BaNNeR RooTS

When it Rains

We try to find cool things to do. We work on the house, bake, sew, read, let the kids play Lego Star Wars on the computer, bake some more and make music. Sometimes being cooped up doesn't seem so cool when I don't want to do dishes or can't find another project and I think, "Man, I should be picking blueberries," and get bugged by the rain. Then one of the kids decides to play outside anyway and the air is charged with thoughts of dewey cheeks hugging kids with damp hair.

Yesterday was one of those exciting, sometimes boring rainy days. While the bread dough was rising, Fen made my week. First off, we started this project called "Building Our Home" in the summer of 2007. We moved in on October 16 just when it was getting cold (we were living in an Arctic Oven, a warm tent). We've lived in this place for nearly two years and the project is far from finished. Little steps and installments are celebrated. I celebrate lights.

I know it doesn't look like much. It looks pretty crappy actually, but look at those two yellow wires sticking out of the I-joists. They are for light bulbs. I now have light where I make bread and pie. 

See? It still doesn't look like much but after nearly two years of an unlit quasi kitchen, I'm feeling really fancy with those coil sticking out of those 2x6s. 

And we even have a working light switch for those coils. It's magic. I sure am happy Fen knows what he's doing. 

So in the middle of all that magic, it's important to take some time for afternoon delight. And no you crazy-minded people, I'm not talking about THAT. We enjoyed some tea. Tea with ayuu, feeling very Little House on the Prairie meets Sinrock Mary. 

And after tea, Sid and I found another tired t-shirt.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

We added a ruffly part straight on the middle. OK it's not straight, but it is mostly in the middle and it works. The base of the ruffle is a 5-inch wide panel cut from one of Joe's ripped up t's. I ruffled it, attached it to the shirt and sewed a 3-inch wide panel on top to smooth it out after realizing it needed more structure. We cut the sleeves and tied on tassles...skinny strips also from Joe's t. Sid likes playing her air guitar in it. And she ungas too. We call it her Unga Air Guitar T.

And before calling it a day, let's take a look at how the day started. After my morning cup of black tea, honey and milk, I made my way to the outhouse. I love going to the outhouse during rainy days. The greens are greener, the browns browner, the air crisp. This is what I saw and laughed:

We live in a special place. We live in a place where you can use your bicycle to the bathroom. While this project called, "Building Our Home" can seem messy, laboring and just plain crazy sometimes, I celebrate moments like this. 

When We Don't Pick Berries...

We sew. And work on the soffitting. Such was our activity tonight. I'm sewing and Fen's working on soffitting...just in case you were wondering. Let's get that straight right away. Ha.

 

Fen got to rent Roger Thompson's bucket truck for the day and I'm so happy. I can't imagine him doing the project with a ladder. YIKES! So the soffitting is up and it looks goooood. Yay for bucket trucks! 

So while Fen was hydraulically soffitting and trimming, I was passionately sewing. OK. Not passionately sewing, but I was sewing. 

BEFORE:

Sid had a tired t-shirt that went way up her belly when she raised her arms, so to keep her mile-long torso from exposure, she gave me some leftover fabric from a dress. 

AFTER:

So happy. So it's not the most amazing sewing job, but it makes us happy. And it's simple and simple is good.

After making Sid a new, old shirt, I found a way to reuse a shrunken up scarf I found at a garage sale.

BEFORE:

Passionately sewing:

After:

To keep our hands warm and our drinks cold, I made wool beer cozies perfect for fall-time get-togethers. They'll be perfect for our beer of choice: the Golden Hammer of Justice, aka Hamm's. *smile. Yeah. We know we're classy. We're soffitted, trimmed and coozy.

Plastic Power

Joe came downstairs tonight and gave everyone a laugh. His inspiration was little Joe Martinson, who periodically pushes his legs through an AC bag to make a cool costume. It's hilarious, creative and makes for a good fashion show.

Nice. See that foot flair? That kid has some healthy humor. Love it.

And here's the final power plastic man costume. Oh Joe. And little Joe Martinson...we thank you. 

Winter

Sidney made her own valentines this year out of magazines, cardboard and hemp string. They were very sweet and she wrote personal notes on them to every classmate. 

Playground.

A boy and his kitten.

Six things I'm thankful for right now...

1. Joe's imagination. He's Indiana Jones during most of our days and I love watching him. His ability to play without inhibition makes me think we need to listen to the way kids live and let our creativity flow, because it's in us. Thanks Joe.

2. Blueberry blossoms. The pink cups give my taste buds a big sense of possibility and anticipation. My mouth is watering thinking about fresh blueberry akuutaq and blueberry pancakes and blueberry pie. plus, the blossoms are soooo pretty. How perfect is that? A delicate pink blossom somehow turns into a perfect blueberry. Amazing.

3. Little league softball. The kids had their first game which gave them new levels of self-confidence and Fen and I some serious entertainment. Sidney had a good hit and she RAN. She ran right past her teammate who stopped at 2nd base and ran all the way home with a big smile. We're so proud. giggle.

4. Garage sales. My favorite find this summer is a tiny cast iron skillet I use for caramelizing pecans for salads and melting butter for popcorn. In my "headlist" right now is a dresser, a twin bed in good condition, glass canning jars and endless blank spaces for possible treasures. I love the idea of taking what someone doesn't use anymore and giving it a new life.

5. Awareness. Ach, I know this one can be a pain sometimes, but I'm still thankful.
Anyway, Sidney brought home a purple, shiny helium balloon from a birthday party. You know the old tv shows that show siblings in the backseat and the girl says in a whiny voice something like, "Gross. Mom, Bobby just picked his nose!" Well, we were driving home and Joe says, in a whiny voice, "Ewe! Moooom, Sidney just licked something made in China."
"Sidney, please stop licking the pretty balloon made in China," I said.
This story just made me think about the things we bring home and what they do to our bodies. Doesn't it seem like everything is unhealthy for us these days? Nitrites in bacon, plastic's a big one, hormones and antibiotics in meat and dairy, and even our veggies are laden with pestisides and nasties. It's silly, but going back to the old ways seems like progression doesn't it? Yes, I am thankful for awareness because small changes to daily life are pretty simple for a more healthy home and family. Whew!

6. Evening sunlight. It's 11:34 and I love looking out the window when the sun is right above the hills. Sooo peaceful.

Basil, petunias and Ruby-crowned Kinglets

Our son of good judgment is tirelessly encouraging us to recycle. He's helped us to realize we like our Earth and should be a little nicer to Her. "Sorry Earth. We will continue to try."
We've been trying and have put some "trash" to good use for our spring planting. Cans from olives, fruit and beans are now planters for basil and parsley. Gallon milk jugs and plastic soda bottles are now flower pots. We grabbed some 5-gallon buckets from a restaurant in town (thanks Jeri Ann) to plant beets and potatoes. I know, I know...these things alone won't save the Mother unless drastic changes happen, but it's satisfying to see beauty growing out of what used to be throw-aways. AND, instead of spending my hard-earned tips and lifeguard money on planters, I'm saving dollars for cool things like socks and underwear. Ha!

We spotted this guy a few weeks ago and didn't find out until Sunday that he's unusual to the area. Yes, we've kind of become birders, but we won't be chartering 1900s to Gambell anytime soon. And yes, people really do charter 1900s to Gambell to see birds. And no, I am not judging, I was just REALLY surprised the first time I heard that story. And that really, really needed emphasizing.

The Ruby-crowned Kinglet is TINY, one of the smallest birds I've seen up here and is fun to watch. I had to share this because he's the only guy we've seen that's listed as unusual in our Alaska bird book and when Fen and I realized this, our hearts fluttered a little. *flutter*