Nothing Says Welcome Like...

We are approaching our second anniversary in this house. I have been looking for the perfect welcome mat all.this.time!

I  decided to get this one. I liked the colors. It said welcome, without saying welcome. I liked it.

Michael was the first person through the door after I placed the mat.

"I'm wondering what kind of message you are trying to send with your mat."

"Huh?"

"So...our guests will stand on the mat, look down and it says, 'hell'?"

Nolan heard the conversation and admitted he'd wondered the same thing. The first two people through the door.....

The search  continues.

Saturdays are for Gardening

We had hoped to be in Seward from Thursday afternoon - Saturday evening. Alas, it was not to be.  Michael is simply not in any shape to drive the RV, camp, or fish. The salmon were safe from us for another week.*

We have a TON of projects around here to keep us busy. Arielle was a pro and went after the blasted dandelions. We don't want to use pesticides with our well, but the vinegar/soap thing is NOT working around here. 

Benny was happy to help us in the garden beds, while his Mama attacked the pretty flowers.  We brought the seedlings out from the house. I have the use of all kitchen counters again. I still have a couple of flats of zucchini and beans - but they are UNDER THE GROW LIGHTS where all well-behaved seedlings belong. 

Willing helper

We added some dirt which smelled suspiciously like manure - or maybe it was the rabbit droppings in the beds....

By this point in the job Benny is looking disgusted with the whole thing.

Mama helped Benny plant a few plants

I'm loving the greenhouse - I suspect we need to put a giant greenhouse over the whole garden plot. 

Nolan suggested we go to see Aladdin.  Michael didn't feel like sitting that long. The 3 Gherkins and I decided to catch the movie after we had planted all our "stuff". We planted carrots, a couple kinds of lettuce, a couple kinds of kale, beets, cabbage, spinach and beans.

While we were gone Michael began putting together this design which has been occupying our thoughts. It has potential. We'll finish it tomorrow or Monday.

We enjoyed the movie - a lot. We don't always like the re-makes of animated movies, but this one was good.

*Josiah texted a couple of photos.....and so it begins. The Salmon Season.

Note the Nyquil by the filet knife. A cold won't keep Cy from
standing in a cold river or inlet all day when the salmon
are playing. . 

Yumm

 I'm sad we couldn't be out there with him, and happy that we got things planted. Praying Michael's back feels like a bit of fishing in the next week or two.

TGI FINALLY FRIDAY

Our goal was to be at the VA Clinic in Anchorage by 0745. We made it by 0750.  I am enjoying the time in the car to talk with Michael, I am not enjoying the two hours out of our days quite so much.😕

I got Dad's ticket purchased this morning before we left the Valley.

We had hoped to be in Seward camping this weekend. It's not to be.

I planned to spend my hours shopping while Michael was at his appointment, but the shops weren't open quite that early. Instead, I enjoyed time with my new library book in Starbucks. This was a great Blue Zone activity - de-stressing at its finest. I spent some of the time sharing polos back and forth with friends and family - another blue zone principle at work - enjoying my tribe.

Karen met Michael and I in the VA parking lot. We handed off 11 dozen eggs - she handed off $55. I'm happy to have space in my fridge again.

We got home to discover how everyone else was spending their day. Nolan had gone on a hike with a friend. Alex was working on mowing. Stacia was making some yummy granola bars.

Stacia and Alex came with me to Lowe's. Our goal was to pick up dirt. I knew my back wouldn't handle it; Alex's does. We almost got a mower but I didn't want to lift it. I find out now that I COULD have asked the employees to load it for me.

We headed to Walmart for a few groceries after Lowe's....and, finally, arrived back home again.

This was a welcome sight....Arielle and Nolan were sifting the dirt in the raised beds. Alex joined them. Stacia and I carried large rocks from the garden area and picked up debris which has blown into our yard over the winter.

I have a project to collect the rocks from around the yard and the garden spot and gravel the center walk in the greenhouse. Stacia and I carried rocks and made a tiny bit of leeway. LOL 

The chicks are enjoying their make-shift yard. Phoenix has begun a feeble crowing of sorts....

Benny was happy to be outside and helping anyway he could. 

Michael appears happy to be outside, too. 

Chicks are about 8 weeks old now

Novia - check out the plucked tush. This is what they've done to each other. It appears she is losing feathers along her back/tail too. There is fuzz left - rather than plucked bare skin. Maybe molting? A bit early. We have let them run around the yard the past couple of days. In the past we worried about predators, but think they may be nicer if they have more room to roam? I am not finding all their eggs - we need to figure out the best time to let them out of the yard. They always have access to the outside of the coop. 

Arielle and Benny joined us for pizza. They are showering. Michael is showering. I think we're all tired. I may try to get a work-out in. This week has not been good for work outs.  It has been a good week for moving naturally!

Gemma's Grand Day

Stacia and I spent the morning at BreZaak's. Bre had an appointment. We got to play. As happens every time we watch the kids, Gideon immediately began fort-building. 

Bella opted for a bit more sleep. 

It was a beautiful day so we headed outside after breakfast. 

"King of the Hill"

 Ah - SWEET! My first giant bouquet from Bella. Gideon is bringing some too1 

The back stoop was their stage. Bella their play director! 

Auntie Stacia and Bella

It was SO nice, we texted for permission to break out of the fence! 😏 We walked around the block, noting homes for CoRielle to check out, and stopped for a quick, "How do you do," at our friends Carl and Brenda's. 

Gemma brought out cookies for an outside snack. Bre makes some yummy cookies. 

I could get lost in this little guy's eyes....

Gideon - 2 years old

 Bella told me, "I can't take picture." I told her it was o.k. - I'd take care of it. 

Bella - 3 years old

 I wasn't too worried about Gideon's fascination with the hose. 

 Until he figured out the spigot end of the deal. I had flashbacks to his mommy chasing Krista around the yard with a hose....we moved on.


Back at home - GEMMA TOOK A NAP and Stacia had a Japanese lesson.

We asked if we could take Benny upstairs for a bit and discovered that CoRille were on their way out to look at a possible home.

Jamin, realtor, above - Cory in crawl space

We kept Benny. We taught him the wonders of a back scratcher. You can scratch your back AND it works as a gun.

How can one be the least bit tired with this energy around? 

Benny - 1 1/2 years old

 Papa's dinosaurs continue to be a hit. 

Wonder of wonders - Gemma can make the keyboard have SOUND. He had a great time playing and singing. Ah, the singing. 

My text message notification ends by making a raspberry. Whatever. It makes ME smile! This may have led to me instilling a bad habit in Benny...but he and I had a blast. 😅😇😁 Now, CoRille get to teach him not to blow raspberries at church.

I did NOT have time to work out this morning. I have to be in Anchorage tomorrow by 7:45....I'm going to get a 45 min workout in now.

Please Tell Me THIS is FRIDAY?

We heard from Michael's doctor today. He has a few compressed discs L's and S1....this is causing nerve pain as well as back pain. Dr. B  said it could be weeks before Michael feels better. In addition to the muscle relaxant he is taking (which does a number with balance and such), he is considering chiropractor or acupuncture. Stay tuned for further adventures.  Just knowing there is a reason for the pain seems to have helped Michael.

Alex has been our muscle around here for the past couple of weeks. Today he wrestled a trailer full of trash and recycling. He also helped me bottle up a new batch of kombucha. I have my doubts about this batch - it has very little fizz. I flavored only with lemonade and strawberries - maybe that is it. It's VERY sweet though.

Nolan came home from work and began tilling in the garden plot. It's become apparent we can't wait for Michael to feel better to get this done. We'll do it in chunks and if we don't get it all done - oh well. We'll have the size of garden the kids and I can prep. 😊

I made a new salmon recipe tonight. I think this is the new favorite. They seem to say that about each new recipe. I've yet to repeat a recipe.....other than the cheesy salmon. That is still everyone's first or second choice. I haven't made it since January. Trying for healthier prep.  Tonight - we had modified Salmon Wellington.

The kids are at youth, Michael is laying down, Nolan is in bed (0400 comes early), and I'm at the library to get a bit of "work," done.....and to pick up a John Grisham book I've not read.

Feels Like Monday

We were out of the house early for the hour drive to Anchorage and the VA clinic.

Michael's back has been bad for 11 days now. Time to figure out if there is anything extra that can be done.

CoRielle are out looking at houses this afternoon. I was happy to get home and play with Benny and Stacia.  We visited bunnies and chicks. We drew on our little bit of "sidewalk." Best of all, we went for a walk...

We also fixed up a little enclosure for the chicks. We are going to have to come up with transition housing for them. We've decided not to put them in with the mean girls, until Phoenix, is big enough to put them in their places.  That means they need something between brooder and chicken yard. 😏

It was a fun day. We made steps of progress on a few projects and had lots of fun with Benny.

Memorial Day Family Celebration

Josiah called and asked if we were up to them coming out to grill.  He and Jamin went shopping, called BreZaak, Stacia made desserts, they picked up sides -  and a celebration materialized.

Benny watches Stacia and Arielle do yoga, planks and more....he's HILARIOUS. He began to entertain us all, and Jamin joined him.

Strengthen those cores! 

Ah, these belly laughs cheer our days! 

Benny - 18 months

 When BreZaak arrived with the kids, we took Bella and Gideon out to see "nature." We began with the "mean girls" aka our 12 hens. Bella said, "Ah, cute." I had to inform her they were mean cute.....but these chicks are nothing but cute.

 Our next stop was the bunnies. 

Such a handsome little dude in overalls. Is he not a darling? 

Gideon - 2 years old

Bella - 3, Benny 18 months, Gideon - 2

I want to find the directions or such for a wood play structure for the kids....big and little. I'd like swings - for big kids and littles - a slide, some climbing fort-like structure. I need to look and then schedule a work day and make it happen.  Papa and Gemma's  should be the best place in town to visit. 😉

This was a fun day. I'm glad Josiah and Jamin made it happen. I hadn't made a plan as Michael has been in much pain. He was up a lot today. Hoping for answers tomorrow at the VA.  It was a tonic to have everyone together. Good things on the horizon for the Gherkins! I will admit I missed JaRissa and Krista...but they are doing just what they need to be doing in this season.

I can announce  there are plans in the works for dad to come up and spend the summer with us. We are all excited.

10:00 - 10:30 p.m. is my favorite time to be outside now - so pretty with the sun shinning through the trees.

Is this official Alaska Summer now?