Tempermental Sewing Machines, Stories, and Chocolate

Yesterday Christy invited me over to help sew chair covers for Lacey's classroom that she had volunteered? :) to make. It was a great day even though both of our machines decided to act up, but we figured it out and sewed on. We shared inspiring stories, peanut butter cups, and fresh juicy carrots. And Princess Lyla was wonderful. Thank You Christy for a fantastic day. I hope we can do it again real soon. By the way, we finished all 27 chair covers too.

Aprons

The other day I came across some stories of aprons.( I have no clue how I ended up there) It got me remembering about my Grandma. She was one of the hardest working people I have ever known. I don't remember her smiling much but you could sure feel her love. Some of the other things I remember fondly are sharing a bowl of fresh peaches ( with salt of course) or having a bowl of raisin bran ( still my favorite) in the evening while we watched Gunsmoke with Grandpa. But of all my memories I can't ever remember her without an apron. So I got out the sewing machine and made my own apron , it just makes being in the kitchen feel more special. I found this poem by Tina Trivett who wrote it for her Grandma and it seems to describe mine as well.

Grandma's Apron
by Tina Trivett

The strings were tied, It was freshly washed, and maybe even pressed.
For Grandma, it was everyday to choose one when she dressed.
The simple apron that it was, you would never think about;
the things she used it for, that made it look worn out.

She may have used it to hold, some wildflowers that she'd found.
Or to hide a crying child's face, when a stranger came around.
Imagine all the little tears that were wiped with just that cloth.
Or it became a potholder to serve some chicken broth.

She probably carried kindling to stoke the kitchen fire.
To hold a load of laundry, or to wipe the clothesline wire.
When canning all her vegetables, it was used to wipe her brow.
You never know, she might have used it to shoo flies from the cow.

She might have carried eggs in from the chicken coop outside.
Whatever chore she used it for, she did them all with pride.
When Grandma went to heaven, God said she now could rest.
I'm sure the apron that she chose, was her Sunday best.

Ham, Potato and Corn Chowder

Winter is coming! That means lots of soups and stews and BREAD. And what could be better than to have the bread hold the soup.

Willow Creek

We took a little drive to Willow on Saturday, and of course we took the long way. The road over Hatchers' Pass has the most fantastic views. It was a beautiful day. I found a place I could just stay forever. It has water, trees and peace ( and not to many people).

Veggies...

Dad and I went out to Pyrahs' farm today in Palmer and brought home some yummy vegetables.
There is nothing like fresh potatoes right from the ground. There were more snow peas and carrots but they were just to tempting, so I had to sample a few.

Mother Nature Responds

Reahna passed her driving test today with flying colors. She is now a licensed driver. Right after we got home from the DMV at 10:20 this morning we had a nice little earthquake that shook the house pretty good. I guess you could say this milestone in Reahna's life has caused the earth to tremble : )

Watchful Eye

Yesterday morning was beautiful. I was outside working on the fence and it was so peaceful. You couldn't hear anything except the river. There was just a slight breeze and I happened to look up and sitting there watching me was one of the eagles that lives nearby. I guess he was enjoying the quiet Alaskan morning too.

A New Look

A few weeks ago we picked up some wood fencing that was being replaced. We figured if we couldn't use the wood we could burn it this winter in the wood stove. This is the before picture of a shed that was here. Well we needed a place to put tools since someone around here is always working on a car. So I thought this thing might have possibilities. This is the before picture of the outside. The inside was too awful to even take a picture of it.


I used some of the fencing as siding. It kinda looks like an old miners shack so I guess it fits here in Alaska.


I'm still working on the inside. Dad said if he had known what I could do with power tools he would have given me some .

A Little Gnome Repair

The other day when we were in Anchorage we found some Gnomes that wanted to come back home with us. But they didn't stay too long at our house, except for one. He had been in some kind of mishap and was missing the top of his cap. I'm glad I could help him out. Now he wants to stay forever (:I wonder if he could be a long lost son :)

Fun Friday

Today we decided we needed to get away and relax. So, we stopped at Subway for a couple of sandwiches, packed some chips and drinks and went to Crow Creek. I took pictures and just enjoyed the beautiful day and husband panned for gold. It was great. Just the right temperature no wind and hardly any mosquitoes.

Glad I Was Listening

When you are in school you sometimes wonder if you will ever use some of the stuff you learn. Well......I finally got to put to use that square root thing. Believe it or not there is a lot of math in building a set of steps and knowing how to find the square root of a number is just one of the steps.

A Step Up

This past week-end the back steps decided they wanted to take a break, literally!

So on Monday Amanda and I decided we would build some new ones.

Then today I finished the hand rail. They may not be perfect, but they're very sturdy and level.
And we got them done. Now on to the next project. Not quite sure what that is yet but I am loving these tools so I know there will be one.

Mack and Roxie and little ones (6)

They're all moved in. I think they are going to like it. Now it's easier to play with the puppies!

Got Tools?

I do now. Garic gave me a surprise present today. My very own POWER TOOLS!!! I can hardly wait to get started. What a great son to know just what his mom wants. I won't have to borrow anything for the next project. And by the way, these will be under lock and key when they are not in my hands. Thank You Garic you're awesome!

Apples,Apples and more Apples

The local Carrs/Safeway sometimes has boxes of fruit and vegetables that are only $10.00 for the whole box because they may be bruised or need to be sold fast. Well, I thought since I can't be outside because of the rain, may as well can some apples. Do you know how long it takes to peel core and slice 40 lbs. of apples and then process into 12 quarts? 4 hours! And to top it off the sun started to shine and it turned out to be a beautiful day outside, but I stuck with the apples even though I was tempted.

Welcome to the family Hank and Horatio

Our newest members to the 'Gnome Game'
Hank is very friendly and can hardly wait to be introduced to another yard.
Horatio on the other hand will probably sleep through the whole ordeal!

Dog House Update

Well I almost finished before the rain started. I did get the roof and the porch on though.We started on the pen. Then had to take a break when the sky started leaking. Oh well, we needed the rain.

The Dog House

Last week I started building a dog house. I have never worked with power tools to much, but now I want my own. This is so much fun! I hope to get some more done today after I get all the
'Have to get done stuff' done. This is what I have so far. I started with a pallet and went from there. Yes that is insulation stuffed in the floor. Don't want the doggies to get cold feet:)




Next was the inside walls and the frame


Then the roof


And now lots of insulation



Then of course this stuff they call Ty-vek ,not quite sure what it does but I think it's some kind of waterproof stuff. I see it on all the houses so I figured my dog house needs it too. Dad came home , saw how I had done and said he knew who was going to build our cabin. Buddy calls it
'Beefy'. One of Reahna's friends said if I put a T.V. in he'll live in it. I'll post more pics when I get farther along.

This Is For Ginny --- Corbans' Day at Grandmas' House

We made cinnamon / raisin bread
and oatmeal / butterscotch cookies
We did the laundry
Had to do a little bike repair to put the chain back on
Then off to the river for lunch
Sunshine, a sack lunch and a river! What more could you want?
A game of Pooh Sticks off the bridge . Of course Corban's stick won!!!
He has a pretty good throwing arm too
That's Strange! I don't remember that being there when I left.

Back at home for some popcorn and a movie

We had a GREAT DAY!!!!

Scavenger Hunt - Recycled

In the remodeling/finishing of this house we have been trying to keep the cost down as much as possible, sooooo we recycle all we can. It's not that hard with as many family members in construction as we have. The kitchen needed a pantry and since there was this little walk through area (no idea why it's there) it was the perfect place. The only thing we bought was the shelf paper and a box of screws! All the wood, the door and the trim came from a remodel the boys were working on. The paint came from a free pile at a yard sale last summer and the shelves are old wood closet doors. I love it.

Scavenger Hunt - Sweet

Yep, they are really sweet. Had to get up early to get the picture before they are all gone.

Are They Done Yet ?

Brunos' favorite day of the week is when we make dog food. He gets to be the taster and he really enjoys his job. He is sitting so patiently waiting for it to cool.

One day this past week I made some white chocolate/macadamia nut cookies and a cup of raspberry tea and with the snow out side and the house all quiet (which doesn't happen very often) I decided I might like to sit and read for a while. So I chose a book I hadn't read that looked pretty old well needless to say when I opened it and saw it was published 111 years ago in 1898 I got sidetracked and never did get back to that chair. Oh but I did eat the cookies while I was on the computer checking out all the rest of the old books on the shelf.