2009 Year End Review

January
Bought the Versa!
Skiing at Alyeska
February
Mikes Birthday, Got new Camera
March
Went to Homer
Mt Redoubt Blew
April
Went home for Easter
Jacob was born!
May
Mom had surgery on her tongue
Joined St John's Softball Team
June
Megan's Parents Visited
Halibut Fishing
One year in Alaska
July
Salmon Fishing
One year at DOWL HKM
Megan's Birthday-Got Kayak
August
Grandma R came up
Camping
September
State Fair
Van "Drama"
Celebrated our 1 year anniversary with the Lion King
October
Mike was in the Academy
FLL Started
November
Mike Graduated from the Academy
G&G came up for Thanksgiving
December
BUSY!!!!
Mike one year with the DOC
Christmas
BUSY!!

Wow we were busy this year. Over all we had a great year. Buying our first New car together, getting more settled in our jobs and making new friends. We are truly blessed to have great jobs in this economy. I am so glad our family was able to come up throughout the year to see where we have been living in the Last Frontier. I keep on telling Mike "Can you believe we are Married," and he says "Yes... for over a year now." CRAZINESS!

So what are the plans for next year? Well we have the trip planned to Hawaii in January. Mike plans on going to Minnesota this summer for at least a week. Megan most likely will be working out in Kodiak this summer for a Month. We want to do more camping, hiking and snowshoeing. And of course the standard New Year Resolution of Losing some weight and getting fit. (Mike has actually started running with me so maybe we will run a 5k (3.1 miles) race together this summer!!)

Yummy!

Mike and I do not go out to eat all that often. However lately I have been going to one spot almost 2x a month... because I love love love it! Where you may ask?

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Great Harvest Bread Company... not only do they have fresh baked bread and goodies but they also make Fantastic sandwiches. My favorite strangely is Harvest Veggie it has Provolone & cheddar cheese, red onions, lettuce, sprouts, sliced tomato, cucumber, bell pepper rings, salt, pepper, and homemade roasted red pepper garlic on Honey Wheat Bread. Yes it is an all veggie and cheese sandwich but it is so yummy!

Why is it when someone else makes your sandwich it turns out so so good, but when I try to replica it it turns out not so yummy?

Merry Christmas from Java

This is where Java has been hanging out for the Christmas Season!

Snowshoeing

View of the inlet

Walking back to the Car

Sunset at 2:00 PM
At the top

Which way should we go?

Mike and I went Snowshoeing yesterday. We went to Potters Creek Trail. Once we got to the trail we decided we really would not have needed the snow shoes because the trail was so compacted. But we wanted to try them out since we got then in November, so we walked along the side of the trail in the deeper snow. We had never walked the trail before and it was up hill for the 1st half, then we turned around and getting back to the car took only 1/2 the time.

We had a great time and cannot wait to go out again.

Merry Christmas

Here is our Christmas Letter

This past year and a half has brought lots of changes for us. Obviously we got married in September 2008 and started out adventure in Alaska. WE have been exploring the state and making friends. Last winter Mike and Megan went to lots of Aces Hockey games with out friends. The Aces are a ECHL Hockey team who is affiliated with the NHL st. Lewis Blues. We also ventured down the Kenai Peninsula in March. In Homer we went to the home of the Eagle Lady, we saw the eagle feeding and over 200 Eagles. You can see some of them in the picture above. We did a lot of hiking and camping this summer in many state and national parks.

Mike has taken a job with the Department of Corrections, State of Alaska. He graduated the academy in November and is working in the Jail downtown Anchorage. He has enjoyed learning how to fish the Alaskan way called Dip Netting. Where you literally place a net in the river and pull out fish, this year he caught 12 salmon which are currently in our freezer. Along with dip betting Mike went Halibut fishing down in Homer with our friend Hans. There they pulled out a total of eight Halibut ranging for 30-80 pounds. They ended up with a cooler full of fish and split the fillets. His Grandma came to visit us is August and we went on a glacier cruise out of Whittier (the other picture above). He is now looking forward to the winter activities of skiing, snow shoeing and maybe some snow machining (snowmobiling for you in the lower 48).

Megan is working at DOWL HKM, as a Civil Engineer. She has been sewing, scrap booking, reading and working out. For her birthday Mike bought her a Kayak, so she has been cruising around the lakes and pongs of Alaska. She has been enjoying the campgrounds and hiking trails in the area. This summer Megan's parents came up and we went to Denali. Where we saw bear, moose, dall sheep, and caribou; along with a lot of hiking! The weather this summer was amazing, great weather for the softball team that we joined. Grandma and Grandpa Bjerke came up for Thanksgiving this year. It was such a blessing to have family here for the holidays.

Our Cat Java keeps us on our toes. She runs around the condo chasing her favorite toy mouse. She is also our alarm clock in the morning, demanding we feed her. Java brings us lots of joy.

We hope everyone's Christmas is full of snow, friends and family. Come visit us in Alaska

Love

Megan and Mike

Getting Lighter

Well it is going to get lighter! Yesterday was the darkest day of the year (Winter Solstice) with right around 5 hours of "daylight." Although yesterday had a thick layer of clouds so it never really got all that bright out. But to day we have about 30 more seconds of day light. Not that much but soon it will be 2 minutes, 3 minutes or 5 minutes and it REALLY adds up.

We have been so so busy lately. With the Holidays, Mike working, FLL meetings 2x a week and finding time to get our bodies beach bum ready there is no time to relax. I have not seen Mike since Monday Morning, if you really count talking to him for oh about 10 minutes as he is falling asleep and I am getting up. Only 2 more nights and he is off for a week!! (and I am off for 3 days).

We luckily do not have much planned for the weekend. We are going to Hans parents house Christmas Eve for dinner and then to a Christmas Eve Service at Church. Christmas Day we are just hanging at home, maybe with a fire. Then Saturday and Sunday NOTHING!! We would like to get out to use our new snow shoes if the weather is cooperative but also catch up on some sleep!

Merry Christmas from DOWL HKM

Here is a link to my Company's E-Christmas Card... 10 points to who ever can find me :)

http://www.dowlhkm.com/christmas09/index.html

Here is a hint: I am wearing a blue shirt under my Maroon Coat :)

Oh Christmas Tree

Before all the decorations

with the ornaments


Ready for Santa

I also got new Glasses today!
My New Glasses

Me and Java!

And a couple of Me and Mike! with Christmas Cheer!

36 day

Only 36 days until Mike and I take off for Hawaii! I know the time is just going to fly by. With Christmas in less than 2 weeks, new years in about 3 and then it is only 21 day of January and we fly fly far away!!!


This morning it was snowing when I left for work. I would say we got 3 inches or so Monday night too. Everything looks like a winter wonder land with the snow, plus all the trees have a very thick coat of frost on them. Right now we have a 40-60% change of snow every day until Christmas eve! So definitely going to be a white Christmas in Alaska.

Mike worked over time last night... again. So tonight we plan on Finally decorating the tree, before and after church. I will Post a picture of it all prettied!

Monday... Again

Seriously where does the time go? Anyone want to help me out on this one? Mike and I had a great weekend. We went to my work Christmas Party on Thursday night. It is always fun to get dressed up and see my coworkers out side of our normal office routine. They gave away a ton of awesome prizes, but sadly I disappointed Mike the 2nd year in a row and did not win anything.
Friday night we went to a retirement party for Mike coworker. It was at Lone Star. The food was good, the drinks were good and we sat at a table full of Mikes. Out of the 5 other coworkers at the table 4 of their names were Mike, needless to say learning everyones names was pretty easy!
Saturday we went and worked out together and finally went grocery shopping. We had been living out of the pantry and freezer for a good week. We also finished up our Christmas Shopping and will be sending the boxes out tomorrow! ( I forgot to bring them today...)
Sunday after church we finally went and got our Christmas tree. First we went to a out door place that we heard had beautiful trees. The trees were gorgeous... but the price tag matched it. I could not justify spending $75-100 on a 3-4 foot tree. So then we went to Lows and they really did not have any that "spoke" to use. We ended up at Home Depot and got a Nobel Fir Tree that looks beautiful in our condo. We planned on decorating it tonight (Monday), but Mike got called in to work overtime!!! So we will decorate it tomorrow. After getting the tree situated I started baking... I made a batch of puppy chow, a triple batch Cranberry white chocolate cookies, and some Christmas gift, (which I am not able to fully disclose until after Christmas). Then I went to Bible Study. Then Last night we went out to eat with Samantha, Hans, Jacob, and Hans Parents (Mark and Diane) to the Brew House. Samantha Finished her last class of College yesterday so we went out to celebrate her freedom!
Congratulations Samantha!

Time Flies

Wow time is just flying by. Did you know Christmas is only 2 weeks and 2 days away? Are you done with your Christmas shopping yet? Mike and I are almost done just a couple things left to pick up, ship out, and I have some baking to do. But we still have not gotten our Christmas tree. We plan on getting one on Sunday after church. We are super busy this week. Mike has been working days. Tonight (Wednesday) we have Youth Group, Thursday is my work Christmas Party, Friday is a party of Mikes old Coworker, and Saturday is a dinner with our Dinner For Nine group at church. I guess I do not need to cook much!

Last night we wrote up and printed off a Christmas letter to send out with our picture card thingy. Now to find time to fold the letters, stuff the envelopes and put them in the mail.

Well gotta Run!

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit

Grandma, Megan and Grandpa

G&G at Chair Five


Caribou


Orange Sky's (The picture does not do justice)

Dall Sheep

Musk Ox

Majestic Elk

Grandma and Grandpa had a great visit. We hung out a lot at the condo, playing games, went to movies and ate lots of great food. On Friday Mike and I took of work to go for a Drive down to Girdwood. It was a beautiful day. We left Anchorage around 10 just as the sun was peaking over the mountains so the sky was full of orange and pinks! Halfway to Girdwood we stopped to have a closer look at some Dall Sheep who were munching on the grass. Then we went to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. (http://www.alaskawildlife.org/) We saw Moose, Caribou, 2 types of Bison, Musk Ox, and Elk. Mike found an Elk that was posing for him! After the Conservation Center we drove back north to Girdwood and went into Alyeska Hotel and Resort to show G&G the Mountain that we go skiing on and look in the hotel shops. We decide to go to Chair Five for Lunch and then stopped at the Girdwood Bakery to pick up a couple apple fritters for breakfast Saturday Morning. Friday night we played a couple games and hung out with Samantha, Hans and Jacob. I was so sad to drop G&G off at the Airport on Saturday Morning but I know they had a great trip.

So who is coming to stay with us Next?

December = Busy

I cannot believe it is already December! Where has 2009 gone? Is Christmas really only 24 days away, holy smokes that is crazy talk.

Mike and I have tons planned this month. I have a work Christmas Party, Mike had a Retirement party for a co-worked, we have our dinner for nine meeting, I continue to have Lego Robotics twice a week, we have youth group on Wednesday, I go to Bible Study on Sundays, and we really need to hit the gym to get ready for our vacation. We are also going Skiing at Alyeska (http://www.alyeskaresort.com/) with the Senior High Youth on the 27th.

We are going to miss being home for Christmas again the 2nd year in a row. That is one of the down sides about being 2,500 Miles away for our families. At least we have cell phones, facebook, blogs and skype to keep in touch with each other. I am anxiously awaiting the Christmas Eve Candle Light Service! At least this year Mike can come too! (last year he was working nights).

I went to work today... Mike, Grandma, and Grandpa went to the Anchorage Museum. We are having Homemade Chicken BBQ pizza for dinner tonight, yummy. We might go to Blind Side tonight. I love having my Grandparents up here. I have to admit they have spoiled us almost rotten since they have been up here; buying our Christmas gifts, taking us out to dinner, and playing numerous games with us (Sorry, Dominoes, Life, Trouble, and Yahtzee.) I don't want then get on the plane Saturday. :(

What to Choose?

Why is Health Insurance, 401k's and money all so confusing?
I mean I think I am a fairly intelligent woman, with a Bachelors Degree in Engineering, I should be able to figure this stuff out, right? Wrong I am just as confused as everyone else in the world. Many of you may or may not know that I am a little, OK maybe a lot, OCD about money. I hate making big decisions that could potentially turn out badly. Since it is the end of the year I have to make all these decisions about:

what health insurance policy to be on?
if I am going to put more into my 401k?
do I want Short Term disability?
do I want to go on a Aflac supplemental insurance (Short Term, Cancer, ICU, Hospital Stay, ect..)?
do I want vision insurance?
do I want a HSA (Health Savings Account)?

I hate making decisions it literally eats me up inside. If money grew on trees I would max out my 401k, sign up for every insurance possible just to be sure I am covered. But it does not, so I am stuck here wondering what to do.

Here is what goes through my nerdy head:
Will Short Term Disability Pay off or would I be better just putting the premium in savings? Would it be smarter to just have a health saving account to pay for glasses or does vision insurance make more sense?
Should I increase my contributions to my 401K by 1%, 5%, more, or leave it where it is?
Am I going to be able to retire some day, or will I have to work forever!!!

That said Mike and I are truly blessed to have great jobs and have all these options available to us. I thank God everyday that we have health insurance, good jobs, a roof over our heads, and each other to complain to.

But why can't God just come out and tell me what to do.

Julie and Julie

Tonight Grandma, Grandpa and I walked to Julie and Julia. It was amazing. I loved it and I would recommend it to any one! The movie was funny, genuine and good hearted. I have not seen a movie like that for a while. When we left for the movie there was about 1/2 inch of fresh snow. When we left the movie there way at least 4 inches maybe more like 6 inches! It is perfect for a holiday weekend!!

I hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving. If you have no where to go you can come to my place we have plenty of food. If you would like to come here is the menu:
A 22 pound Turkey with stuffing and gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Home made Cranberries
Fresh Candied Yams
pumpkin Pie
and mulled apple cider

Our friends Jay, Melani, and their daughter Anna are bring a salad
Grandma and Grandpa brought Grandpa's Bread from Minnesota!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The darkness is here

Today's Daylight
sunrise 9:30am
sunset 4:02
4 minutes and 22 seconds of daylight lost
6 HR 30 MINUTES OF DAY LIGHT TODAY.

Only one more month of getting darker until it gets light again (December 21st). At least we have some snow to reflect the light we do have .

Grandma and Grandpa get here tomorrow! I am so excited!!!

HAWAII HERE WE COME!

HAWAII HERE WE COME!

Yep you read that right Mike and I are headed fro Hawaii! I am so pumped, we leave in just over 60 days. We are going to Honolulu for 2 days, primarily to see Pearl Harbor. Then we are going to hop over to Maui for a week of fun in the sun with my parents! I actually woke up smiling this morning thinking in 2 months I will be on the beach with sand between my toes anda fruity drink in my hand (with an umbrella in it), sun tanning!

Does anyone have suggestion of what to do on either Island?

This also means that I really need to get in to shape before we go! Yikes, I have not been in a bathing suit since our Honeymoon in September of last year. We just do not have beaches to swim in here.

Are we skipping Thanksgiving?

When did Thanksgiving become less important than Halloween and Christmas? Are we skipping Turkey day this year??? Mike and I went to Kohl's and Target last night because I wanted to get something to send to my friend for Thanksgiving, since it is her favorite holiday. So we go in and there are no, that is right ZERO, Thanksgiving decoration left. The store is playing Christmas Music, their Christmas decoration are hung but there are no Thanksgiving or fall decorations... anywhere. We find one hand towel in the clearance section. Then we go to look for a fall table cloth, since we are hosting Thanksgiving. there are about 3 or 4 different styles of fall themed table cloths but all for a oval or circle table, ours is more rectangular... you have to be kidding me!

So I find a couple things to use my $10 Kohl's cash on, since it was about to expire and we head to Target. Target has Christmas stuff up but thankfully did not have Christmas music playing. Again all the fall stuff was on Clearance except for a few basic table cloths that happened to be orange. We did find a Orange fall table cloth that had leaves of it, on clearance. But I am still angry that Thanksgiving is no longer a holiday for the consumer world. I think it is just because stores are trying to get people to buy more for Christmas, since you do not do gifts for Thanksgiving.

I personally Love Thanksgiving. To be around family and friend eating amazing food and stuffing yourself with Turkey! With no requirements of giving gifts! Actually just giving thank for making through the year, for your friends and family, for our health and the experiences that make us who we are.

So my Challenge to you is to Celebrate Thanksgiving, even is the store of America are forgetting about it.

Busy Weekend

Mike and I have had a super busy weekend. Friday we went out to dinner with our dinner for nine group at church. We went to the restaurant at the end of our street called Rays Place, it serves Vietnamese food. I had vegetable fried rice and Mike Teriyaki Steak. After dinner we went to the Aces game. It was a good game but we lost 3 to 2 in Over Time. Then we went to Kohl's since they were open until midnight. We spent $65 and saved $175. We got a heating mattress pad for our bed... it is so nice.

Saturday we went to an Open House for a my coworker. It is a beautiful house in south Anchorage with an amazing kitchen. Then I had FLL where the girls did an awesome job programing the robot! Saturday night Mike and I went to the Aces game again. They won 7-1! It was a good game with 6 of the goals scored in the first period. We had to leave 1/2 way through the 2nd to go and pick up Samantha, Hans, and Jacob from the Airport. They came back from the sun and the fun in Arizona and Nevada.

Today we went to church this morning. It was youth Sunday. They did a great job leading the service. For the Sermon we had a Nooma video that we have seen with the youth before. Mike and I highly suggest watching some here is the web address Nooma.com, you can also find some on Youtube. This afternoon I made Cream of Mushroom soup, a red kale/ bean soup and prepped the Brussel Sprouts for dinner. Then I went to Bible study. When I got home we had Steak and Brussel Sprouts. They were very yummy. Here are links for the recipes that I used for the soups.
Cream of Mushroom

http://homecooking.about.com/od/soups/r/blss2.htm

Red Kale and White Bean Soup

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/02/rustic-red-kale-and-white-bean-soup.html

and the Brussel Sprouts

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/goldencrusted-brussels-sprouts-recipe.html

Raspberry Chicken

Recipe for Raspberry Chicken from Frozen Assets

6 servings

1/2 cup raspberry preserves

1/2 cup frozen pineapple juice concentrate, thawed

1/2 cup soy sauce

2 T rice Wine vinegar

1/2 t chili powder

1 1/2 t curry powder

1/2 t garlic powder

1/4 cup fresh raspberries mashed

6 boneless, skinless chicken breast

Serving day

1/4 cup fresh Raspberries

Cooking Day

Combine all ingredients in freezer bag and freeze

Serving Day

thaw chicken completely and place sauce and chicken in large baking dish,

cover at 350 for 30-40 minutes,

Remove from oven and transfer chicken to serving platter, top with fresh raspberries.

Todays the Day!

First off Happy Veterans Day! A huge thank you to all the men and women serving our country!

Today I got our first CSA Box from Glacier Valley Farms (http://glaciervalleycsa.com/). After work I went to One Family Birth Center and Natural Health in Anchorage as it is one of the drop off locations for GVF. I loaded my veggies and fruit from the box with my name on it into my reusable shopping bags and headed home.

Here is what I got for $35.

From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, VanderWeele Farm:

5-Alaskan beets

1 stock-Alaskan Brussels sprouts

4-Alaskan onions

5-Alaskan parsnips

1 bag-Alaskan carrots

From Outside:

3-certified organic Red Canal pears

2-certified organic Cameo apples

16- certified organic cremini mushrooms

2 bunches-certified organic red kale

3-certified organic Honeyboat delicata squash

1 bunch-certified organic parsley

The Kale and Brussel Sprouts
This is one Giant Parsnip

Mike and I are going to be eating health now!!

Graduation

Mike Graduated from the Academy on Friday. I am so proud of him. Here are some pictures.

The Anchorage Crew

All 31 graduates from around the state

The Badges

My Office

Here are a few pictures of my office, the few from it, and a moose in the park!

Having a Blonde Moment

Well I feel Blonde today. FLL meets on Saturdays. Today I was the only leader who would be there that had a key. I had it in my head we met from 2;30-4:30... guess what, we meet from 2:00-4:00. I showed up 30 minutes late, and NO. ONE. Was there. I feel so bad. I am going to bring extra treats on Monday to make up for it to the girls but I feel so bad for the parents. Sorry.

100th post

Yep that is right since March 29th 2009 I have made 100 posts. Crazy. I have never been one to keep a journal (or like English/writing at school) but I really like blogging. It is nice to be able to post my thoughts, what Mike and I have been up to, and my crafting/baking. (I know our Families in Minnesota like it) It is almost like a digital scrapbook! (which is nice since I am way behind on regular scrapbooking.

Not much is new with us. We have Youth group tonight. Tomorrow I am giving Mike a Hair cut. And Friday he graduates from the Academy!!

We are also getting super excited about my Grandparents coming up! It will be awesome to have family up here for Thanksgiving. Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, stuffing, gravy, salad, cranberries and Grandpa's Bread!! They are going to try to bring up some lefsa too! My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

On another note it is getting dark up here. the parking lot lights are on until 10 AM and then come on again at 4 PM. sad sad sad. I hope some snow comes soon, as it will help lighten the darkness.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX?

I just ordered our second box from the CSA. I am really excited about this one since I know how to cook and we like almost all the food, and there is more fruit! Only one more week till I pick up my first order!!

To be delivered 18th November 2009
From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, Vander Weele Farm
Alaskan Yukon potatoes
Alaskan carrots
Alaskan onions
Alaskan garlic
Alaskan celery root

From Outside
certified organic Pinova apples
certified organic Concord pears
certified organic Valencia oranges
certified organic red butter lettuce
certified organic frisee (a type of lettuce)
certified organic Jewel yams

November Meal Plan

2. Pot Stickers
3. Salmon
4. Ravioli
5. Breakfast
6. Out for Mikes Graduation for the Academy
7. Raspberry chicken
8. Spaghetti
9. Tater tot hot dish
10. Halibut
11. Baked potatoes
12. Chicken w/ squash
13. Dinner for 9 at rays
14. Hockey
15. Steak with Brussels sprouts
16. Turkey burgers with grilled beets
17. Parsnip soup
18. Pork chops in crock pot
19. Grilled Chicken
20. Salads
21. Scrapbooking/ left over’s
22. Pasta bake
23. ???
24. Salmon
25. Chili
26. Turkey Day
27. Leftover turkey
28. Halibut
29. Out some where
30. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Birchwood Fall Retreat

Soccer

The Chapel

Fire

Pumpkins

Leslie, Megan and Alisha

Twig with Ice

Mike and Megan by the lake

Games in the Lodge

Sun Rise

We had great weather and company at the Birchwood Fall Retreat this weekend. There were about 20 youth and 5 adults from St. John. Friday night most played capture the flag with glow sticks. We played a few games like shuffle buns and fruit basket upset. Saturday we ate good. We ate all weekend, our cook Bernita was awesome pumpkin pancakes, taco salad and chicken with mashed potatoes and corn oh my.

Saturday our youth leader Jay organized a game of professor, where the adults built a model then one youth from each team looked at the model and had to tell their team how to build it, but the rest of there team could not see it and the professor could not touch it. It was a lot of fun and all the youth participated.

We had free time in the afternoon where the youth played football, soccer, went on hikes, played games, and carved pumpkins. The pastor at St John came out in the afternoon and did a communion service at the out door chapel. After dinner the camp managers Steve and Marie organized a scavenger hunt with clues through out the camp. We had 2 teams competing the freshman vs everyone else. The freshman won by about 2 minutes. Then we had a camp fire with s'mores down by the lake.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween, a little early. We have "big" plans for Halloween. We are going out to Birchwood Methodist Church Camp for the weekend for a youth trip. (http://www.birchwoodcamp.org/) I love going out to Birchwood, it is beautiful out there. I hope that it does not rain, it is not "supposed to. It will be chilly but I can handle cold.

Mike has one more week of the Academy!! YIPPIE! His co-workers got tased earlier this week, but her had proof that he had already been tased so did not have to suffer that again. Today he will be maced ... again for the third time in his life. But he only has to get it in one eye. It still does not sound fun to me.

Hope you get more Treats than tricks!

Whats in the Box?

Just got an email for Glacier Valley CSA. For the box I ordered here is what we will be getting
11 and 12 November 2009
From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, VanderWeele Farm:
Alaskan beets ***
Alaskan Brussels sprouts ***
Alaskan onions
Alaskan parsnips ***
Alaskan carrots

From Outside:
certified organic Red Canal pears
certified organic cremini mushrooms
certified organic red kale
certified organic Honeyboat delicata squash
certified organic parsley

If anyone has some good recipes for the ones with *** next to them please let me know. Some I have never cooked before.

I already plan on making cream of mushroom soup with the Mushrooms, since that is the only way Mike and I will eat them!

Community-Supported Agriculture!

Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a "green" or some could say a "Granola" concept.

According to Glacier Valley Farm (GVF) CSA (http://glaciervalleycsa.com/) a CSA is
"a community of people who pledge support to a farm operation so that the community feels a sense of ownership of and responsibility for the farm. The growers and consumers support each other and share the risks and benefits of food production. Subscribers to the CSA program pledge some amount in advance to cover some of the anticipated costs of the farm’s operation. In return, they receive shares in the farm’s bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from connecting with the land and participating directly in food production. Members also share in the risks of farming, including poor harvests due to unfavorable weather or pests. By selling directly to community members rather than selling their produce wholesale, the growers receive better prices for their crops and gain financial security, because they have a guaranteed market for their vegetables."

I have been researching this for a while. Most CSA you have to buy a "share" for $500 for the summer and you get a bag/box of veggies every week. However I love the GVF concept where you can decide when you want to buy a box and that the program is mostly year round. It only Costs $35. Another cool thing about GVF is that they deliver to a ton of places around Anchorage. So you choose the drop off location and then each week or whenever you order you just go pick it up at a convenient location. Here is the list of food that will be in the boxes delivered on this week:

From Alaska’s Glacier Valley Farm, VanderWeele Farm: Alaskan potatoes (these will be a colorful combination of purple, red, and yellow!) Alaskan Brussels sprouts Alaskan onions Alaskan garlic

From Outside: certified organic Red Delicious apples certified organic Bartlett pears certified organic pomegranate certified organic Romaine lettuce certified organic radishes certified organic Fuyu persimmons

As you can see everything is also organic, which is a huge plus, especially here in Alaska. The grocery stores do not have a good selection of organic fruits and veggies if you ask me. GVF also supplies recipes on how to bake some of the more "foreign" vegetables

The next pick up date is on November 11th. I think we are going to try it. I will report back on how we like it.

To find one in your area look at this web page http://www.localharvest.org/

Edit: After writing the post I emailed GVF asking how much you get. Nancy with Customer Service has already emailed me back ( less than a 1/2 day) saying that the box averages between 18 to 20 pounds. So it costs 35 dollars for 20 pounds of organic fruits and veggies, that is less than $1.75 a pound!! CRAZINESS!!! I cannot wait until November 11th now!!!

Craft Fair

Yesterday Mike and I went to the craft fair/ Fall Festival at our church. We had never gone before but I am glad that we did. We bought a Northern Lights Coupon book from the youth. Which is the same concept as the Happenings book in the lower 48. It has a lot of coupons for restaurants and also a ton for tourist type activities in Alaska. And a large portion of the money goes to the youth fund at church.

We also bought this super, super cute wine bottle snow man for a local artist. I fell in love with is and HAD to buy it!