Dec 31 2012 ~ Happy New Year!!

Hi everyone just wanted to wish you all a Happy New Year!! Tonight we are having people over to ring in the new year.  It's starting as a skating party and moving on into the wee hours of the night.  So hopefully I can update tomorrow, I will talk to you later, have a great day.

Dec 30 2012- it's almost the end of the year

Good morning, it's 6:04am and DS and I are up while the rest of the other sleep. Don't worry we will wake them up after practice. Evil voice...=)

Oh shit I was supposed to bring DD skates to get sharpened, oh well next time...=) I quite as the equipment manager...lol

So I'm just doing this update on my phone and I can't see what I'm writing so sorry if I make mistakes and I will fix when I get home on my home computer.!!!!!

So today is day two of Derek's visit, today we are heading to town to show him around and get groceries, yesterday we played out on the lake ice, we all had fun, and of course I took lots of pictures, I will post some.

Well I will post more later if I get time, have a great day...=)

Our hat chair

Eating at Taco Bell in Palmer, Alaska, after DD's hockey game

Dec 28 2012 ~ Friday

Good Morning, so when DH and I got up today at 9:00am it was still dark, now it's 9:37am and it's twilightish out. 

Here's a picture I took when I got up today, it was cool the moon shinning on the ice.....=)

Tonight we pick up our first visitor from the airport, Derek one of DS's and our friends from M R.  All he wanted for Christmas was to come up to Alaska and see us.  

We are trying to figure out winter things that are fun, and we got the rink all snow blown off yesterday, after 3 1/2 hours, and we flooded the rink as well, will head out later to check and see how it is.

We are praying the weather man is wrong, he's saying snow all next week...and that will put a real damper on the rink.  But with the new snow blower it's alot easier.

Tomorrow DD has hockey at 7:30am and then again at 4:00pm, then DS has hockey on Sunday at 6am....it's going to be really hard to get the kids up both mornings because we have been sleeping in the last week, getting up at 10am or so.  

Well that's it for now, have a great day

Christmas pictues

Dec 26 2012 ~ Happy Boxing Day family and friends in Canada

So lets see where did I leave off....
Dec 23 2012 - woke up, DH and I decided to brave the grocery store at the Base, and on the way we stopped at Lowes, I was looking for a gift for DH, my friend had an indoor grill she got back in Canada at Canadian Tire, so I was trying to find one.  We have been talking about getting a snow blower, but really haven't needed one until this last snow...so we went in to look at them.  Asked if they came in a box, and the guys said no we sell them put together.  So we asked could it go into a Pathfinder?  Yes, he said so we got one, they had fun putting it into the truck...a few parts had to come off but it did fit, thank goodness the kids decided to stay home, because we still had to get groceries.  We ended up getting a big cart full and was really surprised at how fast the shopping experience went.  Finding ingredients for the Oriental Salad I make in Canada was a bit of a chore, but after stopping at Fred Meyers, I had all the ingredients, and a few extras.  DH had to put the Snow Blower back together and see if we had any gas....we had a bit for the lawn mower.  I went in and made Lasagna, we hadn't had it for some time, and it was delic.

Dec 24 2012 -  woke up, DH made us scrambled eggs and sausage, then we cleaned the house, I did Christmas wrapping of gifts....nothing like leaving it to the last minute.  DH got the snow blower tuned up and ready to hit the driveway and lake.  I went out to see how to run the new baby, and tried to get the ice cleared off....the wind was blowing so it wasn't an easy task, also didn't want to run out of gas, and have to push or pull up our slight hill in the back yard...it's not a light machine.
I delivered some cookies to our couple neighbors, and came back for left over Lasagna.  It started to snow as well.....A white Christmas that's for sure....no rain this year...
We watched a few movies together before the kids headed for bed about 9:30pm.  They put out Cookies and a beer for Santa before they went to bed.  After the kids went to bed DH and I watched another movie then headed to bed as well.  Happy Christmas Eve everyone!!

Dec 25 2012 - Merry Christmas to all!! 

I woke up around 8am, went back to bed, kids got us up at 8:30am, then the morning mayham begun......Santa had found us at our new home in Alaska.  We opened our gifts, everyone spoiled again this year.
I had to get my buns out of the freezer and make sure they rose big enough before baking them for Christmas dinner at our friends.
I made our now Christmas morning Breakfast, Eggs Bennie, they are so yummy and my favorite.  We had lots of phone calls from family and made some ourselves.
After everyone was enjoying their new gifts, I made the salad for dinner and then got ready to head to our friends for dinner.

We had a wonderful time with our new friends and look forward to many more Christmas's in Alaska.

Dec 26 2012- Boxing Day - they don't really celebrate here but I'm sure they will have some great deals.  We are heading to town later to get a Library Card so DD can get some books for her new Kindle.  and we need to get gas for the snow blower, I have to get the rink cleared off, the weather man is calling for snow this next week, so if I keep up on it we should be able to enjoy the rink for days to come.
Okay well that's if for now may write more later, take care

Dec 22 2012-still alive

So it's Dec 22 the world was to end yesterday and we still live.

At the arena getting ready for DS's hockey game against the Moose, then off to DD's hockey game at 5pm then to a party at our friends.

DS and I did some more Christmas shopping before his game. Will have to see if I have everything I need and then have to get some grocery shopping.

Well with the time flying by cant believe its two days away. Merry Christmas to you all!!

Dec 19 2012 ~ another cold day in Alaska ~

Today it was another cold day.... -23c, the walk to the school bus is cold.  Today I made some more shortbread, to take to my ladies night cabin trip tomorrow night.  I cleaned the house and did laundry, but that's a never ending battle around here.  Oh ya hope I'm not getting sick...I have had a headache for a few days now.  Well it's almost 11pm good night to you all...Last day of school for the kids tomorrow....=) sleep in days coming up...and then the battle to get up in 2013 starts....

Dec 18 2012 ~ Elf on the Shelf....

 I'm sure everyone has heard about the Elf on the shelf.....so glad my kids are older and I don't have to get one....but they sound fun....maybe...one of my friends is having a great time with Elfy....and today I saw this posted on her Facebook, from one of her friends and thought I would share...I laughed...

http://www.peopleiwanttopunchinthethroat.com/2011/12/over-achieving-elf-on-shelf-mommies.html

http://www.elfontheshelf.com/

 

Any how just wanted to share...have a great day

Dec 17 2012 ~ Monday again....last week before Christmas

Good Morning, it's 7:09am and we are up for the last week of school before Christmas break, we had another busy weekend, Friday DD and I went for her hockey practice, we get to the arena, and no practice, 3 other parents showed up...Manager made a mistake.  So we went to Fred Meyers shopping...we ran into a few parents from hockey... =)
Saturday morning we had a sleep in day, then we had Eggs Benny for brunch one of our favorite breakfasts.  Later DH and I went to a Canadian Snowball, we picked up Deuce and headed for the first house.  They had a drunk bus, but I decided not to drink, because we had a busy Sunday.  We ended up going to 5 different houses, ending with DH's boss's place.  Some of our friends ended up going to the Homestead after, but we came home.
Sunday we headed for the base, they have a ski hill, and we went for the Kids Christmas Party, we went tubing, then had pizza and Santa came for a visit.  We had an amazing time and tubing was so much fun.  Looking forward to many more fun times with our friends.

Family snowball fight after getting home

Oh ya then we went to DD's hockey game, they won 7 to1 and DD tried to get a goal twice...but missed....she said she may have to practice taking shots....=)

Well that was our weekend in a nut shell, have a great day, talk to you soon

Dec 15 2012 ~ Saturday Night already

Well it's 5:31 pm already, the day just fly by, I guess sleeping in helps the day go by a lot faster.  For Breakfast today I made Eggs Benny....one of our family favorites.  Then later DD and I made Sugar Cookies...=) we will ice them later.

Dec 13 2012 ~ Thursday ~

Good Morning, it's been another busy morning of shoveling snow, finally the driveway is finished, 8 inches of snow....is a lot!!   I haven't even started the ice rink on the lake....=(  Okay Snow blower maybe on my Christmas list now.  I like shoveling snow but that was a lot of snow, and I'm not getting younger, and it's my back  that's getting old... =)  Thank you Mother Nature for my workout today and yesterday...=)

So today on my list of to dues, I have butter tarts, making pastry from scratch....I seem to have shortbread down pat so I'm going to be brave and make my own pastry....I usually buy frozen tart shells....but I'm not sure if they sell them, and well with only one car, life on the run is difficult...stay tuned for pictures...oh ya and the shortbread passed the family's taste test...#1 they said and to make more.

Dec 13 2012~ 10am

By for now, have a great day

Okay I'm back with some pictures....=)

Happy Birthday!!   12-12-12

December 12 2012 ~ 12-12-12 ~ Happy Birthday Carlisle!!

Happy Birthday DH, 

your the best husband, father and friend and we love you....xoxo

Today we woke up to Snow, about 3-4 inches and it's still snowing...10:09am is the time.  I was going to go out and do the driveway but it's snowing still so I made Cream Cheese icing for DH's Carrot cake.  I'm thinking about making Sugar Cookies as well, then the kids can help me decorate them soon, need to pick up more icing sugar before that happens.

Today DD and I walked across the lake to the bus stop, the bus was right on time, and thats when things went wrong for the bus driver.... =(  he tried to turn around, the bus has built in chains at the back of the bus by the tires, but it didn't help, so he had to get out and try and put the chains on, that wasn't fun, he didn't have a flash light, so I turned my iPhone to movie camera and turned on the light, it helped alot, the bus driver told me he made a bet at the beginning of the year that he wouldn't have to put his chains on for this year.  Well that didn't happen, he eventually got one on, so he was able to get up the hill...and off to school they went...it was a long time, so the kids I'm sure were late for school.  Wonder how the ride home will be, I'm going to take some cookies for the bus driver, I was going to wait until next week, but it looks like a good day for cookies.... =) 

Well not looking forward to the snow shoveling...we did get money from our parents, maybe we should get a snow blower...maybe they wont even have any left...maybe I will email DH and suggest stopping at Lowes for a look at the snow blowers....to save my back....I need the exercise but that's a lot of back strain I don't need.

Well I will talk to you later, I'm sure the kids will be playing in the snow after school...snow just isn't right for making snow men though...have a great day

Dec 11 2012 ~ Mild weather...is it the calm before the storm.....

 Mild weather...is it the calm before the storm.....stay tuned.....

So today and yesterday it has be at 0c the snow is melting...and tonight the weatherman is calling for rain, freezing rain and then 4-6 inches of snow.  Now that sounds like BC weather.  Not sure what's going to happen to the Lake rink....it's not looking pretty right now.

Today I made a carrot cake for DH's Birthday tomorrow, 12-12-12 it will be....crazy. DD had a birthday like that in 2009 ~ 09-09-09 as for DS and I it's not going to happen...so it's pretty cool.

I also made another batch of Shortbread, I ran out of Berry Sugar from Canada, so picked up some ultra fine sugar here...it's not quite the right sugar but it will do.  Maybe when my parents drive up they can bring me some....wont need it until next year at Christmas...Hint Hint...Mom

Just looked outside and there's blue sky...wonder what will happen...hopefully it stays low in the state and moves....

Oh ya, also wanted to say I love me nails...I got them done Dec 6th...
http://15minutefashion.about.com/od/quickbeautytips/fr/Gel_Nail_Manicure.htm
this is what I got done....they are holding up great...=)

Well off to do something around here...it's getting close to Christmas now...oh ya did alot of Christmas shopping last night...a lot of the stores are open 24hrs here.

Dec 10 2012 ~ time is flying by......

Happy Monday everyone, I can't believe it's Dec 10th already, it's been a busy time around here, Dec 6th DH and his work buddies had a hockey game Officers vs NCM
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151125183315670.436898.682365669&type=1&l=4762f75a10    link to some pictures I took, the game ended in a tie....then in the shoot out it still ended in a tie...so they are planning on having another game ....

Dec 6th I went to a Pamper Me night with a Mani... I got jell nails, French Manicure but with black tips.... it was a fun night with some of the Canadian Ladies.
Dec 7th-after school we headed to Fred Meyers to see if we could get an appointment for DS to get his eyes checked....booked solid until the new year.  Called the base and he could get in first thing Sat..
DS had hockey practice, 9:30-10:30pm, after we saw the Mama and her baby Moose, at the end of the arena...digging for grass not sure what really....we got some pictures with my iphone.

Dec 8th ~ woke up to get ready for DS's eye exam, he's prescription changed and he got new contacts.  We went to the Commissary Base Grocery store....(groceries are way cheaper there) it was nice to get in before the Saturday rush.  With it being so cold everything stays at the right temp or colder.  We did some looking around the base, stopped at Burger King on Base for lunch then heading to our friends son's 4th birthday at the Base Bowling Alley, it was alot of fun, we left a bit early because we had to come home to get ready for our Canadian Christmas Party for DH's work.  We got home about 3:48, and left for the party about 5:30pm, when we got the truck out of the garage, we realized it was snowing and we had about 2 inches of snow.  It was a hell of a drive to the party, with little visibility, especially when someone passed and then came back to the lane in front of you.....it was a nail bitter that's for sure.  As we got closer to the Moose Run, our party destination, the snow got deeper and deeper, maybe double or more from our house, and no snow plow in site.  At the exit to the Moose Run, there was a Policeman and two cars, pulled off with smashed in back ends....SLOW DOWN  everyone.... it snowed most of the party, then we headed in 4 wheel drive to the Homestead, our local bar, we frequently visit with the Canadian's.  We had a great time, and got home around 1:30am
Dec 9th ~ DD had hockey practice at 7:30am, I was hoping for alot of snow, but we didn't get much more over night, so DD and I head to the practice, only 3 others showed up....we shared the ice so at least it wasn't a waste of ice time.
I had a bit of a nap before heading out to shovel the driveway and then the lake ice rink, the kids came out to help, but I didn't finish the driveway, before DD's other hockey practice at 4:30pm, DH made us dinner, then we watched a family movie.

Dec 10th, we woke up to about an inch of more snow, but 0c really mild out, so after walking to the bus stop I finished shoveling the driveway again and did the rink as well.
it's 2:23pm now already, have a great day...=)

Tree Photos

Here's some Christmas Tree pictures:

Dec 5 2012 ~ Morning Alarm

Good morning, it's 9:23am and I'm sitting here with a cup of tea in hand (do you have yours)....it's a cold day for us -23c, with clear skies. (still dark)   After dropping off  DS at the bus stop, I was sitting watching the news and DH came into the TV area looking up at the road....Head lights...it was the Police.  Didn't think anything of it, then the neighbors house Alarm starts going off....DH said he thought he had heard it earlier as well.  So we head to the other end of the house to see what's up.  There's no lights on inside, I see the Police man's flash light looking around.  Before I know it's there's 2 police cars.  I send a text to the neighbor to see if she's okay.  The Policemen leave, and I don't hear the alarm again.

DD and I are getting ready to walk to the bus and the neighbor calls to say she's okay, she's at work, I guess something fell in her garage and the policeman said her garage door wasn't locked enough.  It's all good, so now we are running behind, so we head across the lake for the bus, making it in time....=)  it's so cold as well...I had a scarf around my mouth...not a good thing, because it seems to make you colder....you breath out and then it freezes.

I took out more butter (my last cup)...I'm thinking about making Chocolate chip cookies, feel like having some.  Yesterday I made Crinkle cookies, and they turned out like before....hard as rocks...they are good dipped in tea, but really crunchy otherwise.

I need to do laundry and clean upstairs, down stairs is getting there...still have to do more, but it's getting there.

Last night I made Pork Tenderloin I got at the Commissary for $6 (2lbs) and it was soooo good, I used this recipe.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/saras-secrets/marinated-grilled-pork-tenderloin-recipe/index.html

Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin

Recipe courtesy Charlie Palmer, Charlie Palmer's Casual Cooking, William Morrow, 2001

Prep Time:20 min

Inactive Prep Time:2 min

Cook Time:30 min

Level:Easy

Serves:6 servings

Ingredients

• 3 (3/4 to 1 pound) pork tenderloins
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 cup dry sherry (didn't add)
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary (added dry)
• 1 tablespoon minced shallots (didn't add)
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger (added dry)

Directions

Trim the tenderloins of all fat and silver skin. Place them in a shallow baking dish large enough to hold them without crowding.

Combine the soy sauce, sherry, honey, vinegar, oil, and orange juice in a medium bowl, whisking until well blended. Stir in the rosemary, shallots, and ginger. Pour the mixture over the tenderloins. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate at room temperature for 2 hours.
Preheat an outdoor grill or indoor grill pan.
Remove the pork from the marinade, shaking off any excess. Place the tenderloins on the grill and cook, turning frequently, for about 18 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 155 degrees F. Transfer to a platter and allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before carving.
Meanwhile, place the marinade in a small saucepan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until slightly thickened.
Slice the pork into 1/4 inch-thick slices, spoon the hot marinade over the pork. Serve with a tossed salad.

 Recipe Note:
But Carlisle pan seared it with oil and garlic and then cooked in the oven at 350


 Tonight we are having an easy dinner, Sausages and Canadian Kraft Dinner...not many boxes left...=)  The kids like the Velveeta craft dinner here. I have bought some of the small microwave bowls to see if they liked them.

Well off to finish a Sock Money Hat, have a great day.... =) thanks for stopping by.

Dec 4th 2012- Christmas decorating

  So yesterday I put up our Christmas tree, we have had the same fake tree since living in Comox, I put our train that goes in the middle of the tree on and then DD and DS helped put ornaments on the tree, it's an all day or two thing. I don't usually put up to many other Xmas decorations, but have this year. It must be our beautiful scenery around here, getting me in the spirit.
  We miss family times of course with many of our old family traditions but make new ones it seems with every posting.
  I'm making some large snow flakes for our walls, and painting them red, DD wants to paint some green so we will see.  Click on the link above if you want to check them out....they are a free craft for us, because I have all the supplies right here...except I can't find my glue gun so I'm using Elmores glue.

How to make giant craft stick snowflakes

Supplies and tools

• craft sticks
• protractor
• hot glue gun and glue
• fishing line
• clear cellophane tape
• 3/8- to 1/2-inch-wide holiday ribbon
• red and white paint (I used Benjamin Moore Aura Steam [AF-15] and Caliente [AF-290])
• round 12mm rhinestones
• scissors
• double-stick foam tape
• small paintbrush
• drop cloth or newspaper

Well I better go and get this house cleaned up....not that I want to...=)  have a great day, bye for now

Dec 3rd 2012 ~ where's the Choc Count down Calendar??

Good Morning everyone, it's Dec 3rd already, time is just flying by.  We have had cool temperatures but nothing to cold.  (-10c)  I think maybe a bit cooler last week with the wind chill.  We are still managing our 3 inches of snow, the weatherman doesn't seem to know when more will come, they said tomorrow, and I heard today it wont be until the weekend so we will see.

We had another busy weekend, Friday night we went to our friends house for a Poker Party, I didn't play, I mingled with some of the ladies.  DH played poker with the poker players, we had a great time, looking forward to many more parties.  We are loving our time here.

Saturday we didn't do to much, we did have a family day out on the rink (lake) for as long as we could handle the cold.

Family photo Dec 1 2012

 Then later, I drove DD to a Bowling sleep over Birthday party, a girl from her hockey team....She had a blast and stayed up to 3am.

Sunday, we had a busy day again, starting with French Toast and Bacon, our family favorite....well I think it's a toss up between French Toast and Eggs Benny....yummy.

We went shopping at the base for groceries, DH was to get a hair cut, took a number, they were on 67 and he was 98 so we went shopping, with DH checking back in and then he missed his number and it was a gong show, so needless to say he didn't get a hair cut, we got a full cart of groceries, with only 3 or 4 things on our list....heading back to the truck, we realized we had not much room, with both kids hockey bags in the truck......DH and DS shopped like two kids in a candy store.... =)  So many things at the store we cant or haven't seen in Canada.

We heading for DS's hockey game, at a really cold rink in town, so cold...of course DH or I didn't have our long johns on....big mistake.  DS got his team jersey finally, he's number 13, didn't think he would ever get his jersey, and get the number he wanted as well.  The boys had a pretty good game, and ended up winning 4-2.

After his game, we decided to hit Taco Bell, one of our favorite fast food restaurants here, I was so cold after eating I went to the truck to wait for the boys to finish eating...I was shivering....=(

Then we head to the arena to meet DD for her hockey practice, I thought it was a game, but ended up being a practice.  We had a fun time talking about different Chocolate bars and other candy we have in Canada, that they don't have here in the USA.  The number one we talk about is ....SMARTIES....

Canadian Smarties

American Smarties

Canadian Rockets

http://huzzah.edublogs.org/2010/02/25/we-have-a-lot-in-common-but/

There was alot of others as well, it's crazy...No Coffee Crisp, Caramilk, Mirage,Big Turk, Bounty, Crunchie, Eat-More, Mentos...and I'm sure there's a lot more...but these are a few...just weird...

Well DS and DH are off to school and work, I have to get DD up and off to school as well....I'm having a clean up day...and then some baking and maybe some Crocheting and of course Tea in there as well....need snow tires for the car...we have only one car on the road right now....DH has decided to not get a new car this year.  Okay I will talk to you later, have a good one all.