Courageous Joy: 08/01/2020

Monday, August 31, 2020

August Snippets 2020

I continue to be happy I grew flowers this year! I need to remember to do this again, though I'd like to start them from seed and save some money.

Millie has learned to attack sticks.

Stacia put the garden's carrots to good use.

A little afternoon tea.

Krista, Stacia, G G

Making acquaintances

Making more masks

Dad - catching some sun the day before his open-heart surgery.

Benny came to visit with a card for GG.

I continue to walk 5 -7 miles every morning.

We have cherries. Not many, but it's a start!

Early morning cuddles from Millie.

Evening "cuddles" from Michael's chick.

Stacia and my current book study

We were told Dad would be removed from life support in one week if he had not woken up. Jared flew up to spend the week with us when it looked like he wasn't going to wake up. Dad woke up on Day 5. Millie is willing to help Jared play Farkle.

The year we actually had beans grow and were able to can some!

Masks are still required in many places. Stacia forgot a mask and ended up wearing a "jaw bra" to check out Alaska Club. LOL

Stacia

Bre and the kids came to visit prompting an impromptu art session.

Bella (4), Gideon (3), Annie (1 1/2)

Stacia and Livie make playdough creations...practice for cake decorating.

It was a full month!

Doughnuts!

Look at Stacia's new trick! Double glazed doughnuts!

She did have to overcome a couple of challenges presented by Millie.

It certainly was worth the effort when we sat down for afternoon tea.

Just another lazy fall afternoon! Winter is coming...there are many afternoon teas in our future.

Sunday, August 30, 2020

RV Driving School

Michael has been talking about teaching some of us to drive the RV. Today, Josiah, Carrie and Liv came out and we went to the fairground parking lot.

Josiah did good. I don't like how big and boxy it feels....we need to do more of this if we're all going to go out in the RV. Backup drivers are always a good thing to have.

Josiah will be a pro in no time at all.

2022 update...Cory has also taken to driving the RV and drove it back from dip-netting in 2021, while the girls, Arielle, their boys and I drove in the truch.

Friday, August 28, 2020

Berry Picking 2020

Arielle, Benny, Stacia and I went berry picking again this year.

Benny was no longer contained in a back pack. LOL There is something magical about being alone on the mountain, picking berries...hyper alert for bears.

Benny was able to help this year.

Alaska picking etiquette is to leave berries closer to the road and easier to reach for the elders. Yes, many elders still forage every year. You also pick them carefully so as to leave unripe berries for those who will pick after you. Most are careful - and we appreciate it.

Millie enjoyed the outing too.

Benny got tired of picking and honed his climbing skills instead.

We certainly got more berries than we did our first year of picking. We got enough to DO something with them. I think Arielle put hers in the freezer. I made sugar free jam...or ice cream topping. LOL

It's fun to be blogging these almost exactly 2 years post adventure. It has confirmed what I THOUGHT I remembered...this is a much rainier summer/fall than we have had since being back up here. ::grin:: We tried to go picking yesterday (8-26-22) and got rained out. Sadly, Arielle reports many have found the spot and it's becoming quite busy....and some are NOT picking carefully...meaning they are destroying things for those who come behind them.

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Michael & His Chicken

If Stacia has a shadow, then Kotori is Michael's shadow. He carries her to the many spots of his day.

She pretty much has free reign of the garage.

I think she's getting a bit entitled. She certainly seems to question us when we enter the garage.

I'm not sure if I documented Kotori in other spots on the blog....so from the vantage point of 2022 let me say she integrated with the flock and still feels entitled to Michael's attention. LOL She is happily laying eggs.