Sparkly Gems

This week has been full of chilly mornings.

22 above

Fall is here - and maybe winter if we're lucky.

The Secret's In The Sauce

This recipe was introduced to me by a friend about 7 years ago.

I have been making it every since.

If you try it . . . I hope you like it too!

Thai Yummy

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tsp grated ginger

3 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp rice vinegar

2 tsp chilli paste with garlic

4 cloves minced garlic

Combine all in small pot over medium heat for 5 min.

Cut up 1 lb. of tofu into small cubes.

Shred 1 cup carrots.

Slice up 1 bunch green onions.

Cook 8 oz. of fettuccine.

Toss the fettuccine, carrots & green onions together.

Sprinkle tofu on top.

Spoon sauce over top, like spaghetti sauce.

Alterations can be made: Chicken, or even no protein instead of tofu. Change up your veggies - I used broccoli in my version because that was what I had on hand. Anything goes.

Tip: sauce is a little runny when it's cooking, but if you make it ahead of time (45 min.) then cool down, it starts to thicken up again.

YUMMY STUFF!

Nesting Bowls

I made these bowls for a woman who bought some of my bowls at an auction and wanted MORE!

It made me feel so supported and appreciated.

Fresh Paint

The ENTIRE house has been painted.

A project that has been weighing on me for quite some time.

I painted every single room and hallway minus the guest room.

However, this room (with it's high ceilings) was the most daunting.

We hired a professional for it, and it was worth EVERY penny.

He did a terrific job!

And the project is complete.

Yeah!

Fall Is Upon Us

Fall is my favorite season.

It's been around 28 degrees at night.

Frosty mornings with your breath that lingers in the air.

The cranberries are ripe for the pickin'.

My only wish is that it lasted a lot L-O-N-G-E-R.

Lavender Is Growing

Her eyes have changed color, and she is getting so big.

She is curious about EVERYTHING.

Wants to be with you, but will try to bite you if she gets the chance.

Visitors

My sister and her friend - what lovely visitors.

Another visitor . . . on the bank of the river.

This bear had no idea that he/she made their trip.

We had so much fun with them.

Fishing for rainbows on the Kenai, glacier/bear viewing, lunch in Talkeetna, dinner at Saltry's in Halibut Cove,and finally a dinner party with 12 people and 9 doggies.

Wrangell St. Elias

Gregg, Guinness and I flew to Wrangell St. Elias National Preserve this week.

We landed at May Creek (unfortunately I don't have ANY pictures of it).

Made camp in the public use cabin.

Totally cute!

Explored the area in search of water.

Then made a fire and sat around it with our wine and tall tales.

The next morning, we flew into McCarthy for breakfast.

After eating, we ran into a new friend at the airport.

He invited us to his house (yurt) for dinner.

How could we pass it up?

We flew in that evening and had a LOVELY dinner and enjoyed a rainbow over his house.

Took off after dinner and stayed one more evening at May creek.

Anyone play Farkle (dice game)?

It's totally addictive and a great game for camping.

Fairbanks Adventure

Friday afternoon we flew to Fairbanks in our new Cessna 185.

83 degrees!!!!!!!

Parked at the airport campground - which by the way was AWESOME.

Then took a cab to the downtown for a little Thai food at Thai House.

Fairbanks Ice Museum

Fairbanks is very serious about their ice sculpting.
There are world sculpting events that happen in the dead of winter there.

"I'd like my drinks on the rocks!"

We also got to see the World Eskimo Indian Games while visiting for the night.
Very COOOOL!

Diamond in the Ruff

Ellen, Jan and I camped at Diamond Ridge Beach - Homer, Alaska with a dog per person.

After setting up our camp, but before our beautiful beach walk.

Around 10 o'clock we heard an airplane.

Ellen knew by the engine sound that it was Gregg.

Sure enough, the ultimate "drop-in". After a couple of fly by's he landed and said "hello". What a nice way to spend a couple of beautiful days.