Just Another Day

This blueberry bread completes my weekend of baking. I think it’s out of my system for a while now…

Yesterday we had a snow day – an unexpected gift from the work world. And instead of going with my first instinct (which was to be crabby all day because spring has once again been shoved out of my reach), I decided to try out a new recipe I’d found HERE a few days earlier.

I’m a big fan of girl scout cookies, and as you know, they only come out once a year. And my first year back in “the outside world” not one single girl scout sold me a box of cookies! I was devistated to learn that they’d already been delivered, and in many cases eaten, weeks ago. Lucky for me, this replacement carmel delights recipe did the trick this time around.

So today April called me to play some polka music and ask if I missed walking over to Gram’s on Saturday mornings where the greatest accordian hits would most certainly be blaring. The funny thing was, I had already had my Saturday Morning memory when I’d decided to bake up some doughnuts. It seems that growing up Gram was always working around the kitchen on Saturdays, and she’d be ready to share any number of fresh baked treats when we’d stroll over. It’s fun to have those memories, and to think about how the things we grow to love doing have been influenced so much by the people who loved us!

So – while this isn’t one of L&Ls doughnut recipes, it was pretty tasty. I chose the recipe because you bake them, and I happen to hate when the whole house and everyone in it smells like grease after frying stuff.

And the greatest part of baking yummy treats is having someone wonderful to  share them with!

My visit to Heidi and Ethan’s house was too short but still very sweet – and I’m certain it was only the first of many to come.

Heidi was the very first person I met when I was getting geared up to begin college at BSU. We happened to go to the same summer orientation day and hit it off from the start. It’s amazing to think that was nearly 10 years ago!

Heidi and I found ourselves sans husbands again this weekend, so I made the decision to FINALLY drive out to Carrington and see Heidi and her beautiful home. I am always so envious of some people’s ability to make a space feel so warm and welcoming… they have done an amazing job of renovating their place.

We spent Saturday morning snuggled up watching a little TV and then looking through pictures before heading into town. Then we had a little lunch and hit a couple of the local little shops. The day went so very quickly, and weather advisories had required that I cut the trip short and head out that night instead of today. 🙁

I couldn’t go, though, until I had eaten the marvelous dinner Heidi cooked up for me. Her sister-in-law joined us, too. It was nice to catch up with them both!

I bolted out of the school doors at 3:45 on Friday heading for the Olive Garden in Fargo. My friend, Andrea, met me for dinner. We spent a good couple of hours catching up on the happenings of the past year and the craziness of our current lives. Andrea and Jeff welcomed their third child into their family this past year – a little sister for their two older boys. Now she’s working to find a teaching job in the area… and with times being tough for schools, we know this is not an easy process. I wish her lots of luck and look forward to hearing about what the future holds for the Paulsons!

Sara surprised me this morning with a zebra mocha… a rare treat, since I’m always too lazy to grab coffee before school and too nervous to drink that much caffeine after 3:00! Of course, such a thoughtful gesture also gave me reason to smile early and some help staying warm as I watched the snowflakes fall.

Isn’t April supposed to be Spring?

I wasn’t convinced that I had arrived home to warmer weather yesterday morning. I’d slept most of Sunday away and was too tired and lazy to re-park the car in the garage after hauling my bags and groceries in. So, I headed out to the parking lot for my first day back to school and was greeted by a frosty layer of ice on my windows. Ugh.

Today, though, the sun decided to shine and warm up Baxter. I couldn’t resist heading on my first outside jog of the year. There’s something wonderful about Spring that makes me excited to get outside and move… I’m sure, though, my muscles will remind me to be sorry tomorrow!

I was a bit weary of what shape my kids would be in after a week’s worth of break; I was a bit weary of my own shape for that matter! But Monday came and went, and I found myself with 120 or so reasons for why I love my job. (And today I was reminded of why I HATE picture day… but that’s another story!) 🙂

How wonderful it was to travel back to Alaska with Bill. It was strange in a way I didn’t expect; it all felt so familiar – so much like home. I suppose you can’t give three years of your life to a place and not feel somehow connected. And so, within the first hour of being there, I realized that a piece of me stayed in Alaska when we left – the way part of my heart was always in Minnesota when we lived up North.

Bill and Barb spoiled us all week long. It was great having time together, though we missed Katie.

The grand finale to my trip was getting a chance to meet up with the Holts. Even after all the driving, flying, and mushing (!) they’ve done the past couple of weeks, they still made the drive in to Anchorage. We had a magnificient dinner at the Brewhouse Friday evening and then watched the boys swim and visited into the night. Saturday way checked out a new chocolate place in Anchorage. They serve chocolate the old fashioned way – you eat it with a spoon or drink it. Very tasty. After a little lunch and some more bumming around we headed back to the hotel, and the boys got a quick swim in before they took off. I was happy to get some time with friends I’ve missed so very much.

Bill and I went for dinner at the Bears Tooth before I got checked in for my flight.  All of our great dinners made me wish we had more unique restaurants around here – of course, we probably don’t need any more encouragement for eating out and not cooking for ourselves!

I’m a bachelorette for a couple of weeks while Bill finishes his last trip for collecting footage. I’ve got big plans of getting organized for the 4th quarter – the time goes by so quickly!

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter with friends and family.

Last night The Richardson’s came over for dinner, and we watched some of the video projects Steve has been working on. Later on Bill’s friend, Chad, from high school stopped over with his wife. Bill’s friends have always been incredibly welcoming to me, so it was fun to listen to the guys reminisce a bit and get to know Jeanette. I think Valdez’s greatest resource is it’s people. Everyone is friendly!

Today is our last full day here. The time always goes by so quickly. We’re looking forward to having another couple of weeks up here in July, though. I imagine the time between then and now will go crazy fast too!

The Bills (I haven’t figured out a good way to refer to that combo) spent a good chunk of today working on the chair. They got a lot of work done this week which makes us anxious to have it in our place. We’ll start looking for upholstery fabric back in Minnesota, and perhaps it’ll all be ready for us by the time we make our next move!

Here’s a picture of the first chair Bill made (and Rudy, of course). The one they’ve been working on is the same design… no metal involved, which makes it that much trickier and more beautiful!

Bill and I had to run an errand and decided we’d go down to the harbor and look around while we were out. The harbor has been one of my favorite spots here in town since the very first time I visited. (I can’t even believe it’s been 9 years since my first trip!) I just love seeing all the boats, and though theirs a little bit of ice in the harbor, there’s open water to look at too. It makes me that much more excited for summer!

And my favorite picture from today …

what a catch!

Barb organized a lesson at the local bead shop for today. So, we joined four of Barb’s friends for a little necklace making adventure at Glass Mermaid here in Valdez.

We spent about three hours creating our masterpieces and this is what we came up with.

This one is mine… looking forward to wearing it.

Yesterday was a pretty low-key day. Barb and I took a good long walk around town and stopped at one of the coffee shops to warm up. Mmmm! When we got home, the guys ran some errands, and I soaked in the tub for a good hour or so. Then I got a little reading in, and Barb and I watched a movie. What a great afternoon.

Last night we had some corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, and then Bill and I shared our Ireland pictures. It was a good day.

Yesterday’s rest allowed me enough energy for a little outdoor excursion today! We decided to snowshoe out to the Valdez Glacier. Barb had scoped it out on Sunday while the rest of us were out flying, and she thought it was a worthwhile trip. I couldn’t agree more!

The sun shined for us a bit, and the temperatures were perfect – if not a bit warm. (Hard to imagine with all the snow still on the ground… and falling!)

Here are Barb and Bill walking on top of one of the caves. Very explorer-ish, don’t you think?

We happened to find this tunnel. We climbed in through the bottom, and Bill took the picture from the top. So cool… literally! 😉

We kept on walking and found some actual caves.

The blue is so intense. (Glaciers look blue because it’s the only color of the spectrum that has enough energy to escape through the thick solid ice.) Up close, the ice is like smooth glass.

Tomorrow Barb and I are heading to a bead shop for a little craft project. Details to come…

Hoping you’re all well!