Switcheroo

This post started out as a sentimental journey.

My husband and the twins tore down the wooden swingset this past weekend, and I was feeling verklempt about the passage of time and the symbolic ending to my daughters’ childhoods. Mind you, no one was sentimental enough to take a “before" picture, so I had to reach back through the annals of time to find this:



Yep. That’s the old swingset covered in snow. Unfortunately, it was also covered in ants. Carpenter ants. Wood-eating carpenter ants had destroyed the integrity of the top beam holding the swings. It had to come down. Besides, the girls haven’t used their play equipment even once this year; they’re growing up and moving on to other things. They agreed with my husband that our family would benefit more from a roomier backyard in which to run around and play volleyball.



There’s the big empty space where happy memories were once made by frolicking children. Wait a minute. Hold up. Do you see what I see?

Dang nabbit, there’s a dumb moose sabotaging my sentimental memories. Why does it look so mad? I’m not the one ruining the picture, you twig-eating skinny-legged cow. Get out of my shot, you grumpy thing, you!



Oh! Sorry about that. I didn’t realize I was ranting in front of your cute little calf.

Carry on.

Dinner last night: meatloaf (ground beef—not moose!), mashed potatoes and gravy, corn

Exactly 9 years ago:

The Moose are Afoot

Tidal Pools

A couple of weeks ago, the tide went out the lowest that I can remember ever seeing. We jumped into our rubber boots and tromped out to the water's edge to check it out.

 I'm not sure what I expect to see when the mysterious blanket of ocean water is pulled back—reefs? mermaid cities?—but there's only sand.

The kids were amazed at all the razor clam necks poking up from their hiding places in the sand. The girls discovered quickly that no matter how fast they dug with their hands, they couldn't uncover an entire clam. (You really need a shovel and the right technique to dig clams, which we weren't there to do.)

After a good long hike, we finally made it out to some tidal pools where the girls found starfish.

Lupine was more interested in barking at the seaweed; she did not trust the suspicious kelp lying all over the beach. Good dog.



Dinner last night: teriyaki chicken, french fries

Exactly two years ago:

Is It Legal to Marry a Hardwood Floor?

Exactly three years ago:

Wiped Out

You Lookin' at Me?

The amount of moose running through our neighborhood this year is kur-rayyyyy-zeee. Scratch that. They're not running anywhere. They are ambling. Strolling. Downright mosey-ing. Here's a skinny-legged twig-eater hanging out at our road's stop sign, with her yearling hiding down in the ditch behind her. I literally rolled down my window, held up my cell phone, and shouted, "Say cheese, you freakazoid!"

She wasn't amused.

Dinner last night: grilled chicken and gnocchi, green salad

Exactly four years ago:

Friday's Five: Michelle

Exactly five years ago:

Alaskan Mommy Blogs

When Life Gives You Lemons

This winter has been pretty blah. Not much snow. Cold. Icy. The kids have tried sledding, but the lack of fluffy snow has made it difficult, if not downright painful. Bumping over sharp chunks of ice can be bruising.

My 12-year-old came up with a brilliant idea. She's the figure skater in the family, so she's always thinking about ice. She asked my husband if we could make a rink in the backyard. They cleared away a large rectangle—which took all of 10 minutes, since we only had a few inches of snow—and then used the hose to begin adding water in a layering process.

Since the temperature hung at a chilly –5° over the weekend, they were able to make quick progress. A couple more layers and the kids will have smooth ice to skate on.

The area is larger than it looks in this photo, which isn't to say that it's Olympic-sized or anything, but it's big enough that all four kids can skate easily around each other.



Dinner last night: rotisserie chicken, baked potato, corn-on-the-cob

Exactly four years ago:

My Brown-Eyed Girl

October Sunset

Every year about this time, when the air cools and the snow begins dusting the mountaintops, we are treated to the most spectacular skies. We've witnessed so many gorgeous sunrises and sunsets this month. And the Northern Lights! You haven't lived until you've stood outside in the cold, dark silence under a dancing sky of blues and greens and reds.

I'm not sure which amazes me more: the colors of the sunset captured in this photo, or the fact that it was snapped on my husband's CELL PHONE.



Dinner last night: chili, rice, and cheese

Exactly four years ago:

Don't Eat Yellow Snow

Bishop's Beach

When we set out for the beach, the sun was shining brightly. We were ready for a tropical morning at the Alaskan shore.

By the time we arrived, clouds had settled in and the sky was solidly overcast. But chilly weather doesn't stop us from enjoying the outdoors. What are we? Texans?

The girls were ready to go wading, but I convinced them to stay out of the water.

They decided to dig in the wet sand, instead.

Is there anything cuter than a kid missing her front tooth?

The dirty hands, not so much.

Dinner last night: spaghetti and meatballs, garlic toast, green salad, corn

Exactly two years ago:

View from a Kitchen

Exactly three years ago:

Alaska Zoo

Exactly four years ago:

The Kindness of Neighbors

A Real Summer

Our eldest daughter has played competitive soccer for years, which has involved indoor training throughout the winter and summers devoted to team practices, games, and tournaments. Since she starts high school in the fall, she wanted to take this summer off, and our family couldn't be happier about her decision. We actually have time now to do things together, like . . .

. . . skip rocks, and . . .

. . . wade across the river, and . . .

. . . drag sticks along the boardwalk, and . . . 

. . . blow bubbles, and . . .

. . . just hang out.

This is going to be the best summer ever!

Dinner last night: chicken enchiladas, refried beans, corn

Exactly one year ago:

Where to Start?

Exactly four years ago:

Things to Do With Your Kids This Weekend: Blow Bubbles

Great. There's a Bear in My Backyard.

My 11-year-old was sitting in the family room when a black bear ambled past the windows. He literally sauntered on by.That bear took his ever-loving sweet time strolling behind our house. In fact, he stopped and peered in at my daughter, who was stretched out on the couch, reading the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy that she just checked out from the library.

You might think a young girl would run out of the room, screaming for her mother to save her. My Alaskan kid didn't even bother rolling off the sofa. She just hollered, "Mom! You better get your camera! There's a black bear looking in the window!" and went back to her book. I guess Katniss and her killing games make a bear looking through the window seem tame.

By the time I entered the room, fumbling with my camera, the big fur ball had already moved past the house into the backyard. So, here's a picture of his rear-end. You're welcome.

He headed up the path to the treehouse, and walked by the area where the kids jump onto their zipline.

Needless to say, the girls won't be allowed to play outside today. Unless they take their bows and arrows.



Dinner last night: burgers on the barbie

Exactly three years ago:

Friday's Five: Dianna

Exactly four years ago:

Uh-Oh

Bits and Pieces of Spring

We still have some snow, but we can see grass. It may be soggy and brown, but hey, IT'S GRASS.

We've raked up all the detritus that's collected in the front yard over the winter,

and we're burning it in small batches.

Kathy G asked the other day about daffodils. Well, they're finally poking through!

If you look closely, 

you can see buds on the lilac in front of my kitchen window.

A sense of warmth is tapping at the door;
And hope, a feeling out from distant lore
—Or so it seems—clears the deep refrain!

—Mark R. Slaughter

Dinner last night: spaghetti and meatballs

Exactly one year ago:

Please, Sir, I want Some More . . . 

Exactly four years ago:

Mud Puddle Fun

They Say that Breaking Up is Hard to Do

I really thought this Spring's breakup would be a doozy. We received so much snow over the winter, I figured on some flooding when it all started melting. Remarkably, breakup hasn't been bad at all. I'm wearing my rubber boots when I walk the dogs, but the ground isn't much wetter or muddier than usual.

The birds are returning in large, honking flocks to the rivers and lakes. I tiptoed down to the edge of Moose River hoping to snap some photos of the many ducks and geese swimming around, but they all flew off. They're a little skittish, I guess, after their long trip.

A few ducks flew back in and began swimming toward the opposite riverbank. I waited and waited . . . and waited some more for a couple to swim a little closer, but I finally gave up, took my camera apart, and packed it into my rucksack. 

As I stood up and started to walk away, two huge swans took that very moment to glide in for a water landing. Thanks a lot, swans! I've got a bunch of pictures of ducks in the distance that I will never look at again while you float regally by in totally anonymity. Next time, swans. I'll get you yet!



Dinner: buttermilk chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad, corn

Exactly one year ago:

Fun Overload

Easter Aftermath

I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We received an April shower on Saturday, which normally would make me very grumpy, but this year made me quite happy . . . we have beaten the largest snowfall record in southcentral Alaska's history. It's official: 133.6" fell throughout the winter of 2011–12. In case you're not sufficiently impressed by inches, that's over ELEVEN FEET of snow. Alright, I'll stop bragging now. Or is it complaining?

We celebrated a quiet Easter at home this year. I've been feeling poorly the past 10 days or so, and I just didn't possess the energy to wrangle the family out the door to church or to host a dinner. So we hung out in our pajamas all day and watched that wonderful Easter classic, Zathura. We did hide Easter eggs indoors for the girls, because, you know . . . there's ELEVEN FEET of snow in our backyard. Okay, a lot of it has melted off, but still. Brightly-colored eggs don't blend in too well with white snow.

Watching our daughters dash about searching for treats reminded me that I should never enter them in any sort of public Easter egg hunt or, for that matter, in a public treasure hunt or scavenger hunt of any kind. They possess no fear, no sympathy, no self-control. My precious angels would mow down the other children like runaway bulldozers plowing over a patch of helpless marshmallow Peeps.

Even the dogs joined in the chase. They had no idea what they were looking for, but they ran wildly about the living room just the same.

Happy (belated) Easter, and may your baskets be full of Cadbury creme eggs.



Dinner last night: ham, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, jelly beans

So Much for Spring Break

School is on break this week, and my older daughters are shuffling around the house like zombies, while their younger sisters trail after them like, well, like little zombies. Unggghhh. Arrrrgghh. Mommmmm-eeeeeee. I'm so bored! Really? You're BORED? Why don't you all go outside and play? We have a huge backyard with a trampoline and a playhouse and A SWING SET, for crying out loud!

Oh.

Never mind.

Who's up for some cocoa and a game of Monopoly?

Dinner last night: chicken enchiladas, Spanish rice, corn

Exactly one year ago:

Thinking of Mom

Snow, Snow, and More Snow

March is often the toughest month for me . . . winter feels awfully long right about now. If you believe in doppelgängers, mine probably lives in Savannah, GA, and is sitting on her porch this very minute—in cute shorts and sandals, sipping lemonade, and sketching her garden ideas in a pretty notebook with a paisley cover—while my nose is pressed up against a frost-covered window pane looking at 10° on the thermometer.

This winter is looking to break some snowfall records. We are buried literally up to our windows in the white stuff.

Did I mention that it's also quite chilly? I'm scared to walk outside.

Mutant icicles might fall on my head.

Dinner last night: lightly-battered cod fillets

Exactly two years ago:

Saturday with Sterling

I'm Ready for My Close-Up

I am sick and tired of posting pictures of moose, so I can't imagine how you must feel having to look at yet another photo of a skinny-legged twig eater. But, c'mon! This guy literally flopped down outside our family room window. He was RIGHT THERE. I didn't even have to get out of my chair.

Dinner last night: finger foods (I may not have watched the Super Bowl, but that didn't mean I couldn't enjoy the egg rolls and buffalo wings)

Exactly three years ago:

Friday's Five: Geri

A Good Old-Fashioned Winter

I feel like I'm living in the pages of a Laura Ingalls Wilder book. I'm huddled at home in front of the crackling fireplace making a corn husk doll while Pa trudges through the hip-deep snow. Okay, I'm not making a doll, but I am sitting in front of the fireplace. And don't feel too bad about Pa . . . he is trudging through hip-deep snow, but safely inside his toasty warm 4-wheel-drive truck.

For those of you who have never seen –9° on a thermometer . . .

Dinner last night: white chili, cornbread

Moose Crossing

Please, take your time.

I have nothing better to do than to sit here and watch you stroll across the road.

May I go now? Thanks. WHAT? No, I didn't. I did not call you a dumb moose. I said, that's some caboose.






Dinner last night: pork chops, mashed potatoes, green salad

Exactly three years ago:

Friday's Five: Helene

Icy Morning, Warm Heart

The upside to our recent cold snap can be found in the spectacular skies, with swaths of pink and blue backlighting the trees at the break of 9:00 a.m. What a way to start my day!

Dinner last night: chili, rice, and cheese

Exactly one year ago:

Room with a View

Exactly three years ago:

Aha! Moment

Just in Time for Trick-or-Treating

Our first snowfall arrived Saturday night. It's winter, y'all.

Dinner last night: meatballs over egg noodles

Exactly three years ago:

Happy Halloween

Cwazy Wabbits

My 13-year-old daughter came to me earlier this week and groaned, "Our field trip on Thursday might get canceled!" Oh, dear. What happened? "We don't have enough parents to chaperone!" I was shocked. Her science teacher had organized a trip to the . . . sand and gravel pit. I couldn't believe that the classroom door hadn't been knocked off its hinges by excited moms and dads pushing through to get to the sign-up sheet. I mean, who wouldn't want to accompany a group of 8th graders on a tour of rock piles? "Please chaperone, Mom. PLEASE?!" My daughter begged.

Turns out, I learned something. Mainly, the difference between concrete and cement. They are not interchangeable terms, people. Cement is a powdery ingredient—along with water, sand, gravel, and chemicals—in concrete. As the civil engineer leading the tour put it, "Cement is to concrete as flour is to bread." Also, cement comes on big ships from Korea. And I do not like the color grey when it comes to concrete blocks. Too institutional, if you ask me. I prefer buff or terra cotta.

Oh, one more thing. Oblivious rabbits hop around sand and gravel pits.

I think I've found an animal dumber cuter than moose.

Dinner last night: spaghetti, corn, green salad

Exactly two years ago:

Crazy for Forts

Exactly three years ago:

The Fog Creeps in on Little Cat Feet

El Dusto de Terminaciòn

First sighting of snow . . . won't be long until it's dusting my driveway.

Dinner last night: sloppy joes

Exactly three years ago:

Weekend Walk