Glacier Date

 March 14th and the sun is shining. We still have lots of snow, but Michael and I decided to drive up the highway during respite care today. The drive was beautiful and provided uninterrupted time for talking. We once again found the house we'd looked at online...the one I fell in love with...in Chickaloon...and realized it was quite a bit further than I thought from Anchorage. I'm glad we ended up where we did. 

Matsu Glacier

We arrived at the parking lot where we intended to tramp around a bit and view the glacier. It turns out the parking lot is closed in the winter - though this is spring. Next year we must remember to bring snowshoes or at least snow boots and poles. 

That is the glacier behind us

Though the parking lot was closed there was an open outhouse - score.  We laughed to see a favorite camping spot in the winter. 

This was fun for a spur of the moment outing. Next time...snow gear and a picnic lunch. LOL 

SAT - CHECK!

 Around our home we celebrate big and small achievements. Many prefer the celebrations include ice-cream.  And so, tonight, we gathered in the kitchen with mugs of ice-cream and milk (AKA Gherkin shakes) to celebrate Allie and Stacia. 

They've been working hard to prep for the SAT.  This is Allie's Senior year. We tried to juggle letting her get as much prep done as possible before the last SAT of this school year with the need to have a practice run at the test. A practice run is always wise, for homeschoolers it is especially needful. This allows them to get used to the testing site, 25 other students, and the whole "thing."  Ideally, Allie would have taken a test last spring and again this spring. We had too much on our plate last spring to think about the SAT.  

I had the girls at the site at 0700.  I commented on how gracious God was to provide each girl with a friend with which to walk through the day. None of our others have had that advantage.  

GG and I went to pick them up...and we waited...and waited. A full  hour after they were to be done we began to see students leaving the building.  It turns out a proctor didn't show up for one group - so the test started late. 

AND there was a 5.1 earthquake in the middle of the test. Stacia still gets rattled with "big" quakes.  She knew just what to do...pulled her thoughts up short and addressed the shaking...."Not NOW - I'm taking the SAT." ::snort:: 

Both girls felt the math was tricky and that they did well in the reading and writing. This is what we'd expect. They also both felt the time they've spent in College Prep Genius was very beneficial. They plan to continue working through that material before taking it again in May. 

Neither a missing proctor, nor a 5.1 quake could deter the girls from their stated goal. They conquered the SAT. We met Alex and Nolan at McDonald's and celebrated with lunch.....and then Michael came home from Man Camp and we celebrated with ice-cream. 

A Compendious Account of Monday

 A compendious account of the day is the Scriptural admonition to love others deeply, from the heart. 

Michael and I have been taking Mondays for 3 hours of respite.  

Michael and Alex have been meeting on Fridays for one-on-one study. Alex's work schedule has changed. Arielle can't come over on another afternoon. 

Arielle and the boys haven't been over for nearly a month....Grandpa was sick, they were sick...he was eager to see the boys today. They showed up and I hugged their necks before I left. 

Michael and Alex left for study. I assured Michael I could put 3 hours to good use. Two friends met me at a new-to-me lunch spot. The 3 hours FLEW. It was wonderful.  (I didn't take a photo). 

I got home and had one hour before I needed to head out again.  I was blessed to spend another 3 hours socializing.  Even got in a game of laser tag where I was NOT the worst. ::snort:: 

Some days one needs to be alone in order to refresh. Some days spending six hours with friends is exactly what one needs.  I am blessed God has provided both for me recently. 

There was a whole lot of loving well today. Arielle and the boys loved Michael and I and Grandpa well. Michael loved Alex well. Michael also loved me well by taking care of Grandpa and dinner. My friends loved me well - changing their Monday plans to spend 3 hours together.  And tonight - what's not to love about spending time with friends in the center of fun for the valley? 

Note: Today's word is compendious. 

Festering Winter Mileu

 I admit my hatred of winter festered through last spring and summer. Those feelings threatened to overcome my love of fall replacing it with a dread of a fast-approaching winter. One morning it appeared to me Alaska provides the perfect milieu to learn the truths of embracing the long, hard, challenge. I chose to embrace fall. We loved fall for fall. I chose to embrace winter.  And we have found the joy in winter.  Just this week, with temperatures rising to 40, we all began to realize our thoughts are askew. In fact, while we dream of spring walks, summer gardens and fall colors, we do NOT want to get outside to the garden, the yard, house staining or storm repair.  It may be nice to extend winter by a few more weeks.  And so - we WELCOME a Saturday in which it snowed all day long....

It snowed all day long. We were snug and content inside the house with most the adult Gherkins showing up at one time or another during the day. 

Jared and Jamin showed up first, followed by CoRielle, and then Cy dropped in on his way back from Men's retreat at Victory Bible Camp, and finally Carrie and Livie arrived from visiting a friend in the next town over.  It was FUN to see Livie's excitement to see Josiah back from retreat.  Danny is ALL over the house and was full of smiles. One highlight of the day came when Danny grabbed the inside snowballs and ran into the kitchen to throw them at Benny and Cory. He's evidently been observing Benny's fun and waiting for the chance to join it. 

Danny & Cory

Stacia and Jamin played Head Bandz with Livie and Benny. I was thrilled the kids were enjoying the game. I've been checking out thrift stores for games the kids will enjoy. 

Auntie Stacia and Livie

Benny and Uncle Jamin 

Jared and Benny connected over Calvin and Hobbes...a Gherkin favorite.

Benny was THRILLED to see this Uncle

Jamin brought out the VR headset and showed the kids our New Year's fireworks and rivers and such. 

Vying for favorite uncle

There were lots of hot drinks.

If winter hadn't come back for a second glance, we couldn't have had this REAL snowball fight! 

Nothing brings the feeling of contentment as much as enjoying a leisurely day with family while it snows outside. It continued to snow all night. 

Resulting in 6 inches of snow on the deck this morning.  It was BARE. 

This led to extra Sunday morning prep....I fed animals, then shoveled the ramp....

Our snow mess was complicated by snow falling OFF the roof in big chunks as the temps were warmer than they've been.  We now have 6 inches of fresh snow on top of our ice rink. LOL 

We made it to church at our regular time. Lunch was a quiet affair, and then there are more hot drinks, and Sunday naps and evening visits. 

And always TP shenanigans. Always. 

Note - 3 words of the day used in this post: fester, milieu, askew. Double points for using one or two in the title. ::snort:: 

An Askew Review

Jared's day went askew. He has borrowing Alex's truck while in town and the engine seized! That certainly changed the trajectory of the day. He spent hours by the time the truck was towed to our mechanic, the mechanic looked at it, we coordinated what to do and finally, the tow truck picked it up again from the auto shop in Anchorage and brought it out to our home...if anyone knows where Alex can buy a new engine, he's open to suggestions. 

This is a fun diversion as we wait for breakup to take effect. Our last frost is the end of May so it will be a while before I'm planting seeds...but I'm dreaming. I've asked everyone to mark seeds which look fun to try. 

I am contemplating planting a pumpkin patch this year in part of the garden. Parents could bring their little ones to a safe location to pick a pumpkin, we could serve hot chocolate, apple cider and cookies in the yard.  My problem is figuring which pumpkin variety will grow up here and when to plant it to have it in October....because we might have snow by then so maybe I should aim for a fall pumpkin patch in September????? What to do? 

Jamin was out this way showing a house. It's always fun when his little white hybrid shows up in our driveway. Often, he sits out there for 10 -15 min before he comes in - phone calls. We laughed as he kept having to deal with business calls while we visited. He's just back from a conference/vacation in Florida. Jamin has 9 houses sold or pending in 2022 - that's great for 2 months. 

My first walk of 2022! I want to get back into my routine of walking 3 -5 miles a day. I've had trouble fitting it in with my caregiving schedule...and it shows. ::snort:: I like to walk in the mornings, but no one is around to stay with Dad.  Allie was heading out for an afternoon walk and invited me to go with her - perfect. It is about to start getting light earlier and earlier and I will soon go EARLY....because I have to go and be back before Dad wakes up. 

We continue to love our study times together, which spill over to dinner conversations from time to time. This week the girls and I discussed hinderances to being used of God....jealousy, rejection, insecurities, resentment...as we looked at the life of Saul. 
 

We pulled lessons from David's life to illustrate how to handle our internal struggles. Hard to believe we've completed week 4 of this study. It's time for me to begin looking for the next one. Locally we are on week 2 so there is a bit of wiggle room. 

This is the perfect night to watch Dispicable Me 2. 

Smokey Salmon Chowder

Our first year in Alaska I asked everyone I knew for salmon recipes. Sandy shared her Salmon chowder recipe (Original recipe). I have made enough changes that it's time to note the new recipe.  I'm often asked to share the recipe and now I won't have to say here it is and I do this and that to it. It's now a smokey Salmon concoction. Canning it was not a success.  Of course, I think this tastes best with wild Alaskan salmon caught at the mouth of the Kenai river...but you can use canned salmon as well. 

Even our fish haters take seconds of this soup. 

Note: This makes a large (6 qt) pot of soup filled to the tippy top.

Ingredients 

6 T butter

1 1/2 C chopped onion (Large onion)

8 garlic cloves (less if you don't love garlic)

1 C chopped celery

2 tsp garlic powder

4 C diced potatoes

4 Carrots, diced

4 C chicken broth

2 tsp salt

2 tsp black pepper

4 tsp dried dill weed 

2 - 4 pints of canned smoked salmon (or 2 - 4 16 oz cans or, 2lbs salmon filet) *

2 (12 oz) can evaporated milk (in a pinch use any milk; I've used almond milk)

2 -3 C frozen corn 

1 - 2 (8 oz) block cream cheese, do one and see if you want more

2 - 4 caps of liquid smoke (if you aren't using smoked salmon) again start with 2 and adjust

Directions

Melt Butter. Sauté onion, celery, garlic and garlic powder until onions are soft. 

Stir in potatoes, carrots, broth, salt, pepper, and dill. 

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 20 minutes.  (If using uncooked salmon filet add at this point and it will be cooked in the allotted time. 

Stir in salmon, evaporated milk, corn, and cream cheese. 

Cook until heated through.

Recipe Notes: 

I provide shredded cheddar cheese at the table as the original recipe called for it. Most don't add it. 

If you don't want it smokey, don't use smoked salmon or add the liquid smoke. It is still very good; we just think this takes it to the next level. LOL 

Sesame Chicken

 

I always forget and mix the sesame seeds in rather than sprinkling on top

I found this recipe and it's been a hit with the family. The other night I made a single batch of this, and orange chicken and it fed 7 of us well, with enough left over for a couple to have some at lunch the next day. I found this recipe on Dinner at the Zoo.  This ones for you, Beth. 

Ingredients

For the chicken

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 eggs beaten
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• oil for frying

For the sauce

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar (I use Monk Fruit or a Stevia/Erythrital blend)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

Instructions

• Place the eggs, salt and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine
• Place the flour and 1/2 cup of cornstarch in a shallow bowl or on a plate. Stir to combine.
• Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, then into the flour. Repeat the process with all of the chicken.
• Heat 3 inches of oil in a deep pan to 350 degrees F
• Add 7-8 pieces of chicken to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken
• Drain the chicken on paper towels
• While the chicken is cooking, combine the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil and 2 teaspoons of cornstarch in a bowl.
• Heat the teaspoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the honey sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until just thickened.
• Add the crispy chicken to the pan and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, then serve.

Notes

The sauce can be made up to two days before you plan to serve it.
This last time I used Tyson Popcorn chicken, baked the chicken and skipped steps 1 - 6.  Because sometimes I need a quicker meal.  I've also done this with un-breaded chicken. I liked it; family likes breaded better. 

Nutrition

Calories: 392kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 123mg | Sodium: 1648mg | Potassium: 518mg | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 270IU | Vitamin C: 2.8mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 1.9mg