The Magic of Insomnia

The great thing about insomnia in Alaska is it has the potential of being a magical adventure! I got up at about 2 a.m. and wandered into the nook. I leaned over to close the blinds so that the light from Alex leaving at 4:45 wouldn't wake me up.  What an odd fog I saw...and then I realized...it was the Northern Lights. 

 

My camera was not doing them justice. Michael loves the lights, I took a chance and woke him up. He got his "real camera" out and got some good shots.  These were taken from GG's ramp. We could stand there and be in the middle of the yard and see all directions. 

In addition to the lights the STARS were amazing last night. It's been a while since it was dark enough for the stars to shine.  We even got a bit of the meteor shower - or shooting stars as I prefer to call them. 

These are from our deck. The lights were beautiful dancing over the mountain ranges and into the trees. 

Michael mentioned the lights would be beautiful from the top of the mountain. I was slipperless, in a thin robe and didn't take the hint. Maybe we'll bundle up and go for a drive next time. LOL 

It is my intention to embrace each season. As our days shorten and the dark lengthens, we see more and more starts and light activity. One can't help but be excited about this winter blessing. 

Grand Fun

This afternoon was my turn to play with these grands! Bre had an appointment today and I look forward to my times with the kids. Bella and I tried to figure out her latch hook kit. I'm afraid I'm not very good at it, but she figured it out. 

These three had a great time creating with magna tiles. 

Unfortunately, I developed a raging headache.  I'm not really sure why. I came home and rested, we had dinner and I headed out for Bible study. The girls stayed home tonight. I declared them both in need of rest before they head out tomorrow for conference.  They sound MUCH better today. 

Hoops, Cakes and Tomatoes

These two year olds were a handful this morning. I applaud CoRielle's ingenuity in creating a basketball hoop for the boys. 

We DID have fun...I just had to up my Bachan game. I had to bring my A game today. 

But this oven! I never would have opted for this oven if we hadn't already had the stove/oven year long saga. I was ready to agree to anything...and while this one requires me to squat low to get things OUT of the lower oven...we are using both ovens quite a bit. Today, Stacia was able to bake all five cakes on her list at ONE TIME.

It is still not scratched. I clean this thing more thoroughly than I cleaned my babies. LOL  After all the drying...THIS is what I got from our garden harvest.... a bit of tomato powder, some dried tomatoes, and 1/2 a pint of pepper flakes.  I also made some yummy spaghetti sauce.... but if I can use the greenhouse space next year...I need to opt for many more tomato and pepper plants and many less cucumber varieties.  Putting this here in the hopes I'll remember next year at planting time. 

The tomato powder is YUMMY. I will use it to thicken soups and add it here and there for a zesty taste. I don't like tomatoes, but I have found myself snacking on the dried tomatoes. 

A Day at Home

I finally had a day with NOTHING on the schedule. I took advantage of the time to process the rest of our tomatoes and peppers. 

Allie is in between classes and off of school this week. I told Stacia to take the week off school too. She had pressed through with school even when she was SICK.  They need to rest as much as they can. Stacia is fighting her way back to health. They have a conference on Thursday.  Stacia felt well enough to begin planning BreAnne's baby shower cake. 

I believe she decided not to go with these pans. She'll use the top two for the bottom and then two 6 in for the top....it's going to be cute. 

I used 3 dozen eggs and made baked omelets. These are in the freezer and should make for easier breakfasts for GG when I'm out in the morning, as well as quick breakfasts for the rest of us. 

Michael worked on building a new compost bin. Alex is off work today and ran some errands and played video games. I took Allie to work. One of us will fetch her at the end of her shift. The girls are so close to getting their license we can "smell it." I think they could pass now, but we want to get more highway practice. 

I grabbed a power nap. Millie joined me and Stacia grabbed a photo. LOL  Oh - and I got two women's ministry team meetings on the calendar. 

After dinner Dad talked on the phone for quite a bit and Michael, Stacia and I played Sorry. It seems there are new rules and this does not look the Sorry I play with the grands on Wednesdays. Stacia won all three games.

Poor Millie was very sad she didn't get to play. 

Gherkins Outside of Alaska

We love Alaska. We are quickly realizing that Alaskans like to travel outside of Alaska.  We, ourselves, are looking forward to a trip to Hawaii the end of January. It's a good way to embrace winter. ::snort:: Note - all the photos in this post were supplied by others...

Josiah, Carrie and Olivia have gone outside - as in outside of Alaska. They flew from here to the NE and then drove through the NE to Florida where Olivia's grandparents live. 

We miss Livie!

 

I think, if I didn't live in Alaska, I would like to live in New England. LOL  Their last stop before coming home is Florida. Going to the beach is a totally different experience up here. LOL 

Krista has been outside most of the month of October. She spent a week+ in Guam, followed by a week in Hawaii visiting troops. She's been in Alabama over a week now and has another week in Alabama, and then Luke will meet up with her for a vacation before they fly home. She managed to fit in the Bella trip and dinner with us and a trip to the Interior with the girls between the tropics and Alabama. 

Sleeping in airports is a trick from childhood

Krista is attending two classes in Alabama. One is spiritual leadership or growth in the chaplaincy. She was the only female in this class. It's a good thing she's an introvert as many men simply don't know how to include a female in ministry. Sure, boundaries have to be watched, but shoot one could say HI in a class and not be in danger of mortal sin.  Do you spot her? She's the pale Alaskan in the middle of the shot - the female. 

Here's a shot of Krista with her flight (team). 

This is the moment when Krista seemed to gain a measure of acceptance from the guys....see the pink dot - that's our girl. 

The goal was to climb and to help your teammate get to the top - they realized she's a team player and isn't afraid of doing the hard work. 

This class is in the bag.  Some of the guys are moving on to the next class. Maybe it won't be quite so lonely in the upcoming week. This class will have one more female and two men from Alaska who know her and aren't weirded out by a female chaplain.  Not to worry, she has a tribe of female Gherkins praying her through the lonely times. This week she is taking a class for chaplains on being imbedded. She has moved to a True North billet and is imbedded with units (thus the travel around the pacific).  This is really the Army model but it's new in the Air Force. ::wink:: 

It was fun for Krista to begin this week by attending the Maxwell Chapel. She was approached by a friend I had made when we were assigned at Elmendorf.  She and I were both pregnant in Alaska. Joanne continues to read the blog and recognized Krista.  Fun connections. 

We sure miss everyone when they are traveling...but they'll all be home by December. LOL 

October's Family Celebration

Most 3rd Saturdays of the month finds our family joining together to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, holidays...Our October birthdays are Larissa, Carrie and Little Buddy. Both gals were unable to make it, but those of us who could make it joined to celebrate Little Buddy turning two. 

I used about 2/3's of our tomato harvest and made a giant pot of spaghetti sauce. SURPRISE - Little Buddy liked it - as did the rest of us. 

Stacia made this cute cake - it started as a smash cake but it was too pretty to let him totally demolish. 

The boys are such a FUN age. I wish you could see Little Buddy's expression. He has a car in one hand and smooshy frosting in the other. He's in heaven. Check out Danny's expression. Next month is his birthday. 

The kids were happy to show him the joys of frosting. He was more interested in playing with the little cars on top. He wasn't quite sure what to do with the presents - but again - lots of kids to show him how it's done. LOL 

Jojo (23 months old) found his happy place at the buffet. LOL 

The kids were happy to take one of Little Buddy's gifts and play it right away. We were happy to divert them to the hallway. Win - win. The little bowling set was a hit. 

Bre is 8 months pregnant. Allie and Bre took advantage of the time to catch up. 

It was a fun day. It was especially nice that Izaak was in town and could join us.  We missed Luke and Krista, Cy, Carrie and Liv, and Jared and Larissa....maybe next month. LOL 

AND this was the new stove/oven's first trial - worked well - except for the broiler that got away from me. LOL 

Hello, FRIDAY!

 Some weeks Friday is more eagerly welcomed than others. This week I celebrated surviving the past week. 

Stacia and I woke this morning glad we had combined girls' study this week.  I was also happy not to have my 0530 zoom meeting this week.  She finished her school week. Allie did some research on a project. The big appointment still left on the calendar for today was Millie's trip to a new groomer. She has always gone to one recommended to us by a couple of folks. She has not liked it. She plants her rump on the ground when we walk in, and we have to drag her to the back. They always shave her VERY close. The cheapest it has ever cost was $95 and most often $125.  We've been trying for over 6 months to get into another groomer we wanted to try. They book 3 months out. Millie needs to be trimmed more often than 3 months. I love her long hair; the matts are not fun at all for her or us. 

We were amazed at the change in Millie's attitude when we went into the new groomer. She ran to greet and sniff the groomers, then came back to us and sat, then ran up to greet them again....no frenzied barking.  One of their gals came in and saw Millie and begged to groom her. She has a doodle too. Millie went right back with her. They tried to leave some length, but it's been months and we knew she'd need to be shaved. Even there they used a 7 on most of her...the other place goes significantly shorter. 

When we picked her up, she was happy. It only cost $80...significantly cheaper. Unfortunately, they are booking 3 months out. We went ahead and booked her 6 weeks out just for a good wash and blow out...and then 3 months for a cut...they'll put her on the wait list and hope that she can get in at 8 weeks. 

Nolan came and picked the girls up to spend the night with him. They'll come back tomorrow for our monthly family celebration. 

I made another 3 dozen deviled eggs as the 2 doz I had put aside for tomorrow were GONE by lunch today. I have found a way to prep eggs they must like. 

Michael and Alex discussed 1 Sam 25 at lunch. 

These are the last flowers of the year.... I am happy with the flowers which grew. Unfortunately, I did not dig the Dahlias before the frost. It isn't supposed to be frosting yet. LOL I'll have to start from seeds again next year.... I'll start them earlier.  I think I'll try some dinner plate sized ones, as well.