For Kyle...

With Kyle's birthday on Sunday I was trying to figure out what to get him. He didn't ask for or really need anything so I had to become creative.
A musician whom we discovered several years back just so happened to be playing on Sunday, lucky for me! I left Kyle in the dark and didn't reveal who we were seeing until we sat down to watch the show.









The show was great and Jake was gracious in staying around to meet anyone that wanted to chat with him. You can check out Jake Shimabukuro in the above videos, or at his website HERE, enjoy!
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Happy Birthday Kyle!

My sweet husband is celebrating his 30th Birthday today!!

I love you Kyle :-)

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Just a little bit

of Ash...

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Ash on the cars. This is from the 3:29 eruption, the ash arrived in Anchorage approx. 6pm. Mt. Redoubt erupted again at 7:23pm and this ash is also expected to drop in Anchorage. We managed to get our cars covered but they did get a light dusting before hand. You can definitely taste the ash as a fine grit that irritates your throat, no fun! There is an ash warning into effect until 1am, the really bad part is that there is also a high wind warning in effect until Sunday evening. Ash and wind is defiinitely not a good combination.

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The ash has arrived

Well the volcano finally affected Anchorage, reports from the last 30 min. have been ash fall in and around Anchorage from its most recent eruptions. We can't physically see anything yet on the ground but the sky is a brownish color and it smells faintly like burnt matches. Will keep an update as available.

*Photograph of lightning from Redoubt's 1:20 am March 28 eruption.
Picture Date: March 28, 2009 Image Creator: Higman, Bretwood;
Courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory / U.S. Geological Survey.*

Mt. Redoubt reaches 14 eruptions

I guess the title says it all. Mt. Redoubt erupted for the 14th time just a little over an hour ago. Just some quick facts regarding Mt. Redoubt's explosions affecting Alaska.

*Anchorage has been lucky to have missed most of the ash fall.
*The airport is completely dead so any type of air travel is really bunked up right now.
*The Alaska Volcano Observatory believes that this period of active eruptions will continue for as long as several months.
*You can find more info. regarding Mt. Redoubt HERE, and pictures HERE.
*Above picture Info, Date: March 26, 2009 Image Creator: Neal, Tina;
Image courtesy of AVO/USGS.Please cite the photographer and the Alaska Volcano Observatory / U.S. Geological Survey when using this image.
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Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Here's to hoping that you have a GREAT BIRTHDAY!

With lots of Love,

DeeDee & Kyle

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Mt. Redoubt update

Above picture: Volcanic tremor has increased in the past half hour. Clear views at the Hut web camera show a large steam plume. Radar data indicate there may be some ash in this plume. There has not been a large explosion since this morning's large eruption at 9:24AM.

A large eruption of Redoubt volcano occurred at 09:24 AKDT (17:24 UTC) this morning. National Weather Service reports the cloud height to be at least 65,000 ft above sea level and pilot reports indicated a plume height of 60,000 ft.

An ashfall advisory is in effect until 4 PM for the western Kenai Peninsula. High level ash (above 30,000 feet) is forecast to pass over Anchorage, but is not expected to produce ash fall.

**Photo and information courtesy of Alaska Volcano Observatory**
There have been a total of 9 eruptions of Mt. Redoubt since Sunday, March 22nd.
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The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 24th

FOR TODAY, TUESDAY MARCH 24, 2009

Outside my window... It is a clear night and the snow is starting to thaw as we will be in the 40's tomorrow with a chance of snow/rain, yuck!

I am thinking... About my little Lucy girl, she has always had a lot of ear infections and I think that it has finally caught up to her. We noticed today that she is having difficulty hearing us when we speak in low tones. Today I was behind her and she didn't hear a word I said, I ended up having to reach down and pet her to get her attention. I am really sad...she just turned 4.

I am thankful for... The wind, with Mt. Redoubt erupting multiple times since Sunday, we've been saved from having to deal with cleaning up ash as the wind has been carrying it far.

From the kitchen... Still smells like dinner; chicken alfredo with sauteed mushrooms and green beans.

I am wearing... Pink pajamas (one of my fav. colors)

I am creating... Actually taking a break from projects for now, we've been busy on house stuff.

I am going... To get the dogs into bed, Winston is all ready and he is waiting outside his kennel, he's a tired little fella :-)

I am reading... Still working on The things they carried.

I am hoping... That Mt. Redoubt is all done, getting phone calls at midnight is no fun.

I am hearing... SILENCE, as it is time for bed.

Around the house... The office nook looks like a bomb exploded, my brother in law will be staying with us for a week so all the extra stuff was moved out of the guest bedroom.

One of my favorite things... New sheets on the bed, we changed them back to the flannel set as they are the warmest. They are really cute decorated with snowflakes.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just get through the week, and then have to go to work on a day off for a meeting. I am looking forward to next week as it will be short, Kyle and I will be celebrating our 8th Anniversary so we both took some time off of work.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

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Did you remember to get some Girl Scout Cookies?? Yep, I was once a brownie myself, wow how I've changed through the years.

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You can visit Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybook posts.

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Update on Mt. Redoubt

As of Monday afternoon, Mt. Redoubt has erupted 5 times with eruptions lasting four to thirty minutes long and the last eruption ending at 5am Monday morning. The ash plumes have been high enough that the ash cloud completely misses Anchorage and drops ash north of here, at least, so far. Information from last nights eruptions was slow in coming and could be a huge problem if ash is expected to fall in Anchorage.
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Not much else going on now but we are somewhat prepared and hoping that the mountain will finally quiet down, I don't want to ruin my spring/summer with ash falling on my new plants.
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You can find more information regarding Mt. Redoubt HERE, & HERE.

AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) false-color satellite image showing the eruption cloud from an explosion at Redoubt Volcano at 3:31am AKDT on March 23rd 2009. Image was captured at 5:30am and shows the ash cloud passing over other volcanoes and heading NE towards Anchorage.
Picture Date: March 23, 2009 14:30:29 UTC Image Creator: Bailey, John;
Image courtesy of the AVO/UAF-GI. Please cite the photographer and the Alaska Volcano Observatory / University of Alaska Fairbanks, Geophysical Institute when using this image.

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**Mt. Redoubt erupted!**

We just got word that Mt. Redoubt has erupted approx. 20 minutes ago. Up to date estimates project an ash cloud of 50,000 ft above sea level. We still haven't heard if it is coming this way as it is now 11:31 pm. Will try to update as possible as we are really confused right now.
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Please say a prayer for those living in Alaska so that we may be safe during this time.

17 perish in Montana plane crash

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

This incident is the country's third major plane crash this year, you can read the full article HERE.
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*This happened in my hometown*
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Alaska Native Heritage Center

The Alaska Native Heritage Center holds an annual Drum Festival. This took place Sat. March 21st. Here are some pictures of the event. I broke this up into two posts, with the other one focusing on international drum performers with this post reserved for the centers performers and its exhibits.



aaRaven greeting guests

aaMasingka, local performers

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Outside of the center is a lake surrounded by recreated heritage sites of local native tribes.

aaEyak, Tlingit, Haida, & Tsimshian
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aaTotem pole indigenous to these tribes

aaInupiaq
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aaYup'ik/Cup'ik

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aaAthabascan

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aaFood cache used by this tribe

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Click on the above photos to see them up close, & you can read about the tribes that are native to Alaska.

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Drum Festival

These were taken during the Drum Festival held at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. These pictures are of the international performers, if you would like to see the local drummers & dancers, they are shown at the above post.
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America Indigena performers

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Tomodachi Taiko performers

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Ke Kia'i A O Hula performers

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Ani Lokomaika'i Lipscomb is part of ECHO (Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations), she performed today but seperate from the above hula group.

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I have audio clips of the performances and will post if I can get it figured out.

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Earth Day April 22nd

Just a little bit of inspiration. I definitely want to do my part to preserve what we have here on earth.a
So, what are you doing to be more green and earth friendly?
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Happy Anniversary Dad & Mom!

My parents are celebrating their 42nd Anniversary and we want to wish them lots of love from the both of us!
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May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks.

May your heart be as light as a song.

May each day bring you bright happy hours,

That stay with you all year long.

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

We love you guys very much and wish that we could have spent some time with you today. We miss you greatly and hope that you had a Happy Anniversary.

All our love,

DeeDee & Kyle
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Wearing of the Green

Wishing you a

aaaaaaaaBeannachtam na Feile Padraig!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaka

aaaaaaaaHappy St.Patrick's Day!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 16th

FOR TODAY, MONDAY MARCH 16, 2009

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Outside my window... It's a bright cool day outside and even though we got several inches of snow over the weekend, it still feels like spring!

I am thinking... About St. Patrick's Day, I have some traditional Irish food planned, but we may go out to a local pub to watch the Irish dancers and bagpipers and enjoy some free food, & maybe an Irish coffee for me.

I am thankful for... My full pantry as even though we have a fairly strict budget, our pantry is always overflowing with tasty food.

From the kitchen... I haven't started dinner yet, our planned dinner will be steak bites with sauteed mushrooms, and a green salad. I am already hungry :-)

I am wearing... Still in my stinky work clothes. Even though I can't smell it, Kyle says I smell like tomatoes and onions which is obvious considering that I work in a mostly Southwestern style restaurant.

I am going... To check out what is on pay per view tonight, our show Heroes isn't on so we may watch a movie.

I am reading... The things they carried. It is a story about American soldiers during the Vietnam conflict. It was one of my great finds over the weekend at the local used bookstore.

I am hoping... That I don't have any more accidents today. I got a bad burn at work today that is 4 inches long with the skin mostly peeled off at this point, I brushed my arm against a 500 degree oven, ouch!. And then once at home I went about picking up the yard, and being in a hurry I was outside without gloves. In all I was out about 30 min. and ended up with completely numb hands, I've never had frost bite but there is a first for everything. They are still really tingly but hopefully will be ok. Probably not a good idea to go outside for an extended amount of time when it is in the single digits and have no gloves, duh!

I am hearing... Lovely Irish music, makes me smile and even though St. Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday it mostly reminds me of spring and that summer is just around the corner.

Around the house... It is warm and toasty, the dogs are happy to be out of there kennels for the day and we are anxiously awaiting Kyle's arrival. Things are always better when we are all home together.

One of my favorite things... Pictures of pugs, Kyle bought me a Pug calendar for Christmas and it resides next to the computer so I get to see a new Pug(s) everyday.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish up the refinance on our home, our appraisal came back higher than what we estimated which is REALLY GOOD!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

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Frank & Lucy all decked out for St. Pat's Day. This photo was 2 yrs ago, just a month after Winston was born. I use to dress up the dogs quite a bit but have gotten away from that as they really don't enjoy it.
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You can visit Peggy over at The Simple Woman's Daybook for more daybook posts.

Affordable books

Kyle and I love to read books but as this can be an expensive hobby, we have cut back on the amount of books we purchase. About a year ago we discovered a large bookstore in Anchorage that will buy back your old books for credit. They normally don't buy back all the books that we bring in, and as long as I purchase used books I haven't had to pay out of pocket yet. We made a quick stop today because I was looking for something new. Here is what I picked up.
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Cost for the three books was $16.98 but since I was using my existing store credit, we ended up with 3 books for free, I love free! And I can return the books within 2 weeks time for a full refund.
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My receipt showing that I still have $35 in credit. I have almost accumulated another box of books to turn in for credit, with this method I won't have to pay for books for quite a while.
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Dreaming of breakfast...

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I woke up this morning and am hankering for a nice slice of zucchini bread for breakfast. This wasn't completely an impulse decision as I inventoried my kitchen last night to find that I had the ingredients needed for zucchini bread, I had some leftover zucchini from a week ago that was getting a bit sad looking. I have a great recipe for zucchini bread that is from my Great Aunt. I did a little bit of modifications; the recipe calls for orange peel and I subbed some orange juice, and I also added in some grated carrots for extra flavor and color.

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Zucchini Bread

3 eggs

1 C Vegetable oil

2 C Granular sugar

1 C Zucchini - raw & grated

1 C Carrots - raw, peeled, & grated

1 Tbsp. Vanilla extract

3 Tbsp. Orange juice

3 C AP Flour (all-purpose)

1 tsp. Salt

1 tsp. Baking soda

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

1/4 tsp. Baking powder
1/2 C Walnuts - chopped

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Beat eggs, add in oil, sugar, zucchini, carrots, vanilla, & orange juice and stir until combined. In separate bowl sift flour, salt, soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, & powder. Add flour mixture into egg mixture, small batches at a time, and stir well. Once the egg and flour mixture is combined, add in walnuts and stir to combine. Pour dough into 2 greased bread pans. Bake 325 degrees, check after 50 minutes for doneness but may take as long as 65 minutes (1 hr. & 5 min.) to finish. When baking 2 pans at once, I prefer to rotate the pans half way through baking to ensure that they are even in color and doneness.

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aaReady to go
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aaLots of color
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aaDry ingredients
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aaWalnuts added at the end
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aaReady for the oven
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aaYummy golden goodness!
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aaHomemade zucchini bread
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Now if you'll excuse me, I think my breakfast is calling :-)

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The Simple Woman's Daybook - March 10th

FOR TODAY, TUESDAY MARCH 10, 2009

Outside my window... The snow is starting to melt and it feels like spring!
I am thinking... That it is time to do some spring cleaning and get rid of some clutter that has accumulated.
I am thankful for... My adorable husband, I can't seem to talk about him enough and just how truly awesome he really is.
From the kitchen... Taco soup is simmering away and is smells tasty! Frank's birthday treat is ready to go; a combo of broken up sugar cookies topped with a scoop of frozen vanilla ice cream and blueberries.
I am wearing... Grey sweater and my pajama pants.
I am going... To finish this up and join Kyle for a quick show and some dinner, followed by Frank's little b-day party.
I am reading... Saveur magazine, I have two copies that I wanted to catch up on.
I am hoping... That we hear great news back regarding our home appraisal; it's official, we have refinanced our home so we will be staying in Alaska for a while.
I am hearing... TV show, Stargate, we purchased the whole 10 seasons in Sept. and are on our final season.
Around the house... Picked up and tidy, it's time for me to steam the carpets again and to make our summer to-do list for household updates and repairs.
One of my favorite things... Tonight's dinner of Taco Soup, this recipe is courtesy of my mother-in-law and has become a quick favorite.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Not a lot planned, which is a nice change from the normal busy week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing...

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My handsome Franklin celebrating his birthday in 2008, It's hard to imagine that he is 5 years old, I love you little man!
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