MARCH/APRIL....ITS BREAKUP TIME IN DRY CREEK!!

This is the first time EVER that our snow has been gone by April 1st.  It has been amazing.  We’ve had a few gray days but mostly sunshine and relative warmth (never rising above 52 degrees but never reaching below 20 degrees).  Sunday we had a small hail storm and a small amount of rain which we probably need.

All of Tommy’s beef cows have done their thing and have had their babies.  Rich’s cows have had their babies too providing us with wonderful creamy milk for our various cheeses.  Tony’s horses are due to foal soon.  They are penned by my home so I like to look first thing in the morning to see if they delivered in the night.

The old elementary school and all the debris has been demolished and is completely taken away.  Except for the cement pad where the stove sat and a small indent in the ground without grass, one would never know it was even ever there.  Now the demotion team has moved on to old Harris/Grado/Jepsen cabin.  

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We had a fun open house last Friday - Rob was proud to show off all his work from the past 2 years. We worked with Power Points to enhance some of the Social Study lessons...amazing all the good stuff one can find on sites on the web.

May had a great time in Mexico with the people in the community where Amaris grew up (and where Sarah and Paco Carbajal lived for many years).  She showed us pictures and talked on Sunday after our brunch.  

Miss Rose has gone to Anchorage for two weeks to be of assistance to the Gentrys.  Ann V will bring Miss Rose home since Ann will be coming home for her oldest son’s graduation.  The graduation of Maddie, Nic, Kerri, and Amanda will be on May 14th, the same day as Whitestone’s graduation.  Excellent bonding opportunity between Micah and Merlin this week since Merlin had to take Micah to his therapy sessions in Fairbanks.  

Ben attended the home show in Fairbanks at the end of March.  I forgot to ask him how he did, but I’m sure he did great.  A few years back, Ben purchased a plasma cutter which has been very helpful to him for some of his simpler things that don’t necessarily need a personal touch. 

Last week, Bob Hilliker, with his wife, Betty came to visit.  :)  He wrote a book on his experiences in Alaska.  I must say, I have enjoyed reading the book as has Rich.  Here are some pictures of Mr. Hilliker signing books for friends in my very own dining room.  The book can be ordered by calling ….. I forgot to write down the numbers.  Or maybe by finding the facebook page about it:  My Life in the Wilderness, An Alaskan's Story  or by writing eastfork73@gmail.com

I better get.  You all have a great week end

JAN/FEB/PART 2

When I first woke up this am, the temperature was an unbelievable 35 degrees, but it has begun to drop already.  It is now 23 degrees.  Last week, we had a few days of twenty below temps.  Of course, it’ll always warm up during the day so no temp is too scary at this time of year.  Plus, with some sunshine…. we can handle just about anything.

All is well here.  We had some wind in the past week that made life a little miserable but we have survived.  We are enjoying the Maine peoples.  Jairo Cruz is a professional photographer and marketer person.  In Rich’s words, “maybe he’ll teach me something”.  I’m actually excited about his being here.  He has a different take on things, and he can be helpful to my students and ex students where I don’t seem to have the time.

Carolyn is going to Fbks tonight for a couple of weeks to help watch Sam and Marki’s children.  Marki is going to Seattle with her mom who is having surgery.  I’m going in later this week to babysit Jake and Phanta’s children as they have a wedding to attend in Anchorage.  If I remember correctly, Jake is the preacher man!  Jake and the kids were out this weekend while Phanta was in Anchorage helping with pre wedding things.  Jarred took the kids out sledding for awhile on Wednesday afternoon. Then Seth and Ammy had Ethan and Zayden over on Sat night because they had Nikoli Chavez out from Whitestone.  

Wenda is improving every day.  Getting stronger and stronger as the days pass. We are thankful for all the prayers on her behalf.

Garth is home from his chauffeur job.  He left the ministry after the Whitehorse convention.  The tour continues on, but I’m not sure where they go next.  

Last weekend, Toby Stoeber, Flori, and his fiance, Carolyn Hall, came to church and spent the day at the farm.  It was a truly pleasant time.  We haven’t seen them in so long esp Toby.  

Ann had a nice short visit at home.  Now she’s back in Anchorage continuing her studies.  Al, Ann’s dad, is keeping track of things in the house when Merlin is not around.  Al hurt his shoulder awhile back so we haven’t been seeing much of him, but I see he’s coming out again now.  

Erica went to Tacoma, WA, this past weekend to collect some of her things since she is staying in this area for awhile.  Ben with Kathryn’s help kept Caleb while she was gone.  

Betty Venebles passed away at I’sot on February 12 (I think).  There will be a memorial at Whitestone on Thursday the 25th and at I’sot on Sunday the 28th.  

Millie was taken to the ER last week because she passed out during therapy.  After a very thorough check, nothing was found.  She was declared healthy and has come home again.  

May, Gri, Tony, Wendy, Lindz, Cody and Chris Toby Williams, all attended the Delta Farmers Forum. S&K was elected as farmers of the year so May, Wendy and Tony put a slideshow together about the greenhouse (Wendy), garden (May) and ATR stuff on the other side (Tony). They talked for about 28 minutes dividing the time between them. Gri took a video of the event and perhaps they will do it again for the family so that we can all be informed on what goes on in that department. It was quite an honor to be awarded this and May especially wants to continue to take courses and hook up with experts and horticulturists and growers here in Alaska. People were asking her questions and she was fielding the answers quite expertly.  This is the second year in a row that they’ve been presented with the Cooperator of the Year award from the Salcha-Delta Soil & Water Conservation District.  

More on the home front and rather belated news: Ani came from TX on college break. It was nice seeing her and having her at the house. We went out on a couple of snowshoe ventures but mostly she just wanted to relax. Quite a few of the ex grads came back for Christmas break. Also, Pat, Beth and the girls came for New Years and I had a good time taking the twins out on snow adventures and Pat took Beth's cousin, Rob and twins on a snow machine ride pulling a sled behind. Family reunions are memorable aren't they? Kids grow up so fast and move away and its nice when they can all come back at some point.

This year I tried the ice candle thing again. I remember making them when the kids were little and they came out quite nice. May made me some as well with home made candles.