Happy 2nd of March!

Or should I say...Happy Dr. Seuss Day!

This is one of the happiest days of the year, in my opinion. Dr. Seuss is one of my all-time favorite authors and I love that there's a whole day taken to celebrate him. At least...I take the whole day to celebrate him...and Green Eggs and Ham...and The Lorax...and...you get the point. My sweet friend, Jamie, painted this for me last year and it makes me smile to look at. :) (In case you're not a Seuss aficionado, it's from The Lorax...)

I showed my kiddos "The Sneetches" today in class (one of my favorites!) and, since it was something out of the ordinary, they loved it! Not only is there really cheesy singing and a toast with marshmallow sticks, but it has a pretty wonderful message. One that says, I'm ok...you're ok...we're all ok, JUST the weird way we are. :) *Sigh* If only things were so easy in real life, right?

That's one of the reasons I think I admire Mr. Geisel so much...he really preached being happy with yourself and everyone around you, no matter what the situation. There is so much wisdom in each of his books--thus, the reason his legacy is still kickin' today!

On a different note, March came in like a lamb here in Southwest AK...yesterday was one of the most beautiful-bluebird-sky days we've had in a while!

Remi and I took complete advantage and went out for a long tundra run. It felt so good!! I often feel like I solve the world's problems, or at least my own, when I'm out for a jaunt. :) I get completely in my head, which can be interesting sometimes, but I always feel so peaceful when I'm out and so refreshed when I'm done. It can be difficult to take the first step out the door, but one of my goals for this year is making exercise time, in other words, me-time, more of a priority. It just feels right, you get me?

We also took advantage of the nice weather yesterday to get some work done around the house. We took the stove stack outside and cleaned it with a wire brush--hysterical with all the wind...my face was COVERED in soot by the time we were done! I felt like I should have been singing "Chim-chiminy, Chim-chiminy" and been jumping from rooftop to rooftop. :) BUT...we got the stack cleaned and we got the ceiling finished up!! We've had one open space in the tongue-and-groove where the stack goes through the roof and it's been a source of aggravation for both of us for quite some time. So, we finally did something about it! Here's the finished product:

Isn't it pretty?! I love our little house. It makes me happier than it probably should. :) 

I also climbed up on a ladder and washed our one tough window...the triangle window opposite the loft. Good lord...talk about dirt smeared... Feels so good to get some of these things done!

Tomorrow, my brother-in-law and his lovely wife are coming to visit for the first time! Can hardly wait to have visitors! We got a delivery of fresh fruits and veggies today from a fabulous friend in town today, and I made chocolate chip cookies in anticipation. Life is always better with cookies...

Ok. I'm going now. Have a most lovely week! :)

Weekends!

Last week was a bit of a stressful week, so Bill and I decided to take some time for ourselves this weekend. It was our Winter Carnival here in the village and while we participated in some of the events, we pretty much did our usual weekend wanderings out and about. We really cherish our weekends for the peace and quiet they provide. As teachers, we are ON all week long--we very rarely have a time when we can just be quiet and enjoy the solitude of this place, so on weekends we take complete advantage of our down time. Makes for much more pleasant Monday mornings. :) 

On Thursday of last week, we decided to go for a Honda ride and check out the Gorge. Bill had been there a few days before and had seen something really interesting occurring. The Gorge is an area where the water is usually flowing top speed, even in the winter, and is a reminder of the power of water. Not this winter...this winter, the first I can remember, there is an ice dam that has formed there. SO COOL. 

We love heading out to the Gorge in all seasons. Some of the best grayling fishing can be done here in the fall, winter gives a much different feel with low water, ice chunks, and a quiet that pervades even the most active of minds, while in spring, the water rushes through at top speed, turquoise blue and gorgeous to behold. We don't spend too much time out here in the summer--too much competition from the fishing lodges in the village. :)

Another one of our favorite things to do is shoot guns. I've killed a lot of cardboard in my day...a lot. Shooting is also a fabulous way to relax after a long week of being inside. You have to focus completely on your breath, what you're seeing in the scope, and the actual shot. It makes me slow my breathing, clear my head, and take things a little easier. Something that I struggle with sometimes. :) I feel pretty lucky to be married to a guy who loves to be out on the land and take me with him. I think that's one of the reasons we get along so well. Mutual love and understanding of the peace and calm received by heading outside. Sigh...I'm so lucky. 

We feel so fortunate to get out and play as much as we do. It is something that takes precedence in our lives and something we will do forever. 
We also got out this weekend and got some wood. We found a great stand of birch and cut and packed three trees worth of lumber. Birch is lovely as it burns slowly and you really get a nice even heat. My favorite fires are the ones that are started with spruce, but finished with birch. :) I'm still learning how to light a good fire--had some struggles this week with that--but I'm learning and will eventually get it down. 

We rounded out the weekend with a glass of wine last night (part of my Valentine's Day surprise from Bill) and a viewing of one of my old favorites--"In Search of the Castaways." If you haven't seen it, I wholeheartedly recommend it as an old Disney classic. Such a wonderfully cheesy story of adventure! :) Today is also day off of school and I plan to take complete advantage. 

Enjoy your week!

Life of Adventure

The one thing my husband always promised, is that with him, I would live a life of adventure. And, for heaven's sake, has he kept that promise! We've skied the Harding Ice Field, climbed countless mountains, pack rafted swift rivers, maneuvered steep passes, and canoed hundreds of miles together. We've traveled internationally and loved every second, but we've also spent years exploring our own corner of Alaska, learning everything we can about the land we inhabit. How lucky, right?! Some of my favorite adventures, though, are the ones that happen out our own back door. Out in the wilderness we are lucky enough to call home.

We live in a part of Alaska that is pretty special. We live on a huge lake surrounded by mountains, we have a river that is home to one of the largest salmon runs in the world, and there aren't many people to contend with. :) We often go out for walks on the tundra just to see what we can see. The land is ever changing with the seasons and always brings new excitement with it. In the fall, the tundra changes from green to absolutely exploded in color, while in winter, the grays, whites, and browns prevail. Spring is fresh, with no mistakes in it, and summer brings vibrant greens and bugs for days. I look forward to the change in the season as much as anyone else, if for no other reason than the feeling of a new start and a fresh outlook. As we settle into the bleakness of mid-winter, it helps to remember that spring is right around the corner, the geese will soon by flying, and the tundra will soften and green. Until then, the sunrises and sunsets will provide me with spectacular color, and life will move forward as it always does.

Happy Tuesday!