back. pretty cool.

rich has put together a perfect, homemade hot tub. everyone should check out "snorkel stoves". this one was purchased on ebay for $125, the galvinized tub at the local hardware stove and the cedar is a found item from an old boat. the wood fired snorkel heats that sucker up real quick. if one is not careful, human soup, lobster style is inevitable.

still croaking..!

croak

well, the two weeks of real work have gotten to me and gone straight to my head, my chest, and my sinuses. i am, for perhaps the first time, speechless. my family can rejoice as all i can muster is a creek, a squeek, a high pitched noise or a loud whisper. damn those sick people.

we are supposed to be heading to seward for the weekend, but will reevalute in the morning. the forcast calls for rain. the lawn is covered with yellow leaves and pioneer peak is covered in fresh snow.

green chilies

oh what i have left behind!
no farmers markets or roadside stands roasting the pungent green peppers used to make the large pot of fall chili. it is now that colorado seems so far away.

although there seems to be a healthy mexican population here, the store shelves are empty when it comes to canned chilies.
(i've given up on fresh roasted or even frozen) anyone out there want to help a girl out? (:

seashell cabin

so homer is 275 miles from our home here in the valley. long ride- but for a nice overnite. we stayed at mossy's seaside farm. an idyllic spread overlooking the bay with glaciers across the way, and although no whales this visit, eagles and hawks were plentiful. we stayed here 10 years ago in the same little cabin perched above the beach. hard to believe i was just 26 and jc 31. how does time fly by so fast?

homer is a funky little town and someplace we wouldnt mind living were it not so damn far from everything. i would have to end up with a nice job to make it work out.

we met rich and les and lydia who were in homer for a wedding on saturday. jade and lydia had a nice time playing in the backyard at two sisters bakery and then in the raspberry patch at mossy's. we picked about 4 pounds of the best tasting berries on the planet. time to dig out nana's recipe and attempt the pie! btw, nana would have been 100 years old on 9/16. it was fitting to be picking this perfect little fruit on that day.

homer bound

fall is here in the talkeetna mountain range. its beautiful. we are adjusting to our new digs and routines, although j-man is having some difficulty being 3 1/2 and has recently become somewhat of a bully at school. we are going to hike it out of him for sure.

heading to homer for the weekend. renting a little cabin at mossy's seaside farm where we stayed during our trip just over 10 years ago. the seashell cabin is perched over kachemak bay with views of the kenai mountain range. stay tuned for pics.

ma moose and her babe

great week here in the valley. work is going pretty well. lots of people with coughs and colds seeking medical attention. what are they thinking?

we had a two large visitors a couple of times over the past few days.

we are off to the beartooth theatre to meet les and lydia for pizza. sounds like a great family date place as they show movies and have table service, fresh brewed beer and great food. trying to take jade to see "cars" soon. cheers!

fall

our faith in the move has been renewed! i think we did the right thing. it has been a flawless weekend here with sunny blue skies ushering in fall. the birch trees are just beginning to lose leaves and the mornings have been crisp and cool. we have been checking out the "backyard" this weekend by hanging out at hatcher pass. only 20 minutes from the house we had j-man hiking and saying "this is our back yard mommie".

independence mine is an amazing place and we are excited to see it covered with snow. we've been told it gets pretty deep up there and the skiing is great.

starting work tomorrow for real (finally). should be a rude awakening! cheers folks.

hike

a beautiful hike up bodenburg butte which is privately owned. just leave your $3 in the homemade box and park and hike. this butte sits in the middle of the valley and from there, an amazing view of all the valley peaks.
in the farmland below, there are private airstrips, green fields and the reindeer farm. knik glaicer is in the background.
unbelievable afternoon, j-man was an amazing trial blazer!