S'mores

I'm a bit late with this one... Last Friday's make and take at Jack's school they made s'mores! I was sure to leave work early to ensure participation!
























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Harvest time

We were able to pick the first strawberry that was ripe and didn't get eaten by birds! Jack was really excited and chowed it down within seconds of the berry being plucked from the plant.





























We should have some good pumpkins!



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Chicken run

My favorite chicken Vivian gets special treatment. She's the only one who gets to freely roam the yard at times since she won't run away and will usually follow Jack or I around. Here she is playing with Jack
















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Rain, Rain, Go Away

Finally there was some much needed rainfall Monday afternoon, and a lot of it.   I think most were happy about it considering the large forest fire still going strong, and all the dust and pollen floating around.  One Alaskan who was not happy about it, was poor Tuggy Bear.  My normally happy and excited boy was mopey and sad.  He was so muddy  I wouldn't allow him in the house, but he got to take refuge in the garage.

Normal, happy Tug

Sad panda Tug.

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Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

If anyone has been paying attention to interior Alaska, then you have seen coverage the 79,000 + acre forest fire caused by, well, artillery practice on the 19th of June.  Below I posted a picture that was provided by a reader of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner paper.  In the distance, you can see my buddies flying over with a bambi bucket (a big, orange flexible plastic bucket they dip into bodies of water and dump on the fire).  If you read some of the articles, this fire has been very unforgiving.  Including advising an evacuation of residents in threatened areas yesterday afternoon.  The evacuation order was lifted today, but the fire is only around 5% contained.  We see a lot of smoke and clouds from it, and yesterday a bit of ash, but we aren't in any danger, thank goodness.

 

Not my photo, but one of my units CH-47F doing their part. 

Our view in the back yard yesterday morning.  Technically, there wasn't a
cloud in the sky.  This is all smoke from the fire.


Here is a link to a pretty good article about the fire:

http://www.newsminer.com/news/local_news/stuart-creek-fire-doubles-in-size-to-acres-evacuation-order/article_c80adcf6-e747-11e2-92b4-001a4bcf6878.html

I've really seen the community come together with this emergency.  At the fairgrounds, they have set up shelter
for all the residents of the threatened areas' pets and livestock.  There is a large dog-mushing community, as well as cattle farmers and hobbyist.  They are prepared for anything you need to bring.  Storage is offered at an elementary school for large equipment and vehicles, such as motorhomes, tractors, etc. 

 

holiday at home

We are spending the Fourth of July at home this year.  There is a ban on fireworks (not that you could see them anyway, we have no darkness right now) due to all the forest fires.  Jack, Tug and I along with the chickens are spending the day playing around the house.

 

This dude knows how to relax

The majority of the ladies resting in their shabby chic coop

Having fun all by himself

Photogenic boy

Handsome puppy

 

the morning after...

The morning after a stormy afternoon and night (complete with thunder!) always looks fresh and new.  Jack and I made our rounds and he was surprised how much our garden (pumpkins, specifically) have grown in the past few days.  He let out a big, "WOW!" when he saw the garden.  We even tried some Kale.  Not too shabby, tastes like, well, kale.

 

 

Old wives' tale...

There is an Alaskan Old Wives Tale that when the fireweed turns to fluff winter will be arriving six weeks later.  I noticed all the fireweed in the neighborhood blooming, let's hope it doesn't turn to fluff anytime soon.

 

 

Starting July Off Right

After dinner on the 1st of July Jack found his paints that I thought I hid well and insisted on doing "Art".  So he did.  And a lot of it. 

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