Passing Time

 Pat has been working very diligently to finish up projects while we still have his shop.  The trailer is almost ready to go, so we have "Christened" it!  

 Pat has been working hard, and I...well, I'm trying.  I have to admit, with so much time before we actually have to move, it is difficult for me to use my time efficiently.  I pack a little bit, walk around my gardens, read every online news outlet, try to remember what it was I was supposed to be doing...  I have realized that when my environment is in disarray, my mind follows.  It is so much more work to focus on any one task.  It reminds me of when I used to have to go "clean my room" as a child.  Inevitably, I would become distracted by the stuff I was supposed to be cleaning and hours would pass with no progress.

 I note the passage of time with the progress of my flowers.  It is finally becoming a flowering paradise in my gardens.  The iris and columbine are in their full glory, covered in blooms.

 I have a trollius (globe flower) that is just about to burst with blooms!  There are many more scattered about that will give a nice repetition throughout.  My hanging lobelia are spilling over the basket edges with their splashes of blue and white.

 I also have my first squash that has been pollinated (by yours truly), and is growing by the hour!  Rowdy has discovered the flavor of the squash flowers are to his liking, and so he is my disposal method after I have used the pollen inside!

 I have truly enjoyed the opportunity to watch my beds fill in and fill up with color.  This home has been such a blessing.

 Bleeding hearts have spread their arms out, dripping with their blossoms.  Did I mention that the columbine is showing off?  I have a half dozen different colors and shades that grow like they are on steroids.  Love them!

 Even my potted flowers are all about the fashion show.  My daisies (chrysanthemums, really) make me happy every time I walk past, even though they drink up every bit of water I can give them and ask for more.  My violas are perfect whiskered babies that consistently pop their little faces out.  I love the water-colored effects they show.

 My ultimate test of patience has been waiting for my salad bowl to grow up enough for me to partake of its richness!  I have red-leaf lettuce, kale, curly parsley, onions, spinach, nasturtium, and for color, a purple viola!  Everything in it is edible, healthy, and delicious!  I've had a couple salad's with my salad bowl produce, but now I have to wait for more to grow.  I have a pot full of spinach plants, but every time I walk past it, I pick a few of those delicious baby leaves off!  Not sure it will  stay with the house...I may have to keep it for munchies!

We've been busy...

I haven't been as quick to post lately, as our plates have been getting a bit jumbled!

 Pat has continued to work on the trailer, getting it enclosed and sealed up!

 Yep, Pat is way tougher when getting shot up than I am.  He got 5 shots and I got 4.  I had to lie down after getting the first two due to the rapid drop in blood pressure!  Pat said that I turned gray.  Then he said it was all in my head.  I reminded him that it had all left my head.  This is just round 1 of 3 to complete our shot regime before we go to Africa.  Yipee.

 The house is becoming more disheveled.  It doesn't help my focus, but I am trying to organize the piles as I go.  We had our garage/moving sale this last week, so that helped to remove a bunch of stuff with which we were willing to part.  Unfortunately, this leaves us with less fun stuff to live on until we leave, like our card table and folding chairs instead of our teak table and stools, but we are thankful that we have something!

 I'm also accumulating piles of trash.  It's interesting the things that I keep, just to throw away later.  I just can't bring myself to discard some of the precious gifts of drawings that I have received.  I have a notebook where I keep some of these treasures!  

 I have still been trying to embrace all things Alaskan, specifically rhubarb!  My rhubarb plant got heavily munched on this spring, but has recovered enough to produce a strawberry rhubarb pie!  I actually prefer straight rhubarb, but there wasn't quite enough.

 We have a new purpose for our Alaska to Africa iron!  We are thinking of placing it on the ever-evolving moving trailer.  You can see the trim is now finished, and a vent installed.

We are now in the process of selling our cars (one sold during the garage sale - Yay!) and replacing them with another pickup to drive Pat's small trailer down as well.  This is change in the original plan, but hey, we are all about change!

November Thankfulness

I'd like to start by being thankful for my scarf.  And my hat.  And hair.  

It was really cold and my breath was condensing on my eyelashes and freezing them shut!

My hair is often frozen on walks.  

Also thankful for my coat, snow pants, snow boots, gloves, and wool!

 Thankful for a church body who has embraced us and invited us to spend Thanksgiving with them.

Thankful for Pat who can play "Race-horse" with little ones!

 Thankful for Pat's art skills!  He uses it to help us and others!

 Thankful for a dog with active reading skills.  

 Thankful for the fact that this bear is not a real representative of our experiences.

Thankful to have seen this baby moose exploring without getting closer!

Thankful for so many experiences that we have had!

GIVEAWAY!

You could win this!  All you have to do is link to this post (on the Alaska to Africa blog) from your facebook page or blog, or become a follower, and get the word out that we are taking orders for Christmas.  Remember that all proceeds will go to help others this Christmas who have no mom or dad to care for them, much less give them a gift.  Make your purchases count.

 This 12"x7" layered cross will be the only one made, specifically for this event!  It is a beautiful blued steel background (blue/purple color comes from a careful heat treatment) with a brushed bright steel front. Help us help the fatherless this Christmas.

Don't forget to tell us that you linked up by email, commenting, or facebook!

Oh, and the winner of this unique cross will have this shipped anywhere in the U.S. in time for Christmas giving!  If you happen to live outside of the U.S., we will try our best!  We will announce the winner on December 12th.

Alaska to Africa

Small Crosses: 7 3/4" x 5": $10.00
In an effort to try to help raise money for my sister, Pat is selling these handmade items. Why does my sister need money? She and her husband are bringing home their youngest son from Ethiopia. This process has been and continues to be an expensive endeavor. God has provided in amazing ways, and if you would like to participate in His provision, please let us know. Pat is taking custom orders, at least as much as is feasible! The items are listed with their prices, and the shipping will be extra if you live outside the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. Keep watching, as there will be new items added in the future!
Large Layered Cross: 18"x11": $40.00
All profits will go to this family who are awaiting their newest arrival!