Just a Typical Monday - Sort of

Today was my Benny day! I had him from 8:30 - 3:30....always a fun time. 

Krista received exciting mail....her diploma...it says she's a master of divinity and graduated with honors! 

She went to the school district office to chat about various positions she may want to pursue. 

Michael worked on fixing the water lines in the RV. It turns out the water heater is cracked; a bigger job than he will finish before our weekend trip. He did fix the broken line so there is now water in the RV...and heating water is easy enough.

We continue to battle the heat for our yard...the sun may win this one.

Stacia made a couple more hats. Alex helped Michael some and worked on some gaming video or something.

I think the strawberry patch is wild berries. They are tiny - but sweet. It's a challenge to pick them when they are ripe BEFORE the chickens, bunnies, birds,  and mice.

The skies promised blue skies AND a storm this evening. We hoped....but it was all show. We did see lots of lightening and heard thunder.....

Pulpit Fill Sunday

It's 9:15 p.m. and it's finally cooled off enough to be pleasant sitting outside....still not very comfortable inside. Yes, I've been loving the record-breaking heat - BUT Alaska isn't built for high temps. Our homes are built to keep heat IN, we have no air conditioners, and the stores continue to sell out of essentials like fans and ice. 😵 Too much of any good thing CAN wear on a person. If this keeps up another few weeks, I may even WELCOME WINTER! 🐽(snort) I do NOT want winter to arrive until our silly hens have grown some feathers to cover their tushes.

Today was Pulpit Fill Sunday. Michael was invited to preach at Matsu Christian Center - a Church of God in Christ community.  Obviously, the PASTOR wasn't there or Michael wouldn't have been preaching...but the pastor's wife, Tamika,  was a chaplain assistant back in the day. Dr. Tamika Ledbetter and her husband, Bishop Fred Ledbetter, founded this church since our assignment together at Elmendorf. It is a blessing to see where God has led since she and Michael were on staff together. It is a very friendly community and we enjoyed being part of it. We were invited back for their monthly potluck Sunday - I'd like to attend when Fred and Tamika are there. Alas, Michael will be preaching that week at our church community.

Yes, I DID put on a dress and pearls 

Michael and I love our crazy and full household. We wouldn't have life any other way - but it's rare for us to snatch time alone. We took the opportunity of being out alone, to throw a mini-lunch-date into the mix. We were in Wasilla and didn't really know where to eat. We went to Chepo's, I loved the spinach enchiladas. They didn't have air conditioning and it was crazy noisy with lots of industrial fans placed around...but the food was yummy.

I wanted to attend church with Michael, but was committed to nursery at our church this week. Kudos to Krista who jumped in with Stacia to minister to the kids at our church.

Having our grands in nursery is a bonus these days. 

I came home and took a nap. I woke to adult Gherkin voices which aren't always here. Josiah and Jamin were playing Dominion with Nolan, Alex, Stacia and Krista. Michael was working to repair the plumbing in the RV.  Stacia was knitting another hat. Dad was catching up on news.

It's been a wonderful day.

Garden Pest

The hotter the days get, the earlier I try to get into the garden and get the day's chores accomplished. This morning I got all the little corn seedlings transplanted. I also planted 6 zucchini and 6 summer squash plants. Krista joined me and we weeded the potato patch. She was up by the house, I had my tush in the air and was picking up chickweed to feed the chickens, when I heard a crash! I turned my head and saw this moose. She was tangling with our Japanese laundry poles.

The 2nd time she came back 

I yelled, "Turn the fence on."

I ran for the house and my camera.

She headed for the garden. She touched the top wire with her head and jerked back, and RAN to the front and into the road.

Then she came back (which is when I got the photo of her at the trampoline). She was mad.

She looked at us, shook her head and ran off again.

I heard squawking and clucking and  knew she and Lucille had tangled. I went looking and calling for Lucille. Lucille came to my calling (she really is a pet now).  I went to meet her and her eggs were broken.  She ran back to the chicken yard to tell her tale.

This is the third time moose have tangled with the fence and the second time they've been shocked. It seems to be doing a good job at keeping them out.  The first time a mama touched it and jerked her head back. Her baby touched it, and as Dad reports, she jumped 3 feet in the air and took off.   The 3rd moose just walked along the garden fence line and left.  This afternoon mama and baby came trotting across the side yard....I guess we're the shortest route to the mountain. LOL

Here are some shots from the garden....the fence I'm talking about is just two wires strung on t posts around the garden. NOW....Lucille and Blondie (free range bunny) have started getting into the garden the past couple of days. An electric fence won't stop them.  We are going to have to get another fence up - but wanted to be sure we would leave the garden where it is before building anything more permanent and time intensive than this.

Broccoli & Cauliflower in foreground
1st bed -  beets, kale (3 kinds), spinach and radishes
2nd bed - carrots, couple kinds of lettuce, couple kinds of cabbage

Zuchini

Potatoes - now that I know I have the room -
I should plant more next year. 

I had hoped this bit of fall decor would keep the birds from eating the second planting of corn...and possibly fool the moose into thinking there is a big, mean, man with a gun in the garden.

Corn 

Jumanji - I no longer sit in here to warm up! ::snort:: 

We have green tomatoes, tiny peppers, cucumbers and melons in here. I've already had a meal of beans from the greenhouse. I need to just cover that mucky garden corner with a BIG greenhouse.😏

That's it for now. Lots of green....this week I need to plant the rest of the seedlings that are in my kitchen....and I need to research how to prune tomatoes. They are big, bushy and green...but I'd like tomatoes at the end of this process.  I'll also continue to work to keep the moose, birds, rabbit and chicken from eating the garden. LOL

Hiking Gold Mint Trail

The only thing one would expect Gherkins to do in record breaking weather is to hike the Gold Mint Trail in Hatcher's Pass.  I've been wanting to walk this trail...it's CoRiell's happy place.  Jamin suggested a hike. Nolan had the day off. Krista wants to get out and enjoy Alaska. Arielle and Benny joined us. Alex, Stacia and I are always up for an adventure. Dad and Michael stayed home. It was wise. 

Benny, Alex, Arielle

Krista, Nolan, & Jamin 

Stacia

 I'm conflicted about Fireweed! I LOVE them - I don't love the signal of summer progressing into winter (with a typical 2 week fall). It is reassuring to see these are not near blooming to the top yet. 

I may have to go back to check their progress in a couple of weeks. 

Benny rode most of the trail on Uncle Jamin's back 

Beautiful

 The BUGS were ferocious! I don't remember them being so aggressive before. I have begun to wonder if the All Natural bug spray I had was an attractant...or maybe the dandelion salve slathered on my arms and legs drew them....

Little Su - Glacial River

 Alex and I quit before the others. He'd had it with the bugs....and I wasn't going to let him go back on the trail alone - I AM bear aware after all. Even so my fit bit said I had over 70 minutes in the heart target zone and I'd walked 3 1/2 miles. 

Arielle, Benny, Jamin, Nolan, Stacia, Alex, Krista in front

This is moving naturally at it's best...as well as spending time with family and strengthening the "tribe." All good stuff.  We're building a lifestyle...looking to create an environment which consistently nudges us to healthy choices.  As a side note, Dad remarked this week I was going to turn green if I didn't eat a bit less salad. ::snort:: In the meantime, he is eating at least one salad a day. It's all good.

We stopped on the way back to town for a photo or two at the Little Su...whew...I have no idea how hot it was - but it felt hot traipsing around the trails.

Krista and Stacia

Stacia, Me and Krista - photo by Krista 

Gardening, Flinging, Gifting

Early this morning I headed to the garden to plant my corn seedlings. The birds, or something, had a hey-dey with the first batch. Of the 160 planted - 11 germinated.  I started these inside to get a jump start on the now even shorter growing season. The variety needs 60 days to mature. I started them well before that mark...AND we have longer days than most. Here's hoping.

Check it out! Plant corn; reap mushrooms.

This young man decided to go out in 80*+ weather to wrestle with devils club. Yowzers. Alaska gardening sometimes requires a  machete. Often times, if you live in our section of the borough.

I came inside and cleaned up in time to go to town for Friday Fling with Stacia and Krista. We met up with BreZaak. I discovered a food truck with Philippino food.  Yum...the food of my youth. I had veggie lumpia and pancit. I plan to take dad next Friday to enjoy some sun and food.

BreZaak and kids - Photo by Krista 

LOVE FOOD TRUCKS - and SHADE.  Photo by Krista 

Such a sweetie!  Photo by Krista 

Little Lady!  Photo by Krista 

 Photo by Krista 

 Photo by Krista 

Michael was working on sermon prep when we got home. Stacia  played a game with the boys.

Krista took G Dog (Dad) to town to enjoy some coffee and to buy a newspaper. While he enjoyed the outing, she went to the DMV and got new plates for her car, a new license...that sort of thing.

Stacia found this cute Bennett Lee Bear at a local thrift store. I washed it, Fabreezed it, washed it's clothes, and today she gave it to Benny. He loved it. He may have named it "puppy," but we're pretty sure it needs to be named Bennett Lee Bear.

We ended the evening with a couple of rousing rounds of Farkle. I really can't tell you who won.

Bella Models Alaskan Fashion

Fashion varies in different parts of America. In Alaska, XTRATUF boots are always in style....Bella models appropriate Alaskan summer wear....and proves she's adapted well to her new home state. 

Swimsuit and boots - makes perfect sense. PHonto by Bre. 

I'll have to get a shot of my XTRATUF boots....they can be worn down (my favorite) or up (right). Michael says there is no point to HAVING XTRATUF boots if one is going to roll the cuff down. I disagree. 

Via google photos

Water Fun - 4th of July Part 2

While five of us (Josiah, Jamin, Krista, Alex and Stacia) were at the man-made lagoon to the left of the Knik bridge; six of us (Cory, Arielle, Benny, Dad, Michael and I) were at the Eklutna tailrace. There were far fewer people where we were - so we stayed. This allowed Cory and Michael to put in a line, a nice playing area for Benny, and a doable walk and shade for Dad. 

Note - there are ALWAYS two adults just out of photo range on the photos you see of Benny alone near the water. LOL

Benny excelled at throwing rocks. Papa and his daddy were fine with him having fun as they fished. We pick a spot where we would be alone. Someone else came - but hey - they could see him playing when they picked their spot. LOL 

Daddy's are geat fun. 

It was only a matter of time until Benny got wet. 

Fishing with Papa. 

Cory

Arielle

Giving Papa advice 

 The others finished at their spot and joined us at ours. Jamin wore this to Buckingham Palace on 4th of July. He informed me it's his Thursday outfit and not a 4th of July outfit. ::snort::

Josiah, Alex, Stacia

 Not even near the top yet....

This was a refreshing way to begin our day. It was great to have those who joined us out for pure fun.