Bits & Bites

There are SO many things that I have planned to post and yet life seems to get in the way...sooooooo

I thought I post some Bits & Bites

A few weeks ago (or so) we were off to Whitehorse for something or other
and as usual we stopped at Auntie Stacie's on the way home for...

...a quick diaper change,

a yummy snack & a much needed friendly visit!

I do I mean "friendly" !!
Sarah was ready to take the entire team home with her!
That girls is DOG CRAZY!!

******************
Some time before that...

We had some snowfall mixed with RAIN!!

All of the weakened trees from the summer snow storm

were in crisis again

Sean walked a few kilometers,

banging the heavy snow off all of the trees

in hopes that they would spring back to a height

allowing our vehicles to pass

I drove behind him with the girls in the truck

and got out to help where ever I could!

Oh the joys of living in rural Yukon!!

***************

Ahhh, then there was a moose!!

Isn't she beautiful? or was that a HE?? Not sure...Regardless...what a wonderful sight along the Alaska Highway!!

*************

I think I'll have to post some more bits & bites later...as for now, I have two little critters to feed :)

The finished product...

Do you remember WAAAAAY back on November 1st, when I posted about a baby quilt that I had asked "The Thread Bearers" to make for a friend...
I showed you a photo of me working away on my block & what it looked like when I was done with it! It was the first block that I ever made!!
Well...I never did show you the finished quilt did I?

13 women worked to put this together!!
I was SOOO excited to see just how beautiful it turned out!

Here it is!!

My bug is the blue butterfly in the bottom right corner in the photo above,

and the top left in the photo below!!

If you click on the actual photo,

you can see, in better detail,

just how well it turned out!

Since then, I've completed my FIRST QUILT, which you might remember seeing on my Dec 31st Christmas Post:)

I now have TWO more on my plate...One will be started & finished this weekend (I hope) It's another one just like the last...for the girls...

The other quilt, well...I can't tell you anything about it because it's a surprise...Heck, I can't even tell you who it is for!!

SOOOO...somewhere between family chores & twins, I've got my hands extra full these days!!

***************

Have you ever known a quilter?

They really DO suffer from an obsessive condition don't they??

And another thing...

I'm always amazed at the people that live up here...

It seems that 99.9% of the Yukon residents are brilliant closet artists!!

I am SOOO lucky to have an opportunity to learn from these extremely talented individuals!! Perhaps some of their skill and creativity will rub off onto me one day :)

***********************

Hay Mum:

Not only am I learning to quilt but I'm also learning a few new Blogging tricks! If you click on the underlined words in this post, they will take you back to the posts that I was refering to in the script! Isn't that nifty?? Then all you have to do is hit the back button in the top left corner of your computer screen to take you back to this one! Go on...give it a try!!

Traffic jam ...

First off these are NOT my photos...I took them from the Internet!

I don't even know who was so fortunate to take them!

BUT...

...this very shot could easily have been mine last night...

On my way to the local store for a loaf of bread & some bananas,

I found a cow & calf on my road!

Because the snow is deep & capped in an ice crust,

Mum didn't want to give up the road!

Once they are in deep snow, they can't move quickly enough to escape the wolves, and even if there are no wolves around at the moment...their shins can be ravaged by the hard crust!

Instead, she took her calf, that was about the size of this one,

down the road in front of my truck!

I was SOOOO glad that I was driving my new 1/2 ton instead of my tiny little car...especially when she turned around and looked right at me!!

You see, a Mama Moose KNOWS she is big & powerful & for her to challenge a mere vehicle is NOT unheard of! Heck... a few summers ago one kicked a Grissley to death for killing her calf!

Anyhow, the two sauntered in front of my car for a good long time.

At one point I stopped to see if she'd look for a safe place to leave the road.

The two just stopped & stood there in front of me!

I really needed that bundle of bananas for the twins & the store wasn't going to open it's doors after hours just because I'd been held up by a moose or two...

With this in mind, I tried, gently, to nudge them along!

With icy roads, I was careful not to send them into a frightened run for fear one of them would silp & break a leg...I also couldn't help but worry that I was sending those two magnificent creatures straight onto the Alaska Highway (as it was only a stones throw up the road). Suddenly their saftey was far more important than a bundle of bananas...I stopped again.

Finally, once in the residential area, Mum found a break in the snow & bounded into the bush, taking her child with her!!

So...I ask...

Who has ever watched the TV show "North of 60' "?

Well, for a very long moment, I felt like I was in the middle of their filming set!

Really now, I know I live in the Yukon & all, but...a Cow Moose & Calf in

down town Haines Junction impeding my efforts to get to the store before it closes? THAT, friends, doesn't happen every day!

Not that this has anything to do with last night's adventure...

I just have this thing about Mummy's with twins...

no matter what the species.

:)

****************

Wishing that all of your traffic jams

are as fabulous as mine ;)

It was a big night!

There was Music in the Junction tonight & Daddy took Mummy, and Sarah & me out on the town!

It was our first chance to wear our new dresses

that Grandee & Grandad bought us for Christmas!!!!

Given the fact that Mum & Dad think my sister threw up on me earlier,

Mum opted for a sink bath :) I wasn't too sure at first...

and I think I still like the big tub better but,

I really did smell & I really wanted to wear my dress !!

Sarah, (the one who did the throwing up)

didn't have to have a bath because

she threw up on ME

instead of on herself!
She's looking rather sheepish here, don't you think?

It did feel good to get all cleaned

& dressed up though :)

and Sarah IS looking rather apologetic!
O.K...She's forgiven...Besides, what's a bit of spit-up between sisters anyways??

I just LOVE my new dress!!

And my woolen booties just look SO fashionable with it!

As you can see,

We were all ready for the big concert !!

Riveted to our seats (actually to Mummy's lap)

the music began!

My sister Sarah was absolutely engrossed

in the performance tonight!

I couldn't stop dancing all night!

or clapping my hands or singing along...

I just LOVE going to concerts!!

And with "My Martin" as my surprise date,

the night was a total blast!

The singer tonight, Tamara Nile,

was not only wonderful,

she really liked us too :):):)

SHE asked if she could get her picture taken with US!!

Then we bought her CD & she signed it for us :):):)

We are working on a stellar music collection...

Uncle Ian's CD is still our very favourite though!!

************

Well time for bed, because Mum & Dad are just exhausted!

My Sister & I could go for another round & party all night long...

Oh well, we'll have to put away our party dresses

and dance booties till another night...

:(

I can't wait till the next concert in the Junction!!

Hay Grandad...They finally did it !!!

...they grew HAIR!!!

Adelaide got my straight locks...

but her hair is really really thick! WOW...

& she got her Daddy's bright blue eyes!

& William's soft wiskers...
oops...I mean, disposition!
(& she got a friend in Clare!!)

See those luscious bangs!
Long & swooping already & not even 15 months yet!

Yup...the hairy one on the left would be Adelaide!!

Where did my "Baby" go??

She looks all grown up!!

As for that other grand-daughter of yours, Sarah Grace....

She's just FILLED with a head of celtic curls!

Just look at those ringlets!!

I can't get enough of those curls!!

Of course until...

she is a 6 years old screaming

as I try to comb the knots out!!

Ahhh...but for now...

How beautiful!

Hummm...Did she get them from Grandee??

From Daddy??

Sure didn't get them from you or me!

***************

Well...

Guess those BALD days

are a thing of the PAST!!

along with their gummy grins...

and my long leisurely afternoons...

Dear Adelaide & Sarah,

How very lucky you are...

From the day your Daddy said he wanted a family, I began to dream...From the day I knew you existed, that dream consumed me. From the day I heard you would be "TWO", that dream doubled!! And the day you were born, my dreams came to life.

While I was still in shock from the new of twins,
Grandee & Grandad laughed,
a laugh straight from the heart!
Then after a night of NO sleep from a head that wouldn't stop reeling,
Grandee listened to me babble on, for what must have been hours.

I can't even remember what we talked about,

but it calmed my mind...
Today, Grandee & Grandad have already given you
more than many children receive...
They have given you a family steadfast in love & support.

Aunt TJ & Cousin Cameron,
sent you treasures from their very own Nursery,
to welcome your arrival...
making family seem not so far away.

When you were tiny, Aunt Tori taught you the song

"Head & Shoulders, Knees & Toes".

I never knew the word "toes" could inspire such a reaction!

While it made you giggle,

it brought tears to my eyes!

Then there is your Aunt Maureen.

She has been there every step of the way!

She once told me that with Grandma FitzGerald now gone,

she'd do her best to fill that gap...

With Aunt Maureen in your lives, there is no gap,

for she continues to swaddle you both in a blanket

woven from the fibers of the past & present.

......................

Your Aunt Eileen & Aunt Margaret have arms

that reach all the way across oceans to hold you.

They have sent you treasures from Europe,

treasures that you will pass on to your daughters...

......................

Although our family is spread far & wide,

they are forever doing things to include you in their lives

& they are filled with a love for you,

with a love that is only known to family.

Yesterday was one of those days that drove this home for me...

A parcel came in the mail from Vancouver.
In it was a CD of Uncle Ian singing along with his guitar.
These songs aren't ordinary songs known to other children...

These songs of Sled Dogs & Brumbys, of Winter Boots & Furry Mice...
are songs written for you, sung for you, played for you, by your Uncle Ian.
They were written for you & you alone.

Any music is a gift, but this music is golden!

Let's hope that the rest of the world doesn't discover your Uncle Ian's hidden talents, for if they do, we would surely have to share him with millions!
I'm certain that Grandpa FitzGerald, who was a musical man himself, is smiling &
the North Star is sparkling just a tad brighter,
as you dance to your Uncle's tunes, from your breakfast chairs. I am equally certain that you will play those very songs for your children some years from now !

.......................

As you grow through life, there are many things that I hope for you!
One of those things has already come true...
The love of family!

I can hear that you have woken from your mid-days nap and your sounds are happy.

...How very lucky I am ;)

We'd be NAKED if it weren't for Aunt Maureen!!!

Pssssst...Sarah Grace here reporting!!

It's TRUE...

If it wasn't for our Aunt Maureen I'd still be naked...

Heck, for that matter, so would my sister!!

It's not that my parents don't do their best but...
Walmart isn't exactly Fashion Central...
it's 100 miles away from our palacious cabin
(let us live in our fantasy world while we're still short, thank-you very much)
and
we keep GROWING!
Poor Mum & Dad are having a hard time

keeping us in cloths !!

Thanks to Aunt Maureen,

we have these rather smashing Pink-Poke-A-Dot Play Suits

Finally, something our FEET aren't being strangled in!!!

"Today's Parent" really should consider this outfit for their next cover shot !

Here, Baby Adelaide Anne, my older sister,

is modeling the "play suit" in comfort & style...

all the while, in matching gear,

I can be found inspecting the socks...

GREAT COLOURS Aunt Maureen...That Lime Green is Heavenly

(a tad over-sized perhaps, but we'll eat our Cheerios & before you know it,

they'll fit just fine!!)

But then again,

they could double as...

a couture hat on the runway in Paris!!

Apparently my SISTER thinks they were meant for HER!!!

Not to worry, I'll share...

(but the Lime Green ones are MINE!!!!)

I couldn't help but notice she honed in on the

Purple Hearts!

That's fine...

I think the blue & cappuccino flowers

are more my shade & style anyways...

For two girls, this whole sharing thing really IS working out!!

We don't REALLY sleep stuck to the wall

(as it looks like in the photo above)

If your tilt your head to the right...

(a little more...almost there...a wee bit more...yup! That's it!!)

you'll be able to see this picture as it was intended...

Two perfect little angels bedded down for the night :)

Wait a second here...

not only did Mum post this pic up on end...

SHE DRESSED ME IN MY SISTER'S SUIT

& HER IN MINE ! ! !

We really need to have a talk with that Mother of ours!!!

By the way...did you notice my luscious blond ringlets??

OK OK OK ....

Enough about how cute I am.....

This report is about my

Aunt Maureen and all the cool stuff she sent us this week...

Did you see all the fancy threads ??

We won't have to be naked anymore this month!!!!!

(well...we weren't REALLY naked)

Wow ... with all of these new cuddly outfits to show off,

"Today's Parent" will be calling by morning, I'm sure...

I wonder which outfit I should wear for the photo shoot?

humm I really love this pink one...

but the purple hearts are Aunt Maureen's Favourite...

maybe I should go with the blue/cappuccino flowers for Mum?

ohhhhhhh....

What to do? What to do? What to do?

Golly-Gee...Being adorable really is tough work...

but thanks to Aunt Maureen it's bearable ;)

"Exactly how much longer are they planing to live with us???"

What was IN those Brownies anyways??

Here we go!!

It's BROWNIE time!!

Ah OH ...

This is SERIOUS....

Don't mess with my brownie!!!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!
Chocolate!!!!!

My brain it turning into
CHOCOLATE!!!


I NEED SUGAR

I AM a Brownie!!!!!

hehehehehe

Brownies are happy food!!

*****

Note to self...

Restrict brownie intake

because

They turn into Chocolate Monkeys!!!!!

Ode to a Cat...

Hi, we've never been properly introduced! My name is William, yours is? Never mind that...I'm not great with human names anyways...I think I'll call you Prrrrrrrrrrr if that sits well with you (or not).

So, let me tell you, you've got to be one tough cat to survive THIS cabin...

It's not all about being pampered...

or about lounging around all day...

It's not about ruling the roost either...

No matter where you go,
someone else invades your space...

& just when you think you've got a tiny corner all to yourself...

not only do they CROWD you,

they start to MULTIPLY!!!

but those tiny humans of mine are kind of cute & ...

even a tad cuddly!

If you really work at it...

you can even train them!

They make the perfect back scratching post...

but if you aren't careful...

they slip into old habits...

they call this a HUG...

arrrggg!!!

But like I said...

my humans are kind of cute...

OK...enough of the hugging!

I'm not THAT kind of cat!

Better...gentle...ahhhhhh...right there...

hummmmm...the tummy tickle trick...

That one took awhile for them to catch onto!

Ohhhh....& the ear scratch!

Careful now...

When I insisted on going out at -45

& the big humans didn't stand in the open door waiting for my return,

I accidentally frostbit my ear again...

I frost nipped my ear again...

It's still a bit tender!!

I love the way I can make this one giggle on command!

Time to humour them with the old

"Go Ahead & Yank My Tail" game!

Like I said, it's a tough life in this cabin but,

I think I'm up for the challenge!

For what it's worth....

A dear dear Ontario neighbour, who to the best of my knowledge has know me my entire 43 years of life, has made a request! She wrote, "It is so nice to be in contact with you and seeing the babes and Sean make it extra nice. I would like to see more pics of you though." I must say, the camera is something that I avoid for good reason these days...maybe one day I'll have reason not to be so shutter shy ...

***

Well Pam, I took to heart what you said about not seeing pics of ME! I must say...these days, I avoid the camera's unforgiving eye, when at all possible...but this blog is not only something for friends & family to have fun keeping up with...it's something that my girls will one day be able to look back on & see our life - THEIR life in full colour! Whether I like the pics of me or not...I'd like to think that the girls will want to see them....

Just don't expect to see a tiny Tori, a stunningly beautiful TJ or Perfectly coiffed Roberta. It's not exactly a glamorous life style up here & my body has fallen far from grace...

Humbly, here I am...

Spruce & Beetle are two of my babies, I love them dearly & have owned them since they day they were born. (Dec 03/06)

In my neck of the woods the Spruce Bark Beetle has killed some 70% of the forests, Not a romantic inspiration in the naming of my dogs but I thought the names were catchy nonetheless ...Just when the twins are old enough to start running a team, these two should be mature enough (& calm enough) to do the job!!

With all 4 of us down with a bug,

a friend dropped by with home-made-chicken-noodle-soup tonight!

YUMMMMMY!!

Sarah thought it was absolutely wonderful!
I was rather grateful because I'd not slept all the night before & I had NO interest in preparing anything for us....

I must say though,
that husband of mine does do lots of the cooking around here & he's an awesome chef to boot, so why mess with a good thing??

OK...THIS would be a rather scary photo but it's not about ME, it's about my HAT! It was my Christmas present to myself! The red is sheared beaver & the ivory is wool stroud, the rest of the fur is beaver as well...the ties are home-tanned moose hide...
Every single stitch was hand done by a well loved & highly respected local Elder (and brilliant artist, I might add). I just HAD to have it...Lucky for me she was able to make another, more masculine one, for Sean! This meant I could justify the purchase :) He DID need a new mushing hat, after all :):):)
You should see HIS..it's just as gorgeous
& let me tell YOU...
at minus 50, you'd be happy to pay TRIPLE what I paid!!!
I'm SUCH a good wife, don't you think?

OK...so it's only -45 here but I was only outside for a few minutes at this point
& the fur tips are already frosting up!!

Adelaide & I LOVE to play the Tickle Game together...Heck
"Tickle"' is now her first word
(after "Daddy", that is)
& she ASKS to play by saying it!!

& here we all are,

snug as three bugs in Aunt Mary's woolen afghan :)

cuddling in the living room built for us by my loving husband,

but not without the incredible support of two families brought together as one yet spanning four countries

& warmed by the children that have filled it.

***********

So in the end,
I may be frumpy, stretched & tired from growing two perfect little humans,
but tonight, I'm OK with that...

because...

when I reflect on what I have gained on the inside,

instead of what I have gained on the outside,

I clearly see that it's worth every scar.

Thanks for making me take another look Pam :)

Our friend is home .....

Well Martin made it home in one piece & smiling from ear to ear

He didn't get to the finish line....he scratched 2/3 of the way into the race....a friend told him tonight that HE is one of the real heroes in the sport because, he is out there doing it without the big corporate sponsorships, he's raising his own dogs in his own way, he trains them all himself and.....he quits when it's right for the dogs, not right for him!

A mighty wise friend, if you ask me !

Besides....

I really like having Martin home where he's safe & snug :)

*************

PS:

He's home "in one piece" but with a frost bitten tongue!

He was trying to lick the ice off his mustache at -50.....

OUCH!!

Martin's journey...begining to end...

Here is a visual of Martin's' journey!

(trail in purple)

& copied right out of the pages of the CB300 website,

the descriptions that follow....

Race Start/Finish: Wolverine Lodge
Wolverine Lodge is located in the picturesque community of Lake Louise. The lodge can be found on the south shore of Lake Louise at Mile 16.5 of the Lake Louise Road, which leaves the Glenn Highway at Mile 159.8.
26 miles to Tolsona

Tolsona Lake Resort
The resort is found in the community of Tolsona at Mile 170.5 of the Glenn Highway. This fast-paced checkpoint is a favorite with the spectators, for they can see the mushers zoom through and head down the final leg of the race.
23 miles to Glennallen

Glennallen
Check back soon for information on the route this year's race will take through Glennallen, Alaska.
59 miles to Chistochina

Chistochina Village Hall
Chistochina, found at Mile 32.7 of the Tok Cutoff, began as an Ahtna fish camp and later became a stopover place for traders, trappers, and prospectors. The leg between Chistochina and Paxson is the longest and most grueling of the race.
72 miles to Paxson

Paxson Lodge
The northernmost checkpoint is located at Mile 185.5 of the Richardson in the community of Paxson. Here the Denali Highway heads west towards Cantwell.
60 miles to Sourdough Creek

Sourdough Creek
This checkpoint is found at Con Seay's Sourdough bunkhouse near the old Sourdough Lodge at Mile 147.5 of the Richardson Highway. Here the trail leaves the road system for a while and heads into the beautiful back country of the Copper Basin.
59 miles to Race Finish/Wolverine

Martin's on the trail...

The cold snap (of 6 weeks) has finally

given up it's hold!

It's about minus 17 out there today! It is just beautiful, warm & snowing :) We can only hope that Martin is getting a weather break on the Copper Basin 300 Trail too...

So their "My Martin" is still in the race and we couldn't be more proud of him! He's survived -50 temps PLUS windchill & a gruelling trail !

More mushers have scratched yet our favourite competitor is hanging in!!

Adelheid, as Martin so fondly calls her, isn't surprised by his showing :)

& just beams at the reports of his progress!

Sarah's not surprised either...

but with crossed fingers and breath held

she listens to the updates!

They BOTH know that if they want to be as tough

as their "My Martin" when they grow up,

they'd better eat all of their Cheerios!!

(as you can see...Sarah is concerned that her sister didn't have enough

so she is sharing...)

& here is their ultimate hero & mushing coach, Daddy....
He's home after a cold & tiring training run...but not THAT cold! While his gear is frosted, his mustache & eyelashes aren't !!!
& by looking at his smile, it's easy to see he is pleased with the team :)


Starah...a solid leader through & through

Fiona...perhaps a bit psycho...& yes,
she DID nip Mummy out of sheer excitement...
but just look at those soft brown eyes...
& she lives to pull!! & Sarah...
Non more fair than her...
strong & true...
Leader extraordinaire !

After the run and a well deserved snack of fish guts, they got a tad distracted...
"but it was a BIG squirrel Master...it was getting into the sleep cabin...we HAD to protect what is YOURS"
Perhaps there might be a bit more training needed, but

they are still young leaders and we have pleanty of time for that ;)

****************

Hay Martin
Only one more checkpoint to go & your on the home stretch....
Keep warm Friend
and keep the runners on the snow ;)

Copper Basin 300....

Currently in 6th...Marin Jahr: is out of the start shoot with a strong showing...

#1) Mackey: is out front, leaps & bounds ahead of the pack...but then again THAT is to be expected coming from the soul man to win the Yukon Quest & Iditarod in the same year, two years in a row!! Note: Mackey's DOGS actually ran these races back to back !! ( I'd be thrilled to own some of his kennel castoffs!!)

2nd) Sass: is a well liked man...He won the Quest 300 the year Martin scared us all on Eagle Summit...in fact, Sass rescued the fella who lost his 12 dog team as they went careening down the near-fatal mountain. With this act of selflessness, he still took first place in the race! The following year, in 2007, when Sean Martin & Laura took a crack at the same race, Sass came to the rescue of Yuka Honda after she, devastatingly, had a dog die on the trail! In this race he was going for the full 1000 miles & thought he did not win this time, he DID do very well & earned a prestigious award for sportsmanship! There is always room for a Knight in shining armour no matter where you are!

3rd) Gatt: well....here is a man that, in the mushing world, needs no introduction. I LOVE this man, as do most of us. He was the first man to win the the Yukon Quest three years in a row! He IS the God of Mushing regardless where he places in the end!! A local Yukon too...

4th) Moore: Some big-wig Alaskan that I'll have to learn more about... I believe he has won the CB300 somewhere in the past...

5th) Lanier: of Chugiak, Alaska, I believe him to be from a family of long time mushers...has been racing, himself, for some 30 years...I suppose that means he knows a thing or two about dogs!

Other names to look for would be:
Michelle Phillips, One of the 4 women who have places top 5 in the Yukon Quest's history
Eddy Hopkins, Humble husband to Michelle & all sound fun guy...(on my team for the Kluane to Chilkat International Bike race in 2006)
Sebastien Schnuelle, local Yukoner who has been racing for ever and a day...Martin has some of Sebastien's dogs in his kennel & they are good friends.

So looks like our friend Martin is fairing well in the early hours of what is known to be the toughest 300 miles there are out there! I DID ask him if he had any final words before he left & reminded him that Dodds (a rather beautiful young female in his kennel named after some brilliant Yukoner...brilliant for what we aren't sure, but I've hear only great things about this person...why else would Martin name one of his dogs after her?) was to be left to ME in the even he did not return! I'm sure his laughter (in response) indicated an affirmation.

By the way...that would be a photo of "Dodds & Dodds" in the top right hand corner of this Blogg!!!!!

http://www.cb300.com/updates

To satisfy your burning desire about Copper Basin 300 standings...simply follow the link above

http://www.cb300.com/graphics/trailmap.lg.topo.jpg

Follow this link to a map of the race trail

******************

All the while, keep in mind that Martin Jahr is the notable "My Martin"
to Baby Adelheid & Baby Sarah, so in the end, we don't really care where he places, only that he gets home safely so that he may continue to sing German nursery rhymes to my children!!

What would we do if we didn't have....

...the weather to talk about ???

At these Yukon Winter temperatures, there is a clear line between

In-Door creatures &

Out-Door creatures!!

Yukon Out-Door Creatures...

My gentle baby Spruce...

The neighbourhood trickster...Robert the Raven...

Alex...bless his heart

Bernie...all frosted up:)

His brother Zazoo...equally frosted...

Dear Sarah...God of Lead dogs everywhere!!!

The Red Lantern...

A welcoming sign to all who venture near...

Glistening icicles that stop growing...

but only when it's too cold to have any trickles ...

& ME!!!

Well...for a few minutes anyways ;)...

*************

Yukon In-Door Creatures...

Adelaide Anne - Snug as a bug...

Sarah Grace - Not a care in the world...

Wellington - Master and Lord over all he surveys

&

William...

the cat...

who is curled up in some secret nest, dreaming away his afternoon...

Brrrrrrrrrr ;)

Murray is a fellow Blogger...

he's been hearing a lot of complaining about the Yukon climate as of late.....

Well Murry...this one's for YOU ;)

It's -47.2 (in the sun - up against the cabin wall!)
I say,

"BRING IT ON!"
Because we live off the grid (meaning "No electricity", for you city folk)

and rely on propane...

it means.....

... NO cooking

....NO laundry

... NO hot water


... NO generator


.....NO CHORES!!!!!

And as you can see by the faces off my girls.....that is

NO PROBLEM!!!!!

Heck the wood stack in the cabin even doubles as ...

a great foot rest as I sip my hot mug of tea & blog...
:)

Hay Murry...No complaints over here ;)

Meet the newest member of my family.....

...MY TRUCK!!!

Isn't she a beaut??

She's an '09, 1500 Crew cab, 4x4, Short box

Chevy Silverado

&

That would be me in the driver's seat beaming!

Thank goodness she got here when she did...the power steering on the car kacked on the way into town, the heater choked & the rear defrost chose not to work anymore...Heck, the kids nearly froze in the back seat on the way into town...took them a solid hour to warm-up once we got them indoors! Talk about a panicked Mum, I was fit to be tied!!

Happy news is, on the drive home, we might as well have been sitting on a tropical beach lounging while the radio announcer was spewing something about -40'C temps just outside the door! This pretty new girl took find care of us ALL on the way home! Sean on the other hand was bundled up in the car, fighting against the steering system while we tag-teamed home!

While on route, we stopped at Icywaters to pick up about 500 lbs of yummy frozen Arctic Char...The dogs just LOVE these dead, frozen morsels. Then we visited Laura & Jon in their driveway (to oooh & ahhh over my new beasty) & then it was off to Walmart for baby stuff & Canadian Tire for heavy duty floor mats for the truck. Then... finally... we were off, down the road towards home!

We took the time to stop in at Stacie's to visit but Dale & she were out cutting wood (and at -40'C, what a worthy thing to fill your time with) Funny thing was that Sean stopped on the side of the highway (in his semi-chilly car) to make sure I'd taken the new truck out of 4 wheel drive... Well of course I had... but had he left the car doors unlocked while he walked back to me to chatter?? NO!!! Did he leave the keys in the ignition with the engine running? YES!! Oh, & where were is warm mitts & fur hat? In the LOCKED VEHICLE with the KEYS! Into my new & very toasty warm truck he hopped (after kicking the tires of the car...) Keeping in mind, it was bloody cold out there...I chose to flag down the very next vehicle that came by (it took all of 1 & 1/2 minutes! And WHO do you think it was?? STACIE & DALE!! YAAAAAAA !! Our friends to the rescue!!! Not only did they get some tools (a coat hanger) to get us unlocked, they also had us join them for tasty New Year's Eve Leftovers & a cozy place to feed our (cozy warm but STARVING) children!

Guess I should have taken a photo of our friendly hero's in Dale's brand new Silverado (only a few days old) His is all sparkly white & happens to be a 3/4 ton with a full box! Oh well...let's just say that they were our

Knights in shining armour riding their White Horse :)

So...Here we are at home, safe & sound...minus the spare keys...yes...in the excitement of our day, we lost the spare keys! I'm crossing my fingers in hopes that they will re-appear...

(I can just see you Mum, shaking your head as you read this!!)

First morning with my new baby...& WHO is off with it?? That would be my husband :) I've agreed to LOAN him the truck for hauling the

Cabin-Life-Necessities ... so off he goes to bring his three women their water supply :) You just have to love a good Man!! :)
And he came home just thrilled with how well it did...Something about springs & all that truck stuff I know nothing about...All I know is that it's a really pretty blue colour & has AC for those viciously hot July Yukon days that we are so well known for...Oh no...that was ONTARIO's viciously hot days.... :):):):):) all a distant memory now.... SO I just got AC, why??? I'm sure I'll be able to put it to use once or twice a year, even if, just for fun of it!
At least I have OnStar...well actually, as it turns out, it doesn't work in most areas up here...Hummm...what about that XM Radio? I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one :) But it looks mighty complicated with some kazillion stations to chose from!
All kidding aside, I DO have a great truck now & the girls & I will be able to travel safely on the highway. We can even visit local friends now too, hauling our jogger with us (the jogger wouldn't fit in the car trunk at all!!) ! Walking the girls on our road isn't the best idea during bear season & the rest of the year there is too much snow to be pushing a jogger around here! So I'm mighty excited about being able to get out & about now...
Look out friends. Here we come!!!!!

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So that is the smile om MY face these days ... my new truck :)
Oh did I tell you that all of our pipes are frozen now too???
Sean is off fixing THAT crisis as I type...
Have I told you lately just how much I love my hubby??