Alaska Adventure, Days 3 and 4

Day 3 was a travel day. But one where we stopped for endless photos and had lunch at the Alyeska Ski Resort. We took the Tram Dine and Ride which took us up the mountain for lunch. We ended that day in Seward. Everything is crazy far away from the next thing in Alaska. Alaska is bigger than Texas, California and Montana put together.

Day 4 was a boat ride out of Seward. John is going to tell you about this because I didn't go. I barely make it to the top of Denali so opted out of a 6 hour boat ride.

John:  This is the Holcroft Glacier. Our destination for the ride. I chose this photo in part because of the boat in the foreground to give some perspective to the majesty! This is about a quarter mile high at this point with a river running underneath. So breath taking.

We encountered whales, a pod of Orca, porpoise, sea otters (which are quite large) as well as two types of seals and countless birds. Everyone liked the puffins.

No picture or video can do the glacier justice but here are two short videos. The first as I get my first glimpse...

...this second video as we are about to leave. Just so beautiful!

Undoubtedly, better pictures have been taken. More eloquent words have been written. But my experience on this trip was spiritual. Not in a religious manner per se but in the wonder of all creation. No matter your belief or lack there of, there is no denying this world's splendor.

Alaska Adventure, Day 2

Day 2 starts like every other day with a hearty breakfast. It often includes Reindeer Sausage. I need a good breakfast because we are off to take an Air Taxi to Denali.

No matter how amazing I thought this would be it truly exceeded all expectations. I really do not have words to describe this experience. There is something about these vistas, all that wide open space. So moving to experience this. I did not know that the mountain is only out 1 in 3 days. So for us to get 3 days of cloudless blue sky is very special.

I got to be part of this very special group of friends, having this very special experience. L. to R. John, Erica, Mike, Rae & Ralph. (Thank you Mike!)

All videos shot by John Ganahl.

Blue Glacier Pools

Really interesting to see these blue glacier ice pools. We were no where near these and this was shot from the plane. You can read more about them here.

This spectacular day ended with my favorite meal of the trip. Maple Glazed Salmon with Scallop Stuffed Shrimp.

Complete happiness overload.

Alaska Adventure, Day 1

View coming into Anchorage.

Just got back from our best vacation ever. This was in great part to our kind host, who lives there, and who organized everything. And I mean everything. He met our every need before we even knew we had them. (And no, I am not sharing him with you. So don't ask.)

Day 1 starts with John and I and our good friends and neighbors heading out at 4:40AM for an early flight out of Madison which continued on to Minneapolis and landed in Anchorage.

It is nearly impossible to take a bad photo. Pretty much point and shoot.

Seafood Salad

We were met by Mike who whisked us off to lunch near the airport at The Flying Machine. I had a very nice seafood salad. And then back in the car and on to Talkeetna, AK.

If you want to take photos of your food, and who doesn't, use this app InstaFoodPro. You get it through iTunes. The app recognizes where you are and adds the copy. You get to choose the layout. Sometimes it does have a problem with location and I have no idea why. For the most part it works well.

Talkeetna Lodge

Our long day ended at the very nice Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Behind this fireplace is a row of rocking chairs where you can take in the view inside or outside on the deck.

Denali

Early to bed. Right now it does not get dark there. I could not wait to experience this. At 1:30AM I woke up and decided to wander around to see what it looked like. And this is what Denali looked like. I was almost completely alone in that silence soaking in that vista.

Tomorrow... landing on Denali...

Ice Cream = Summertime!

Homemade ice cream that is. I have a Donvier ice cream maker that I may have bought in the 90s. Sooooo easy, you freeze the cylinder. Mix up the ice cream, pour it into the cylinder and crank the handle every so often. Makes about a quart.

I recently bought one on Amazon.

Favorite Vanilla Ice Cream

1   14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix ingredients together well. Put in ice cream maker and crank! Summer at its best.

Can't wait to have these little guys help make ice cream!

FREE font!

Yes, that is right. Rae's Monogram Two is FREE. While downloading take a look at the rest of the family!

Rhubarb Pie = Summertime!

This is sort of a re post.

I made 2 rhubarb cherry pies this weekend. If that isn't the start to Summer I don't know what is. Just want to share the recipe again because it is rhubarb time. I try to buy what is fresh at the farmer's market and use what is in season. Two pies take 6c of rhubarb. I substituted 2c of cherries because I had them. I like to make two pies because it is no more work to make two than one. And that means I can send pie home with guests.

For the recipe go to this older post and enjoy.

Jack & Ella Paper

Jessica from Jack & Ella Paper uses my fonts so well that every time I walk into Hatch Art House in our neighborhood, I have a moment where think I did them. And that always makes me smile.

Jessica has several new lines of cards. So much to choose from. I am my mother's daughter and like to have a stash of cards in the house. I've just ordered a quantity of birthday and sympathy cards for people and pets. I think the pet ones are perfect.

You can also buy Jack & Ella cards in Jessica's etsy shop. If you are in the neighborhood Hatch Art House is at 1248 Williamson St, Madison. And not to be missed is Hazel next door.

Kitchen Doodles font sighting!

OK, I have to admit when I saw this totally cute invitation I was just a teeny bit jealous. When I see something that uses my fonts this well the only thing that would make it better would be if I had designed it.

This was designed by the talented Sue Brown. She not only creates bespoke paper goods but can also be found on Minted. You will love her work.