Hygge

The snow continues to fall. The winter seems not to want to give up....that's o.k.  I've snuggled in for a bit more winter. I've discovered Hygge since moving to Alaska. I began to hear the word a couple of winters ago.   It was defined as "embrace the winter" and it has made all the difference. Health articles share how other cultures press into winter and therefore don't struggle with as much seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as Alaskans. 

Such a charming idea. 

Hygge a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture):

First Spring Walk

We have had a bug in our home the past couple of weeks. It hit me hard last week...and I only went out when essential - and spent the rest of the time sleeping and reading...but TODAY I woke up without a sore throat, with manageable sniffles AND with energy. I jumped right into a few daily intentions I had not been able to do in the last week...a few simple arm weights, a couple of miles on the treadmill and tonight I'm blogging!  I had worked out and had Dad up, showered and ready for breakfast by 0830.  

I had plans for lunch with Lindsey, but the bug has hit their home and changed our plans.  With a couple of extra hours in the schedule, I decided to prep what I could for dinner early, as I've noted my energy often disappears by evening. I made a giant pot of cauliflower/broccoli soup. I cooked chicken and steamed more broccoli for dinner. I steamed rice. 

I hadn't seen Stacia all day. I called her. I asked if she and Millie would like to accompany me for a quick trip around Reflection Lake. I know it's been snowing...but we have been cooped up for so many days. LOL We headed out. Our first spring walk...and um...we need to remember a warm hat, gloves and probably some sort of animal spray on the next walk. 

It felt WONDERFUL to be outside! Spring really IS coming! The sun is rising at 6:50 a.m. and setting after 9 p.m. Winter doesn't seem to want to give up - but MAYBE the last two days of snow will be the last of winter? 

It felt GREAT to get another mile in this afternoon. That took today's total to 3.75 miles. I didn't get any miles in last week. I have a goal to walk at least 7 miles a week - 300 miles by the end of the year (set the goal in March). 

When we got home there was a truck in our driveway that wasn't one of ours! Krista had been out in the valley visiting. We were happy to see her. She travels an incredible amount. She was home last week and will be leaving again on Sunday.  I was SO glad I'd prepped dinner. We were able to throw together a chicken divan and have it in the oven in no time. We visited while it baked and then she and Alex both joined us for dinner. I was able to send her home with some soup to enjoy this week. 

And now, everyone is settling in for the evening. Nolan and Allie are working. Alex is fighting off earth's invasion. Michael and Stacia are reading. I'll join them when I'm done here. 

Chickens & Snow

I can usually open the side door and the girls RUSH outside. Today, I opened the side door, and when they didn't push their way out I opened the main door of the coop.  OK - they're all fine - they just are DONE with the snow. I understand. 

A few brave gals ventured out and quickly pushed their way back up the ramp. 

 I understand. I am done with the snow as well. The spring will eventually come, there will be green in our lives again. 

Easter 2023

 Our Easter was odd. We did not have a big family dinner. In fact, Michael, Dad and Stacia were the only ones who made it to church.  Allie and I had coughs and sore throats and we each used a box and a half of kleenex...When I opened the door to help Dad out, I was happy to be staying warm and snug inside. Four more inches of snow overnight. 

Michael brought home food from the local deli. It didn't take long before the adult Gherkins began to send photos.  

BreZaak and crew enjoyed resurrection rolls. I have found memories of making these with our kids when they were young. They also were home with illness in the family. As the rolls were baking one of the kids said, "I bet marshmallow Jesus is going to just pop out!" LOL 

📷byBreAnne

Couch - Bella, Trudy, Gideon, Annie, Jojo
📷byBreAnne

I don't have any photos of Krista, Luke and kids, and that's o.k. They attended the liturgical service on base. 

Josiah, Carrie and Livie - note the snow! 

📷from Carrie

Jared has been fighting Scarlet Fever. They did not make it out today either. Look at Mr. Noah!!!

📷byLarissa

📷byLarissa

CoRielle were busy at church. Easter is a HUGE day in the children's department. They had enjoyed another of our old family traditions, Resurrection Eggs this year. Check out those boys' styles. It was snowing today so Benny opted for his Christmas PJ's so he'd look "really good." 

📷byArielle 

Looking Really Good
📷byArielle 

📷byArielle 

📷byArielle 

Benny's Graduation

 No - we haven't typically done Kinder graduations. Not because we have anything against them. We simply haven't. This year, however, Benny has had a lot of changes and is looking at more upcoming changes. Cory and Arielle felt he could use a bit of loving affirmation and they asked if they could come over to the house with a cake and such to celebrate. We were game.  CyRi and JaRissa asked about coming out and were happy to join the celebration.  Which is how we ended up having an unexpected day of fun. 

Danny and Little Buddy are also educational enthusiasts. Having Livie read to them made it even BETTER. 

Benny was suitably impressed with the cake his mom made and the leaning beeswax candle I supplied. 

Nolan met Noah - Jared and Larissa's little guy! 

My heart! We sure love these grands. 

Noah and Papa...such a doll. Both of them. 

We had to get outside...look at all that snow in APRIL! 

Stacia and the twinkies

Papa and the boys! 

How many little ones get to take the nurse home???

Blogging from a vantage  point of 6 weeks in the future....I can't help but being so grateful to live close enough for so many of the kids and their families to just DROP IN. We are blessed. 

March 2023 Snippets

 Is this not the cutest little hobbit baby you've ever seen? Larissa is SO creative. 

📷by Larissa

                                Saint Patrick's day at BreZaak's. Look at Trudy at 4 months old! 

📷by Bre

Tis the season of messy eggs. BLECK! If I wash them the bloom is off, they say to wash them right before using them...but there is NO WAY I'm selling a box full of poopy eggs. We've been eating them....and when I just can't stand it I wash them and put them in the fridge. LOL 

Michael has a new volunteer gig. 

Allie and Stacia spent an afternoon and evening on base with Krista. Here, Stacia relaxes while Krista finishes the workday. 

Baking on snowy days is a beautiful thing.

Enjoying Dad's birthday gift from Will 

Benny & Charles perfect their skills

These boys are so cool! ::wink:: 

Danny, Benny & Charles📷by Arielle 

Happy Noah! 

Sporting his Hawaiin threads from Papa and Bachan

A Saturday

I met with my table group today - a group of 6 ladies which meet once a month around various tables with the goal of cutting through small talk and developing authentic relationships. This is our 4th month and it's GOOD...just good! It's good to validate the value of relationships. 

I came home to find Michael, Stacia and Allie in our room. It seems Allie needs to know how to tie a tie. Fun memories were made. 

Allie went to get dressed for work after this tie-tying lesson.  She discovered her uniform tie is a velcro neck sash thingy rather than the standard tie. 

Stacia spent 20 minutes driving her stick shift up and down our driveway, starting on hills etc....then Michael and she went out driving. Soon, she will have mastered the stick and will have her own car to drive around. 

GG went to be rather early and Michael and I had a quiet night at home.