Auntie K Visit the Kids

It became apparent during the quake we needed to give some attention to the pantry in my nook. The shelves were always a bit "unsteady," and the quake proved just how movable they were.  Glass jars didn't stay put, the shelves were bending under weight and everything shifted and mixed into a big jumble.

Last week, I endured a "month long grocery trip." I purchased what I hope will prove to be a month of groceries.

2 1/2 carts of the 4 carts of groceries we purchased

As I went to put things up, Michael asked me to wait on the pantry items. He wanted me to firm up the shelves before I loaded them again. That worked well as I wanted to organize things well. Day to day life had mixed things up and the 7.0 shaker REALLY mixed things up. We are still finding glass in the nook.

This morning Krista, Stacia and I got everything organized and put back in the closet. I moved the empty canning jars down to the basement, moved older things to the front, and took stock of what we had that I'd forgotten about..... I plan to get out the label maker and make some labels so things STAY organized. My canning inventory is low. I need to get some spaghetti sauce, beans and chicken canned, "soon."

The "before" photos of the pantry and nook disappeared

Stacia realized she isn't feeling well - so she stayed home. Michael was having a "bad day," he stayed home too. Alex is ALWAYS happy to stay home. I took Krista and we went to visit Bre and the kids. Bella ran right to Krista and hugged her around the knees and offered to help her take boots off.

Bella and Auntie K

 Bella loves to introduce people to each other. She performed admirably. She said to Krista, "This is mom."   "And this is Bubbie (Gideon/brother)."  She is busy learning new words and sentences nearly every day. She's a charmer. She is now 2 1/2 years old. She calls Michael, "Papa," and has several names for me...."GG" seems to be her favorite, but  Gemma and Granna also appear.

For his part, Gideon loves to have EVERYTHING in it's place. He's darling. He races to put our shoes in the proper place and claps after each one is put up. He is the most cuddly, kissy baby I've been around. He's a delight. He is now 19 months old.

Big job for a sweet boy 

"Seesters" - Bella, Bre, Gideon, Krista

  Bre is 35 weeks pregnant. This is the point in her pregnancy when Gideon was born in 2017. She has been getting weekly shots and will get one more the day after Christmas. We are all praying she is able to make it to 37 weeks. If she goes into labor before then she would have to go to Anchorage. This is not a good plan due to the speed of her last labor.

Auntie K loves on the kids while Bre watches on 

Back home Arielle and Benny were up for a bit of a visit too.  Benny is 13 months old now and is one talkative little man. He brightens our days when he lights up at our appearance. He chatters non-stop and we predict he will soon begin to put words to the chatter.

Auntie K and Bennett (AKA Benny)

After dinner JaRissa drove out to the valley. They will be flying to Texas soon to spend the holidays and wanted to get some face time in with Krista before they leave. I didn't take a picture.

Everyone's in bed. I started reading a new book, "The Prodigal Prophet," by Timothy Keller, and realized I hadn't blogged yet....and I'm making an all out effort to get back into a habit.

LOVE THIS SEASON

Yes, winter is back. When the rain and "warm snap" came last week, I worried we wouldn't have a white Christmas...no worries. when the tire swing rests on the ground things are WHITE. LOL 

We took care of a lot of "stuff" today.  The recycling was delivered.  Phone calls were received and made. Trust disbursements were mailed and deposited. Jack Jack was moved from Stacia's room to the garage. We gave him a chance. She cleaned his cage daily - but it just smelled. We cleaned the room getting ready for Krista's arrival.  Michael put braces on my pantry shelves so I can reload the pantry. 

We are planning a tea for the Gherkin gals still in town on Sunday.  Stacia and I did a bit of baking. Mostly, we wanted an excuse to crank the music loud and spend some time together in the kitchen.

I tried TWO "peanut" brittle recipes and am not thrilled with any of it at this point. 

We couldn't seem to contain our excitement any longer and so we headed into Anchorage early. We stopped in Eagle River for a bite of dinner and to meet up with these three Gherkins. It's always fun to hear their stories. Jamin's real estate business is taking off and Jared started a new job this week. Josiah has continual adventures managing property in a rough area of Anchorage. 

We arrived about 40 minutes early to the airport. We settled in at Cinnabon to wait for Krista's arrival. What fun to run into Alicia for the first time since moving to Alaska. Her daughter was coming in on the same flight. Alicia and I were serving on regional/international PWOC boards in the same years. She lives out in the Valley too - I didn't snap a selfie.  I was hiding in the tree to see how long it would take Krista to find us - but Michael sort of stands out. LOL

Look at the world of yumminess Krista brought with her. Two of them are for Larissa. 

Krista and Maria, her roommate and one of my gals from Beale AFB,  visited a Christmas store in TN. Krista picked up this darling ornament. I cut off the bottom, (had our last name on it),  but it has all 9 children listed. She couldn't add spouses and grands as 9 was the biggest they made. Michael and I are far from the "empty canoe" syndrome at this point - but we didn't all fit on the one tree. 

I received notice the things I ordered weeks ago will arrive Jan 2nd. Go Prime! It's a good thing we don't open Christmas gifts on the 25th of Dec. No stress. Just fun and celebrating Jesus' advent. I pray you are having a good week as well.

Sunrise at 10:14 a.m. Sunset at 3:33 p.m.  (5 hours and 19 minutes of light) 

Hens in the Winter

I was told the girls would produce less eggs in the winter when it is cold and dark. 

We are THERE now. The sun rose at 10:13 a.m.  and set at 3:30 p.m.  We try to keep space around the coop shoveled and put shavings down so they can come out - but they've not been out in a few days.  They have, however, continued to lay 13 - 16 eggs a day. I have 16 hens. I sold 38 dozen eggs in November, and had plenty of eggs for our personal use as well. 

One day last week most of the eggs were cracked like this. It was a cold day.  The next day I picked up quite a few eggs in the morning that were fine. At night one was cracked. Still it wasn't until today, when Michael commented that he'd talked to a gal in church about frozen eggs, that I realized the cracking was because they'd all frozen.  I guess I need to get eggs more than twice a day when it's this cold. 

Do any of you have any other tips for preventing frozen eggs in the winter? I gave them to Yuuki. Michael said Krista says she thaws them and uses them. 

Sledding Runs, Hospice Quilts & Family

I SHOULD have gone outside to get photos or video of the kids today. Back in my bloggy/vloggy days, I would have....but it was 11* outside and the deck is covered in snow....my slippers have big tears in them....I wimped out.... must get some warm slippers which allow me to rush into the arctic conditions for quick shots. ::snort::

Arielle, Alex, Nolan, and Stacia have spent quite a bit of time this week building a jump for this year's sledding run. They've built steps to the top, and asked if we could get out there and "ice" it for them. We haven't yet. Today, Arielle, Alex and Stacia spent a lot of time "sledding" down the path, packing it down, in hopes of an established sledding run.

JaRissa and Josiah came out this afternoon. We visited, laughed, caught up on all the week's news and then watched a Spurs game. They lost. Again.

This was a healing moment for me. The red quilt is Mom's hospice quilt - a quilt given to me by the nurse when we switched mom to comfort care.  The Nativity is one our younger kids played with.  The quilt sits on a trunk with the Nativity on top of it.  I debated putting the quilt out. It's a daily reminder this year is different. It has a STUPID saying about death on the back, but in the end I knew it would be a reminder for me in year's to come, when I should be long over "grieving." A way to remember and acknowledge at Christmas. I have an ornament for the babies we've lost for the same reason. Benny was playing with one nativity piece at a time - over by the trunk/stairs.....

I picked up the quilt with the Nativity and moved it to the center of the room as we visited. 

He loves to push the angel and make the sound

He's dancing

It was the perfect picture. Mom didn't get to meet Benny. She adored her grandkids and great-grandkids....On the very day of the one year anniversary of Mom's move to heaven, a new great-granddaughter came home to the house where Dad is living. The photo is PRECIOUS and healing....but it's not my baby in the photo and I don't have permission to share online.

I watched Benny playing with a nativity on his great-grandma's hospice quilt.  A moment of great joy, with a shadow of sadness....family continuing on....I thought of this earlier in the week, too. God is gracious to remind us of the future, hope, and new chances to invest in a generation - right in the middle of grief.

The angel started making a most un-angelic sound. Benny knew what to do! He took it right to Gramps. Michael and Benny have a fun relationship. It warms my heart to see him reach for Michael.

Auntie Riss, Uncle Jared & Benny

These older Gherkins are pretty special to me too! 

Auntie Riss, Uncle Jared, Uncle Cy

It was a good day.

Snowy Moose

The moose have come back. Hunting season is over, and the SNOW is forcing them to look  harder for food. Our wooded area attracts them. They don't seem to have discovered this year's compost pile, or the newly planted orchard.

They are interested in the chickens and often stop to lean their heads over the chicken fence. One day I was cleaning the coop, heard an unfamiliar sound, and looked up to see three bull moose - one interested in the chicken yard and two locking antlers and waltzing back and forth.  We have had up to five moose in the yard at the same time.

Yuuki doesn't run when let out to do her business in this cold. She hurries to get back inside. She started whining, so Stacia put her leash on her and let her out. GREAT foresight... Yuuki began to pull her through the snow towards these interlopers.

Moose 1 and Moose 2 

 As she pulled leaves off the branch, the snow showered her. She'd stop and shake her head. It was cute to watch. It won't be so cute when they wander over to the orchard. We do have it fenced. With so many other options in the yard, maybe they'll leave the fenced trees alone.

I hope we have lots of moose when our out of state visitors are here! I never get tired of watching them - unless they are playing in the garden!

We are six days away from the darkest day of our year.....I am excited to start gaining light each day. I do love the seasonal changes up here.

Christmas Potluck & Bunco

It's ODD not to have a chapel staff Christmas Party, Chapel Party, PWOC (Protestant Women of the Chapel) Christmas Party, Wing Christmas Party and 8-10 Squadron Christmas Parties to attend.  Odd indeed.  Tonight was our one and only "Christmas" party.  

We donned our holiday apparel and prepared to have fun hosting a Christmas Potluck and Bunco night at church.  It was a lighthearted evening  in a season of rushing for those who could fit it into their schedules. 

Opposites attract? 

The evening began with dinner.  This gave us time to sit and visit.  I was a bit worried there may not be enough food. I heard a couple remark we had enough food to feed the whole church. 

Bunco usually has four rounds/ 6 games each round. Last month Bunco was 3 1/2 hours....we added a potluck and a white elephant exchange and weren't sure how long it would all take. We settled on playing two rounds. We were done and cleaning a bit before 9 p.m.  just under 3 hours.  The timing was perfect for a snowy, winter night at the end of a long week. 

For prizes, everyone brought a white elephant gift; everyone went home with a "prize." It will be amusing to watch which groups are returned at future Bunco nights. 

White Elephant Gift tip number 1 - be sure you know which gifts your wife is trying to whisk out of the house....and don't select one of them when it's your turn to pick a prize. 

Laughing with those you share pews with on Sunday? Priceless! 

Ms. Bonnie decided she would like the ammo Robert had chosen. 

Highlights of the evening were meeting a new couple I'd not previously connected with on Sunday, sharing dinner with folks I could spend years with; and laughing, HARD together during the gift exchange. 

The kids had a youth lock in going at the same time. They had a great time. Stacia remarked, "It's the most tired and most awake I've ever been." I think she may have extrovert tendencies. ::snort:: 

He's not the Scrooge he likes to pretend to be! 

Questions - Questions

WHEW! What a busy time summer and fall are in Alaska!

We added to the normal madness of felling dead trees, splitting wood, building coops, planting gardens, hiking, filling the freezer with salmon...a trip to California and Oregon.

During the crazy pace it seemed quite reasonable to put quick blurbs on Facebook  - the thought being it would capture a few ideas which could grow into blog posts when there was more time. Alas, Facebook thoughts get buried under the weight of more Facebook thoughts.....

And when the winter came....instead of the slow pace I remembered from last year...came women's ministry conferences, increased outside of the home school commitments for Alex and Stacia, teaching two weekly studies and one online study - hey that makes 3, new evaluations for Michael, men's ministry and hosting a weekly life group - which finally grew. There has also been lots of time with grand blessings. Winter also brought the absence of MY camera - which has been taken over by a budding photographer. I have tried to take photos with my phone - but they are terrible quality. I've discovered taking a daily photo (or dozen) kept me mindful of highlights of the day and motivated me to blog.

For a while last year I was blogging and vlogging with videos nearly every day. It took more time than I want to carve out for such things.

Then, too, it's been hard for me to define my audience now that most the kids live here and Mom doesn't read it daily....and suspect I'm pregnant when I don't blog.   In my heart of hearts, I know Michael is right....the blog is a family journal and the audience is our family....whether they are HERE or not....they may appreciate the record in future years....

That brings me to one of my concluding thoughts....Blogger has started freezing blogs. Folks simply can't open their blog, nor post to it. They can't save it or print it out or access it. I had PLANNED to print out our blogs...but I decided I wanted to do some editing so it looked "prettier" and wasted less space (resulting in less pages to buy) -  it is slow going. I've not printed a book in several years - o.k. six years. I need to get printing.  Maybe I can take any chicken profit and pour it into buying blog books....to give you an idea it was taking 4 of the max paged books a year to print one year of the blog....$300 - 400 per year.   Others mention the blogs they can't access are ones where they've not been active.....no posts, no visitors, no activity....blogger shuts down.  And so.....I ponder.....



Could I not keep a blog like journal in word - away from the internet as I'm no longer sure of my audience? I need to make sure to keep "active enough" on the blog that blogger doesn't close my blog before it's printed.  What would be the quickest way to at least "save" the posts? Each one copied into a word document? That will take some time (maybe I need to hire an assistant). What is the best way to "catch  up," as this is supposed to chronicle our family's life? Should I do one monthly post for each of the missing months? They would be LONG. Should I just pick the key things from the past months (i.e. chickens, selling parents homes, sorting through things, adjusting to life without a mom, the approaching due date of a sweet new grand, earthquake, parties, new opportunities, update on the elder Gherkins) to blog and not try to sum up month by month?  I miss most that I've lost the daily chronicling of  Bella, Gideon and Benny's growth. Such a sweet time to have them all close.


How would you attack it if you had 5 months of daily blogs to catch up? What are the advantages and disadvantages of an online platform versus word on the laptop? Would the world end if the blog went away before I got it saved?