Assorted Alaska Memories...

This was our bus stop in Dillingham, Alaska, population 2500.

Gotta love those red snowpants! So embarrasing... As you can see they don't cancel school unless there is literally a blizzad, the kind where you can't see past ten feet in front of you. Or you just can't get out of your house because of the mounds of snow. I remember my hair used to freeze if I woke up late and took a shower before I left. Some days in the winter, we'd leave for school, and it would be pitch dark outside, and when we came home at 4pm, it would be pitch dark again. But on the upside for kids, summers were endless light. Seriously, it would stay lit til midnight, then it would be twilight for four or five hours, then light again.

My parents are very adventurous, among so many other things. My father moved out to Alaska after accepting a leading job in the Information Systems dept. at the local hospital, which was also perfect for my mom, who is a nurse. He went ahead, leaving my mom to pack up our house in Seattle in a mere 10 days. I was the oldest at 9 and Connie, the youngest, was 4 yrs old. Pure craziness, but I wouldn't trade our experiences for the world! For me and my sisters, our childhood was really magical, full of snow tunnels and forts, salmon, tundra, camping and picking berries for our pancakes. My father often shovelled a sledding "luge" behind our home making use of the huge banks of snow created from the snow plows.

Other random memories... We used to go "bear-watching" at the local dump. We used to have to fly in little 12 seater planes to nearby towns for sports and academic events every other weekend. During one of those trips, our pilot actually started nodding off! Good thing I thought I was invincible when I was young. During a jog, Vickie and I actually ran into not only a moose and her calf, but once we turned around we saw the bear that was stalking them. I wasn't wearing my contacts so I thought it was a fat dog in the distance... Luckily Vickie was with me and there were homes nearby. True, my sisters Liz and Connie were petite, but these fish weigh probably 30+ pounds, Sometimes we'd catch 150 or more salmon of varying sizes and types, in just one night, using our subsistence net. We'd "set" the net or lay it out on the beach, tied to a couple of stakes. The other side was lined with bouys so when the tide came in it would trap the fish going up stream the Nushigak river. We lived in a part of town called "Kanakanak". Really. : )In this picture, my mom is holding Blackie, our collie-german shephard. She came to us with her name. In the second row is Victoria and Constance, and then Elizabeth and I are on the top row. This was our Christmas card one year, capturing a kind of a golden time for us. Very happy years, before we learned about the big problems of the small town... substance abuse by the old and young and pervasive promiscuity. Despite that, our lives were rich with experiences and colorful people.

A Blissful Birthday Surprise

(I'm so proud of myself... The original picture had a couple of people missing, and I was so sad that they weren't in it that I downloaded a free trial of Photoshop... Can you tell who was photoshopped in? : )

Wonderful people and friends, from left to right:

Top row: Gina & Anna, Alexandra & Will, Sarah, Trina, Elizabeth, Brooke, Elaine.

Bottom row: Tiana & Ellie, Kaelene, Michelle, Rachelle, Annette.

Soo... I didn't escape Michelle and Trina thoughtfulness after all! They planned a birthday party for me under the ruse of a "Girls' Night Out" at Annette's. (Apparently they had a laugh at reading my original birthday blog and were proud of being so sneaky. : ) They succeeded in surprising and embrassing me. But I got over the intial embarrassment and had a great night hanging out with these truly inspiring women and eating some delicious food (I put the recipes sent to me on the bottom of this post)... I feel blessed and grateful for such great friends!

I could write libraries filled with what I admire about my friends, but I will contain myself and just say a brief something about what I am grateful for about each of these women.

(Top row)
Gina is truly sincere in her kindness and what she says. I can tell that she is a fabulous cook even though I've only tasted some her delicious cupcakes she made. Alexandra is genuine, generous and relates to everyone through her wit & humor. She is so dang funny! Sarah is down-to-earth, a true friend, selfless in serving on others, and is amazing resource of what this city has to offer our children. I'm grateful to her for always being there for me. Trina is straightforward and inspires me in that she is always looking for ways to develop her talents. She's not only a dreamer but strives to be proactive about her goals. Elizabeth is so thoughtful, generous, and she really listens to people. I think people are drawn to her happy and peaceful nature. Brooke has a great sense of humor, and is rare and special in that she truly connects with people in a genuine way; and she remembers what is important to them, no matter how long it's been since she's seen them. (I borrowed that from someone who expressed what I was thinking better. : ) Elaine so comfortable to be around, like when you're around family. She is a great storyteller, and really expresses her thoughts and knowledge well. I admire what a great teacher she is to her children and I learn so much from hearing how she explains the world to them.

(Bottom Row)
Tiana always has a beautiful smile, no matter what is going on, even if she isn't feeling well and she is amazingly well-rounded. I admire her many talents in art & design, music, baking, sewing as well as her faith, knowledge and intiative. Kaelene has a quiet strengh, such insight and has been a great jogging partner even though we've been on hiatus ;). I feel that she is harboring talents that I don't know of yet because of her humility. I feel that she is a kindred spirit in many ways, but especially since she was raised in Alaska and married a local Hawaii guy like me. Michelle is thoughtful, has great taste, helpful (she organized my cabinets yesterday!), and is the kind of person that is a true friend. While she the kind of person that has a ton of best friends, I really consider her one of mine. People are drawn to her because she is so immediately warm and so fun to be around. Rachelle is another inspiring, proactive dreamer. I love how she is so invovled in her children's present and how she plays with them (I'm trying to be better about that) - I can see how Lizzie's maternal kindness, leadership qualities, imagination and big heart are a reflection of and compliment to her mom. I love how Annette is able to find humor in everything (I may laugh alot but I really think she is so funny!), and she is the kind of mom I want to be in that she is able to juggle so many things yet she always remains so poised and put-together. She is an awesome teacher too.

MAHALO NUI LOA to everyone for the sweet party and for making me feel so loved!

Here's that chocolate cake recipe for that moist, delicious cake that Trina made - it's from a book called The Cake Doctor.

Ingredients:1 box chocolate fudge cake mix

3.9 ounce package of instant pudding mix
4 eggs1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Mix all of this together on low speed for 1 min until everything is blended. Then mix 2 more minutes on medium speed - it will be really thick and have a sort of marshmallow-looking texture to it. (You'll know what I mean when you see it.) Once it's mixed, add 1 1/2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips folded in with a spatula.Bake in an oiled/floured bundt pan at 350 for 45-50 minutes. If you do this as cupcakes, bake only about 20 minutes. After baking, let it cool about 20 minutes in the baking pan, then remove from the pan and let it cool more.

Sun-dried Tomato Dip that Brooke brought.
(From The FOOD NETWORK)
Copyright, 1999, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, All rights reserved
Show:
Barefoot Contessa

1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped (8 tomatoes)
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup good mayonnaise
10 dashes, hot red pepper sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)

Puree the tomatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, red pepper sauce, salt and pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the scallions and pulse twice. Serve at room temperature.

My Best Friend's Wedding

We've been friends forever, but when we attended Ricks together, she would introduce herself to others, "Hey, I'm Eike (Eye - key) , like Nike." A little cheesy but very efficient, rarely did people ever ask how to pronounce her name again and people never forgot her. Not because of this intro but because there's nobody else like her. I think she now goes by the correct German pronounciation, Eye - kah.

She's the type of person that always has a nickname for everyone. I was Squirt, or Yoshi, but mainly, Kame. (Kah - may, which is my Okinawan middle name.) She's still Schmitt to me, her last name being Smith.

My family moved to the Alaska bush when I was 9 years old, almost 20 years ago. I met Eike our first day at church in the Airline Hanger we used to go to before we got the double-wide church bldg. In high school we were inseperable, and we made a funny picture: I'm short, she's tall. We two completely different people and life has taken us down very different paths, but maybe that's why we've been friends so long.

She embodies the spirit of Alaska and this passion for life and the outdoors. People are drawn to her inner beauty and downplayed physical beauty. Once, we played one of those uncomfortable FHE games at Ricks, where you go around a circle and say nice things about each other. It can be really embarrassing making people you don't know well say nice things about you, but I remember one girl saying to Eike: "You are enviously beautiful." I don't think she knows how beautiful is. I think she was deathly embarrassed and she's one of those people who turns completely red - it starts in her cheeks and spreads to her ears. I used to give her so much grief for that.

She's a total guy's girl, she's resourceful and adventurous, loves camping, hiking, paddling, snowboarding, winter camping and she'll commercial fish right along side the boys too. I guess having six older brothers helped. Her mom was born in Germany and worked as a nurse in Alaska, where she met Lyle, Eike's dad, part Alaskan. He really looks like Abe Lincoln! He's an amazing storyteller and Silke is vibrant, so full of life.

We've been through so much together! It would take a book to tell all of our adventures. The one that's retold a bunch has to do with her green '50 (or 60's?) Chevy and me learning how to drive stick. She shifted and I played with the clutch. It went pretty good but ended with a, "TURN HERE!" a ditch, and a "DUCK!" as we tried to hide as people drove by insanely slow to see who was driving. I should add that our town only had a population of 2500, so the car pretty much gave us away.

I get a little emotional just thinking about how she's impacted my life and shaped who I am today! She's really like a sister to me.

This is her awesome fiancee, Reid Ten Kley. His family actually commercial fished along side Eike's family all their lives, but the two never met until three years ago after a bear broke a window in Eike's cabin. He brought over an extra window panel and helped her install it, and as they say, "The rest is history!" He's originally from Oregan, he's a practicing CPA, but I think he also has a business on the side. He's so accomplished so much for being so young but he's completely unpretentious, just like Eike. I think they are perfect for each other and couldn't be happier for them! Congratulations to the happy couple!

If you want to check out their cool wedding website through The Knot, click here.

Elise and Elijah look-alike and fun Anecdotes

I've been meaning to do this post for a while... I saw a fun comparison of Tiana's children and thought I should do one too. In pictures, Elise and Elijah sometimes look so much alike! This one is of Elise (left) and Elijah (right) with Grandma Yonashiro.

Their sleepy smiles, both taken around the same age, about 1 month old. I was so thrilled, I wanted Elise to be a happy baby, and she is now! (For the most part.) Elijah has always been a really happy guy.

I just think these photos show how similar their features are: same nose and eyes...

One day, Elise came running to me: "Elijah stuck!" This is where I found him (to the left) It was such a random place to find him, I ran to get my camera first before rescuing him! (He wasn't hurt, just a little fustrated : ) After Elise saw that he got good attention from doing this, she had to try too. If you've seen this kitchen, it's not that big so I was surprised they fit in it.

Other fun quotes from Elise and anecdotes:

Elise found my cleaning gloves and put them on her feet. She's such a silly goose!

My funny girl doesn't want Mommy and Daddy to hug or kiss. Today she said, "No huddle!" I think that was an accidental cross between 'hug' and 'cuddle'.

When she's especially excited she'll exclaim, "Wow, amazing!"

Today as I went to throw trash she cautioned, "Mommy, be careful."

"Elijah cry, like this: 'ahhh!'" My little tattletale and actress likes to act out or make sounds to tell her story.

"I love you too much!" instead of "so much" every single time.

Elise has a strong maternal instinct. If I cry while watching a movie or if I cough, she'll ask: "Mommy (or Jackie) you okay?"

Singing the chorus to 'I am a child of God': "Lead me, walky, help me fine a way!"

At the Sears' Portrait Studio, the photographer tried to make her laugh, "Does mommy or daddy have stinky feet? " We now have a cute photo of her sweetly smiling when she responded, "No, Elijah stinky feet!"

"I want teddy bears (her vitamins)!" I tell her she can one maybe two. I take my time and she says, "I want maybe two!"

Snowy Suprises

We love snowy surprises, especially if that includes Aaron comng home from work early! We were thrilled. We weren't expecting snow, I guess we hadn't watched the weather on the news lately. : )

We called Tiana and Ches to see if they saw the snow and found that Ches was asking to play outside, just like Elise. The Christensens have the perfect yard area for toddler fun and exploration. Unfortunately (yet very fortunately for Michelle!) Damon was sleeping so they couldn't come.

Fun highlights:
Elise and Ches throwing snowballs and then trying to throw some at Elijah (why doesn't he throw back?) until we directed their energies towards chasing Aaron. They seemed to have fun ganging up on him. I think Aaron liked it too. : )

The snowman built by Tiana and Ches. The kids loved it so much they ended up giving it a big hug. (I borrowed this one from Tiana's blog.)

Then there was Ches eating snow and making Elise giggle.

I loved how you could step from a snowy world onto green grass under the holly tree - like some fanasty world like Narnia or something.

The kids were so funny waiting under the tree for Tiana and I to throw snowballs at the tree so that they could be showered with snow that was sifted through the branches. Good idea, Tiana!

When we finally went home because we were soaked, Elise cried all night to go play in the snow with Ches again. And there were a lot of longing looks cast out of the window at the falling sleet.

Mr. Sulu & my husband the Trekkie

Great shot taken by Aaron of George Takei, or Mr. Sulu from Star Trek, back when William Shatner was Captain... Or if you've seen NBC's "Heroes", he plays Hiro's father.

Aaron grew up with Star Trek because his father loved the series and he really enjoyed it. So last night, he got to go see Mr. Sulu narrate for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at the Strathmore Center, here in Bethesda.

He is so funny. He said that he was trying to take pictures without flash so that people wouldn't notice, and he was shooting them from his shoulder. So we got a lot of blurry and "artistic" pictures.

BUT he did take some really great ones! He lucked out because the usher told him during intermission to go ahead and sit on the front row. Good thing because Mr. Sulu didn't stick around after the show. : )

A Very Blissful Birthday

(Elise admiring beautiful Ellie Rae.)

She was very content just looking at her. : )

I kind of expected this birthday slip by silently and unnoticed. I am now 28 years old, which I just find kind of crazy. A few years back when I turned 25, my sweet younger sister, Vickie said, "Wow! You're a quarter of a century!" When you put it like that, I feel old. But otherwise, I feel the same, young at heart. : )

I have really wonderful family that showered me with calls and sweet friends who surprised me by remembering my birthday. I feel so spoiled and I always love talking to my sisters, parents and in-laws! I have the best family, so generous and thoughtful.

A good friend, Elizabeth H. called to wish me a "Happy Birthday" - I was so surprised that she remembered! She told me that her husband Kent had our birthdays in his palm pilot from when he was our home teacher. Aren't they the best? She brought over these beautiful, delicious chocolate cookies dusted in powdered sugar. I put them in the bowl Michelle had given us for Christmas.

As if that wasn't enough, another good friend, Tiana stopped by with yummy oatmeal cookies and a gift from her and Elizabeth! Then, Michelle, Damon and Taylor came over too for a fun, impromptu playgroup! The best way to spend a birthday.

Elizabeth and Tiana picked out a foresty-olive green jacket for me (my favorite color!) from Steve & Barry's. They also gave me a beautiful set of earrings and a necklace, with blue beads and jewels. They are so thoughtful and so sweet. Thank you Elizabeth & Tiana!!

Every year it seems I make a goal to remember people's birthdays... I made the resolution to remember early this year too but now I am even more inspired to try remember everyone's birthdays better, because I felt so loved. So, if you read this please post a comment with your birthdate!

It's nice that people just remember. In the morning, I had called Trina for some random thing and she greeted me with a cheerful "Happy Birthday!" I thought that was super sweet. She had also offered to watch the kids earlier, but we wanted to include them in our celebrations.

I also got a suspecting email from Michelle, "Did I hear today might be a special day for you?" I think I successfully ignored that question, fearful that she would try to do something nice for me. She had just given me some really melt-in-your-mouth banana bread, which we devored in one day. This picture is Elijah first licking the bottom of the pan and then acting like it was a hat : ) It was so funny. He somehow kept getting it off the dining room table!

And then, there's my sweet husband...

He came home with a rose, some ginger scented perfume and body cream... Then, he took our whole family out to Ruth's Chris Steak House. We really enjoyed it! I got the kids all dressed up and Elise was so excited that daddy was taking us out to eat. They did really well but of course they got restless. I think it was the fastest time we ever spent in a resturaunt! We started off with Caesar salads, then Aaron ordered a "really good steak" : ), I think it was the New York Strip steak. I got the stuffed chicken breast (reccomended by Michelle), with lots of butter and cheese, so good! The kids ate the broccoli, asaragus and mashed potatoes. We took a few bites of our entrees and then asked them to wrap up the rest and bring us the check. haha! At least we got some fun pictures.

(These are before and after pictures of my hair.)

These pictures are of a Christmas present from Aaron, but it feels like it was for my birthday. Last week, I used the gift certificate Aaron gave me to go to a salon and cut my hair. I got some layers and warm highlights. It was so nice to be pampered (I don't think I've ever been to that kind of salon, mostly just hole-in-the wall places : ), and Aaron and the kids roamed the mall for almost 2 hours. I love my husband! I think I pretty much copied all my friends haircuts - Tiana, Michelle, Kaelene... I love it, I feel like a new woman. : ) Thank you, Aaron!!

Mt. Vernon & Washington's Eyes

This is a snapshot of a scene in "National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets." If you look close you can see the veranda of the Washinton's mansion on the Mt. Vernon Estate. I liked the movie, it made me laugh but I still think the first one was more interesting. I guess for the end of this month and part of Feb., you can visit the estate and they will allow visitors downstairs where a pivotal part of this scene was filmed. Click here for more info. Sounds fun!

We wondered aloud if we'd find any secret passageways, but we of course we didn't. We were lucky enough to catch the end of the holdiday tours. We got to tour of the third floor where Martha Washinton spent the last two years of her life after her husband passed away suddenly. She couldn't bear to stay in the same room that they shared so she moved upstairs.

We also got a lovely snack in celebration of the 12 days of Christmas. There was a white tent set up on the grounds serving ginger cookies and hot apple cidar. Yum! I guess they were also serving a famous recipe that Martha Washington made during the holidays: Hedgehog cake. We missed that one though!

This is a concave carving of George Washington in a wall - it's really interesting because his eyes follow you no matter where you are in the room, it's kind of eerie in a way. Cool, but eerie. It's probably more impressive in person because it's pretty large.

We loved touring the gardens, mansion, grounds and learned so much from the museum exhibits! We'd definately go again sometime.

Playgroup Photos

"Sweet Sickly" Aunas and Other Treats

I just loved how this card was addressed and the brownies were perfection! Michelle, thanks for being a such a compassionate friend! Actually, we missed church because the kids were getting over a virus, plus I forgot about the time change and we were jet-lagged.On another occasion, when I missed church because I had a headache, Kaelene came by with flavorful lasagna cooked with zucchini! (I borrowed a picture from the web.) It was so unexpected and so very thoughtful! Mahalo nui loa!

After our long, sickly flight from Hawaii we returned home to a much cleaner-than-we-left-it apartment, plus all of these fancy treats! I love the plush, soft towels that match our new shower curtain perfectly. The pumpkin roll was really beautiful. Elijah thought so too - I looked away for a second and he had stuck his hand in it! It was rich, creamy with a hint of my favorite holiday spices! Heavenly. Thank you, Tiana, CJ, Danielle and family! We are so grateful for and feel we don't deserve your kind generosity.

I thought this idea was super fun and unique. We recieved the Browns' Caramel Corn recipe plus all the ingredients needed to make a very delicious treat. It was such a great activity me and the kids and it tasted great. Thank you so much!