Groceries and Lumber: Stocking Up

Saturday we took a little trip to Nome to do some grocery shopping. We took our boat over to Teller, borrowed a truck and drove into town.



I checked things off my grocery list as I filled the cart.



It's best not to look at the total and just hand over your plastic, sign quickly and move on.



Paper, plastic or cardboard? Some really sturdy cardboard please.



All of our groceries fit nicely into these four boxes. That's nearly $100 per box.



Harold enjoyed his break from the ordinary.



We also made a stop at the lumber yard. You don't even want to know how much that cost. Multiply the grocery total by 3 and subtract $100.  *breathing deeply*




Harold and our credit card were pretty tired by the end of the day.



Into the boat went the supplies and back to Brevig.

~AnnMarie

Hand Made Fishing Line

 

This was completely Harold's idea and design. He saw some screws lying about and was inspired to make a halibut style fishing line. He had C.O. cut rope and strings to just the right length, then put this together, complete with an anchor made from some scrap metal he found.



Harold and his friend walked down to the ocean and threw the line out. Harold was hoping to catch "fish, a whale and maybe even a shark!"



I think the line looked a bit smaller in the ocean than what Harold was imagining.



Here fishy, fishy, fishy. 

Harold left it out all day and checked it after school. Still no luck.

~AnnMarie

Cooking in Bush Alaska

Our friend Angie, also a transplant to Brevig Mission, started a blog recently about cooking in Bush Alaska, hence the name Cooking in Bush Alaska. I was pretty excited when she asked me to contribute to her project. 

What makes this cooking blog different from the millions of cooking blogs out there is our remote location. The byline is "creatively avoiding food boredom in a land far away from full-service grocery stores and fresh ingredients."


So often when I'm cooking or baking I don't quite have the right ingredients, so I have to make do with whatever I have in the kitchen. Though not recommended, a common substitution technique for me is to find something that's at least the same color as what I'm supposed to be using. Sometimes successful, sometimes disastrous. That's the kind of stuff that will give this cooking blog some heart and soul.

Cooking in Bush Alaska could be useful for those of us living in the bush but also for anyone living in a rural location who doesn't have the convenience of a grocery store nearby.

We talk a bit about making the best without every ingredient in a recipe, appropriate or sometimes crazy substitutions, using locally harvested food and the various ways we get our groceries.

Take a look when you get a chance. I've already tried two of the recipes Angie has posted and loved them! She's pretty talented in the kitchen and with her camera. The photo and food pictured above are her handy work. See what I mean? Pretty talented huh?


Stop by, I think you'll enjoy it and happy cooking!

~AnnMarie

Adoption #2 : A Referral

About one week ago we received great news concerning our Ethiopian adoption. We have been matched up with a little girl. Finally!

Our paperwork has been in Ethiopia for over a year but we began the adoption process nearly two years ago.

It's been a long wait, but by the grace of God not unbearable.

At this point, we can't share any photos publicly, which is torture since she is BEAUTIFUL with the biggest, brownest eyes and adorable grin.

We cannot share any personal information either which makes sense since we have no legal connection to her at this point. It would be creepy and weird to start talking about and posting pictures of a kid that isn't ours. But not to worry, once she's home you'll be overwhelmed with "we think our kid is the cutest" photos.

We have been warned to guard our hearts concerning this particular child. Referrals are lost from time to time due to changes in circumstances.

If all goes well, it will be about 6 to 9 months when we are able to bring her home. We will be traveling before that point to meet her and appear in court to say we want to complete the adoption. Our best guess for the first trip is sometime in December.

I know many of you have been praying for us. We are so grateful and continue to ask for your prayers.

There's a long road ahead of us emotionally and financially. Also remember this dear little girl who's life will be turned upside down as she adjusts to a completely different environment and home life.

~AnnMarie

Fall Colors Despite the Lack of Trees

You might think that since we lack trees here at latitude 65 that we also loose out on all the amazing colors of fall time. The tundra, however, is alive with color this time of year and I adore it! True, there isn't a towering maple waving it's autumn foliage over my head but the mini forest with it's explosion of color is equally inspiring.

It's hard to believe that less than four weeks ago I took the tundra flower photos, complete with irises. Time apparently moves along at warp speed in the far north.

















And last but not least, a stunning fall morning sunrise.

~AnnMarie

Harold the Entertainer

An Original Composition from AnnMarie Rudstrom on Vimeo.

From concerts to puppet shows to quirky insights;

Harold entertains us daily.

~AnnMarie

The Long Weekend

loaded boat

two hour cruise

set up camp

hearty food

warm sleeping bags

blueberries gathered
 

campfire

Teller visitors

long naps

fishing

fall colors captured

sleeping bag wrestling

 home again

warm shower

memories

~AnnMarie

A Happy Little Door

 

 Some excess paint and a blank canvas inspired this piece of sunshine.

 

 During

Before

~AnnMarie