Bike to Work Day!

So, I work from home... but somehow managed to bike to work today! Tracie signed us up for counting bicyclists, so Tracie, Laura and I went down to the Seward/Chester trail intersection and counted! And... as fate would have it, we have our first chilly/wet summer day (after weeks of awesome weather). But, we're tough and the census was done...

Biking away from work to count and then come back to work.

My lovely Tracie.

The awesome Laura.

And me...

To those in Anchorage that work outside their homes and bike to work... way to go! We're hoping the new city Bicycle Plan makes it easier and easier in the future (and safer).

Back to Alaska

Was in Oregon last week (after Vancouver) and spent time at the Oregon Garden for a workshop on Green Infrastructure. The Garden is great, and it was fun to see all of the species of plants there that we can't use here. Kind of like a zoo... for plants... I guess that's the definition of something like an arboretum...

Also saw Frank Lloyd Wright's only building in Oregon... the Gordon House. Suffice it to say, it's quite inspiring to see good design...

Then I got to hang out with the Johnson famdamily. It was fun to see Victoria's softball game, Wilson's baseball game (and playing catch with him...), and Madeline getting all crafty with friendship bracelets (and taking photos). Suffice it to say both Tracie and I think we have neat nieces and nephews (Nicholas on my side included... Thomas the train-type picture below sent by Amanda).
Victoria up to bat...

Wilson warming up (getting ready to serve some killer pitches to unsuspecting small people)

Madeline with the good ole 'me taking picture of you' camera shot.

Michael perhaps glowing even more than Nicholas... "if only I had Thomas when I was a kid..."

It was great fun to see the Krauthoefer/Johnson clan briefly while I was touring through... including two stops at Burgerville!!! (Tracie gets jealous...)

It's nice to be back at home though... I like my Tracie.

Peter & The Mad Hacker Skill Set!

Shhh... don't tell Tracie I'm posting here as well. I'm in Vancouver, and decided to take a Tracie shot of a meal... =) Little ahi tuna burgerwiches with sweet potato fries... and a good beer.

The Vancouver skyline is kind of unique. The buildings are skinny and tall. Each floor has something like 1-4 apartments/condos on them. It keeps the skyline a bit more open, and really has a neat effect.

I was actually in Vancouver for a reason too... a Canadian Society of Landscape Architects board meeting. Oddly enough, I'm the representative for the Northwest Territories (it's where I'm from originally). One thing I've spearheaded is a Video Challenge... see this for something we did as an example: CSLA Board Video

Rockin' Robin

We recently acquired a couple hundred 45's from an old jukebox and a box of lp's....


On Saturday we decided to splurge and get a turntable from Costco (the kind that you can hook up to your computer to digitize your albums) so we could listen to them. It's the best $99.99 we've spent in a long time.


Peter played DJ and I sang and danced and eventually settled down to weave. It was so much fun we're thinking we may have to have a dance party. The most exciting thing is I now have a legitimate reason to paw through all those old albums at Sally Ann. I can't wait for our next "date."

Spring Hello

The sun is back...I am happy. It's been a busy winter. We installed a reclaimed white oak floor, re-insulated some walls, visited the Oregon family and the Canadian family, built and carved an ice sculpture (Peter did that, with hot chocolate, pizza and chisel support from Tracie), planned the kitchen remodel and started acquiring elements, changed jobs (Tracie), and more. Rather than bore with a catch-up, I thought I'd dive right in with where I'm at tonight.

Inspiring me-
Weaving.........Peter made me a beautiful bench (not pictured here though, how silly of me) and I've been using it. By golly I will finish that table runner in time for your birthday mom!



Cauliflower.....this has been the year of roasted cauliflower and I cannot get enough of it.



Planning the garden....Peter is journaling the arrival of green throughout the yard and I am fantasizing about the kale, chard, broccoli, carrots, dill, beets and more.



Rye bread and most things Danish....Peter's been making the bread and I've been eating it--delicious with last year's pickled beets and Dubliner cheese.




Bike....probably foremost on mind is how much I'm looking forward to my non-winter commute, hoping to switch vehicles on Monday (melt snow melt!).

Inspiration

I am posting away from home and feeling bad because it has been so woefully long since my last post.

Anyhow, finding inspiration with the arrival of summer so thought I'd update you all on a few favorite things going on at the moment:

-my 4 new raised garden beds (the official engagement present according to Peter)

-a surprise visit from Teresa (she gives the best hugs in Alaska)

-visit from Mom and Dad (with Sleeman's Honey Brown from across the border and delicious Oregon Pinots in tow)

-guitar lessons (complete with recital at the end of the summer, must pick a song and get to practicing)

-exquisite letterheads from RG 164, Records of the Office of Experiment Stations

Speaking of which....back to work

We're Back

Quebec

Banff




Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary.............