April 2010

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tuesday, and one other thing

April 29, 2010 in alaska, parenting | 16 comments

Tuesday was a perfect day. Sunny weather, good fun, happy kids, beach, PB&Js… my favorite celebrity.

Our day began with a field trip with J’s class to the new NOAA facility at Lena Point. The touch tanks had the most amazing starfish! I kind of want a touch tank in my house now. But I won’t put sea cucumbers in it. Those were way too spooky.

The sun was really shining on our way home, so we went for a little picnic at the beach. Bird was really sad when the bugs wouldn’t leave her sandwich alone. She’s kind of going through a screaming phase, like the world is about to end. Is this a girl thing? I don’t remember the boys being such dramatic toddlers!

We picked fiddleheads for our salad. Our first local harvest! I still haven’t made a salad. Tonight, with our split pea soup perhaps. The salmonberry flowers were everywhere, which made me so excited about berry picking season. Salmonberries are my favorite.

Then, with the intent to head home, we packed up, got in the car and drove… but the day was way too nice to head inside, so we detoured to our cozy neighborhood beach. I used to take the dogs here to swim back before kids. Believe it or not, it was actually much calmer with the kids then it was with my two crazy malamutes. And the beach was amazing. I got hot in the sun and it felt good. Really good.

As if the day couldn’t get more perfect, we topped it off with a tall glass of Ira. Ira Glass of This American Life–not on the radio, but in the flesh! Brian and I went to see him speak at Centennial Hall, which was packed to the brim. He made one funny jab at our past gubernatorial choices, but his speech was surprisingly Sarah-free. Awesome.  I’ve had just about enough of Sarah Palin as I can take, even if it is satire.

Ira said one thing that kind of stuck with me: it’s ok to be really, really bad at something if you love doing it (he was referring to his personal growth in radio). Be dedicated and be creative, and the talent will come. I’m sure I’ve heard this a million times, but coming from him it kind of made more sense.

So I am about to go be really bad at something that I love! I just registered for classes to finish my Bachelor’s of Art degree! I stopped just shy when I started working for the arts council… and then had three babies. So back I go, to finish up my last few semesters (which might turn into years with my “other obligations”). My first art focus was ceramics, but I’m branching out and doing something new this time.  I need to do some exploring and see what catches me. Any suggestions? I’m excited to the point of being giddy.  Do you think I’ll feel really old?  That’s mostly what I’m concerned about, you know.

Ah well…

To change one’s life:
Start immediately.
Do it flamboyantly.
No exceptions.
 -William James

eagle totem

April 26, 2010 in alaska, weekends | 5 comments

I can get a little overcome with emotion sometimes. I guess I kind of wear my heart on my sleeve, so to speak. Not to mention that I come from a family of criers–tears of the good sort. We all cry when we’re happy. The tears just flow, wether we’re hysterically laughing or just plain old overcome with joy.

I was moved to tears in a big way this weekend, tears that I don’t think I’ll ever forget. We were able to take part in a Tlingit totem pole-raising ceremony at the university campus, and it was powerful beyond words.  The history of the land was alive and present in the warm spring day. You could feel the song of the ages ringing through the air as the drums were played and the dances performed. Even the kids were entranced by the beauty in the ancient ritual.

The Tlingit society is divided between two moieties: Eagle and Raven.  The University of Alaska Southeast has been working to bring an Eagle totem to the campus for years now, to balance the Raven pole that has been in place since 1993.

The totem sat in the spot is was carved until the ritual began and then the 400 year old cedar surfed through the crowd until it reached it’s perch.  Brian and the boys were part of the massive rope line to hoist the pole upright. Two bald eagles gave their blessing as they danced through the sky, nearly kissing the regal pole as they soared by; wowing the crowd, and bringing yet more tears and many cheers to commemorate the occasion.  It was quite spectacular.

The young carvers were really amazing.  Two brothers from Prince of Wales, they really seemed to be striving to keep their culture and history in place for the next generations.  It was exciting to see the youth involved, from the university level on down to the wee line pullers.

Ok, for fear that I’m turning into a newspaper reporter, I will be quiet now and just share a few more pictures of the great day. Brian and I both took a whole lot of photos; I’ve created a flickr set for mine here, and when Brian uploads his, I’ll share them with you.

earth day

April 22, 2010 in Uncategorized | 4 comments

Happy Earth Day!  And a beautiful day it is here in Juneau.

It’s been fun to watch spring unfurl here again.  Taking in all the little signs of life, reacquainting myself with plant names and the watching the way they grow. Getting outside to really explore and observe.

There really is something magical about this time of year.

Have you heard this song?  Kind of fun.)

Camera Obscura – French Navy.

as it should be

April 19, 2010 in family, weekends | 5 comments

This weekend was just the way a weekend should be.  It was started with a date, a walk downtown, and a visit with friends who kindly watched our rowdy bunch.

We then took the family for a trek above Juneau on the Flume Trail to look for mountain goats (we didn’t see any but we did find some neat bones to take home for our “found” collection).

And it ended with a Sunday trip to the empty school playground, and another short walk out to the Peterson Salt Chuck.


This week is shaping up to be pretty darn busy.  In fact, looking at my calendar for the rest of spring makes me a little nervous.  Hopefully we’ll have lots of free weekends like this to keep us grounded.  Off today to register Mighty for kindergarten–yikes!

they shall mount up with wings as eagles

April 15, 2010 in family | 5 comments

Yesterday was the third anniversary of my grandpa’s death.  I was feeling a little blue about it… missing his genial laughs and generous hugs, but today I have been flooded with great and wonderful memories of this man who so influenced my life.  Those feelings are much better than dwelling on his absence.  His body now rests in a peaceful Texas field, covered in springtime wildflowers and the dappled shade of persimmon trees, and his soul is soaring with wings as eagles.

broken, bluesy whisper, sing to me tonight

April 12, 2010 in Uncategorized | No comments

Last night, we went for a long drive out to Eagle Beach with our sunglasses on, an old Ryan Adams CD playing, and all was right with the world.  It was that kind of week really.  Food, friends, sunshine and the Alaska Folk Festival.  The Folk Fest is certainly a plus to living in Juneau–a week long celebration of music, both professional and family-style bands.  Some good, some… interesting.  Always exciting.  And for as many nights as we ate at restaurants, friends’ or the beach, we made some pretty decent meals around this here joint.

Today we are back to our normal routine, luckily.  There was a time (before kids, of course) when I could have pulled all seven nights of the Folk Fest and all the “after parties”… but not anymore.  Beach fires, more rock climbing, chaos in numbers and more than a few nights of staying out past the kids’ bedtime have done this mama in.  I do hope the sun sticks around a bit longer so I can curl up at a window for a few cat naps.

Good thing I had all these distractions because I also missed my first big family event back in Texas since we moved back up here.  My cousin got married and family from near and far came in for the event.  I’m sorry I missed it but thanks to my dad and his trusty Blackberry camera, I had a picture play-by-play of the whole thing ;)  I see you were a beautiful bride, Katie love.  Congrats.  Have fun in Cancun!  And I hope my sisters didn’t dare listen to our old friend Ryan Adams without thinking of their faraway compadre, who is missing them very much.

Here’s a sampling of the fun we had this week.  Folk festivities, our first attempt at pizza on the grill (Wow! With a little work on our technique, this could be the most perfect meal ever), tide pool fishing, mango margaritas and dutch babies served with berry puree, maple syrup and yogurt (another favorite first).

Until we meet again, sweet spring revelry, goodnight Irene.  And if you are still up perusing through the blogosphere, please check out shipless ocean.  You might find some of the same running themes as here.

post-easter

April 6, 2010 in recipes | 1 comment

We had a nice, quiet weekend around here.  Egg dyeing, a visit from the Easter bunny, a few sunny days allowing us to get outside and explore.  We had Easter dinner at a friend’s house which was fun for all.  I am always amazed by what a bunch of great cooks my friends here are.  I love having foodie friends.  They are all ambitious in the kitchen, unafraid to try new things, and share the love with other people.  I always learn a lot from them and want to steal all their recipes.

So after our wonderful Easter meal, in which I couldn’t resist eating way too much, we were in need of some lighter fare around here.  I had a bunch of green chard that I hadn’t used from our CSA box last week and a batch of white beans already made, so I whipped up a variation of the Giant Crusty and Creamy White Bean recipe from Heidi Swanson’s Super Natural Cooking. Please buy this cookbook–even if for the photos alone.  It’s so wonderful.  I didn’t have high hopes that anyone would love this… after all, it’s just beans and chard that make up the bulk here (which doesn’t sound bad to me, but others might argue).  I was totally wrong.  Even the kids liked it, served over a piece of semolina bread and sprinkled with Romano cheese and olive oil.  I’m so happy that I have some leftover for lunch today.  This is definitely a budget friendly recipe.  Assuming you have the staples, it must cost around five bucks to make, between buying the beans, chard and bread.  Not too shabby.  Here’s my recipe.

Did you see this?  I thought it was neat, but I would my title would have been something a little more lively.  I don’t really think of “death” when I look at this… I guess it’s all a matter of perspective and who you’re choosing to become curious about.  My favorite person is the man with the baby in the sling–or maybe the man next to him with the popsicle.  I wonder why those two people each have eye patches?  This is like people watching from a safe distance.  I like it.

project runway

April 1, 2010 in sewing | 7 comments

And I’m not talking about airplanes.  Just so you know.  Because some people where I live actually think Project Runway is a show about airport improvement.

It seems I have a serious fashionista on my hands here.  My little Bird here has suddenly found her first love: clothes.  She can change her outfit, by herself, two hundred times everyday.  And will get every single outfit dirty so that I’m washing two hundred outfits everyday.  I have to come up with a solution to this… For now, I am just fueling the fire and making her more skirts.  And skirts for her pals.  Skirts, lots of skirts.

Too bad I don’t have serious aspirations to become the next hottest fashion designer, because I probably have a pretty good connection to get myself on Project Runway.  My sister is casting the next season as we speak.  She’s asked me to help spread the word.  I’d love to see some Alaskans represent!  If you are interested, leave a comment and I will get back to you.  You can also visit the Bunim/Murray website for more info.

My skirts are all loosely based on this very simple and *free* Oliver + S pattern.