Rainbows

One question we asked people a lot was, "Why do you live here?" One common answer was "for the summers". That was the one thing I held onto during the long, dark days of winter. Summer here is supposed to be spectacular! Well, not this summer! We got a glimpse of what it could be like back in May, but by June, the sunny days were long gone. This year we broke a new record, 31 continuous days of RAIN. Since then we will have a break in the clouds for maybe a half a day, and if we are really lucky we might get a full day of sunshine, but the rain always comes back. It is a steady downpour as I type this. The trick here is taking the saying "there's a silver lining in every cloud" seriously. You have to look on the bright side of things or you could really get down in the dumps.

This is one of those silver linings. We had a complete double rainbow going practically right over our heads. To say it was beautiful sounds a little lack luster (is that really a phrase?) There are just no words I know of to describe a truly beautiful sight in this state.

Alaska - with Mom, Dad, and Sharon

It seems like a dream now, but Mom and Dad and Sharon really came to visit! It was so good to have them here. We enjoyed every minute of our visit with them. Mother worried that they wore us out, but I am sure the opposite is true. There is a lot to see in Alaska, and we wanted to make sure they got a sample of our new state home. For any one who wants to know, Dad seemed to enjoy it all. The following are a LOT of pictures of proof that they were here.

They here!!!
This farm is owned by the church and is leased to an individual. It is open for the public to come and pick. I couldn't resist the idea of having some raspberry jam so I took advantage of the help. Mom and Dad look right at home here. We put up 18 pints of freezer jam the following day thanks to everyone's help.

We keep saying that the Matanuska Glacier is a 45 minute drive up the rode from us. Anyone that has gone with us will probably argue that and win. It is more like two hours...long enough to feel like you are never going to get there, but the drive really is worth it. We even gladly pay the $15 per person fee just for the opportunity to get out and climb around on it. We keep saying that you have to pay to play in Alaska.

A close up view.
Spencer in a crevasse.

Inside of the crevasse. The crevasses really are that blue. It as to do with how all the colors are absorbed except blue. For a real explanation of how it all works, ask Bob!

I can't believe Sharon found a place to sit. I must not have gone far enough.

Dad was a little concerned about walking out to the glacier, but once on the ice he kept going and going. I was the one ready to turn around. I think Dad did really great for being 82 and walking on nothing but ice. Mother had her trusty crossword puzzles with her and waited in the car for us. I only hope that one day I can have half the patience she has. I do have a crossword puzzle book, so I'm getting there.


We tried to find this lake when Bob, Shayla, and Analee were here but we just didn't keep walking far enough.




We took two days to drive to Seward and back. This is a pretty drive that follows the Turnagain Arm and shows off a lot of Alaska's countryside. Once there we took a little cruise out onto Resurrection Bay. The whole time the folks were here it was cloudy and rainy, but even with that you get to see quite a bit.

At the Seward Military Resort. Luckily we get to take advantage of the lower rates, (mind you we are at the top of the fee scale, but still better than any of the motels in town)

Seen from the cruise boat.


The folks.
Just waiting for our turn on the boat.

We were a little sad that the sun did not cooperate. It was rainy and drizzly most of the week. We did have a little sun shine Sunday morning, so we drove up the mountain above Eagle River to see the view. It's there that you can see Mt. McKinley on a clear day. The one thing Dad would have really liked to do was see that mountain. Thanks Sharon for coming up with Mom and Dad. It was so good to have my parents here. No matter how old I get I still want my mother!

Which Shoes Would You Choose?

As I have mentioned before, I thoroughly enjoy going to quilt group. We have a great bunch of ladies of all ages that meet most Thursday mornings in the culture hall at church. The young mothers pack in not only sewing machines and their current projects but also their babies, toddlers, scooters, push toys, and walkers. Some days it can get pretty noisy with the children zipping up and down the gym floor. We manage to set ourselves up in a corner out of the way of the mayhem, and only occasionally will you hear a "Watch out, stay away from the cords!" I am glad that I have just me and my machine to get up to the church. We have worked on table runners, Halloween quilts, bigger better bags, had a few weeks trying to conquer applique, ugly bunnies, and a month crocheting beanies. Sometimes we all work on the same thing and sometimes some will bring in their own projects.

I don't know what it is but I am just not as fast as some of the other ladies. I am still working on my Halloween quilt that we started in March! Mother would say that I talk too much and yes, there is some of that...But, in my defense I have also done some other projects in between all the others I just mentioned.

In January we all received 20 squares of white fabric and went home to design our own shoe of choice. Earlier this month we had a pot luck lunch and brought our finished squares to swap. Here are just a few of what I came home with--okay most of the shoes I came home with. They were all so cute I just couldn't pick a few.

I just loved the stilettos and fishnets. The uppper right is the unofficial footwear of Alaska women, Danskos. I had never seen these before I moved here, but it almost makes you feel left out if you don't have your own pair. (I am saving up!)

Loved the high top sneakers...30 eyelets in those babies, and wouldn't it be fun to have a pair of rain boots like those?

I bet if you think back on your childhood you can tell what the upper right one is. The lower left is a mukluk trimmed with real fur.

Any guesses as to which one I did? I finally settled on one that reflected my heritage, not that I ever wore any, but it makes me think of family and where I am from. Now to stitch them all up into a quilt! Just after I get my Halloween one done! We have already chosen our theme for next year--Alaska! We take great pride in this state.

(Sorry about the pictures, I just realized they are blurry...but it takes me so long to blog, I am leaving it the way it is. Also long, I know)