New Countertops

After years of not liking our choice in counter tops, we finally replaced them with granite. Guaranteed to increase the value of our home. Or so they say. We like them so much more than the old ones. Who says Dick never gets cookies? Here's the proof! A close up.

This is all the remodel I can take for one year. It was supposed to be finished before jenny & co arrived, but in true construction form they were several weeks late. They neglected to tell us that the kids couldn't inhale the fumes so the five of us spent the day outside, partly in the rain and wind, trying not to become brain damaged. We couldn't leave because occasionally they would need to ask me something. So we made a lot of baking soda volcanoes and proceeded it kill more of Grandpa's grass that he's worked so hard to replace due to dog issues. Hudson ate newly fertilized dirt and we were on the phone with poison control several times. Somehow when the fridge was moved it caused the ice maker to leak leaving puddles on the floor for several days - or no ice. There were issues getting the dishwasher to adhere to the new counter tops, and the hole in the granite for the air vent was too large. I had to wash dishes for us all for over a week. Now that all is well we are very happy!

Coming next year: new kitchen floor. I'm sure it will be an adventure!

Exit Glacier, Seward, Alaska

Not that it matters, but this is one of the only sunny days we have had this season. Notice the wind, off course. This is the melting Exit Glacier in Seward. It's changed so much since we moved here 16 years ago. Hudson thought it was a blast.

Jenny got lots of positive comments about her ability to hike around with the babe in tow.

It was a fun day - Exit Glacier, The Sea Life Center, the new Seward playground, the harbor, downtown shops, the new Safeway grocery store, lunch at the Train Wreck with Grandpa and multiple stops on the way home for wildlife viewings. We rocked!

This is what summer should be - every year!

Alaskan Summer Twenty Ten!

Jenny and the kids visited Alaska this summer and what a time we had! Here they are at the airport on the way home - ready to get back to Utah and Daddy! But we get ahead of ourselves. Ethan playing in the sandbox at the new Seward community playground - the biggest and nicest playground we have ever seen - and a beautiful view of downtown Seward and Resurrection Bay.Savannah with Krista Petersen, the author of "Meet Mr. Napkin" and a friend of mine who was having a book signing at Costco. Nice work, Krista!

Hudson at the Alaska Sea Life Center. Obviously a future boat captain!

Savannah helping with Hudson.

Ethan playing (resting?) on of the many playgrounds we visited during his visit.

Savannah enjoying nature at the Eagle River Nature Center hike.

We found a tree that was big enough for the whole family!

Ethan with Grandma at the lookout.

Long story - our counter tops were supposed to be installed BEFORE the kids came, but in true construction form they were weeks late, therefore we had some take out meals. The only "out of the kitchen" area for kids to eat and drink was of course, the bath tub!

Question: Ethan, what was your favorite part of the zoo? Answer: popcorn.

Jenny eating birthday dessert at Simon and Seaforts - key lime pie. Happy Birthday Jenny!

The petting zoo at the zoo - where you pet!

Savvy at the annual Anchorage Flower Festival. She planted flowers to bring home to the garden.

Feeding the ducks at Westchester Lagoon in Anchorage.

Petting the moose at the base hospital parking lot at Elmendorf.

It was an awesome trip with too many fun pictures to post at one time. More to follow!! We miss everyone so much. XXXXOOOO

Time for New Shoes - Asics Cumulus Gel 10's

Okay, so after my son-in-law laughs at me for wearing the same shoes for several years, I decided to invest in a new pair. Honestly, that's not exactly how it went down, but he did laugh. After I called him for sneaker advice. My little feet have been hurting for about a month, new callouses, what appears to be the beginning of bunions, some new red spots and really sore soles between my arch and my toes. According to the Internet foot doctor website I needed new shoes. Wider ones at that. So I went to my local over-priced running shoe store and tried on some and chatted with the experts and then went to the BX and found this wonderful pair for $50 less. Of course, they were also available on Amazon as well for way cheaper, but then there's that pesky issue of size and color. Orange in a size 12 wouldn't work, so my purchase was still the best option and I can't wait to have my old feet back soon.

Fresh Raspberry Scones

I've been wanting to try these fresh raspberry scones from the May 2010 issue of MSL Everyday Food magazine and today was the day! They were so easy and so delicious. The picture does not even begin to do them justice. I can't wait to make them fresh for Jenny & Co. I took the leftovers to work and they were devoured. Here's the recipe:
Fresh Raspberry Scones
2 1/2 c. unbleached or bread flour
1/4 c. + 1 T. sugar
1 T. baking powder
3/4 t. salt
1/2 c. (one stick) cold unsalted butter
3/4 c. buttermilk
1 large egg yolk
1 1/2 c. fresh raspberries
Preheat oven to 400F. Pulse together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in food processor. Add butter and pulse until pea-size pieces form. In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg yolk and slowly pour into processor pulsing until dough just comes together.
Transfer dough to lightly floured work surface and sprinkle berries on top. Knead three times to fold in berries and and pat into a 1 inch thick round. Cut into squares and bake in lightly sprayed dish. Sprinkle top with sugar.
Bake until golden brown, about 15-18 minutes. Serve warm.

I don't have a food processor so I made them by hand and it was still pretty quick and easy. I also used only half the recipe and it made a nice round cut into 8 wedges.