Rose Petals

I have always loved wildflowers. I'm not the kind of person who swoons over a bouquet of flower shop roses, but I love photographing wildflowers. This time of year, especially with the lovely filtered  light we had the last couple of weeks (some sarcasm there as the wildfires are burning early this year) the flowers look especially bright. Soon, on my other blog I will share some of the recipes I made with this ingredient, but today I just wanted to share a little beauty of the season.

Yes, I consider rose petals to be an ingredient. They really are quite versatile and can be used in their many different forms. I have used dried petals in ice cream and as a garnish. Last year I made rose water which adds rose flavor to a variety of dishes and cocktails. Many times I just add the fresh rose petals to compotes and jellies  as they cook down to nothing and add just the slightest hint of rose scent.  This time of year when the Roses and Rhubarb are the first fruits of the season I like to blend them together in tarts and muffins.

Down in the Dumpster

 I was washing dishes a couple of  weeks ago with all the kitchen windows open. I kept hearing this  fluttering sound and was wondering what the dogs might be up to. It was a  super hot day and every time I looked out the window they were just  laying there in the cool spot in the flower bed on the side of the  house. I kept hearing the fluttering and then all of a sudden I  panicked. I thought one of them had caught a bird. I ran to the back  door to see what exactly was going on when I saw a Robin fly in and land  on Brody's side. She picked and pulled and filled her beak with his  soft and downy white fur until he lifted his head and made a  half-hearted attempt to snap at her. All I could think is those baby  birds are going to have one very soft nest.
We have been watching another nest of Robins on the loading dock at work  the last couple of  weeks. They chose to make their nest in a very  unfortunate place above the dumpster. Luckily there have been many eyes  keeping watch over those babies the last few days as they have made  their way from the nest. As we suspected the one in the photo above  landed in the dumpster today and two co-workers jumped in to save him  before the big truck showed up to empty the dumpsters.

The Storm

In some parts of this country they have large tropical storms that they give  names like Hurricane Rita or tropical storm Andrew. Sometimes, these storms are so severe you find people's deck furniture in the middle of their lawn.

 Then you will find large chunks of wood from the wood shed and the dog dish from the pen clear across the other side of the property.

Then there is the brush from the woods, the garden stakes, and the burned bits from the fire pit sprawled everywhere.

Since we don't have any tropical storms here in Fairbanks, we just call it Arrluk. Sometimes, after he has scattered debris from one end of the property to the other and dug up the garden he feels fulfilled and actually takes a nap.

Sorry sir, did not mean to wake you!

Does he sink or swim?

We still aren't sure yet. We will let you know when we find out.

Evening Light

Winter Again!

We had a wonderful summer here in Fairbanks. Almost two weeks long, although it came a little early this year. Today, we are going to start waxing our skiis and making our Christmas lists.

Incredible Shrinking Dog Bed

March 14

March 22

March 28

April 12

May 2

First Spring Rain

For the first time since we have lived here we might actually be able to say, "April showers bring May flowers".

An Experimental Farm

 

I have always thought the Experimental Farm sounded kind of creepy. I imagined three headed chickens and strange hybrid animals. I was in the neighborhood today. Well, all I saw were reindeer, lots of new spring fuzzy ones. They sure are cute.

Fabulaskana

It is that time of year when it seems like there is a new show in the Art Gallery every week. This one really catches your eye and it is nearly impossible to just walk on by. To learn more about this show and see the photos they took at the Musk Ox farm see this article in the News Miner.

Lily Pads on Smith Lake

This weekend I went on a walk with a couple of friends to Smith Lake on the University trail system. It was unseasonably warm, an absolutely beautiful day to be out. As we walked along the edge of the lake we noticed that the area around the lily pads was melting at a much faster rate than the rest of the lake, leaving them exposed to the surface. I am wondering if this is one of those unique adaptations that only occurs in Alaska lily pads. It was really cool looking, but I have no idea what causes these areas to melt so much faster. Is it just light, or is there more to it? Any of you smarty pants out there know the answer?

 

Granite Tors Trail

Beat by Beethoven

Alpha Dog

Arrluk has been exerting his dominance quite a bit lately. He has become very vocal if we don't get him out of his crate or feed him quickly enough. He has taken to biting Brody's ears, and stealing his food, toys, bones, sticks, and bed. It seems not even a tree is safe from Arrluk's dominant ways...

Going Green

If there is one thing I have learned living in Fairbanks, it is that you have to be adaptable. This theory does not apply only to humans, but all living matter in the tundra. This was quite obvious this weekend on our hike as everywhere the snow had melted there was already bright green in its place.

To See What We Could See...

 

Yesterday we took a walk over Twin Bears...It was a glorius spring day. Much different than our Easter Walk last year.

Arrluk has quickly learned to drink from the Camelback.

Brody is looking lovingly at David. (Did I mention David is eating cheese?)

 

The view was spectacular from the top.