Because She Is So Much More Articulate Than I

Lisa has a great post about the need for health care reform over at her place, "That's Why."

Go ahead and stop by.

This is a timely issue and needs to be addressed with intelligence, not with a bunch of political malarkey. We'll never get anywhere if an open and earnest debate isn't allowed to occur.

The Lodge At Black Rapids Glacier

!WARNING! Many linky-links ahead!


Here's a quaint little place that we traveled to a couple of week-ends ago.

Actually; it's changed a bit over the years. At one time it looked like this; and later like this. It was always great spot for folks to gather and share some fun.

The original incarnation was around 1914 located on The Valdez to Fairbanks Trail. There were various roadhouses along this route for weary travelers and freighters who journeyed this rough territory at all times of the year.

Our accommodations were not nearly as rustic as the past roadhouses of this location. We stayed one night and enjoyed the hospitality of the hosts and splendor of the area.



The dining room is the perfect place to experience the Northern Lights. We weren't so lucky as to catch them this trip as they were dormant that night. Darn it!

We had a lovely dinner of baked beans and smoked ribs with salad and a peach torte. Afterward, we admired all of the various iron work and art though out the Lodge. A number of local artists and craftsmen (and craftswomen-not sure what the proper PC terminology is these days!) have donated their skill and works of art to make this a truly special and spiritual space.

We slept on great beds and departed the next day after a relaxed breakfast.



Some of the locals come by for coffee and a bit of conversation. If you call ahead, you can join the guests for dinner. The proprietors love to have a roomful of folks at the table and you needn't stay the night to enjoy the lovely view from the awesome deck.


There are plenty of nooks and crannies for reading or meditation;


and lovely views from every window. The fireplaces alone are works of art, and I can totally see myself parking my tuk-us in front of one to nap; err, I mean read the paper some long winter's evening.

We left by 10:00 A.M. on the hunt for the Wild Alaskan Blueberry. I think that we found about a half a gallon; certainly enough for some Blueberry Vinaigrette. We need to find much more, for hotcakes!

Let me just say, wild blueberries are the best thing for vinaigrette! Yum!!!

Anyway, if you're ever in the neighborhood and want to visit a beautiful place just stop into The Lodge At Black Rapids Glacier. Tell 'em Vikki sent you!

(Of course, they'll say, "Vikki who?!!)

A little meme lifted from Diane's Place.

Here's a cute meme that Diane started. Just let her know if you use it so that she can post the results on her blog and throw some linky-linx love her way. She has a sweet blog! Dive in!


1.] How come I can never find: ANYTHING in my purse except when I'm on to looking for the next item??! I suffer the same dilemma when searching for stuff in my fridge. I must streamline!

2.] I wish I'd never started: Not working. I haven't had a job in the three+ years that I have lived in Alaska. I've now become worried that I'm past the age of a "desirable hire." Hey--I hear that the governor's job is available... JK!!! ;)

3.] I wonder why: Murphy's Law is so prevalent in my life? If something can go wrong, it will. You can take that one to the bank!

4.] Mama always told me: That she only had kids in order to avoid having to do any household chores: inside or out. Not in so many words, she just let me know from her loving example.

5.] There's this one thing in my closet that I just can't seem to get rid of: The Mickey Mouse T-Shirt from my youngest daughter that she picked for me on a trip to Disneyland that the kids took with their Dad and step-family years ago.

6.] My favorite guilty pleasure is: Actually getting a whole six hours of sleep! It's usually the first three hours, then up every hour on the hour or worse; aaarrrruugh!!! No wonder I feel like a train wreck! You all thought that I'd say recipe research, right? Right?? I never feel guilty about that(although it is like food porn!)

7.] I always forget to: Check the toasting bread in the broiler. Ask my kids about "The Famous Bruchetta Incident!"

8.] I have never: Been overseas. I would loveLOVELOVE to go to Pompeii and Dublin.

9.] I'm obsessed with: Any new and awesome kitchen gadget! I just wish I could come up with the perfect one that everyone must have in order to make one. million. DOLLARS!!!! And to seem so smart that everyone would be amazed by my brilliance! Snork!

10.] One of my favorite memories is: Times that were shared with all the loved ones at Mom-Mom's house. She always made the best pot roast and about ten side dishes with four or five flavors of ice cream(because she could never make up her mind what her fav was!) Good times. Literally. =}

Okay, kiddies! Your turn. Come on; it'll be fun.

Reveal your inner most selves!

You know you want to!

Why else do we blog?

Kitchen Wars!!!

I never really realized how territorial I am in the kitchen. I found out when K's relatives were here for a couple of weeks.

Now; I can appreciate that everyone has their own way of doing things, as well as their own tastes AND even quirks. I'll bend over back-wards for medical needs and special diets. That is a given.

There is one thing that you can do to absolutely piss me off and that's question my tried and true in my own kuchina!

I'll spare you the details (mostly because I've blocked the memory as I was so white-hot mad that I still can't see straight.) I know that I'm a bit OCD. That goes without saying; however, I just know that a certain order of preparing the various dishes to a meal ensures the freshness of the salad; the creaminess of the sauce and the juiciness of the meat entree. I also think bread should be re-crusted in foil; in the oven-NEVER re-heated in the microwave(unless you like them rubber biscuits) and you don't dilly-dally when I hail, "Soup's On!!!!

It's hard to appear hospitable when your head is spinning ala Exorcist-style when people have crossed the boundary of what is proper in your home-court. I hope to get a handle on that for the next round of summer visitors. Funny; I never had that problem in my kitchen before. Maybe I should hone my delegating skillz.

I think I'm gonna get a sign that says, "No Entry Under Penalty Of Cast Iron Skillet Injury To all Who Presume To Order Resident Cook Around In Her Own One-Butt Kitchen!"

Or some such thing. If anyone has a better, abbreviated version of this same message, I'm open!

Amanda; is my punctuation correct?

Happy cooking, y'all! =)

News Flash!!!

Stay tuned to this station for an exciting up-date on "Why are there so many people in my kitchen???!!!!!"

A Belated Meme

I've been tagged by Saoirse Daily2 with a short meme:

The rules are:

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Copy these questions but add your own answers to them
4. Add one question to the last one, don’t forget to answer your own question
4. Tag as many as you feel like but you have to a least tag one
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.
7. If anyone catches this out in blog world is welcome to jump on board


1. Has the Economy effected you? Yes, we were thinking of buying a car, but now we'd rather think of savings. We are also trying to find more creative ways to do any home improvements around the house.


2. What flowers are blooming in our garden? Petunias, sweet peas and snap dragons. None of my perennials from last year wintered over. I'll just have to try again!

3. What are clouds like your area now? There's a grey and dreary blanket of clouds over Anchorage today and has been for the last three days. Yuck!

4. Do you ware glasses? I just started wearing glasses to read last year; but I noticed a rapid decline in my eyesight about three years ago.


5. Do you have a Target where you live? There is a Target on Muldoon. They also have one in Wasilla which we refer to as "The Deliverance Target."

6. Have you read 10 10 10? No, now I'll have to look that one up!

7. How many letters in your middle name? Three.


8. What is a good motto? "No thanks; I just had a bar of soap!"

9. What was the last movie you saw and rate it. "Benjamin Button." We just watched it with K's cousins. I thought it was lovely and would reccomend it at about a 9. Of course I'm a big sap!

10. What are you having/did you have for breakfast? Fried eggs and bacon with potatoes and wheat toast. Can't go wrong with a classic!

I'll tag Amanda.

Sorry I've been an absent blogger as of late. We welcomed some unexpected company into our home last week. They will be with us for awhile, and it gives me the oppotunity to be a mother hen once again. I'll have to start staying up a little later so I can catch up with the internets! ;)

It's Official!

Spring has sprung!

This rings true when the various fleets of street sweepers begin marching through the neighborhoods and buroughs. The dirt and dust from months of sanding to allow for traction now casts an unwanted cloud over the greater Anchorage area. The arrival of the sweepers is so celebrated that this event is usually the lead story on the evening news! I have to admit that I'm glad to see them this year too. The usual spring/summer Alaskan scurrying about is a sight for sore eyes.

I too, am ready for sunshine and gardening and relatives.

Well; I'm ready to make those preparations now. For all seven of them, at once!

AUUUGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!

Wish me luck!