I have been remiss in posting...no excuses, only life gets in the way..

 I have been on the road/plane since May, so I will just make this blog post into a photo documentary of sorts.


Texas, for Annie's Panola College graduation ceremony.

End of May had me on a REACH Academy school trip to the south of Alaska, Seward, with Rob and some other students. We took the Alaska Railway system and it was an adventure and amazing scenery to enjoy!

Mid-June, was a visit to Palmer Alaska, to see the twins and their awesome parents.








Then a week with the Tanana Chiefs Conference folks in Fairbanks. A week of Athabaskan Heritage Events.

July is almost gone and we've had events here at our farming community in Dry Creek as well. Independence Day had the community out in full regalia, as usual, good food, good company.

May's garden project, log cabin building, our new shed project. Winterizing cabins - yikes getting ready for winter already! Finishing firewood distribution (mainly Pat).

As the world turns - Dry Creek is never still, or boring.

thanks to Mike B who helped with the shed

Mays garden looking lush

Some quick highlights:

The Williams family, plus some much-needed helpers (Michael, Emily, Kelly and May) helped with the tethering and haying.  Square bales and round bales will be used for our animals during the winter.

We had a profitable summer - our garden and greenhouse has done very well thanks to May (garden) and Wendy (greenhouse) and their helpers.  BTW, the cheeses are doing well too!  Our first crews of hunters went out August 31, and we have not heard of any moose news yet.  This morning we had our first fall frost.  The temperature stayed at 31 for quite some time.  We have yet to put up the root crops and cabbages so we are in the clear.

Jairo Cruz, from the East Coast, is here for a few weeks.  He came in 2016 and stayed for several months. Joe Brandes and Josiah from Maine are living at Mark Coy's cabin and have been for several months.  

This spring Kathryn and John Clark moved to Hoonah Farm.  We miss them greatly.  When they moved, Kevin and Kelly and their little one, Stephanie, moved into the hay bale house on the other end of the community (other end from my end of the farm).  Upon their move, Ellie Kennison, from Maine, moved into Kevin and Kelly’s previous house (location being where the Riche’s home was built), used to be Rachel Trotter's and before that Jason Tate's.  

Trotters have put a garage onto the house that Stacey and Kenny built so they can easily keep their car warmed for ongoing doctor’s appointments.  Bro Andy is doing very well at this time.  He has continual upkeep treatments, but he has a schedule that he seems to handle well.  

Last month we had a short exodus of our youth who all went various ways but all ended up in Tennessee at Kayleigh Popplewell and Jonnie Squire’s wedding.  Kayleigh and Jonnie, although coming here for hunting season, will relocate to TN.  

Concerning the youth that went away, Amanda Nerbonne went to Haiti with a ministry crew.  They all ended up getting very sick with a stomach bug right before re-entry to the states.  Lindsey Williams attended the South Florida convention and visited family and friends in GA.  I guess Chloe Mason went straight to TN.  Michael Squires, Joe Brandes, Nic VanderHart, and Benj VanderHart all went to GA then bussed to TN.  They weren’t fond of that bus trip so they caught rides with Mitchells back to GA.  Judy and Steve also went off to GA, TN, and then back to GA where they still are.

Speaking of Nic, he applied to and is now attending the University of Fairbanks for the next couple of years.  I heard he is home this weekend, but I have not laid eyes upon him.  

Rose Dunning has had some family members visiting this past week.  They were very interested in farm life and joined into all the things we were doing.  A cousin and two sons and a niece Angela Schear, whose parents Pat and I met when at the Shepherd's School of Music in BC...eons ago it seems. May took us up to "Squeakies" last Saturday and it was a good climb. 

Jim and Bonnie are getting places in their cabin building venture.  The loggers put up the walls on their cabin and the Masons have stained the logs.  The roof is on too.  Jim and Bonnie are gone for a reunion in Maine at the moment.

  

Some of the photography students were able to go up on a chopper ride with a visitor who came to Dry Creek. This one is from Nic VH.

Things at the Land “where the milk and honey flows” are well.

Have a great fall everyone!

UPDATE:

Tommy and Cody have each shot a moose on the third day of hunting season.  Today, Seth and Ammy took five horses to Fish Lake to bring out Tommy’s moose.

Kenny and James Jepsen have come to visit Kevin and Kelly and Stephanie (and the rest of us Jepsen's) but also to go out on the Jepsen hunting crew.  It has been nice to have them around.

Jonnie and Kayleigh arrived on Sunday and will go out on a hunting crew later this week.  They are staying at Judy and Steve’s house for their short stay since the Squires Sr’s are still in the states.

May is busy buttoning up the garden - she filled a 100-pound bag full of our own home-grown onions.  We have a wee bit of beets to harvest and all the potatoes and carrots.  The greenhouse is nearly shut down.  Our beautiful flowers are past their prime and will be put away soon.

Moose season is in full swing! Rob, Micah, Michael, and Tommy will be going out for a night-over mid-September to 3030 (the hill behind our farm). WTG! First time for Micah and Robbie of course, should be fun.

NO RAIN PLEASE! MAKES IT SO MUCH HARDER TO TRACK, HUNT AND GET THE MEAT BACK TO CAMP!

HAPPY HUNTING EVERYONE!

March continued...

Wow! I can't believe how prolific I'm being. This one is purely Dry Creeking communications, courtesy of my fellow writer and contributor Sarah J.

Enjoy!

Most of this month, we’ve had -40 to -15 each morning.  This week, we’ve had -5.  Each day, slowly but surely, the temp goes up a few degrees from 0 to 15 at midday.  We are all waiting for the lamb of March to show up!

This week, some of the guys started breaking trail to the Fish Lake cabin so we can haul supplies up for hunting season.  Jarred and Joe broke to Stone House one day.  Today Joe and maybe Nicholas went all the way to the cabin.

Last weekend, we had Sis Virginia Buerge out for Sunday service and some praise time.  I really enjoyed that. She used many musical nuances which were probably lost on the non-musically inclined, but it was, nevertheless, a down-to-earth and very practical word. Mainly on how to apply God's promises and of being thankful and joyful, in our day-to-day living. At least that's what I got out of it. If you really, really want to hear it, a copy of the recording is kept at the LWM office. Just ask.

This weekend, we are having an indoor picnic hosted by Hannah Mason and her crew.  Eagles’ Ridge and the Delta House church group have been invited to join us.  

A couple of weeks ago, Ann Gentry moved to our community. She lives with Garth and Kim.  Olivia Brandes who previously lived with Garth and Kim has gone to I’sot for a couple of months and then plans to spend some time on the East Coast with her family.

Andy is doing well at this time, holding his own, continuing in chemotherapy.  

Some of the loggers are logging in the Salcha for a few weeks and staying with Jason Tate while there.  They come in quite late at the end of the day. Bless them for their continued service to this community. Nobody is a spring chicken anymore...ahem...so I know it can be grueling.

Rose Dunning has gone on a two-week trip - one week with her sister in Tennessee and one week in Georgia to see Beverly Hardman and other friends.  

Ellie Kennison from Maine moved here this fall.  She lives with Bonnie and Jim.  Right now, Ellie is in Texas visiting one of her daughters for a couple of weeks.  

Ann finished school in early winter.  She now works three days a week at the physical therapist place in Delta.  

Bill Casey has been home sick with a bad cold bug for over a week.  He is just now beginning to feel better.

Last week, Toby Williams, Cody, and Chris were working on a dozer.  While under the dozer, something happened to cause the dozer to move.  Cody and Chris were able to jump out from under the dozer faster than Toby.  Cody got a cut on his heel, and it has now been determined that he has a hairline fracture - and Chris was mostly unharmed.  Toby was dragged by the dozer and then the blade went down on his foot breaking the bone between his foot and ankle in two places.  He’s been in a lot of pain with this break.  Hopefully, he will start feeling better soon.  

Ok, well sorry for just posting about our ailments - well mostly - we are just holding out for NICER WEATHER.

Still trying to snowshoe whenever weather permits.

Also trying to finish up school projects and getting ready for Open House in April. The Yukon school district has made it possible for Rob to take a course on Alaska, so we're hoping to present a layout on that, maps, posters but mainly YouTube videos, clips and power point presentation. We work on these projects together, visual input is his favorite medium for inputting info. He's enjoying watching and learning. 

YKSD has also made another online resource available for him - Life Skills in English. This course covers - life skills - such as using dictionaries, the library, the internet for finding information, filling out forms (job-related), using the telephone correctly, etc. Things that will relate to him as he matures and becomes more independent. I was going to say "free thinker" but...he's already proven to us that he is indeed a "free thinker"... ha!

On the community front of prepping: greenhouses are starting up I see WW going about her business around there, May is also planning ahead and setting up her blueprints for her garden. Some construction has been started up again, I see folks sweeping off the snow and trying to get to what was in mid-construction before winter and snow set in.

All for now. Have a great rest of the week and weekend.

                                     Twins on the igloo daddy built, and Odin, the bird dog

RedPolls have been coming in flocks to my feeder.

MARCH 2017

Hi All,

March has come in like a lion, I sure hope the lamb show up soon enough.  We’ve woken up several mornings to -40*.  Because it’s March, the sun does come out most days.  When the sun shines, our temperature warms up to almost 0*.  Sometime after January, we finally started getting snow.  We have an accumulation of 20 inches now.  It takes a lot more snow this time of year to make another inch in accumulation since the snow packs down more this time a year.  According to the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, this is the coldest March in the last fifty years.  

It’s been so long since I’ve written that I don’t know where to start.  

Our convention went well.  Ministry were Joe M, David D, Richard G, John B, John C, John J, Bill G, David J, and ?.  

Recently, Peter Casey had a snowboarding accident where he broke one of his vertebrae.  He is wearing a neck brace and will be wearing it for months.  There was an interview done on them.  Here is the link: 

 http://www.ktva.com/chugiak-first-responder-thankful-community-support-accident-379/

Maddie Cox and McCall Mitchell went to Australia on a mission trip. They’ve spent time in Madagascar and Philipines amongst other places.  They will return to the United States at the end of the month.  Maddie became sick early on in their trip and has been fighting this sickness for the entire time.  She has had several rounds of various rounds of antibiotics.  She was admitted to a hospital in Manilla.  I heard she was released.  Hopefully, she’s on the road to total recovery. 

We've had additions to our family here at Dry Creek. Ellie Kenneson from Maine came earlier in the year - she is a spunky lady in her 80's. It amazes me when older folks want to come live up here in the frozen north! She is living with Jim&Bonnie M so she is very comfy there. I periodically go in and play Apple techie on her various Apple devices. Keeps me on my toes and I've learned a few tricks. 

One of the new tricks I had to put to use during convention time when I was asked to "unlock" Bro. Joe M's iPhone 7...forgotten password or some such thing. That took a bit of doing but Apple techs are usually super friendly and patient, so eventually after about 4 hrs. and a rather sleepless night, it suddenly came back to life.

But I digress, another addition to our community family is Sis. Ann Gentry. She is living with Garth&Kim M for the time being. Another brave lady.

Let's see who else's comings and goings I can remember: 

Olivia Brandes went to be with her family in Canby and other places until August; Tommy G's mom moved from MO to Fairbanks Alaska and is living with relatives. We will be seeing her sometime soon when she comes for a visit. Cody W came back from his Colombia adventures visiting friends; JonnieMac came back from his visit to be with his BFF in TN.

On the Buongiorne front:

May B is going to GA for the April Convention and to visit friends; Rob and Gri will be going down to Seward AK and visiting the SEA Life Marine center there - courtesy of REACH Academy.

My sister Karenza Hanson whom many of you know, is caring for the Cobb's down in GA. Her plan to move to Salta, Argentina is on hold for the time being but still on the burner. 

My sis Alejandra Burgess is on an extended visit to Argentina. She's connected with all the various branches from the length and breadth of the country it seems also visited my aged mum (92) Stella Leeson).. Here's a few candids of her with Marina making gourmet DULCE DE LECHE and other delicacies sold from M's shop DELICIAS HANSON.

3 of mums's kids - my sister Sandra, Marina and bro. Gavin

May Buongiorne was invited to speak at the Sustainable Agricultural Conference hosted by UAF's Coop extension, amongst other entities. She spoke about her experience during the 2 years she's been managing our community garden. Even if I say so myself...she was a hit and many hands went up for 

questions. Proud of my girl!

May and the Kubota she dreams about having for her garden!






The weather has been so nice for snowshoeing lately. With the sun up for longer it makes all the difference in the world. I've got some nice views of my trails. 

May went up our hill, about 3k ft. she took some very nice photos of our place. Even mapped it on my trail map with Rob's GPS tracker...

Pat, Beth and twins visited the UK family earlier this year.

 



Made my Arroz Amarillo with REAL Saffron, a gift from a friend!

Cranberry, Orange, Onion Chutney. It's got a pleasant bite to it. Nice as a side for meats or even a spread with cream cheese.

Enough for tonight.   Keep well and be happy - you'll live longer.  

JANUARY 2017...ALREADY??

Yes, it's true! The Year 2017 is actually here and already into most of January. Time flies as the saying goes...but...are we having FUN?

Did I mention that Rob got a second stint with the logging and milling guys? Well, he did very well and learned some valuable skills for future work experience. Thanks to the guys at LMA for letting him be a part of it.

 Outside our Tab. It's chilly!

I've been up in the frozen lands for almost 30 years, and I must say that this New Years celeb was the quietest and most subdued. Fewer people, fewer kids, fewer fireworks and we even set them off early and did not wait for midnight. We must be getting old...lol. It was fun nevertheless, plenty to eat and everybody milled around from table to table, eating, visiting and playing table games brought out for the occasion.

Before that, we celebrated Christmas, and most of us were invited out or stayed home and relaxed. Annie, our TX college daughter, came out for 2 weeks and we enjoyed her company as we always do. I trust your holiday season/s were blessed and peaceful with family, friends, good food and fellowship.

Now our next event is our yearly church convention. Folks have been running hither and yon, in a frenzy of cleaning and uncluttering, making ourselves presentable for the guests and speakers who will arrive by the end of the month, from around the globe.

Our temperatures have been fluctuating between nice and pleasant (above zero) to sub-zero weather due to a cold front coming in from the Arctic and the Bering Sea. Snow has finally reached us in copious amounts, blanketing everything in white and making things look magical. Those of us who snowshoe and enjoy other winter activities outside are pleased, trails are puffy and ready to tread upon. A snowshoers dream!

our yearly carolers were in tune but cold....

From the Palmer front, Pat, Beth & twins spent Christmas with their UK family. It was a good visit.

Bye Ani! We'll miss you!

On the international front. Our girls, Maddie Cox and Mccall Mitchell, are still "down under" adventuring and experience amazing and new things. I can't find any recent photos, this one is when their group reached Madagascar.

And Cody Williams is in Colombia visiting friends.

When my friend Sarah updates some news, I'll add it on.

Signing out now. God bless you all!

gri