Tea Party

Any day which contains a moment like the above, is a spectacular day. Annalise is seven weeks old.

Before we got to that delightful moment, the day began early. I have to push to work out Fridays before I leave for the church. But I "got er done." It wasn't a spectacular work out but it was 40 minutes.

Stacia asked if she could bring her school books and come with me to the study. She worked in a side room while we had Bible study.  She suggested we make a girls day of it before going to Bre's for tea.  That saved me a trip back home -  Bre lives in town.  Friday Bible study group is different than Tuesday Bible study group. I love how the Holy Spirit tailors each session to those in the group....and I love both. I am blessed to experience life with both groups. Today, after study, Donna somehow ended up braiding hair....and Stacia benefited. She reports that these ladies are much gentler than Arielle used to be. ::snort::

Stacia had suggested Subway for lunch. I like to get the veggie sub there.....I asked her to consider Vagabond Blues, an option of which she was unaware.  We have many little cafes in town. Michael doesn't much like going to my "girly restaurants" with me.....so Stacia hadn't gone to this one. Donna had mentioned the Hungarian Mushroom soup....we ordered a bowl each and it was delicious! I did NOT eat that huge loaf of bread.  I HAVE looked up a couple of recipes to try making this at home - or I could just go to Vagabond after study each week. LOL

Suitably impressed

We shopped around at some of the fun shops downtown, picked up books at the library, looked at a few real estate links Jamin sent, and ended up at BreZaak's for tea.

Almost caught a smile

 I missed Larissa and Krista, yet,  this was the PERFECT way to end a busy Friday at the end of a busy week.

Stacia, Arielle, Benny, BreAnne

I think this is her first tea party! 

 Benny went immediately for a scone. 

Arielle and Bennett aka Benny

Gideon  aka Bubbie

 I still love these plastic tea cups for little ones.....need to get more. 

Isabella aka Bella

Thanks, Bre. We had a lovely time. The kids all seemed to enjoy the break as well.

Thoughtful Thursday

Michael and Alex left for Man Camp today.  It seemed like a good day to bake scones. 

I've been searching for the "perfect" scone recipe.  I planned to bake Brenda's Blueberry scones today; Stacia woke up determined to make Lemon Poppy Seed scones. She had more energy than I and, therefore,  won the honor to actually bake the scones rather than simply planning to bake.

Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

While she baked, I explored my new study Bibles - checking and re-checking 1 John 5 again. LOL Yes, we had discussed this chapter on Tuesday, but I want to be sure I haven't missed anything for our Friday class. 

I searched for months before purchasing a new bible - or bibles as it turned out. I wanted the standard things...but I also wanted the publisher to be owned by either a Christian family or business. In other words, I didn't want the publisher to be the "Christian publishing arm" of x,y,z..... I also wanted large print. I narrowed it down to either the ESV Study Bible or the Fire Bible.  Christian Books had a sale last week. I was able to get both of these for well less than the cost of the ESV would have been at normal price. The ESV was 47% off and the Fire Bible was $15 as it is slightly damaged. I now have a great study Bible from both a Calvinist and  Arminianist perspective. I have already enjoyed the depth of insight from reading both. I'm hoping to get used to the ESV and be able to use the large print when I lead a study. I'm having trouble quickly finding the print in my current Bible. Could be age? 

Arielle and Benny joined us to sample the Scones. We are going to Bre's for tea after Bible study on Friday and are bringing the rest....but they needed sampling.

Benny likes tea parties

We discovered Benny loves lemon scones. LOL

Life Group met tonight without Michael and Alex. We discussed, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  Ed did a great job guiding the discussion and I'm so glad we didn't miss this week. I am reading, Grace From the Cross, by Kyle Idleman this Lent season. I was able to download the kindle version for $2.99. I have only read the first chapter but it, the Life Group discussion, as well as two 1 John 5 discussions, have given me plenty of spiritual food for thought this week. LOL

A Rare Sight

This is a sight I've not seen very often in the past 2 and a half decades. Viva La Retiremente.

He read the book so we could talk it over! 

Terrific Tuesday

My day began by sharing a beautiful Alaskan sunrise with Arielle. We do not take this for granted. The sun is rising at a "normal" hour, an hour when we can enjoy its rising.....soon it will be rising at  0300.

Arielle was checking to be sure I was on tap to watch Benny today. He was sad to see his Mom and Dad leave for work, but bounced back quickly when I invited him to help me with laundry. 

We came upstairs for a bit and Benny was happy to play with Auntie. The keyboard is usually turned off. Stacia likes to practice with headphones and has only recently begun to practice without them. I really like HEARING the music. Benny was thrilled with the discovery that the big toy in the corner makes NOISE.

How quickly he can turn on the scowl! Shoot this new generation may take the Gherkin scowl to a whole new level. 

 He was not happy when I showed up as he was SURE I would make him stop playing. In truth, I didn't. I just wanted to photograph the moment.

Yuuki whines. Look closely and you'll see Benny sweetly "shushing" her. 

While Benny napped, I worked out and showered. He LOVED his hamburger at lunch. The phone camera couldn't catch it fast enough, but after each bite, he threw his hands in the air and celebrated.

I continued to wrestle some particular challenging passages in 1 John 5 and then left for Bible study. Stacia made dinner again - Apple meatballs and rice.

Nolan's Promotion

Nolan began working at McDonald's in July. He was a part time hire working 30 - 40 hours a week within a month. A month after THAT he was scheduled 40 hours a week, during the off-season. He routinely works overtime.  They began to train him in all areas, which means he's often the go-to guy to call when others call in at the last minute. He's received positive feedback.

 Nolan began the process of becoming a manager at the end of last year. Background check complete. Tests studied for and passed. Extra training completed. Last night he came home with his new uniforms.

Gone are the tight shiny black pants with the yellow and red trim, as well as the hat! He added a dress shirt, looser pants, a magnetic name tag and tie! Looking sharp. He's now considered a full time employee,  and got a another nice raise with the promotion.

He is being trained to be the opening manager - meaning he will once again have his weekends free. This schedule will work well with college classes. We're proud of you, Nolan.

Between Two Moose

I woke up with a swollen knee. I suspected this would be the case after all the sinking and twisting on our snowy walk to Willow Lake. What could make a better Monday than relaxing in a recliner with ice and Netflix? 

These girls, however, don't like reclining. I heard the bundling up going on and got the camera ready. I love that they can grab Benny, step outside, and make fun memories. 

Benny, Arielle & Stacia

They headed to the "sledding hill" and I noted a moose off to the right in the woods. 

Stacia's become fairly Alaskan. One moose didn't overly worry her. She knows they stay in their own spot, and usually aren't interested in us. 

Arielle is more cautious - she's a mama.  I could tell she was calculating distance and escape routes.

But wait - a second moose on their left. 

NO ONE would think it wise to be between two moose...at least we don't.  This is a bit too much moose to tangle with if they were to get agitated at the humans.  This is an iffy time of year. We are told to beware of mama moose. The on moose is the year old baby from last spring. Is she still protective? I don't know. They still hang out together....and one would be unwise to hang out between mama and baby - because she may feel threatened when she is done eating. We give them space.

Their snow fun was cut very short.

I am thinking it's time to plant seeds. Last year was disheartening and there is so MUCH snow....but it IS March. I probably need to plant some seeds.

47th Iditarod - 1,049 Miles

Ground was too crazy to attempt a tri-pod - Michael took the photo

Saturday was the ceremonial start to the 47th Iditarod in Anchorage. We went to it several times when we were stationed here. It was fun....but this year.... Josiah, Jamin and Nolan met us after church and we drove out to Willow for the "Official" start of the Iditarod.  We liked it better....I liked that they were running down the chute, across the frozen lake and off...instead of down 4th street to a park.

We weren't 100% sure where to go, and we got a late start from church.  Michael dropped the kids and I off at a small airplane hangar on the lake and went to find a parking spot. Jamin led the way across the drifts and onto the lake. The 3rd time I sunk in snow above my knees and felt lake overflow.....I called it quits. I told them I would walk back to the road and along the road to the start. Alex came with me. The rest headed across the lake. We all met up at the start.

The dogs are so eager to get run. They love it.  Josiah got a great video, but I can't figure out how to share it from Facebook. 

There are 35 men and 17 women and teams running the race this year. There are several former champions, rookies, 20 year olds...my favorites were Lance Mackey and a 65 year old woman. Quite a bit was made of this woman's parka. It is designed as a kuspuk.

Lance Mackey is a crowd favorite. He's battled cancer and is running this year to have fun, "because I can."  Lance won the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod both from 2005-2009 - winning each four years in a row. I got a video of his start, but we didn't get any photos. 

The dogs run across Willow Lake. 

 

Crowd watching was almost as fun as race watching...folks had sleds, snow machines, walkers, wheel chairs, ATVs....it was an Alaskan event.

This group made me tear up.  The gal in the white parka, looked to be in her 60's,  has a harness and long handles tied to a  sled. She pulled her mom, in the sled, and her dad walked behind, steadying mom. That's dedication and love.

We loved the excitement and energy in Willow.  They mentioned the trail was lined with fans all the way to the first checkpoint. There is talk of  us going much earlier next year,  possibly finding a place out on the trail....taking the ice fishing tent and heater....a cooler.....

I can't get this song out of my head.....