60ToesInAK

Pride....

2012-02-16T15:38:00.003-09:00

...becomes the rose....

2012-02-16T12:38:00.002-09:00

Eyes of Imagination....

2012-02-16T12:23:00.003-09:00

Laugh....Cry....

2012-02-16T10:48:00.006-09:00

You HAVE to see this!!! It's just is AMAZING!!!!

2012-02-13T10:05:00.000-09:00

I HAD to post this video! It is just amazing!! I would love to learn how to do this! This guy makes it look so easy!

I'm, calling all Angels

2012-02-07T16:28:00.001-09:00

I need a sign, to let me know you're here
All of these lines are being crossed over the atmosphere
I need to know, that things are gonna look up
'Cause I feel us drowning in a sea spilled from a cup

When there is no place safe and no safe place to put my head
When you can feel the world shake from the words that are said

And I'm, calling all Angels
And I'm, calling all you Angels

And I won't give up, if you don't give up
I won't give up, if you don't give up
I won't give up, if you don't give up
I won't give up, if you don't give up

I need a sign to let me know you're here
'Cause my TV set just keeps it all from being clear
I want a reason for the way things have to be
I need a hand to help build up some kind of hope inside of me

And I'm, calling all Angels
And I'm, calling all you Angels

When children have to play inside, so they don't disappear
While private eyes solve marriage lies 'cause we don't talk for years
And football teams are kissing queens and losing sight of having dreams
In a world where what we want is only what we want until it's ours

And I'm, calling all Angels
And I'm, calling all you Angels

And I'm, calling all Angels
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)
And I'm, calling all you Angels
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)

Calling all you Angels
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)
Calling all you Angels
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)
Calling all you Angels
(I won't give up, if you don't give up)

Missing Barista VS Missing UAA Runner????

2012-02-07T11:08:00.004-09:00

I've been really bothered by something lately and thought I would post my information here and get a few opinions. Maybe I'm wrong here for thinking this way, but maybe, just maybe I have something here. Let me begin: A few months ago there was a news report that there was a UAA Cross Country Runner missing. Cheseto, a UAA champion and highly decorated cross country runner. The second he was reported missing, the Anchorage police department had a massive city search! They had every possible search and rescue looking for him! The Alaska Mountain Rescue Group, the Alaska Search and Rescue Dog Team, Helicopters, you name it, they were there and thank goodness they were. But what gets me is this: Last week a young girl went missing. An 18 year old Barista from Common Grounds coffee shop. I am appalled by what I've seen in her search. I have seen 1 photograph of 2 police men picking up trash in front of the coffee shop and nothing else. I am proud of our community the way they have come together to search for her, and in dismay on how I've seen the police NOT searching. Maybe I'm wrong, and maybe they are doing things "undercover", but I have not seen even HALF of the search as what they did for Cheseto. Why is that???

Here's a link to the photographs from the news. The first photographs are that of Mark Cheseto's search. Notice the highly trained professionals searching with dogs, helicopters, maps, you name it: http://www.adn.com/2011/11/08/v-gallery/2160569/search-continues-for-uaa-student.html#id=2160957&view=large_view

Now here are the photos of the search and rescue for Samantha, the missing Barista. Notice that it is only the community out there searching. Where are the professionals for this girl?? Where are the helicopters and search dogs??? I don't get it!! : http://www.adn.com/2012/02/06/2303494/search-for-kidnapped-barista-samantha.html

Please don't get me wrong here, I was ecstatic when Mark Cheseto was finally found safe! I was so happy that he was alive and finally in good hands to help him recover. What gets me is that if my daughter went missing as Samantha Koenig has, and not one search and rescue had been launched the way it was for someone else, I would be furious!!

I am so proud of this community! The way it has banned together to help find Samantha, and I pray that she is found very soon! I pray that justice will be done to who ever abducted her!! I pray for her family in this time of despair! May God surround you with peace and comfort, and give the family and investigators the knowledge they need to find her and bring her home safe!

The Good, The Bad, & The Frozen....

2012-01-27T17:41:00.002-09:00

Sh*t People in Anchorage (Never) Say

2012-01-27T11:37:00.001-09:00

Okay, I know some of you may not get ALL of these, but for those of you that have visited us out here, or ever been out here for any length of time might find these pretty funny!! At least I did!! ROFL! "HEY! Wear a hat....it's like 50 degrees out there!"

Aurora Borealis

2012-01-26T07:54:00.002-09:00

Although I wasn't feeling so well last night, I knew if I didn't get a few photographs of the Aurora that I would regret it. Here's a few photographs of the show last night. If I catch pneumonia from standing out in negative 13 degrees, it was definitely worth the view! I'm hoping to drive up to Fairbanks in a few weeks to get more detailed photographs, but I was still excited to get these ones. Here they are:

Waiting patiently for the Aurora.....

Then the show began....

A MESSAGE FOR ALL OF HUMANITY ~ Charlie Chaplin

2012-01-24T11:18:00.001-09:00

...Irony, The greatest silent actor gave the best speech of all time....

This Could Be Paradise~♥~

2012-01-04T10:00:00.000-09:00

My newest video with a year in review of some of my favorite photographs I have taken of Alaska~Hope you enjoy~☺

This could be Paradise~ .

R U Ready 4 2012???

2011-12-28T14:08:00.000-09:00

I just finished designing my new Alaska's Nature Photography calendar. If you don't already have your calendar for 2012 yet, I would highly recommend checking this one out! This one is completely different than my past calendars and is packed full with photographs of Alaska, along with some great facts, history, and information about things here in Alaska.

Click the image below to check out this new calendar!

Alaska's Nature 2012 Calendar by AlaskasNature

Fallen Heros Christmas Tribute...

2011-12-19T12:37:00.002-09:00

We took the kids out to the Military Cemetery yesterday to pay tribute to our Fallen Soldiers and those families that will be missing their loved ones this Christmas. The kids had to choose one grave to place their Thank You cards on. Very emotional, but it was wonderful to see how much respect they had. Some people might think it's kind of strange to take our kids to a cemetery around Christmas time, but we want our kids to how blessed we really are to have each other, and to know that there were a few times when their daddy came very close to being right here. We want them not to just live their lives to the complete fullest, but do so with compassion and respect.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."John 15:13

JBER Military Cememtery

Laying our Thank You Card down....

Saying Thank you

JBER at sunset

The Star On The Mountain

The Alaskan 12 Days Of Christmas...

2011-12-19T12:15:00.001-09:00

On the first day ofChristmas my true love sent to me
Northern lights in the night sky.

On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me
2 snow machines and….

On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me
3 sets of long johns....

On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
4 Bunny Boots...

On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
5 DAYS IN HAWAII !!!

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
6 flannel shirts.....

On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
7 pairs of Carhartts......

On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
8 Stars of Gold on a field of blue.......(refers to Alaskan flag)

On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me

9fishing rods.....

On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
10 rolls of duct tape....

On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
11 dogs a mushing.....

On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me
12 Moose a dropping....

You're Beautiful.......♥

2011-10-24T11:56:00.003-08:00

The dayswill come when you don’t have the strength
When all you hear is you’re not worth anything
Wondering if you ever could be loved
And if they truly saw your heart they’d see too much

You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
You are made for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His, you’re beautiful

Andpraying that you have the heart to find
Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you’ve held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross

Beforeyou ever took a breath, long before the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed, there was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You’re the one He madly loves enough to death
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful in His eyes

You’re beautiful
You were meant for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
You’re meant for so much more than all of this
You’re beautiful, you’re beautiful
You are treasured, you are sacred, you are His

My New Commercial From WeddingWire

2011-10-04T22:03:00.003-08:00

Here it is- my new commercial from WeddingWire. I hope it works on here. What do you think about it?

What Homeschooling Wives Need From Their Husbands

2011-09-29T12:28:00.002-08:00

On the outside, it might look like we’ve got it all together. We teach the kids, we discipline, we make food for the family, we get the kids to extra-curricular activities, we clean (sometimes)… and most of the time we do it so well that even our husbands can get the impression that “it’s all good” and that we can handle anything that is thrown at us with diligence and aplomb. Reality, though, is that we often struggle. That we worry about whether we’re doing enough, stress out about getting it all done, and even feel remarkably inadequate much of the time. Even the most relaxed, competent, confident homeschool wives have their moments of doubt and despair. But as we soldier forward in dedication to our kids and families, it’s not surprising that husbands don’t see it; that they mistake efficiency for sufficiency. We’ve gotten pretty good at what we do. But that doesn’t mean we don’t need some support. Even if we don’t say it, we homeschool wives have at least a few things that we need from our husbands, to make this whole thing work:

We need you to communicate with us. One of the ways we are able to keep going along this homeschooling journey is by “talking it out”. Remember, we spend the large majority of our time around people under the age of 18. For most of our day, we can’t even think our own thoughts because we’re busy dealing with everyone else’s thoughts and behavior. We crave adult interaction, and if you’re the first adult that walks into the house, expect to be the one to fit the bill! Talking with our spouse helps us to connect with our partner and connect back with ourselves as an adult (separate from our roles as mother and teacher), and recharge our spirits so that we can go back to the task of pouring out ourselves into our children. So take the time to talk with us. A few minutes of engaged conversation will make all the difference in our attitude, outlook, and effectiveness.
We need you to just listen to us. A lot. When we come to you and say, “I’ve had enough. I can’t do this anymore”, we don’t want you to give us 100 reasons for why that’s not true. We really want you to just listen, and to let us know how much you love us and believe in us. It’s hearing what we say and giving us emotional support, without offering solutions to the problem. This might seem like the same thing as needing you to communicate with us, but it’s not. Communicating together is when we both share in order to build intimacy and remind ourselves that we are a person beyond our roles. Your listening is about letting us get things off our chest and emotionally drain off so that we can gain perspective and feel encouraged. Think of it this way – if we’re level-headed and calm, we want to communicate together (and hear what you have to say too). If we’re emotionally overwrought, we need you to just listen (although a few supportive statements like “I’m sorry honey, I love you” or “That’s really hard, but I think you’re doing such a great job” are allowed)!
We need you to help us get away. We love homeschooling. We love our children. But we don’t want to be responsible for both every single second of every day. Just as you need down time when you return home from work, and on your days off, we need the opportunity to get away and do something for ourselves. The difference between what we do and working outside the home is that we never get to “come home” from our work…our work is the home! We need you to encourage us to take time for ourselves, away from the house and kids, on a regular basis – and to provide the help and support to make it happen! Give us a night on the town with the girls, or a trip to get a pedicure. Anything that is away from the house, away from kids, and that gets us back in touch with who we are as persons separate from “Mom”.
We need you to wear the “Responsible” hat with the kids sometimes. Because we’re with the kids 24/7, we have to be consistent about schedules, discipline, and just about everything else to keep the household running. It’s a lot of work, and it rarely is the kind of work that has a discernible sense of completion to it. But we’d like to be fun, too! When you take on some of the responsibilities around the house, including being consistent about disciplining the kids, it allows us the freedom to be less structured, less responsible, less “the heavy”, and to just enjoy the kids. Doing a load of laundry, making sure the kids eat a balanced meal, or handling the issue when Johnny responds disrespectfully are simple ways you can ease us from the burden of always being “Mrs. Responsible”.
We need you to be sure there is enough money in the budget for homeschool curricula, and to prioritize these resources as just as important as other things that you value. We don’t have the energy to battle educating the kids and battle being able to acquire the resources to do so. Having the right “stuff” for teaching makes all the difference in how effectively we can homeschool, as well as how we feel about the job we’re able to do. And to really keep us going, we need to be able to buy a few homeschool “extras”, too – resources beyond the textbooks and straight curricula that make learning fun, interesting, and exciting (science project kits, anyone?).
We need your encouragement. Homeschooling is hard. It’s wonderful and fulfilling and worthwhile, but it is also difficult. It is, in fact, most likely the hardest thing we’ve ever done. We need regular encouragement and support to keep going, because if we aren’t getting what we need to be “ok”, then we can’t give anything out to our kids. We need to hear on a daily basis that you’re proud of us, that you appreciate what we’re doing, and especially what you appreciate about what we’re doing. Don’t ever assume that we know you think we’re doing a good job. Tell us, and tell us often.
We need you to care about homeschooling, and show it. Not just in a “Of course I care about it; you’re investing in our kids” kind of way, but more in a “Hey, man – you gotta tell me what happened in the game last night” or “Check out my new iPad 2″ kind of way. Ask us questions each day about how it went. Find out what the kids are learning, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Learn what curriculum we’re using for Science, and why we chose it over the other curriculum. Listen to our questions about whether we should move on to the next concept, or spend some more time reviewing. Take the time and energy to really see what we’re doing, and to show interest in it. Knowing we’re not alone in the homeschooling journey can be the single biggest factor in how successful we are at it.
We need you to prioritize time for just the two of us. Our marriage must be a priority. It is very easy for us to get caught up in focusing everything on the kids, and for all of our energy and time to go toward them. We need you to get us away from the children, and give us time with just you, in an environment completely different from the home. You come home on your time off, to get some rest from your work environment, but we have to get away to get a break from our work environment. Plan regular date nights for just the two of us, and periodic weekend trips away, in order to help us reconnect with our roles as husband and wife. The stronger and healthier our marriage is, the more energy and resources we will have to be the best educator we can be.

Things just keep changing like the seasons.....

2011-09-22T09:37:00.001-08:00

Did you sign into your facebook yesterday?? Notice anything different? Boy, I sure did! I didn't like it at all. I can't tell if I'm coming or going over there now. I thought I would take a break and and write a blog today, but then I got a notice that my browser no longer supported blogger and I needed to download Google Chrome. Geez! I keep having to "update" things around here! Downloading, uploading, updating, upgrading, figure new things out just when I got the last thing figured out.... everything just keeps changing like the seasons! So, instead of worrying about all that today, I thought I'd post some of my new photographs of the changing seasons on my blog (since I finally upgraded to Google Chrome). Hope you enjoy the scenery as much as I do.....

We are proud to announce........

2011-08-15T12:01:00.001-08:00

Alaska Events Association is now WeddingWire Rated for 2011

Eagle River, Alaska - August 15, 2011 - WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding technology company, is pleased to announce that Alaska Events Association is WeddingWire Rated 2011 for Photography, catering, and wedding planning services. WeddingWire Rated is an annual award program that distinguishes wedding vendors across the country for their excellence. Based on hundreds of thousands of recent wedding reviews, WeddingWire Rated is the most recognized and trusted brand among engaged couples looking to find the best local businesses for their wedding.

Alaska Events Association has 3 reviews on WeddingWire. Reviews by our newlywed clients include detailed ratings and insightful descriptions about their experiences working with our business and staff. Our reviews provide transparency for potential clients, assisting them in making the most informed decisions for their big day.

"We are delighted to unveil the 5th annual WeddingWire Rated program," said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire, Inc. "Alaska Events Association has made a commitment to capturing their clients experiences on the nation's leading wedding review site."

As the largest site for wedding reviews, WeddingWire empowers engaged couples with the most comprehensive and trusted review system available. The WeddingWire Rated program provides Alaska Events Association with a simple platform to capture customer feedback from their wedding planning & photography experience. Newly engaged couples can easily access all of the reviews for Alaska Events Association on WeddingWire.com. We would like to thank our newlyweds for our WeddingWire Rated 2011 recognition.

For more information, please visit Alaska Events Association on WeddingWire at http://www.weddingwire.com/biz/alaska-events-association-eagle-river/1e9d1ac19835f1bc.html

For more information on WeddingWire Rated 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

Enjoying our summer

2011-06-18T13:41:00.000-08:00

This year our summer has just been beautiful! Since our winter was so long and cold, I decided to start catching up on some of my photography and enjoy this wonderful sunny weather.Yesterday my husband and I took the kids out to the lake and soaked up the sunshine! Here's some photographs of our trip to the Eklutna Lake:

Dipping his toes in the water

Say Cheese!

Dad teaching the kids how to skip stone.

Sunshine on their sholders makes them happy...

We DID IT!!!!

2011-05-29T13:44:00.001-08:00

My husband and I are now working together with top-rated local businesses to help you plan the total Alaskan experience! From photographers, to caterers, to DJs, to tour guides, we're here to bring you one-on-one personal and professional services. Whether you're planning a small sophisticated wedding, or a large exclusive wedding. Whether you’re planning a small corporate event, or a large Dignitary visit. Whether you’re planning a family reunion, or a retirement ceremony- we're here to help you plan a stress free event no matter what the event! Come check out our new business and if you're planning a trip to Alaska anytime soon, give us a call~ we would be more than happy to help you plan the total Alaskan experience!

ALASKA EVENTS ASSOCIATION

Box O' Decoupage

2011-03-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

So this week has been very busy- I took on the chore of re-designing my daughters' room. Since they have such an age gap, it was hard for them to agree on anything. So, my creative mind set in and I decided to combine both of their personalities into one huge project. First, let me show you what I did with an old box I had. I did this for the boys awhile back, so you might remember something similar. Anyway, here's some before and after photographs of the box o' decoupage.

BEFORE

AFTER

Time for me to go cook dinner and relax. I'll post photographs of the room tomorrow.

Pre-Supermoon Photographs

2011-03-19T13:07:00.000-08:00

Last night I went out and took some photographs of the moon to prepare for the 'Supermoon' that is going to take place tonight. I wanted to practice with my settings before hand. Here's the photogrpahs I got- I was really excited about how they turned out!

Here's more information about the 'Supermoon' tonight:

SUPERMOON RISES

Photographing the Aurora-Lessons I've Learned....

2011-03-11T12:05:00.000-09:00

I wasn't going to post my photographs today because of the devestating news we recieved about the horrific earthquake in Japan. I couldn't believe the videos that I watched on my tv! I was so heart broken for all that are envolved in this whole earth changing event. Then we started getting tsunami warnings over our tv, and we're still getting them as of right now and it's stressing me out a bit so I thought for the moment, I'm going to post a few photographs I shot last night and tell you what I've learned thru the whole "Aurora Photograph" experience. Please exuse the photography as it is not the best, this was my first time trying to photograph the Aurora and I've learned a lot from this experience and I'll let you know my mistakes.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED:
1. Make sure you have your camera set at the right exposure and ISO. This photograph was hardly visible because I had not changed the settings. I had a feeling the colors wouldn't show up like they were supposed to, but I thought I'd give it a try anyway.

2. Make sure you have and emergency tripod handy at all times. Why? As I was driving home with my family, the Aurora Borielis decided to streak accross the night sky. At the time of this photograph, I had my camera, but not my tripod. If I had my tripod, I could have gotten some AMAZING shots at the area I was because of the low light polution interfearing.

So wish I had my tripod for this shot :(

3. Make sure when you stop to take photographs with your children that they have used the bathroom before! We had to leave this awesome spot and head home because 2 little boys had to go....very badly! LOL! (No photo for this lesson)

4. The use of the tripod and opening my exposer as far as possible really brought out the colors of the Aurora. Unfortunatly, I had to take this photogrpahs from my neighborhood (since the boys had to... you know...) and my neighborhood has street lights, so the light polution interupted some of the photography.

So, with all that said and done, the next time I see the Aurora, I will have a tripod in my car, travel to a more remote area with less light pollution and give you all some better photographs. I still think they turned out pretty good for the first try.

Iditarod 2011 Photographs

2011-03-05T15:16:00.000-09:00

My husband & I took the kids out to the Iditarod this morning. I've seen it so many times, but everytime it gives me goose bumps! I just love it all! Hope you enjoy the photos:

Lance Mackey

Lance Mackey's dogs

More Alaska Photographs

2011-02-25T12:38:00.000-09:00

Ice Designs

2011-01-27T10:16:00.000-09:00

I took some photographs of the ice designs on my window. I loved the way they turned out!

It may be freezing here in Alaska, but we get some pretty awesome photographs out of it! ;)

No More Rack?

2011-01-22T15:48:00.000-09:00

Have you ever heard of NoMoreRack.com? I just found it today from the "Alaska Coupon Diva" and found some awesome deals!! Check this out!

SIGN UP FOR NOMORERACK.COM HERE

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

2011-01-18T14:02:00.000-09:00

Yes! I am yelling! LOL! After our update on the Chocolate Crisis, we found a wholesale business here in the US and we are happy to announce that we have partnered with Fair Trade Confections for 100% Organic Chocolates and Vegan selections that are 100% USA made. Fair Trade certification is a guarantee to processors, handlers, retailers and consumers, that the cocoa beans used in this chocolate were produced in a way that does no social harm. We would like to invite you to help support Project Hope and Fairness, a 501(3c) charitable organization. Its main goal is to help the cocoa farmer. Right now, they are focusing efforts in Ivory Coast, the source of 75% of America's chocolate. Go to: http://www.projecthopeandfairness.org/ to make a donation and help the West African cocoa farmers!

What does this mean for you? More selections at a better price! What does this mean for me? I get to stay in business!! We will be keeping everyone updated on our new items and new prices!

Chocolate Crisis!

2011-01-18T09:53:00.000-09:00

In a world that takes for granted the availability of delicious and affordable chocolate, it's easy to forget that the popular product actually comes from trees -- not magical elves or free-flowing cocoa rivers, sadly. But, some experts are predicting that in a matter of decades a drop in production due to changing weather and agriculture incentives may make chocolate 'as expensive as gold'. "In 20 years chocolate will be like caviar. It will become so rare and so expensive that the average Joe just won't be able to afford it," says one researcher. And if I know Joe as well as I think I do, this won't go over well.

According to a report from The Independent, much of the world's cocoa is grown by farmers in West Africa -- and the world's collective sweet tooth may not be enough to make producing the crop worthwhile for them. One of the reasons has to do with just how labor-intensive cocoa production actually is. Cultivation of cocoa takes several years, as trees are slow to mature, not to mention they deplete the soil of nutrients in the process. Meanwhile, there's better money to be made elsewhere.

Tony Lass, chairman of the Cocoa Research Association, explains:

These smallholders earn just 80 cents a day. So there is no incentive to replant trees when they die off, and to wait up to five years for a new crop, and no younger generation around to do the replanting. The children of these African cocoa farmers, whose life expectancy is only 56, are heading for the cities rather than undertake backbreaking work for such a small reward.

Cocoa production also faces competition from other crops which farmers may find more financially appealing, like for palm-oil, driven by an increasing demand for biofuels, and rubber. Changes in weather patterns, too, have crippled production in places like Indonesia that might normally be there to pick up the slack.

All this leads to one unfortunate reality that's sure to give chocoholics the shakes -- and not from a sugar-rush. "Chocolate consumption is increasing faster than cocoa production and it's not sustainable," says Lass.

In the last few decades, these factors have already led to higher cocoa prices, but in the coming years they could put chocolate out of reach for the average consumer.

"Production will have decreased within 20 years to the point where we won't see any more cheap bars in vending machines," predicts Marc Demarquette, a British confectioner who a advised the BBC on a story about the coming chocolate crisis.

Experts say that changes in agricultural practices may very well avoid a chocolate crisis. For example, if small-scale farmers banded together, they might have more influence and incentive to keep growing the crop through programs like the Fair Trade initiative.

Maybe in twenty years time, much of America's cocoa wealth will be placed behind the heavily-guarded walls of some secure military facility for safe keeping. Fort Chocs, perhaps?

In the meantime, I believe my Smash Cake Company will be closing soon. The price for chocolate out here in Alaska has risen by almost 50%. What the price for one 12oz bag of good quality chocolate would cost in December ($2.70) is now $4.89 for 11oz. I thought of raising my prices to accomidate, but not sure how well that go over for being such a small business. I guess we'll see what happens next.....

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NEWS??????

2010-11-18T16:04:00.001-09:00

There's a new awesome company on the web! You've got to check this one out!!!

She's the new and final addition to our family. With taking heed to my husband's advice, I have decided to drop all the extra activities I've been doing and go full-force into selling my Smash Cakes.

These are like nothing you've ever seen- so come check them out! :)

Happy Tuesday!

2010-11-09T10:31:00.000-09:00

This is the beginning of a new day. The Lord has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it, or I can use it for good. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving in its place something I have traded for it. I want it to be gain: not loss….good: not evil…success: not failure…in order that I may not regret the price I paid for it.

10 reasons to homeschool

2010-11-07T12:36:00.002-09:00

#10. Having to get the kids up early in the morning everyday and make food for everyone at 7 in the morning and make sure they’re dressed the right way 5 days a week can be extremely difficult and draining.

#9. You choose what subjects are most important for your child to learn. eliminating grade letters and numbers can be very helpful; many parents find that their child can learn at an ability above their grade level.

#8. No uniforms, dress code or hair rules! It doesn’t matter what you wear when you’re learning.

#7. Not having to go along with a project you think is pointless involving you to bring certain supplies to school and enough so everyone can have some.

#6. You spend that time during the day with your child rather than them spending it with people you don’t know for 8 hrs.

#5. Not having to keep up with so many different sets of clothes designated for school, more pairs of this or extra pairs of that.

#4. Freedom, being able to take PE outside of the gym, to the baseball field or around the block for a jog even in the backyard swimming pool, anywhere!

#3. This may come as a shock to some, but learning is not restricted to the walls of a classroom! If the subject is nature and biology explore the outdoors and see it in action for yourself!

#2. Being the source of what your child reads, you won’t disapprove of what they are learning. Also being able to passionately introduce pieces of literature to your child that you love.

#1. It’s the greatest way to learn and live.

Proud to "NOT VOTE"??

2010-11-05T11:00:00.003-08:00

I have to admit. I used to be the one that would say, "oh, I'm not voting this time. Maybe next time". Until just recently I read a blog from one of my good friends. She wrote how we as Americans should be proud to vote! That's what makes America....AMERICA! There are so many countries and so many people that would die to have the previlage to vote! There are men and women that die everyday for you to have that privledge! They put on that uniform everyday, they are shipped away from family and friends and are putting their lives on the line everyday for you to sit there and brag about NOT VOTING????? It takes maybe 10 minutes of your time to fill in a few circles, don't you think you owe that to those that are risking their lives for you???? I am proud to be an American, and I am proud to VOTE!

Thank you for your great post Mal! http://saenzmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/voting-if-you-didnt-my-vote-counts-more.html

Happy Anniversary Babe!

2010-10-24T19:40:00.002-08:00

My husband & I are celebrating our 13yr. Anniversary today. I made this video for him. I hope he likes it. It's a little long, it's hard to sum up 13 years in just a few minutes. Some of the photos are a little blurry because I had to scan them in. We didn't have digital back then LOL!

India Day 6

2010-10-19T11:21:00.001-08:00

There are at least 2,000 Hindu temples in India.

Many towns and cities have sprung up around a temple dedicated to one of Hinduism's over 300 million gods and goddesses. The local economy depends on income earned from religous pilgrims who might travel many days to offer sacrifices to their gods. Temples are often bustling with vendors selling flowers, rice, or animals that will be sacrificed as a ritual offering known as puja.
Madurai is known as the oldest continually inhabited city in the Indian peninsula. Its cultural heritage has been traced back as far as 2,500 years - people from this city traded with the Romans and Greeks as early as 550 B.C.!

Madurai is also one of India's famous Temple Cities. At the center of Madurai is the Meenakshi Temple - it is dedicated to the god Shiva and the goddess Meenakshi (also called Parvati). Every April, Hindus celebrate the divine marriage of Meenakshi to Shiva. Many other Hindu gods are also worshipped at this temple.

I would love to take photographs of this one day!

It is believed that the current temple was built in 1600, but ancient Indian literature refers to the temple as early as the 7th century. The city of Madurai was built around the original temple with streets placed in the shape of a lotus flower. It is believed that the original temple was destroyed by Muslim invaders in the 1300s.

Today, the Meenakshi Temple covers about 45 acres and is surrounded by 12 towers, called gopurams. Four towers facing north, south, east, and west serve as the main entrances. The famous southern tower is over 170 feet (52 meters) high! Each gopura is covered in small colorful sculptures of Indian gods, called sudhai figures.

World's largest Hindu temple

The Akshardham Temple was named the world's largest Hindu temple in the 2007 Guinness Book of World Records.

This temple is located in India's capital city of New Delhi, on the banks of the Yamuna River (considered sacred by Hindus). Completed in 2005, the temple was designed with ancient architectural styles and is built with marble, pink sandstone, and wood.

The temple building covers 32 acres

11,000 people worked on its construction

It was built in just 5 years

850 volunteers work there daily

100,000 people visit a week

Life is like a cup of coffee.....

2010-10-16T15:55:00.000-08:00

A Dollar A Day?? What about the Caste System?

2010-10-14T11:37:00.001-08:00

A Dollar a Day

Could you live on $1 a day?

Learn more about Ram Kumar and his family in this short video clip from Chris' visit today.

It is hard to imagine what life is like for kids in India like Ram Kumar. Have you ever tried to convince your parents to buy something for you by saying, "It's just a dollar"?

But for families in rural areas especially, $1 a day is all they have to provide food, clothing, and housing for an entire family. The cost of living in India is much lower than in countries like the United States, but it is still a challenge to survive on just one or two dollars of income.

Activity

Set aside some time (1 to 2 hours, maybe even a day depending on ages & schedule) during which you will pretend you are a poor family in India, living on just $1 a day.

Turn off your phones, computers, MP3 players, lights, etc. to get more of an idea what daily life is like, especially in rural India.

Here are some things you can try during this time to experience what daily life is like for kids growing up in India:

Food Prepare a simple meal of rice for the family to eat. Each person should get only a small bowl, and there should be no leftovers. As you prepare the rice over a stove, talk about how most moms in India cook over a fire, using dried cow dung or wood as fuel. Have your child add food coloring to a cup of water to make it look dirty; talk about how many Indian families only have access to water that is contaminated by trash or animal/human waste. Sit on the floor to eat your meal (and try eating with your fingers, like Chris does in today's video!).

Laundry Most families in India must wash clothes by hand. A boy or girl might only own one or two outfits. Find a shirt to wash and scrub by hand in the kitchen sink or bathtub. Talk about what it would be like to do your laundry like this every day!

Clothing Trade shoes and/or clothes with someone in your family who wears a different size. Kids in India often go barefoot, but if they do own shoes, they don't have the luxury of going to get a proper fit. They often wear hand-me-down shoes and clothes that are too big or too small.

Reading Don't read any books during this time. Many kids can't read - in fact, 87 million boys and in India who should be in school aren't enrolled, usually because their parents can't afford to send them. Lots of moms and dads can't read either (you'll hear more in Day 6 about how Mission India is helping through free literacy classes).

Fun Most kids in India don't have toys, so they make up games using whatever is around, like rocks or sticks. Make up your own game or click here for instructions on playing the Indian game Uffangali.

Talk about it:

Reflect as a family on your experience. What was the hardest thing about doing this activity? What surprised you the most? If you had to live like this every day, would your faith in God make it easier to endure? Spend some time praying for Indian families like Ram Kumar's, that they would know the joy of the Lord as their strength, and give thanks as a family for God's blessings.Print

Caste System

What do you want to be when you grow up?

A doctor? A firefighter? A veterinarian? A teacher?

In America and many other countries, children grow up and choose their own jobs. We have many choices and can work hard to make our dreams come true.

But if you lived in India, your job - and your position in society - would be determined long before you are even born. You would have the same job as your parents...and grandparents...and someday your own children would do the same work.

This is because of something called the caste system. For centuries, Hinduism has divided Indian society into four main varnas, or castes.

Sudras are the lowest caste, and do hard work and manual labor.

The Vaisya caste includes merchants, farmers, and artisans.

Warriors and rulers belong to the Kshatriya caste.

The highest caste, Brahmin, is the smallest and most powerful group. Hindu priests and religious leaders come from the Brahmin caste.

Each varna is divided into thousands of subcastes, called jatis. There are different subcastes for every kind of job - blacksmiths, lawyers, stoneworkers, etc. Often members of a jati will live and work together, forming communities based on castes. Mothers and fathers choose marriage partners for their sons and daughters from the same caste.

Words to know:

Varna: caste

Jati: subcaste

Reincarnation: an eternal cycle of life & death

Karma: you get what you deserve

India's caste system is similar in some ways to discrimination based on skin color, gender, or ethnicity. But there is one big difference: Hindus believe their gods decide a person's caste as either a punishment or a blessing.

Hindus believe the gods decide what caste people are born into based on their karma, or how they lived in a past life. They believe when a person dies, they are reincarnated, or reborn into a new body.

If you pleased the gods in a past life, then you are reincarnated into a higher caste. But if you anger the gods, they will condemn you to a lower caste in the next life.

What's caste like?

Role-playing activity

We'll never know exactly what it's like to grow up with the caste system. It is hard to imagine someone not wanting to talk to us or even touch us just because of the family we were born into.

That is why in India, you cannot choose to leave the caste you are born into. If you are born into the highest levels, then people think the gods have blessed you. You will always be treated with respect by the lower castes. You will feel more important than others and even have the power to treat lower castes badly.

But if you are born into a low caste family, Hindus believe you must have angered the gods in a previous life and are being punished. You are looked down upon and even shunned by higher castes. An upper caste person can refuse to eat with someone from a lower caste. Sometimes in school, children won't sit near or talk to lower-caste students.

This kind of behavior, called caste discrimination, is against the law in India. Even though caste discrimination is illegal, this ancient social practice is still very alive today, especially in rural villages. In India, your caste is your identity.

India's Untouchables

What if no one would touch you?

What if people told you that you were so worthless, you weren't even human?

That is what life is like for millions of people in India, known as the Untouchables.

This group is considered so unworthy that they are not even in the caste system. This is where the word "outcast" comes from. Today, Untouchables choose to call themselves Dalits, which means crushed or broken. Gandhi called them harijan, or "Children of God."

To watch this journey with us and learn more, click below:
Passport To India

India Day 4- Recipes

2010-10-14T11:33:00.000-08:00

Since the boys and I are traveling through India, I wanted them to taste some of the different foods. I wasn't sure what to make, but today the website had some common Indian recepies. So, I thought I would share them with you.

Indian Recipes:

Sambar & rice:

Sambar is a popular south Indian side dish of lentils and vegetables that is often served with rice.

To find some of the more unusual ingredients in this recipe, try looking for an Indian grocer in your community. Or, substitute a simple curried lentils recipe.

Ingredients:

1 cup yellow split peas (tuvar dal)

2 cups water

1/2 cup tamarind pulp

1/2 cup water

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 tomato, chopped

1 1/2 teaspoons coriander seeds

1 teaspoon yellow lentils (chana dal)

1 tablespoon unsweetened flaked coconut

2 dried red chile peppers

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon mustard seed

1 teaspoon cumin seed

1/4 teaspoon asafoetida powder

Directions

Place yellow split peas in a saucepan with 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until soft, about 15 minutes. In another saucepan, mix together the tamarind pulp stir in 1/2 cup water to make a watery juice. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the bell pepper and tomato to the tamarind juice, and continue to boil until the vegetables are soft, and the liquid has reduced to almost half.

Meanwhile, grind the coriander seeds, yellow lentils, coconut and chilies to a paste using a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add this paste to the tamarind sauce, then stir in the yellow lentils until everything is well blended. Bring to a boil once again, then remove from the heat and set aside.

Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat, and add the mustard seed, cumin seed, and asafoetida powder. Once the mustard seeds start to sputter and the mixture is fragrant, remove from heat and stir into sambar. Serve hot.

Mango lassi:

Lassi is basically a juicy, runny smoothie. It is often served as a refreshing drink in hot weather in India. You can use mango or substitute another fruit, such as strawberries or bananas.

Ingredients:

9 fluid ounces (255 milliliters) plain yogurt

4 1/2 fluid ounces (130 milliliters) milk

4 1/2 fluid ounces (130 milliliters) canned mango pulp or 7 ounces (200 grams) from 3 fresh mango, stoned and sliced

4 teaspoons sugar, to taste, or feel free to try salt and cardamom seeds

Directions

Put all the ingredients into a blender and blend for 2 minutes.

Pour into individual glasses, and serve.

Can be kept refrigerated for up to 24 hours

Source: FoodNetwork.com

Chapati flatbread

Chapati is a flatbread that is usually part of every Indian meal. It is similar to roti or naan bread.

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

3/4 cup hot water or as needed

Directions

In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour and salt.

Use a wooden spoon to stir in the olive oil and enough water to make a soft dough that is elastic but not sticky.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until it is smooth. Divide into 10 parts, or less if you want bigger breads.

Roll each piece into a ball. Let rest for a few minutes.

Heat a skillet over medium heat until hot, and grease lightly.

On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out the balls of dough until very thin like a tortilla.

When the pan starts smoking, put a chapati on it.

Cook until the underside has brown spots, about 30 seconds, then flip and cook on the other side.

Continue with remaining dough.

Our 3rd day in India

2010-10-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

My boys and I are taking a trip through India every Tuesday and Thursday. Today was day #3. Why don't you join along? :)

Passport To India

Every Monday Matters.......

2010-10-11T12:20:00.001-08:00

One day.......

2010-10-10T18:27:00.000-08:00

Lyrics | Matisyahu lyrics

♥~My second LOVE~♥

2010-10-03T13:27:00.000-08:00

I know that everyone here already knows that my first love is photography, but my second love is baking and candy making! Since the photography has slowed down for the winter season, I decided to start the baking season. Besides, what's more comforting on a cold winter's day than homemade warm cookies, homemade bread, or homemade candies? Next time you're in the mood for some gourmet delights, stop by my ebay site :)

A new collection

2010-09-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

I saw something this morning and it struck me in a funny way how beautiful they really are. I never realized it until today, so maybe to you they won't look beautiful, but I decided to start a collection and maybe even teach myself how to play one. My mother used to play one, and she used to tell me how difficult they were because you have to do 3 things at once....well, here let me show you what I'm talking about.....

Aren't they beautiful? So vintage! I love it! Time to start looking at the music shops around here and start my collection :)

Update on the IDEA program

2010-09-17T11:37:00.000-08:00

It has been a few weeks since my letter to the IDEA program. It's funny how when you tell people how you really feel, things start to work in your favor. All of a sudden our paper work was finished and ready to go. Our email was full of all kinds of field trips and homeschooling curriculum activities. A representative called us and set up a meeting to be reimbursed for all the curriculum we've already bought. Well then, if they want to reimburse me on the curriculum that I’ve already bought, I really can’t turn down that! They’ve also agreed to help us find a reading tutor for our son, and help buy curriculum for my pre-schooler. So, in the long run, I guess it turned out to be a good idea after all. I just wish they would have helped me out from the very beginning. Overall, home schooling has been a wonderful experience. I’m loving every minute. There are some days when I know my son would rather be watching tv, but he has been working hard on all his school work and is way ahead of where he needs to be. He is so far on the honor roll with the Calvert Academy and is hoping to start some swimming lessons soon. More updates will be added soon….

The IDEA program???

2010-08-28T10:55:00.000-08:00

Last school year my son was having a hard time in school. There was so many different things going on with him being bullied, his teacher kept complaining that he was out of control, the special ed teacher was saying he needed help (yet let him play on a bouncy ball all day long??? And when I said "on", yes, he would sit on the bouncy ball all day. Somehow this was supposed to help him focus????) so my husband & I decided to pull him out and home school him. We heard about a program out here that we were looking into that the state of Alaska is supposed to help you with your home school finances and help you set up a home school in your home. It's called the "IDEA" program. It supposed to help you pay for your books, computer, a special ed teacher if needed, and anything else your child might need. We called, and called, and called, with no real help and no real answers on how to sign our child up for this program. For 5 months we tried to contact this program and never got a reply....until today!!!! Here's the email we received:

Hello Talitha and Ronald,

I am the special education teacher at IDEA and was wondering if you are still interested in enrolling your children with our homeschool program. I have sent a record's request to the school district, but haven't heard back from them. Please call me at 5562-4332 or reply to this email to let me know your plans. I realize that it's been some time since you have heard from us and I apologize for the delay.

Thank you for your time,

Here's the email I wrote back:

Dear (name withheld),

Since I have called over a dozen times with no real answers or advice on how to go about signing up for the IDEA program, my husband and I have decided to go out of pocket and have signed our son up for the Calvert Academy. I will have to be honest in saying that after waiting over 5 months of trying to get some help, and this is the first email I've received, I am very disappointed in the IDEA program. I tried to call many times with either a quick unhelpful reply, or no one answering at all. As a matter of a fact, the last time I called in May, the person I was talking to on the phone had a different phone ringing in the background and told me that her other phone call was more important. We will no longer be signing our son up for your IDEA program, we don't think it's a very good "idea".

Thank you.

I wonder if she'll get my "idea"? Oh yeah, that is the actual phone number she gave me too! ROFL! That's the exact kind of problems I've had with them from the very beginning!

New blog-new stories

2010-08-18T14:30:00.000-08:00

My son and I have started a new blog in celebration of all the "Daydream Believers" out there. It's part of our homeschool daily reading/history lesson. It's our inspirational blog about all of those who had a dream and turned it into reality- Come Check It Out! :)

Daydream Believer-Dream & Believe

Hating my website lately....

2010-08-15T13:33:00.001-08:00

So I did some research and found a new company that I totally LOVE!!! Check out my new website and let me know what you think :) I still need to fix a few things and transfer my domain over so I won't get the advertisements, but so far, I think I'm in love LOL!
US Military Wedding Photography

NEW

2010-08-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

Our Military Wedding Photography has added a new gift that will be included in the price of your wedding photography. A photograph album of up to 250 photographs of your wedding highlights. Check out our example here:

Michael & Sarah Barry by by: US MilitaryWeddings.com |

......Drum roll please..............................

2010-08-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you all have been biting your nails, sitting on edge and waiting patiently for what my exciting news is, right????? Well here it is!!! I photographed a wedding this weekend! It was such a blast! A beautiful couple, wonderful families. It was just an amazing opportunity. I took about 1000 photographs (and no, I'm not exaggerating) , so I won't post them all. Here are a few of my favorites. Let me know what you think! :)

Please check out our website at:
US MILITARY WEDDINGS

What an amazing week!!!!

2010-08-05T12:25:00.000-08:00

Have you ever heard the saying "When God closes one door, He opens another"? Wow! I can't go into any details at this moment, but this weekend will be one of the biggest doors ever opened for me and I am so excited!! Please keep me in your prayers ( I know it's kind of hard since you really have no idea what I'm talking about yet) but I really need those prayers to help me with my nerves and confidence!! I'm such a nervous wreck, but a really excited one!!! This opportunity could really make or break one of my biggest dreams that I've been working really hard for. xx<<crossing fingers and praying all goes well!! Updates will be posted this weekend!

Here's a quick hint.........

Nope, I'm not going to tell you, so don't even ask.....just come back this weekend to find out! :D

Some of our new treats...♥

2010-07-25T20:07:00.000-08:00

We have a large variety of different pretzels for you! From the classic to the smiley face- either way, we guarantee these are made with only the best gourmet chocolates!

Add caption

Doesn't that make you hungry??

Alaskan Gourmet Delights

....On to a new adventure............

2010-07-17T17:19:00.000-08:00

So, I did it! I started another new adventure that I'm TOTALLY loving! I started an online homemade food/candy store. There's jelly, jams, marmalade's, honey, extracts, oils, cookies, candies, and truffles- All homemade to perfection!! I've always wanted to own my own bakery, I've loved baking since I was a little girl and it has turned into an obsession of mine. Stop by when you've got a chance and check it out! I'm sure I've got something for you that you'll love! Just click the badge :)

Out on the ocean ....

2010-07-06T23:10:00.000-08:00

My mother was able to come and visit us for the past 2 weeks. It was a wonderful visit! One of the things we did was go out in the Gulf of Alaska to view marine wildlife. Here's a few photographs of our adventure:

Dall's Porpoises

Dall's porpoise splashing in the ocean

Entry into the mountain from WWI

Glacier

Sea Lions

Sea Lions and Star Fish

Sea Lions

Seward, Alaska

Yurt

Me, my mother, and 3 of my children.

Help the Atlantic Forest of Brazil one tree at a time!

2010-06-20T11:27:00.000-08:00

Alaska's Nature has joined with the Nature Conservatory! Their goal is plant a billion trees! I've set a goal of 100 trees- help me meet this goal by clicking the badge below.

The trees will be planted by Conservancy staff and partners working in The Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The Atlantic Forest is considered one of the world's most endangered tropical forests -- only 7% of its original area remains. You can make a lasting difference now and for future generations, just click the donation button below and donate a tree! One dollar equals one tree planted!

Thanks for taking a stand to helping to make a big difference — one tree at a time!

We'll post the badge on our website, and the footer of our blog as well :)

Daddy's Hands

2010-06-20T09:58:00.002-08:00

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.
And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.
You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.
Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.

Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love .....
In Daddy´s hands.

Happy Father's Day Dad♥

Stockings For Troops

2010-06-18T13:10:00.001-08:00

I have had the honor and privilege of working with some amazing people for the past few on an amazing project. This project was started by a wonderful Military wife and mother. Her mission was to send Christmas stocking to troops away from home. She started this back in 2007, and every year has grown bigger and bigger. This year we want to make this the biggest year yet!! So, this year, I helped design Rev. Dr. Sami Mumper her own website in hopes to pass this great charity around the world and bring others together for the common good. Please check out her website, let me know what you think, and sign the guest-book while you're there so we know you stopped by. Let's show our troops how much we love them, not only at Christmas, but throughout the whole year!

Remembering our Troops in harms way at Christmas and throughout the year.
Stockings For Troops

So Graceful

2010-06-13T20:26:00.000-08:00

I saw a couple of swans swimming in the lake the other day. They're just so graceful and beautiful that I had to take a few photographs.

I also have a few canvas prints for sale on my zazzle site if you'd like to take a look♥

Beautiful Swan Canvas

Swan on Lake

The goat was smiling :)

2010-06-12T23:28:00.000-08:00

My kids were allowed to pet a goat the other day and one of the goats was one of the happiest little goats I've ever seen! He had the cutest little smile~

This little goat was such a sweetheart. Now I really wish I had a farm! Maybe in a few years.

Fighting Black Bears

2010-06-12T19:29:00.000-08:00

My family and I were so excited to see these 2 bears! We couldn't tell if they were fighting to hurt each other, or just playing around, but either way it was pretty entertaining to watch.

This one got tired of it all and walked away :)

Pictures of the Garden

2010-06-07T08:50:00.000-08:00

So far my garden is doing pretty well this year. The boys were playing in the bubbles while I was gardening so I added a few of those pictures too :)

Asparagus (okay, so he's a little asparagus. I

was just excited to see he came back this year :) )

Maters!! It's my first time to have tomatoes here in AK! I hope they turn red :)

And of course, the all famous rhubarb. Looks like I might have another runner up this year in the fair. :)

The boys shooting bubbles with their water guns :)

What a ham!

Signs of Spring....finally♥

2010-06-05T17:18:00.000-08:00

Hatchers Pass Adventure

2010-06-04T21:30:00.001-08:00

Ron and I took the kids up to Hatchers Pass a few days ago and hiked around. I got some pretty good shots of the place. Alaska's rich history includes that of the gold rush days and mining. Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine State Historical Park offer you the chance to travel back in time and see how some of the Alaska pioneers lived and worked. The Independence Mine gives you a chance to see the remainders of what was once a thriving gold mine operation.The mine area has about 20 buildings that were part of Independence Mine, and old machinery and relics for viewing.Here's a short slide show of a few photographs I took.

Happy 40th Anniversary Mom & Dad♥

2010-05-29T17:53:00.000-08:00

My goodness! In the middle of my busy week I realized that I had over-looked my mom and dad's 40th wedding anniversary!! I feel horrible! 40 years is a HUGE deal and here I am worrying about my dirty carpets (again). It's about time to take some time out and wish them a wonderful Anniversary .♥

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!!

I kept searching the internet trying to find some fancy words to write, or poem ideas, but all I could find were cheesy words that really didn't have any meaning. So, I thought I'd write a toast of my own. I know, I'm not one for speeches or anything, but I'm going to try anyway. Are your ready?? Okay, here goes *holds up glass of sparkling grape cider and clears throat*.....

Cheers- to 40 years! Although I've only been around for 30+ of those years (we won't go into the + of that..), I've learned a lot through your marriage. I've learned that love isn't a destination, it's a journey that continues everyday. That life changes and so do people, but no matter how much things change you must try your hardest to continue to grow together and love unconditionally. That kissing in front of the kids is a good thing and not something gross. That an occasional heated argument is a natural thing, and even though it can upset the kids, and it's hard to get the thrown ketchup out of carpet, as long as mom brings home donuts everything will be okay and life will still go on. I've learned that tucking in the kids is very important. I've learned that praying with your kids is even more important. I’ve learned that forgiveness is not always easy, and apologizing sometimes even harder, but is something that needs to be done before it’s too late. I’ve learned that marriage isn’t always about love and romance, but about friendship, trust, and honesty. That you have to break down walls and put selfishness aside and learn to grow together and build a relationship that no one can shatter. I’ve learned that “through sickness and health” means more than an occasional cold, and “for richer or poorer" can mean more than having an occasional set-back. I’ve also learned through the both of you the true mean of “to love and to cherish” , and I can’t thank you both enough for showing me what wedding vows really mean. That they are not just words to be said, but words to honestly live by and eventually teach your children when they are married. Thank you for showing me the true meaning of marriage. Happy 40th anniversary and cheers to many more!!

I know I made this video a few years ago, but I still wanted to post it anyway for those that may have not seen it yet. ♥

Homemade Root-beer☺

2010-05-28T21:15:00.002-08:00

And homemade ice cream for floats on Memorial Day. Here's a pic of my root-beer:I hope it's ready by Sunday. It takes 1 day - 2 weeks for it to be finished. I'm crossing my fingers for floats :D

Num-numms LOL!

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day♥

A HUGE THANK YOU to all our service men and women past (including my hubby), present and fallen heroes ♥♥

Let us not forget the real reason we celebrate this day♥

Remember.......

2010-05-27T16:11:00.000-08:00

The real reason we celebrate Memorial Day♥

God bless our soldiers-Past, Present, and Fallen Heros♥♥

Please Vote♥♥

2010-05-24T10:59:00.000-08:00

My son's photo is currently in the running to become one of Parents Magazine Cover Contest weekly Reader's Choice finalists! The photo with the most votes this week will go into the semi-final Reader's Choice round for a chance to travel to New York City for the Parents Cover Contest Photo Shoot.

Come back daily! Voting ends 05/30/2010.
Get your friends and family to vote too! Just share the link. http://photos.parents.com/category/vote/photo/298647

Successful Homeschooling Starts With.....

2010-05-20T10:24:00.000-08:00

10Exclusive Features!

1. Planner OR Recorder

The homeschooling life can quickly become busy and when you can not find the time to plan out your class assignments, no worries. Simply use the Well-Planned Day to record your child's daily schoolwork and activities. Recording your homeschool day helps you stay on track and keeps you motivated as you look back over all that has been accomplished

2. Dinner is Ready!

Research has shown the value of families enjoying dinner around the table. With the Well-Planned Day, planning your meals becomes a breeze. Use the dinner menu to plan your weekly meals and the perfortated shopping list to organize your trip to the grocery store

3. Compatible with Year Round Schooling

Home educating schedules vary from family to family, but regardless of your annual routine, the Well-Planned Day will accomadate! Beginning in July 1st and ending in June, each planner is a full 12 months.

4. Chore and Assignment Charts for Young Ones

Help young children develop good habits with the perforated chore and assignment charts. To use, simply tear out, laminate and use all year long with dry erase markers.

5. Read through the Bible in a Year Family Devotions

As Jonathan Edwards stated, “Family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove ineffectual.” Family Worship can be planned using the month-at-a-glance scripture references. Using a thematic approach, you can enjoy reading through different sections of the Bible all year long.

Biblical Themes:

Day of the Week Theme Books of the Bible

Monday- Law- Genesis - Dueteronomy

Tuesday- History- Joshua - Esther

Wednesday- Psalms- Psalm

Thursday- Poetry- Job, Proverbs - Song of Solomon

Friday- Prophecy- Isaiah - Malachi, Revelations

Saturday- Gospels- Matthew - Acts

Sunday- Letters- Romans - Jude

6. Attendance and Progress Reports PLUS Report Cards!

Track each students progress and attendance and issue report cards at the end of the year. Report cards can be used in your community for special discounts, freebies, and to show off to the grandparents!

7. Homeschool Encouragement
Be encourage all year long as you educate your children with articles from the Home Educating Family Magazine. Challenging articles focusing on parenting, marriage, and homeschooling.

EXAMPLES:

Raising a Writer

To Love, Honor and Vacuum

Welcome to the Adventure

History ReVisited

and more....

8. Type, Save and Print

PDF Version

New this year, the pdf versions have been recently updated to a format that allows typing, saving and printing.

10. The Pretty Factor!

Buy Printed Version

Buy PDF Download

Click Here To Flip Through Book

Click Here To View PDF Sample

My video is finished

2010-05-17T22:26:00.000-08:00

Here it is if you'd like to watch my whole Mother's Day road trip adventure :)

My Mother's Day Present Pt. 1

2010-05-14T17:08:00.000-08:00

For Mother's Day this year I wanted to take a road trip to the North Pole and the Chena Hot Springs and my husband actually took me!! I was so excited! We had a wonderful trip with perfect weather. I have taken so many photographs I'm still trying to upload them. I'm hoping to have all of them uploaded by Monday, but for now, here's a short video of some photographs I took with my daughters camera. Her camera didn't like the 20 degrees so the ones in the ice museum turned out a little grainy, but the rest turned out pretty good. Hope you enjoy.

So many decisions!

2010-05-13T11:31:00.001-08:00

Some of you may know that my husband & I decided about a month ago to homeschool our boys. There were many reasons for our decision and we know we made the right one because our son's reading skills, penmanship and attitude has improved 110% already. The big decision we had to make was which curriculum to use. We looked all over the internet, had tons of magazines come in the mail, tons of emails from tons of different programs. To be honest with you, I didn't realize how many choices we had! It was starting to get overwhelming, but in a good way. Why a good way? It was amazing to see how many people out there homeschool these days and how much support and communities there are for homeschoolers of all kinds. When I started this journey I was dead-set on one type of curriculum, but with so many choices we decided to mix it up with a few different types so our son doesn't get bored with just one type of schooling. We mixed with Alpha Omega and Calvert. Our main schooling will come from Calvert. The main reason we chose Calvert was because my son loves the computer, he doesn't even realize it's school if it has to do with computer and Calvert had a lot to offer on computer directed for his age group where Alpha Omega only had computer based curriculum for grade 3 and up. Another reason was because Calvert offered a payment plan to enroll in the Accredited Academy, but we couldn't find any payment plans through the Alpha Omega Academy, which is a very large factor when you're on a fixed budget. We did, however, get a few enrichment programs through Alpha Omega to see which program we liked better. We also signed our daughter up for Summer school through Alpha Omega so she could try out the computer based curriculum and we can see if it's something my son might enjoy later on down the road. So far, both of my son's have been enjoying this experience. I feel like the boys and I have grown a lot closer through this journey already, and it has only just started. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring!Here's a few websites I'd like to pass on for all you homeschoolers out there. These are just a few that my kids and I use as extra activites or just things to help me keep organized. Some of these have been handed down to me from other homeschool moms (thank you so much!).
The first one has been the boy's favortie so far because it gives them actual rewards for their learning accomplishments in Science, Geography and History.

WebRangers
Borders (Read 10 books, get one free!)
Chart Jungle
Scholastics Teachers Lessons
StoryIt (Also has links to other helpful sites)
Learn To Type
TLSBooks (One of my favorites)
The Science of Cooking (My whole family loves this one LOL)
The Printable Paper
Well Planned Day (This is a great book to keep organized, plan out your school day, and keep track of everything!)
My Vocabulary
Lesson Plans For Teachers

Those are just a few of our/my favorites I thought you might like. To all you homeschool moms/dads out there- Keep up the great work! Even if your eye starts twitching or you want to pull your hair out somedays, your children will forever be greatful for the extra time you took to let them learn the way they need.

THE 12 DAYS OF HOMESCHOOLING:

(To the tune of 12 Days of Christmas)

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the sixth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU ARE S0 STRANGE, what about P.E. , do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that, what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They Can go to college, yes you can do this, they can have graduation, they don't have to go to prom, we do it cuz we like it, they are missing nothing, we'll homeschool forever, WE ARE NOT STRANGE!, We give them P.E., and we give them tests, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me, where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will help us, can we join P.E. and we'll homeschool legally."

Are you proud to be an American???

2010-05-05T16:07:00.000-08:00

Then show off your American pride with our new PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN items designed today! I have to admit, this is one of my favorite designs so far!! With the American flag, Alaskan Bald Eagles, and the words: "AMERICAN STRENGTH AND COURAGE IS NOT A MASK WE WEAR, OR AN OUTFIT WE DON. IT IS A STRENGTH THAT SHINES FROM INSIDE. IT IS AN INNER FLAME KINDLED AND NURTURED BY THE SACRIFICES OF OUR FOREFATHERS, BURST INTO BRILLIANCE BY THE THREAT OF OUR LIBERTY AND THE LOVED ONES WE HOLD DEAR."

Just click HERE to view all the new designs!

Don't forget that Memorial Day is May 31st. Honor those that serve by proudly showing off our American colors!

Kids Annual Zoo Race

2010-05-01T19:38:00.000-08:00

Our kids took place in the annual Zoo Race. We've been doing this since we moved here to Alaska. This was my daughter's last time to participate in this event because next year she'll be to old. :( It was pretty cold out there, but the kids had a great time!

My oldest son decided to make a goofy face when I was taking this picture LOL!

Waiting patiently for the race

Very proud little guy :)

Good job guys!!!

End of Winter Hike Pictures

2010-05-01T07:25:00.000-08:00

I think winter is finally over here in Alaska. Although, I'm not going to say it's officially Spring until about the 15th of May, and probably not safe to plant my garden until at least then either, but I celebrated Spring with my family by taking a hike. There was still snow and ice in some areas, but the scenery was just amazing!!

Reflections.....

Some of my favorites :)

2010-04-23T11:17:00.001-08:00

Some of you in the lower 48 might not know that Alaska wasn't hit as hard as other states with the economy crises. Why?? Because Alaska is very big on supporting our local small businesses! Since I'm an owner of a small business, I'm all about supporting small businesses, not only here in Alaska, but every small business in every state! We need to keep our economy strong and support our hard working small business owners. Check out some of my favorites:

For a list of ALL Alaska small businesses, visit BuyAlaska. If you're a small business in Alaska, be sure to add your small business here. It's a great place to be featured and best of all-It's free!

When you can't find the plant you're looking for, I gaurantee Rose Cottage Delights will have it or will find it for you! A great place to find exoctic herbs, seeds, and plants! Don't forget to check out her new exoctic mint plants!!

Mountain Bare Essentials

Handmade Body Butter Icing~~yummm!!~~they also just launched their awesome handmade WALNUT Body Polish (my favorite!), handmade Bath Salts and Bath Soaks. Dead Sea Bath Salts, Himalayan Bath Salts, Foaming Bath Salts.. and their very famous Pedicure Foot Soak/Salts! These are available in variety of scents.. you choose!

Rock On By Audi

Creating a variety of unique crafts from Life-Size (REALLY BIG) OoaK Goth Dolls to simple Wire-Wrapped Gemstone and Crystal Jewelry. All Audi's items are very unique and amazing!

The Style Isle

Products from A-Z!

If there's something you can't find, chances are The Style Isle has it! Even advertising banners!

These are just a few of my favorites- I wish I had more room and more time to post more. If you're an owner of a small business, make sure you add your store to my bump over on the right hand side of this blog>>>>

It's free!!

Please only post stores that are family friendly~Thank you! :)

Bread 101

2010-04-20T16:34:00.000-08:00

So, after my son brought home another nasty letter from his teacher, my husband & I decided to pull him out of school today and start homeschooling. I've really had enough of the insults and ridicules. Today's lesson in Science was Bread 101 and the whole family got to benefit from it. I have to say, my little man is quite the cook! Here's the lesson plan if any of you homeschoolers are interested:

BREAD 101

Ideas For Mother's Day

2010-04-20T11:45:00.000-08:00

Not sure what to get your mom this year for Mother's Day?? Why not send her flowers that will last?

101 ways to annoy people

2010-04-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sing the Batman theme incessantly.
Try to fit the word "cornucopia" into every sentence you say.
Specify that your drive-through order is "to go."
Learn Morse code, and have conversations with friends in public consisting entirely of "Beeeep Bip Bip Beeep Bip..."
If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
Amuse yourself for endless hours by hooking a camcorder to your TV and then pointing it at the screen.
Speak only in a "robot" voice.
Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly.
Start each meal by conspicuously licking all your food, and announce that this is so no one will "swipe your grub".
Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 98 copies.
Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
Sniffle incessantly.
Leave your turn signal on for fifty miles.
Name your dog "Dog."
Insist on keeping your car windshield wipers running in all weather conditions "to keep them tuned up."
Reply to everything someone says with "that's what YOU think."
Claim that you must always wear a bicycle helmet as part of your "astronaut training."
Declare your apartment an independent nation, and sue your neighbors upstairs for "violating your airspace".
Forget the punchline to a long joke, but assure the listener it was a "real hoot."
Follow a few paces behind someone, spraying everything they touch with Lysol.
Practice making fax and modem noises.
Highlight irrelevant information in scientific papers and "cc:" them to your boss.
Make beeping noises when a large person backs up.
Invent nonsense computer jargon in conversations, and see if people play along to avoid the appearance of ignorance.
Erect an elaborate network of ropes in your backyard, and tell the neighbors you are a "spider person."
Finish all your sentences with the words "in accordance with the prophesy."
Wear a special hip holster for your remote control.
Do not add any inflection to the end of your sentences, producing awkward silences with the impression that you'll be saying more any moment.
Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears.
Disassemble your pen and "accidentally" flip the ink cartridge across the room.
Give a play-by-play account of a persons every action in a nasal Howard Cosell voice.
Holler random numbers while someone is counting.
Adjust the tint on your TV so that all the people are green, and insist to others that you "like it that way."
Drum on every available surface.
Staple papers in the middle of the page.
Ask 1-800 operators for dates.
Produce a rental video consisting entirely of dire FBI copyright warnings.
Sew anti-theft detector strips into peoples backpacks.
Hide dairy products in inaccessible places.
Write the surprise ending to a novel on its first page.
Set alarms for random times.
Order a side of pork rinds with your filet mignon.
Instead of Gallo, serve Night Train next Thanksgiving.
Publicly investigate just how slowly you can make a "croaking" noise.
Honk and wave to strangers.
Dress only in clothes colored Hunters Orange.
Change channels five minutes before the end of every show.
Tape pieces of "Sweating to the Oldies" over climactic parts of rental movies.
Wear your pants backwards.
Decline to be seated at a restaurant, and simply eat their complimentary mints by the cash register.
Begin all your sentences with "ooh la la!"
ONLY TYPE IN UPPERCASE.
only type in lowercase.
dont use any punctuation either
Buy a large quantity of orange traffic cones and reroute whole streets.
Pay for your dinner with pennies.
Tie jingle bells to all your clothes.
Repeat everything someone says, as a question.
Write "X - BURIED TREASURE" in random spots on all of someone's roadmaps.
Inform everyone you meet of your personal Kennedy assassination/UFO/ O.J Simpson conspiracy theories.
Repeat the following conversation a dozen times: "Do you hear that?" "What?" "Never mind, its gone now."
Light road flares on a birthday cake.
Wander around a restaurant, asking other diners for their parsley.
Leave tips in Bolivian currency.
Demand that everyone address you as "Conquistador."
At the laundromat, use one dryer for each of your socks.
When Christmas caroling, sing "Jingle Bells, Batman smells" until physically restrained.
Wear a cape that says "Magnificent One."
As much as possible, skip rather than walk.
Stand over someone's shoulder, mumbling, as they read.
Pretend your computer's mouse is a CB radio, and talk to it.
Try playing the William Tell Overture by tapping on the bottom of your chin. When nearly done, announce "no, wait, I messed it up," and repeat.
Drive half a block.
Inform others that they exist only in your imagination.
Ask people what gender they are.
Lick the filling out of all the Oreos, and place the cookie parts back.
Cultivate a Norwegian accent. If Norwegian, affect a Southern drawl.
Routinely handcuff yourself to furniture, informing the curious that you don't want to fall off "in case the big one comes".
Deliberately hum songs that will remain lodged in co-workers brains, such as "Feliz Navidad", the Archies "Sugar" or the Mr. Rogers theme song.
While making presentations, occasionally bob your head. like a parakeet.
Lie obviously about trivial things such as the time of day.
Leave your Christmas lights up and lit until September.
Change your name to "AaJohn Aaaaasmith" for the great glory of being first in the phone book. Claim it's a Hawaiian name, and demand that people pronounce each "a."
Sit in your front yard pointing a hair dryer at passing cars to see if they slow down.
Chew on pens that you've borrowed.
Wear a LOT of cologne.
Listen to 33rpm records at 45rpm speed, and claim the faster speed is necessary because of your "superior mental processing."
Sing along at the opera.
Stand on a busy corner. Gasp, look and point up. See how many people look.
At a golf tournament, chant "swing-batabatabata-suhWING-batter!"
Ask the waitress for an extra seat for your "imaginary friend."
Go to a poetry recital and ask why each poem doesn't rhyme.
Ask your co-workers mysterious questions, and then scribble their answers in a notebook. Mutter something about "psychological profiles."
Stare at static on the TV and claim you can see a "magic picture."
Select the same song on the jukebox fifty times.
Never make eye contact.
Never break eye contact..
Construct elaborate "crop circles" in your front lawn.
Ride a unicycle to work.
Make appointments for the 31st of September.
Invite lots of people to other people's parties.

Free Gift Links for FarmVille Nursery Barns

2010-04-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

My friends and I are FarmVille FREAKS!LOL! Anyway, the newest addition to farmville is the nursery barns that you have to build with items that your friends send to you. I was having a hard time finding some of the items to send and I found some info and the links just incase you were interested.
Here's so more information:

Many FarmVille Farmers are excited that the new FarmVille Nursery has arrived, but many were disappointed that the features mentioned by Lexilicious on the latest FarmVille Podcast wasn’t implemented yet. You can collect from the nursery every 24 hours, you’ll be able to collect from the foals and calves stored in your Nursery. But you are not able to use the Nursery to grow your foals and calves up yet!
Building your Nursery Barn to store your foals and calves, works in the same way that stables were built in FarmVille.
Nursery Barn:

Upon entering Farmville you will receive the following Message.

After clicking the ‘OK’ button, you will be taken to your FarmVille Gift Box, where you will receive the Foundation for the Nursery Barn. The nursery Barn is actually a bit bigger than the stable. If you don’t wish to go through the trouble of collecting items to build the Nursery Barn, you can purchase the components required to build your Nursery Barn from the Market for 1 Farm Cash per item.

Once you’ve placed the Foundation on your farm, you will be prompted with a message letting you know that you can post a feed to ask you friends for help building your FarmVille Nursery Barn.

Clicking the “Share” button will give you the option to post a feed to your wall. Up to 10 of your Neighbors can click on this feed to receive 100 Coins.

In order to use your Nursery Barn, you’ll need to finish building it. Selecting ‘Look Inside’ from your foundation’s menu will show you what you need to complete your Nursery Barn

When you first place the foundation, you’ll have one Bottle for free. In order to build a complete stable you’ll need 10 of each item. You can get these items one of three ways:

1. From your FarmVille neighbors in Free Gifts menu. Neighbors can send you the items that you need to build your Nursery. Your Neighbors will be able to send you three of the five types of building components to help you complete your Nursery Barn.

2. By collecting the items from the Facebook news feed, when friends have too many of a specific item, they are allowed to share them.

3. When a facebook friend completes 50% of the building of the nursery, they are allowed to share a random nursery item via the facebook new feed.

Please note that the components displayed on the Free Gifts Page are randomized. As such, the components displayed on the Free Gifts Page may be different for each player. Each player should be able to send one of the two components specific to the Nursery Barn (Bottles and Blankets), and two of the components shared with the Horse Stable (Boards, Bricks, and Nails).

When neighbors send you an item for your nursery, it works exactly like any other free gift. After you accept the gift it will appear in your gift box.
After clicking the “use” button under the gift it will automatically be added to your Nursery Barn.
PLEASE NOTE: Since the Horse Stable and Nursery Barn share components, if you have both unfinished on your farm you’ll be able to select which building a component goes to when to click select.
When viewing the interior of your unfinished Nursery Barn, each component that you have not yet received 10 of has an ‘Ask For More’ button, that when clicked will allow you to post a feed to let people know how many of each component you need. The link in this Feed will take them to the Gifting page where they can select a component to send to you.
When you reach 25 items, and have built half of your nursery, you will receive a pop-up that will allow you to post a feed to your wall. The first 10 neighbors to click this feed will receive a random building component for their own Nursery Barn construction.

When you complete your Nursery Barn, you will receive a pop-up asking you if you’d like to share the news with your friends. Clicking the Share button, will give you the option to post a feed to your wall that will give up to five neighbors who click on it a free Grey Foal, and you will also receive a Grey Foal of your own.

You’re able to store up to 20 baby foals and/or calves in your stable and you may only have one Nursery Barn per farm.

To send specific items to your friends on facebook that play farmville, click on the appropriate picture.

If picture links don't work for you, just use the links below:

Discover Alaska!!

2010-04-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

My newly designed Alaska Collage Calendar with all my favorite photographs rolled into this 12 month photograph collage calendar! Calendar months-May 2010-April 2011.

Click on the link for more details:

Discover Alaska Calendar ~May 2010-April 2011

Great Mother's Day Gift!

Maybe....

2010-04-14T12:44:00.000-08:00

Maybe. . . we were supposed to meet the
wrong people before meeting the right
one so that, when we finally meet the
right person, we will know how to be
grateful for that gift.

Maybe . . . it is true that we don't
know what we have until we lose it,
but it is also true that we don't know
what we have been missing until it
arrives.

Maybe . . . the brightest future will
always be based on a forgotten past;
after all, you can't go on
successfully in life until you let go
of your past mistakes, failures and
heartaches.

Maybe . . you should hope for enough
happiness to make you sweet, enough
trials to make you strong, enough
sorrow to keep you human, and enough
hope to make you happy.

Maybe . . . the happiest of people
don't necessarily have the best of
everything; they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.

Maybe .. . . the best kind of friend is
the kind you can sit on a porch and
swing with, never say a word, and then
walk away feeling like it was the best
conversation you've ever had.

Maybe . . . happiness waits for all
those who cry, all those who hurt, all
those who have searched, and all those
who have tried, for only they can
appreciate the importance of all the
people who have touched their lives.

May be . . you should do something nice
for someone every single day, even if
it is simply to leave them alone.

Maybe . . . there are moments in life
when you miss someone -- a parent, a
spouse, a friend, a child -- so much
that you just want to pick them from
your dreams and hug them for real, so
that once they are around you
appreciate them more.

Maybe … giving someone all your love
is never an assurance that they will
love you back. Don't expect love in
return; just wait for it to grow in
their heart; but, if it doesn't, be
content that it grew in yours.

Maybe .. . . you should dream what you
want to dream; go where you want to
go, be what you want to be, because
you have only one life and one chance
to do all the things you dream of, and
want to do.

"Life is only travelled ONCE;
Today’s MOMENT becomes Tomorrow’s MEMORY.
Enjoy every moment, good or bad, because the GIFT of LIFE is LIFE itself…."

Newly Designed Products!

2010-04-10T12:47:00.000-08:00

New exclusivley designed Alaskan products available including this new Moose Pad! To check out our new items, just click the links below.

Alaskan Moose Pad-The Great Outdoors mousepad

NEW PRODUCTS PAGE

New items are added all the time, so be sure to check back often!

We've also add new seeds and fragrance to our Alaska's Nature website, so be sure to check those out as well :D

Have a wonderful weekend!♥

Another Talitha???

2010-04-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Have you ever Google searched your name? I did today and found a lot other people with my maiden name, which was a shock to me cuz it's such a different name. I even found an Irish singer!! Anyway, I found this written by another Talitha and thought it was really neat.

Childhood
     Childhood was humpty dumpty on the wall and the cow jumping over the moon painted on my bedroom walls.
     Childhood was church every Sunday morning and pizza and a movie every Friday night.
     Childhood was building forts from couch cushions and sheets.
     Childhood was macaroni and cheese for lunch every day.
     Childhood was "Bed, Hair, Teeth, Vitamins."
     Childhood was sledding down the kitty hill at four hills, and then going to Dunkin Donuts for hot chocolate.
     Childhood was running to the basement every time it thundered.
     Childhood was riding all around the country in the maroon station wagon with the whole Nelson gang.
     Childhood was Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cheerios.
     Childhood was sitting on the roof trying to get a glimpse of the air show.
     Childhood was cooking out and playing Frisbee.
    Childhood was peeking under the wrapping paper to see my Christmas presents and then regretting it on Christmas morning.
     Childhood was surprising Mom and Dad by cleaning up the house before they got home.
     Childhood was pulling my first tooth with a string tied to a doorknob.
Childhood was the smell of spring and helping Dad clean out the garage.
     Childhood was making a daily trip to the corner store with the two dollars that Dad gave me every time I asked.
     Childhood was singing Jesus Loves Me all the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
     Childhood was falling asleep in the living room and then waking up in my bed.
     Childhood was burying Lady and Muffin behind the garage on Christmas Eve.
     Childhood was when Groucho came home.
     Childhood was Ben giving me piggy back rides and never wanting to get off.
     Childhood was jumping on Mom and Dad's bed.
     Childhood was taking an hour to put on layers of warm clothes to go build a snow fort.
     Childhood was walking home from church with Nate through the never ending fields and trees.
     Childhood was grocery shopping with Mom.
     Childhood was long bike rides down Sweet rode.
     Childhood was learning how to ride my pink and white Pee-Wee Herman bike in the church parking lot down the road.
     Childhood was the greatest time of my life, thanks to my family.
             ~Talitha Nelson (2000)

I'm Alive♥

2010-04-08T10:24:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all time favorite songs. Anytime I get down or have my doubts about what's going on in my life, I turn this song and tell myself that I should just be happy that I'm alive. I am blessed enough to get another day to spend with my amazing family and friends, and really, that's all that matters.

So damn easy to say that life’s so hard
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to thank my lucky stars that
I’m alive, and well

It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you sat and watched go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessin' can’t you see
Today's the first day of the rest of my life
And I’m alive, and well
I’m alive, and well

Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, when there’s not a soul in sight
But this boat has caught its wind and brought me back to life
Now I’m alive, and well

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathin' in and out's a blessing can’t you see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well

New Easter Egg Ideas

2010-04-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

All-Natural Easter Egg Dye Recipes

Use these all-natural dye recipes made from household ingredients to create Easter eggs in beautifully subdued shades. Leave eggs soaking in the dye in the refrigerator overnight for the richest colors.

Pink

1 cup pickled beet juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Lavender

1 cup grape juice and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Brown

1 cup strong coffee and 1 tablespoon vinegar

Blue

Cut 1/4 head of red cabbage into chunks. Add cabbage to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove cabbage with a slotted spoon.

Bluish-Gray

Mix 1 cup frozen blueberries with 1 cup water. Bring to room temperature. Remove blueberries.

Dark Pink

Cut 1 medium beet into chunks. Add beet to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove beets.

Yellow

Remove the peel from 1 orange. Add peel to 4 cups boiling water. Stir in 2 tablespoons vinegar. Let cool to room temperature. Remove orange peel.

Eraser Decorating

Pour paint onto a disposable plate. Dip just the end of the eraser into the paint and dot the egg. Wash or wipe off the eraser to change colors. Make sure to dot one color at a time.

Tip: You can also use a cotton swab to make small dots on your egg.

Toothpick Decorating

Choose two colors of paint to decorate your egg and pour the paints on a disposable plate. To make the petals of the flower, dip about 1/4 inch of the toothpick into the paint, then lay the toothpick down onto the egg. Repeat making petals, leaving a space in the middle for the center. Using a new toothpick and another color of paint, dip just the tip of the toothpick in the paint and dot the center two or three times. Let the egg dry.

"Tie-Dyed" Easter Eggs

1. Prepare the egg dye as instructed on the package or use food coloring to dye the eggs.
2. To make the star eggs, press the star stickers on the eggs. Rub carefully around the edges of the stickers. Dip the eggs in the dye. Remove the stickers.

3. To make the striped eggs, wrap rubber bands around the eggs, using wide rubber bands or combining more than one rubber band. Dip the eggs in the dye. Remove the rubber bands.

More Ideas:

If you don't have time to dye the eggs, simply wrap them with brightly colored rubber bands for a whimsical look.

Also try using circle reinforcements as stickers to create circle shapes on the eggs.

Decoupage Easter Eggs

(These are the ones that we will be making today)

Step 1) Collect images to decorate your Easter eggs from magazines or books. Floral or botanical images can create a sophisticated look or use pictures from children's books to create a more playful look. Carefully cut the images out using sharp scissors or an Exacto knife.

Step 2) If using eggs, be sure to blow them out first. You can also use wooden eggs that you find in your local craft store. Consider painting some of your eggs with acrylic paint to provide different color palettes for your Easter images.

Step 3) Once your painted eggs are dry, cover the back of your images with a thin layer of Mod Podge (this can be purchased at any craft store). Carefully place your cut image on the egg and paint Mod Podge all over the egg and then let dry.

Step 4) Display your Easter egg works of art by placing on top of empty candlesticks. This creates a visually pleasing, unique holiday . Your finished product will be something that you'll want to keep for years to come.

Wishing you all a very Happy Easter!

Newly Designed Items!

2010-03-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

Including Glacier photographs, and winter photographs!

My Official Goodbye Toast

2010-03-29T12:49:00.002-08:00

As of today, we are now officially civilians! No longer part of the military. My husband is turning in the last of all of his equipment as of right now! Whew- it's a little scary to start a different kind of life style, but I'm pretty excited about our new adventures. We should be hearing by the end of the week where our new career will be. We're crossing our fingers for the one right here in Alaska. Although I'm not too fond of the cold, or the enormous bears, but I'm really hoping my oldest child will be able to graduate here. She's been to so many different schools and I know she is tired of having to start over all the time. So we're all crossing our fingers and toes for a permanent position at the fire station here.

Here's a toast to my military adventures:

Cheers to the adventures! To the military housing~ for the lizards that fell out of the ceiling, to the invasion of crickets, to the loud and crazy neighbors, the small bedrooms, black widow spiders, scorpions, and last but not least, the lead paint. Cheers to the Airman pay checks - one large enough for the car payment, and the other large enough for a little bit of food (I'm surprised we survived back then LOL). Cheers to the 15 month deployments, and moving orders! Cheers to all the mandatory military balls and parties that made me by dresses that I only wore once. Cheers to breaking my toes on military boots. Cheers to starching and ironing uniforms. Cheers to all the camouflage! Cheers to the time I called the Wing Commander on the phone because I didn't know who else to complain to and no one told me I was suppose to go up the "ladder of command" (hey, I must admit I got my way because of that too ROFL!) Cheers to the time I called my husband's First Sergent "Johnny Cash" ( Hey ! I didn't know who he was!! It's not my fault!) Cheers to the time I yelled at the Base Commander because he was blocking my driveway ( I didn't know who he was either!! ). This experience to me has been quite an adventure! I can honestly say I'm glad it's over. But I must also say that if it hadn't been for the military, we would have never experienced life the way we have. It hasn't been ALL bad, and I am glad we had the opportunity to serve our country. I know our family is closer than most because of everything we have had to endure. So, CHEERS~ to my family, and ALL military families- for sticking together through all the instability, the unknown future, and the uncertainty of war. Cheers to all that have served and are still serving ~ you really do deserve our biggest thanks! We know how difficult it is and can be. God bless you all!!

New Spring, Easter, and Inspirational Items!

2010-03-28T16:27:00.001-08:00

Go Take A Hike

Dare To Be.....

Add Color To My Sunset Sky

Every leaf in Springtime

Invincible Summer

Spring Is Sure To Follow

These are just a sample of the items I have available! If you're interested in these products, come check out my store for more!!

Alaska's Nature Items

BuyAlaska: Alaska's Nature

2010-03-25T17:49:00.001-08:00

BuyAlaska: Alaska's Nature

Posted using ShareThis

Check This Out!!!

2010-03-25T14:30:00.000-08:00

Come check out my newly listed items!

New clothing, mouse pads, mugs, hats, bags, stationary, stamps and more!!

New Alaska's Nature Products!

Time to ban Happy Meal toys???

2010-03-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

One California town is trying to cut down on childhood obesity by taking the fun out of fast food.

I think this absolutely ridiculous!! My family and I go to fast food MAYBE once a month (if that), and my children know the difference between healthy and no-healthy foods because my husband & I teach them that going to fast food is not healthy if it was all the time, but for the once in a blue moon that we do go, it's fun for them to get the toy in their bags. That's what makes a Happy Meal so HAPPY! My children are very healthy kids. I make their breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday out of very healthy choices. We're a very active family that exercise regularly and make very healthy choices. To have a lawmaker put bans on what I can buy and receive for my kids is just absolutely absurd! Don't punish everyone just because a few stupid people don't know when enough is enough, or the irresponsible parents that can't tell their kids "sorry honey, we can't eat McDonalds every night". We might as well just call them Sad Meals now for the sad little country that we've become!

Tweet-Tweet☺

2010-03-23T11:42:00.000-08:00

We now have a twitter account where you can view all our latest photography items - I hope to see you there! :)

Before & After.......

2010-03-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

Since I'm in the middle of redecorating my boys room, I decided to decoupage their old boxes that they use to put their school work and everything they want to save in. Here are the before and after pics:

Here's the before box. My son decided to write all over it last year. I think he was just learning how to write the word "mom" LOL!

Oh yeah, it's a beauty!

Now, here's the AFTER photos...drum roll please.........:

Sorry for the reflective area there, it was too dark not to have a flash on.

I'm pretty proud of my work there. It took a little longer than I had expected, but they turned out pretty awesome!

Now I think I need to go check the settings on my daughter's camera, these pictures are not turning out so well.

New Baby-New Diaper Cake

2010-03-19T09:15:00.000-08:00

One of my friends is having her first grand-baby so I made a new diaper cake for her son and daughter-in-law. I think this one turned out really cute! I'm trying to figure out how to get it shipped to Kansas without it falling into little diaper pieces LOL! Anyway, here are some pics. The picture quality isn't so good because I just used my daughters little digital camera.

I hope she likes it :)

I've been tagged by Hoe Hen Inn.....

2010-03-18T18:22:00.000-08:00

I've been tagged by Hoe Hen Inn @ Cow and Chicken Town so, I chose this photo:

My husband & I took the kids dip-netting (Just incase you don't know what that is, it's where you catch a ton of salmon with a huge net) on the Kenia River. It was cold and rainy that day so my kids and I made a big bon-fire and sat there watching all the men dip netting. I was surprised to see that my 3 yr. old was just so content to sit next to the fire and play in the sand. He sat there for a good 3-5 hours without one complaint.What a peaceful day it was.

My five tagged bloggers are as follows -

The Good The Bad And The Beautiful

New State-New Journey

Squeeze the Juice Out of Life

Just Me Defying Gravity

Just Thoughts