Tis The Season

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Alaskan Summer

Where did the Alaskan summer go? It stayed behind a rain cloud most of the time. I headed back to AZ earlier than usual just to warm my bones.

I hope all of you have a wonderful winter. I'll be soaking up the sunshine in Arizona.

The ice is melting on Big Lake.

It should be open for boating in just a couple of days.

Yippey!!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow......

Winter is going out with a bang.........

The high today in Big Lake, Alaska was 39. The ice roads are starting to melt so watch were you drive if you're out on the lake as there's overflow in several spots.

It's been awhile since I've posted. I can only chalk it up to being very busy. I've returned to college and loving every minute.
I'll try to do better from now on....Hope all of you have a blessed Easter.

Freeze Up

Big Lake is rapidly freezing. Yesterday you could still cross the lake in a boat but there was ice starting to build around the edges of the lake. It's doubtful that anyone is crossing today.

If the temperature stays below freezing for the next few days, you'll be able to cross by foot in about a week and you should be able to drive across in about 10 days depending on what you're driving.

It's always an adventure in Alaska.

Swans

Three beautiful swans paid us a visit today on their way south for the winter. What a wondrous site to behold. When I think of a swan, I think of grace and beauty at it's very best.

What's it like....

Current Temperature is 28 degrees and it's foggy.

They are predicting partly sunny and in the 40s during the day for the next 4 days.

We may have our first snow next Tuesday.

It's getting down into the 20s at night but the lake is a long ways from freezing.

Daylight Or Lack Of, oh my.....

Summer Maximum Daylight (June 21st)
Anchorage - sunrise 4:20am sunset 11:42pm approx.
Barrow - sun does not set
Fairbanks - sunrise 3:51am sunset 12:47am the following day

Winter Minimum Daylight (December 21st)
Anchorage - sunrise 10:14am sunset 3:42pm approx.
Barrow - sun does not rise
Fairbanks - sunrise 10:58am sunset 3:07pm approx.

contact U.S. Navy Observatory website at www.usno.navy.mil for any location.

Soup Day

What a great day for a pot of Red Cabbage Soup as I let the world go by. I'm content reading a good book, sitting by the wood stove as my pot of soup simmers on the stove.

Alaska Oven Fries

The last of the potatoes have been dug so there's no better time than now for Alaskan French Fries.

A healthy way to make french fries - once you try these you'll never go back to the old "frying" method. Enjoy!

30 min cook time
10 min prep time Serves 3

8 Alaskan med. potatoes or whatever you have on hand
1-2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Seasoning salt...I use Windy Creek Harry's Seasoning Blend from Alaska
Pam Cooking Spray

1.Wash and cut potatoes into french fry sized strips.
2.Place potatoes in bowl and add cool water to cover potatoes.
3.Wash out off the starch then drain the potatoes and pat dry.
4.Mix in the olive oil and seasoning salt, coating them evenly.
5.Spray Pam on cookie sheet, then place potatoes on sheet.
6.Cook at 350 F for approximately 30 minutes...turning once.

Serve and enjoy!!! Try using sweet potatoes for a change of pace....

A Fall Day

It doesn't get much better than this. What a beautiful Alaskan fall day we had. The sun graced us with it's presents and decided to spend the whole day with us. It was beauty as it's best and I was lucky enough to see it.

More Alaska Facts

Alaska was purchased by the U.S. from Russia in 1867. It became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the largest state in area (twice the size of Texas), but ranks 49th in population.
Alaska has 17 of the 20 highest mountains in the United States including the highest peak in North America - Mount Denali.

Top 10 Must Sees

Glaciers, Inside Passage, Native Arts & Culture, Wildlife Viewing, Historic Mining Towns & Areas, Museums, Sportfishing, Trans Alaska Pipeline, Russian Heritage, National Parks & Monuments

Rhubarb Snack Bars

I just picked the last of the summer rhubarb and this is what I made. Hope you enjoy making and eating these bars.....yum!!!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings 24

Ingredients:
CRUST;
1 1/2 cups oatmeal, regular (uncooked)
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
3/4 cup butter or margarine
FILLING;
6 cups rhubarb, chopped fine
1 cup sugar
1 tbsp. lemon peel or juice
2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup water
3 or 4 tbsp. cornstarch
3 oz. package of cherry or strawberry jello
1/4 cup of sliced almonds (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or spray bottom and sides of 9x13 baking dish.
Crust: in a large bowl mix oatmeal, flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg. Cut in the butter until mixture is crumbly. Press 3 cups of crust mixture into the bottom of the pan to form a crust.

Filling: in a large cooking pan, combine rhubarb, sugar, lemon peel and vanilla. Boil for approximately 4 minutes over medium heat, stirring frequently. Meanwhile in a small bowl, mix cornstarch, jello and water together. Stir until smooth. Add to the cooking rhubarb mixture. Continue cooking until thickened, approximately 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Pour cooked rhubarb mixture over crust. Sprinkle remaining crust mixture on top. If desired sprinkle with almonds.
Bake 35-40 minutes. Allow to cool before cutting bars....

I found this recipe at recipetips.com.....and I tested it....and it's easy and good....................

Alaska Facts:

Approx. Population: 650,000..................... State Flower: Forget-me-not
Captiol City: Juneau ...................... Tree: Sitka Spruce
Largest City: Anchorage ...................... Bird: Willow Ptarmigan
Area: 587,878 square miles ...................... Motto: North to Alaska
Coastline: 33,904 miles
Highest Point: Mt. Denali
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean - Sea level

Surprise of Red

While taking a walk in the woods, on the island with our dogs, we came across this beautiful surprise of red.

And The Fog Rolls In

At this moment I'm living in my own little world.

The fog has rolled in & I can't see past the dock.

There's no crossing the lake til it lifts.

So I'm confined to this fog of a life.

What'a Sauce!

This is so easy and may be used over broiled fish and chicken or tossed with pasta. Dress it up with green onions, garlic, bell peppers or a dash of red pepper if you want. It just depends how you're using it.

3 tsp. of cornstarch
12 oz. of clear chicken broth
3 tsp. of lemon juice.... to taste

Combine all 3 ingredients until smooth. Cook over medium heat stirring constantly til it boils and thickens....

If you're adding minced garlic or chopped bell pepper add them to the cooking sauce to heat thoroughly..

That's it....very easy....Serves 2-3