Bob the Dog and Christmas 2011

This years Christmas post is tinged with great sadness. We lost our beloved bob the dog on Dec 14 to very old age. We miss him terribly, but he will always be in our hearts. Kitty is trying her best to fill the void and is enjoying the now exclusive attention. But, it's Christmas Eve and it could not be more Christmassy outside! We've had a lot of snow and it's at 4 feet now. To fill up the bird feeders for the chickadees and nuthatches he has to put on snow shoes to tramp across the yard. We're excited about Christmas tomorrow and wish you and yours a very warm and wonderful Holidays!

We discovered the date stamp on this picture: Dec. 14, 2008. Exactly 3 years ago to the day we said goodbye. 

Can you see the lighted tree in the window? So festive... (Greg suggests you tap on the picture to blow it up, it's easier to see)

We're ready for Christmas morning! 

More Moose Photos!

The cow and baby in the photos after eating their fill from Greg's brush pile (they did not leave it in tidy order) bedded down in the snow next to the satellite dishes. Greg discovered them when he walked down to the end of the driveway to retrieve the paper this morning. Since the cow didn't seem to mind his presence once he noticed them he walked casually (?) back to the house.  Once they were ready to move on for the day he had great photo ops and the photos here are a snapshot of their progression around the house and into the back woods. Oh, and it was COLD today.

They're up from their nap.

Next to the garage doors. Taken from the office window.

Cows are always watchful. Now in the back yard. 

Moving off into the woods. 

More Moose - Feb. 26, 2010

A cow moose wandered through our property. Greg was able to capture her emerging from under the deck. 

The moose is uncomfortable at Greg's close proximity exhibited by her ears laid back.

There was a calf some distance away, but she is still a mother with protective instincts.

She kind of looks like a horse in this picture. It's the ears. 

We had a dump of fresh snow last week and as usual it helps make everything look clean and bright. 

Valentine's Day 2010

As something different, we decided to drive up to Talkeetna for breakfast. We had heard a lot about the legendary Talkeetna Roadhouse so decided that's where we'd go.  It was an adventure getting into the place for the wheelchair bound (snow, ice etc), but managed as we always do. It seemed everyone else had the same idea as it was packed. The seating is tight and family style, just the thing to meet new and interesting people. The kitchen is tiny so it took a while for us to get our food, but it was delicious. They have a pastry / bakery counter that had all sorts of tasty treats, but the cinnamon rolls are what caught our eye. We brought some home. We want to return for lunch; they have some really good looking vegetarian items on their "Not Breakfast" menu. Talkeetna has a different feel in the winter without all the tourists. It's quaint and there are friendly dogs running around. 

We were thinking about it and we have not been back to Talkeetna since the first summer/ fall that we moved up here - 2004. We drove up there with Marion and Eric and ate at the Mountain Pizza place across the street from the Roadhouse. That day we drove further north to the scenic view spot off the Parks Highway where you get the first really good view of Denali. The picture below is from that trip. It was a beautiful day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Government Peak at Sunrise

I've been trying to get this picture for a couple years now and apparently never had the right camera until now. Greg gave me a Canon EOS Rebel T1i for Christmas. I'm always indicating that I want to take certain photos of the mountains around here and wouldn't have been able to until now.

At sunrise the Talkeetna Mountains are bathed in morning light. This is the view out our front door.

Lotsa Snow!

There was a huge snowstorm over the last two days and now we have two more feet of new snow.

Some perspective on the amount of snow... if you've seen the box in the summer...

this is not the best picture, but shows the amount of snow well. Look under the deck. The drive home this evening was incredibly difficult with the blowing snow and poor visibility. We were able to leave early from work and beat the rush our crowd. I can't even imagine what the roads were like after dark.

Moose are back....

With all the deep fresh snow moose have arrived to graze on underbrush in at lower elevations. We're always happy to see them.

Baby moose walking through the peace garden...

breakfast in the front yard...

mama moose finding tasty morsels up high.

Fresh Blanket of Snow

After a period of cold and dry weather where our yard was practically bare (see Jan. 17 post) and the roads were wind scoured and very slippery in places we have had a storm come through. Greg estimates that we got about ten (10) inches of fresh snow. It snowed all day yesterday, big fluffy fat flakes, it was quite beautiful, although it did create havoc on the roads as usual with slow going traffic and numerous accidents. Oh well, it dawned gorgeous and bright today. These pictures were just taken about 30 minutes ago when Greg took Bob the dog on his afternoon walk. 

Chinook Winds from Pacific Wreaking Havoc on Weather

There have been developments in the weather. The last time I posted about the weather January 10, just one week ago, we were still gripped in the worst cold freeze in a decade. Now, a week later the very warm Chinook winds blew in from the Pacific Ocean raising our temperatures from -14 ℉ to +42 ℉ in 48 hours. When the Chinook winds blow, they blow. There were winds reported in the area of 100+ MPH. It blew our cold high pressure system that had been sitting over Alaska into Canada and further South... you're welcome! I threw a little hissy fit this week when NPR was reporting the cold weather in Canada (not even part of USA) and there had not even been nary a mention of our cold weather the entire time we were stuck in the cold freeze and it was freakin' 50 below in Fairbanks... where was our love? But no, as soon as the Lower 48 even dips to 20 degrees it's a national disaster!

Of course, the warmer weather is nice, sure, but it wreaked havoc on the roads. Trust me, it was dicey-going driving on the highway with water over snow and ice. It was an unprecedented and historic, but the Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna School Districts were closed for three whole days last week because of the road conditions! They had budgeted for two "snow" days, but the third is going to be tricky. They are assuring the Senior classes that graduation will go off as planned! We are glad we did not have to commute to work yesterday as it was particularly treacherous we understand. With three days of solid rain there is now flooding because the runoff has nowhere to go as the ground is still frozen and storm drains are still clogged with snow and ice. 

It was so pleasant out today that Greg was able to go out and do a little yard work. Clear downed branches and a cut up a fallen birch tree. While this is perfect weather now for walking Bob the dog he is having trouble on the icy street, there is a glazed surface to the asphalt and he can't get any surface traction. A younger dog might do okay, but with his failing hips it's too difficult. 

Note the difference between the snow levels today and on the 10th. The snow is melting, but it will snow again soon...

Deep Winter

In case you haven't heard we are suffering through our worst cold snap on record. Temperatures haven't risen above 0℉ degrees since 26 December. One of the great things about living in Alaska are the moose. It's the time of year moose frequent our property! We see them often, but they seldom linger in our front yard. This cow and baby did yesterday for about an hour. Greg and Bob the dog had to sneak up the driveway into the house after their walk to avoid provoking an attack by the protective cow. Greg photographed them from the safety of the deck. 

I know you can't tell, but there is a moose in the picture. This represents the true distance from the deck to the moose in the front yard.

The baby moose... 

and the mama moose. If you look closely you can see steam around her nose... yes, it's truly cold here.

New Year's Eve 2008

Okay so we live in Alaska and I really can't whine about a little cold weather... or we live in the "banana belt" of Alaska apparently. And this type of cold weather only comes once or twice a winter so you will have to indulge me... we are in the middle of a serious cold snap. When Greg got up this morning the thermometer on the deck had bottomed out, which means that it was below - 25 ℉. It has been - 15 ℉ all day and now as it gets dark at 4: 20 in the afternoon I can only imagine that it is plunging again. Which means that on New Year's Eve any of our neighbors that were thinking of spending carefree moments shooting off fireworks into the wee hours like they do every year are going to be very uncomfortable! Note evil grin here... I like the peace and quiet. 

But this is a time for good cheer still, so I leave you with these words: 

A happy New Year! Grant that I
May bring no tear to any eye
When this New Year in time shall end
Let it be said I've played the friend,
Have lived and loved and labored here,
And made of it a happy year.
~Edgar Guest

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. ~John Burroughs

Best wishes to one and all for the New Year! 

Winter Solstice - Dec 20 - 21, 2008

As those of us in the Northern Lands will attest this is a very important date... the days will become longer. And as I read in a commentary in today's Anchorage Daily News on the subject it may also be a special time for Forgiveness, to ask for it, to give it... in the tradition of the extreme northern peoples, the Sami. Let's remember, tomorrow is the day that things once again "change over".

Peace Garden

Happy Solstice

Lots of Snow, latest look...

We've had bitterly cold temperatures the last several days after a front blew through and dumped a load of snow. It's been beautiful... but stay indoors and cuddle up by the wood stove weather! Bob the dog insists on his walks however, so here are some pictures to share... 

Greg and Bob the dog out on a frigid walk (-10 F)... you can tell by Bob's frost beard that it's cold!

Government Peak in the background, finally the lighting is right...

and the house nestled amongst the trees. 

A West Coast Christmas Post

It was in the minus digits today at our place and I found a fun and historic (recipe) way to keep warm this Holiday season: 

The Empress Hotel's Warm Christmas Scrumpy

(non-alcoholic)

Victoria, Vancouver Island, B.C.. 

Opened in 1908, when it was decorated with the city's largest Christmas tree and celebrated with a Christmas Eve Ball.

2 1/2 cups apple juice

2 1/2 cups boiling water

2 tablespoons maple syrup

3 drops bitters

4 cinnamon sticks

4 slices each lemon and lime

ground nutmeg

Combine apple juice, water, maple syrup, bitters and cinnamon sticks in a large saucepan. Heat for a few minutes to preferred serving temperature and to allow flavours to blend. Do not boil.

Pour into 12-ounce glasses or mugs. Garnish each with a twist of lemon and lime. Sprinkle with nutmeg and add an additional cinnamon stick for garnish. Makes 4 servings.

Hint: Use a coffee maker to keep the Scrumpy warm.

As you would have guessed the impressive Empress Hotel.

Big Snow - Day After...

As I stated in the previous post there was a weather advisory for up to a foot of snow for last night. And Greg says all total we did get about a foot. Bob the dog was in his element. Greg obliged and took a few photos on their walk around the loop. These were taken before the Borough operated plow came blowing through and plowed the loop, which will be nice, but not essential for commuting tomorrow. 

the house and yard once again bathed in fresh snow

just a different view of the house with the newspaper box... 

A View of Winter

Winter is officially and most certainly here to stay. We've had a fresh layer of snow and the forecasters are calling for more. Greg took the picture below earlier today, it's peaceful. I thought I would also add a quote I found about winter... since we have so much of it!

Winter came down to our home one night
Quietly pirouetting in on silvery-toed slippers of snow,
And we, we were children again.
~Bill Morgan, Jr.

First Snow - Next day... Gorgeous!

This picture is the day after the last post, it continued to snow during the night, but dawned sunny and gorgeous the next day, Columbus Day. Greg had the federal holiday off, I took a personal day as the State of Alaska does not recognize Columbus. Let's just say he did not "discover" America. I did get today (Friday) off for Alaska Day, perhaps our response. Anyway, back to the snow, it was beautiful on Monday, we went to work on Tuesday and had a horrible two hour commute with slow winter traffic. It takes a while for the commuters to adjust to winter roads and not "ditch dive". Of course that creates rubbernecking, alaskans are the worst at rubbernecking... Tuesday it started snowing again and when we got home from work there was an additional eight (8) inches of snow on our yard and driveway, which Greg had to deal with immediately. It's what you do when you live up north... you snow blow as soon as it snows, because if you don't it will turn icy and be hard as rock. Then it turned warm and the snow started melting... and then froze at night and now it's been cold with freezing fog... everything is covered in white from the fog. You would think it was the dead of winter... but tomorrow is a new day and a new look.

Official October Snow of 2008

We did have some snow that fell but did not stick last weekend while Mindi and Scott were here... this weekend we are experiencing the tail end of a typhoon that swept through Taiwan and Japan, it hit the higher elevation neighborhoods of Anchorage pretty hard with very high winds on Friday. They are calling for a couple inches of snow accumulation tonight and tomorrow. This picture was taken at about 10 AM. 

New (not quite) Spring Snow

The forecasters were right for once... it snowed. It's been flurrying since yesterday afternoon. For those of you who might have been under the impression that this is in addition to already existing snow, it was pretty much all gone. Bob has been wading through big snow melt ditch puddles on his daily walk this past week. But, it will melt off very quickly as it does this time of year. We were all expecting the one final (or two) last gasps of winter.

Same Early Morning Run as before...

You will note from a previous post how much darker it was when Greg took the same picture at the same location. I asked him if it was the same time of morning and he said this time it was just a little bit earlier. What a difference two weeks makes in Alaska in terms of light. I was still using the headlamp to read the newspaper on the morning commute this week, but I think by the end of next week I will be able to turn it off by the time we reach Anchorage. It's a one hour (approx. 35 mile) commute and by the time we get there now the sun is bursting over the Chugach Mountains and blinding Greg in the rear-view mirror. We welcome the sun!