The Blog Revived!!!

So, I'm mostly doing this because of the relentless prodding by our friend Jennifer, but it's also TIME! The blog has been revived! I know through my friends who have blogs, it is a great way to keep in touch and to share those moments in life that get missed when we live so far away. There are more of those moments now, since when the blog began because of the addition to our family. That addition is now 2 years old, which speaks to how time really does fly.

It them only seems appropriate that I would acknowledge our son, and how much he has enriched our lives. I came across this blessing today that I thought I would share. And as he is sleeping in his bed with a fever, it seems all too appropriate.

A Blessing for a Parent to Say to a Child

by Rabbi Naomi Levy

May all the gifts hidden inside you find

their way into the world.

May all the kindness of your thoughts

be expressed in your deeds.

May all your learning lead to w isdom, may all your efforts lead to success,

may all the love in your heart be returned to you, may God bless your

body with health and your soul with joy, may God watch over you night and day

and protect you from harm, may all your prayers be answered.

And no blog post would be complete without the latest photos of the Natwick clan. Here is what we've been up to lately...

It snowed!!! Levi still LOVES to eat snow.

Scooby dooby doo!!!

Aaron's first trip to the mountain top.

Here is some pictures of my most recent adventure. I spent last Thursday through Sunday morning on Lindenburg Mountain assisting the Alaska Power and Telephone wireless crew construct a helicopter landing pad for refueling generators. Lindenburg is approx. 3500 feet above sea level and let me tell you that the weather there can turn so quickly, we were finally forced into hiking down 1500 feet to another ridge Sunday morning with hope that the helicopter could get through the dense fog and give us a ride home. We got on board of the aircraft but let me tell you that it wasn't the most pleasant ride home. Wind and rain also competed against the fog. It was a adventure worth the while, the views were spectacular and gives me much appreciation for the area around us. However, the hike down was more like sliding down on our back sides and really challenging and concerning at times. You can see Petersburg off in the distance on one of the photos.

my life of unemployment...

When Aaron and I moved up to Petersburg, the impetus was his job at Alaska Power & Telephone (AP&T to locals). I knew that moving to a town of 3500 people was going to present some limited career opportunities for myself, but I still supported the decision to move for a myriad of other reasons. Primarily, at the heart of this move, a different lifestyle and adventure. Additionally, we now live on an island, with the nearest town that could provide work for a dietitian being 6 hours away by ferry (Juneau). There is a dietitian on the island who works 12 hours at the hospital, and she ain't goin' nowhere. I figured that this is all a part of the adventure and an unusual opportunity to be open to different job possibilities the universe may send my way. So, as I've stated before, since arriving in Petersburg, I've been on the job hunt. Even in the world of non-career oriented work, finding a job takes time and timing. Add living in a small town, it's also about who you know. I literally have an application or resume submitted to just about every business in Petersburg, knowing sooner or later, something was going to happen. Aaron and I continued to joke about the fact that when "it" happened, I'd have numerous job offers at once...indeed, that time has come. Yesterday I received 3 job offers! When it rains, it pours!

I'm still deliberating as to which will be the best "fit" for me. Do I want something that would provide me with a great social outlet and creativity? Or something that is concrete, with benefits, and would provide lots of learning opportunities? Any of the above could possibly lead me down a path to a different career from the world of dietetics altogether. I am not opposed to this. I'll be sure to let you know what I decide. Just a hint, I'm way too practical.

So, during my time as the life of the unemployment, I decided that I wanted to take full advantage of the luxury of time. Something that I think makes many people uncomfortable or nervous...being by themselves all day without a purpose, other than what they create for themselves. For me, I'm in my element. I read books, I write on this blog (which, inadvertently, has received quite a few more contributions from myself rather than my husband...I'm sorry to be so self-indulgent), and I try to acquire new skills or do those things that you can only do during unemployment or retirement. This includes, trying new recipes, making homemade bread, knitting, etc. Some of these ventures being more successful than others. Currently, my house smells of yeast as I watch my labor of love rise on the stove. As in the words of Borat...great success!!! It makes me feel like a proud mama. Others just leave me perplexed and wishing I knew more people in this town so I knew where to direct my questions. I learned how to cast on from watching knitting videos on the Internet, but now what?! I asked someone at the library, and their response was, "now you start knitting." I just don't get it. What's wrong with me?

I feel the novelty of time and exploration drawing to a close as the world of employment and paychecks knocks on the door. To everything there is a season. Not one is better than the other.

I know that many of Aaron's friends want the fish stories to keep coming, and hopefully we'll be able to do that for you this weekend. We plan to get licenses and take full advantage of the coho season which extends through the end of the month. For other readers of this blog, I have to again be self-indulgent and share a great recipe that I tried this week. I can just hear the groans by some, but hey, nobody's holding a gun to your head. You don't have to read this, and after all, it's my blog and I can do what I want to. ;)

This recipe many be a big late in the season. I'm sure for most of you mid-Westerns with amazing gardens, the time has passed that zucchini is coming out of your ears! This comes from Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. Just for the record, this book has now earned it's place on my list of the top 5 books I have ever read! It's incredible. In the chapter titled Zucchini Larceny, she includes this recipe. Give it a try! The dietitian in me can also appreciate the union of such a sweet treat with a healthy kick! They even have Mr. Natwick's stamp of approval.

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 egg, beaten

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup honey

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Combine in large bowl.

1 cup white flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine in a separate, small bowl and blend into liquid mixture

1 cup finely shredded zucchini

12 ounces chocolate chips

Stir these into other ingredients, mix well. Drop by spoonful onto greased baking sheet, and flatten with the back of a spoon. Bake at 350 f, 10 to 15 minutes.

There. Hopefully that wasn't too painful!

Skagway!!!

As many of you already know, my love affair with SE Alaska began with the summer of 2000 when I lived and worked for a season in Skagway, AK. Skagway is basically like summer camp, but in this instance you can bankroll and still forge amazing friendships. To this day, many of the people who are nearest and dearest to me still "do the seasonal thing" in Skagway. Since I'm still in hot pursuit of employment, I thought, why not now, why not Skagway. So, I hot footed it over to the ferry terminal and booked a ticket, 17 laid back hours later, I arrived.

Some photos of my journey.....

Self portrait on the ferry.

My luxury accomodations.

This is a picture of two of my favorite people. Matt Flood in the middle, and Trish Sims on the other side of them.

Matt's dog Samson. My little man.

Trish and her hubby Josh. Too cute.

DyeaMatt, Josh, Shane (Josh's son) and I took the train up to Laughton Glacier. The White Pass and Yukon Route railroad is one of the last railroads in the nation that still does whistle stops, where you can actually get dropped off and picked up by the train.

Shane on the train.

Matt and I on the hike up to Laughton. The glacier is directly behind us.

This was as close as we (well, Josh, Shane and I that is...Matt whimped out) got to the glacier.

Jim and Sue. Two of the greatest people that I know. I met them my first year in Skagway. It was love at first sight. Sorry guys, I had to include you in my blog. That's what you get for seeing me.

We hiked up to Frasier Lake next to Frasier, British Columbia. This was absolutely the most beautiful day and is likely the last time that I'll see the sun or blue sky until I go to Mexico with my honey this spring. Well, I don't know if we'll go to Mexico, but we are definitely going to seek out some sun this spring.

My Birthday Weekend!

Despite what Aaron may say, and despite how I may look (wink, wink), I didn't turn 23 this weekend. It was the big 32, which wasn't that big at all, and to celebrate, my sweetie and I reserved a Forest Service cabin called Raven's Roost. It was amazing! The views, the talks, the hard work to get up that mountain...it was all very rewarding. It also makes me reflect on how happy I am to live in Southeast Alaska, where this is my backyard, and this trailhead is accessible only 5 minutes from my house. I think I have told Aaron 20 times since we moved here that "Alaska is a place that either grabs you, or it doesn't." Many wonder what the heck people are even doing up here, some feel that it's a great place to visit, and other's just feel at home. I have arrived.

Here are a few shots from this epic weekend.

Here's my handsome hubby starting out on the trail of Raven's Roost. Most of the trail is through muskeg which turns into a slog fest when you walk on it. "squish, squish, squish goes the muskeg under your feet." So, those champs at the F.S. have built a trail out of planks for your hiking pleasure. It's awesome, until they get wet, and then they become a bit hazardous. In fact this whole trail gets to be a bit dangerous...more than once, I heard a big ruckus behind me and turned around to see my loved one recovering from a fall. I'll admit, I had my moments as well.

Here I am after arriving in a meadow that overlooks Fredrick Sounds. WOW! What a view!

Here's Aaron with just a few yards to go to Raven's Roost cabin. It was the perfect home away from home, once we got the stove figured out, that is. :) These cabins are available all over Southeast Alaska, this is one of the few that are accessible by foot. Most are accessed by helicopter, float plane or boat. If anyone comes to visit, we'll take you to one! Just a little carrot dangling in front of your nose.

Hunkered down inside of the cabin. We had a little trouble figuring out how to operate the stove, so the first night was a cold one. Fortunately, my brainy, brawny husband figured it out and we were toasty warm the second night.

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