Trick or Treat in the Heat

In 2005 an Anchorage neighborhood came together to hold a block event for a terminally ill boy to experience one last Trick or Treat.  It was such a success that it has continued each year with exponential growth, expanding to five neighborhoods throughout the Anchorage area.  The proceeds all go to charities dealing with childhood illnesses and diseases.

We haven't experienced our first Trick or Treat in Alaska, yet.  However, we have been told that it is often snowy and quite cold.  So we jumped at the chance to participate in this great fundraiser and TOT before it got cold.

For those of you that know us, we have been making "Jack" themed costumes for our oldest son.  He is getting to the age where he is starting to protest not being able to pick out his own costume.  Well, this provided the perfect opportunity for Jack to pick his own costume.  Any ideas on what it was?

Don't worry.  Come October he will be flaunting a traditional homemade Jack costume.

Our sweet Nolan was a dinosaur.  And truth be told, he hasn't taken the costume off since.  This was the best purchase his Aunt Wendy ever made.

Miss Claire was a snowgirl.  However, she wasn't a fan of her top hat, we are pretty sure it was tossed from the wagon on the TOT route.

It was a gorgeous evening and we had a wonderful time Trick or Treating with the mountains surrounding us in the nearby town of Eagle River.

It's Five O'Clock Somewhere {Homemade Vanilla Extract}

Have you ever been to Costco at ten in the morning with a huge bottle of vodka in your cart? No? Oh, well, I had a good reason.  I needed that huge bottle to make vanilla extract; yeah, that's my story.

So, I hate to tell you, but the holidays are approaching.  School has started, Halloween candy is out in all of the stores, and here in Alaska the leaves are slowly beginning to change colors.  I love to make cookies for Christmas.  I give them to everyone; the mail delivery person, teachers, neighbors, my husband's co-workers, and I even think I will give some to that lady who walks her boxer every day when I pick Jack up at the bus stop.

There is something special about making my favorite cookies with homemade vanilla extract.  I think they taste better and I love the little flecks of vanilla speckled in the dough.  And it is SO easy.  Give yourself at least six weeks, maybe more, to let the vanilla fully develop a rich smooth flavor.  So plan ahead.  I ordered my Madagascar Vanilla Beans from the online store Beanilla, but you can get them at most major retailers.

Homemade Vanilla Extract

Jar or Bottle (Ball jars work beautifully)

Vanilla Beans

Vodka (You can also use rum, brandy, or bourbon if you want)

The general rule of thumb is five beans to one cup of alcohol.  Split your beans lengthwise to expose the beautiful black vanilla and slip them into your jar.  Pour your alcohol over top and tightly cap.  Give your bottle a good shake and place in a dark cupboard.  Once a week pull it out and give the jar a shake.  Your vanilla should be ready to go in about six to eight weeks.  It'll darken in color the longer it sits.  As you use it just top it off with more alcohol.

These bottles will be ready in time for my holiday baking.  Yum. I love Christmas cookies.  

Who am I kidding, I love all cookies.

Mother Son Adventure

Every year the ASYMCA (Armed Services YMCA) puts together a Mother/Son adventure.  When I read about this year's program, I jumped at the chance.  For a small fee Jack and I were able to ride the Alaska Railroad to the trail-head of the Spencer Glacier.  After arriving at the Whistle Stop for the glacier we were able to walk a little over a mile to the glacial lake and viewing area of this natural wonder.  

The day was rainy and cold, but Jack and I had so much fun together.  While waiting for the hike to begin, Jack decided he was a little thirsty. There was plenty of the wet stuff to spare.


We boarded the train south of Girdwood, Alaska with about 100 other moms and sons.  It was fun to see the various ages and stages of the sons.  There were lots of boys Jack's age who still held hands with their moms but there were some teenagers who spent the entire hike with their ear buds plugged in.  My Jack will never be that embarrassed of me, right?

It was an easy hike.  We would categorize it more of a walk but the payoff at the end was spectacular.  According to Jack the water was icy cold which I would assume had something to do with the mammoth glacier resting in it.  Along with the glacier, the water was full of icebergs that had broken off.  No matter the age, the sons loved the fact that they could toss rocks onto an iceberg.

While hiking we passed more of Alaska's beauty, even in the rain.  The wildflowers are stunning and were so colorful on this drab day. 

This bridge was a favorite photo opportunity for all the moms on the hike.  It was just eerily beautiful in the fog and rain.  I'd love to see it on a sunny day, too!

Rainy Days Call for Soup {Chicken Fajita Soup}

The warm weather of summer is behind us.  The rainy season has rolled in and the blue skies are typically overcast and dreary.  However, the Alaskan beauty is still here and we are enjoying everything this state has to offer us.  

Hatcher Pass

But with this cooler weather comes the desire for a warm bowl of comforting soup.  This latest recipe is an adaptation of a recipe I found on Pinterest.  I switched it up to suit our taste and it has already been requested a second time.

Chicken Fajita Soup

Chicken Fajita Soup

1 Split Chicken

1 Red Bell Pepper, diced

1 Orange Bell Pepper, diced

1 Yellow Bell Pepper, diced

1 Green Bell Pepper, diced

1 Red Onion, diced

1 15oz. Can of Tomato Sauce (I used a sodium  free one)

1 Can Rotel Mexican Style Tomatoes (This had added lime juice and cilantro)

Juice of 1 Lime

Fajita Seasoning Packet (I used reduced sodium)

3 Cloves Fresh Garlic, finely diced (I used a press)

Salt & Pepper to Taste

I tend to make my own soup base, it's quite easy.  However, you can always use five cups of water and some bullion cubes or five cups of chicken broth.

Put your rinsed chicken pieces in a stock pot and cover with water.  For extra flavor you can add an onion or other veggies that need to be used up.  However, this soup has enough flavor that it isn't necessary.

Once the chicken is cooked through, typically about 45 minutes on a low simmer, pull the chicken out and let cool.  Don't throw out the water, you will use this as your soup base.

In a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot saute the peppers and onions with salt and pepper for five minutes, stirring frequently.  Squeeze the lime juice over the sauteing  vegetables.  Add garlic and the entire fajita seasoning packet.  Saute for two or three more minutes.  When it becomes fragrant add the tomato sauce and canned tomatoes.  Measure out and add four to five cups of your chicken cooking water to the veggie mixture.  Add more or less water based on how much liquid you like in your soup.  I used five cups.  

As the soup begins to simmer de-bone your chicken.  Chop into bite sized pieces and add to the pot.  Bring soup to a boil and reduce to a simmer.  Let simmer for at least an hour to get all of those flavors incorporated.

Serve with your favorite fajita toppings; cilantro, diced avocado, shredded cheese, tortillas, and sour cream.  You get the idea.

I still couldn't get my boys to eat the soup.  Instead they ate a frozen cheese pizza with a can of sliced black olives on top... go figure.

Welcome To The Family

It only took one night without Adam home in our new place for me to realize just how isolated I feel.  Now don't misunderstand; we don't live in the bush, we live in an established neighborhood but our house is set back from the road and we are surrounded by mature trees.  And when someone knocked on my door at 9pm and I didn't hear them approaching I knew it was time.

Meet Cutter.

We are currently in the throws of puppy-hood.  This includes housebreaking, crate training, bite prevention, and constant playtime.  She has a sweet disposition and the kids love her (when she is not testing out her teeth!).  You can often find Claire giving kisses and trying to use her for a pillow.  She sleeps through the night (which I love) and exploring the yard is a favorite past-time.  I think she will fit right in!

                                            

Is This Blog Worthy? {Breakfast Crunch Wraps}

I tried the homemade Crunch Wrap Supreme recipe that has been making its rounds on Pinterest.  We all enjoyed it, even Nolan ate it without complaint.  However, we were left over with a half bag of tostados and Adam decided to get creative.

Enter: Breakfast Crunch Wraps.  As Adam was serving us this tasty breakfast he asked, "Will these make the blog?"  Yes dear, I think they will.

These are very customizable.  Don't like beans, don't add them.  Want jalapenos and sausage? Go for it.  I think you get the idea. Enjoy!

Breakfast Crunch Wraps

Large Burrito Tortillas

Toastada shell (or tortilla chips)

Scrambled Eggs

Salsa

Refried Beans

Shredded Cheese

Bacon

To Assemble:

Warm tortilla in the microwave and spread beans in the center, leaving a good two inches plain along the sides.  Top with with torn bacon and scrambled eggs.  Add a toastada and more scrambled eggs.  Add a bit of salsa and other toppings of your choice.  Too much salsa can make your wrap soggy... Finish with shredded cheese.  Begin to fold the tortilla up over the toppings.  It won't cover it completely.  We tore an extra tortilla and placed it under the folds to cover all of the cheese.  Carefully and quickly flip the crunch wrap face down into a warm pan.  Brown both sides to warm through and melt the cheese.  

A Cool August Day {Aunt Sissy's Split Pea Soup}

We have had an unusually warm summer in Alaska.  However, the past few days have alerted us to the fact that Fall is right around the corner.  The temperature has been hovering in the mid 60s and today there is a cool rain.  On Adam's request I made Split Pea Soup for dinner.

I have come to realize that there are two camps when it comes to this hearty soup: love it or hate it.  I always thought I hated it, too.  But not my husband, he loves it!  He spoke reminiscently on how his mom would make it for him as a child.  So last winter I caved and decided to give it a go for the first time.   A quick email later, his Aunt Sissy (his mom's sister) sent me her trusty recipe.

It takes a teeny bit of preparation the night before, but you'll be done in two minutes and can catch up on your DVR for the rest of the night.

Sissy's Split Pea Soup

Sissy's Split Pea Soup

One Ham Bone
2 Cups of Diced Ham
1 One Pound Bag of Split Peas
1 Onion, Diced
3 Carrots, Peeled and Sliced
4 Potatoes, Peeled and Diced

The evening before, rinse dried peas well.  There is dust from the splitting and drying process.  Soak the peas in water over night, have about three inches of water over the peas, no need to put in the refrigerator.

When you are ready the next day, drain the water off and rinse one more time.  It is kind of stinky.  You will be glad you rinsed them.

Place peas, ham bone, and enough water to cover them by an inch or two in a heavy bottom pot.  Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally for one hour.  The water may foam, don't let that scare you.

Add the carrots, onions, potatoes, and diced ham to the simmering pea mixture.  Let simmer for one more hour, the peas will start to break down and become pasty in this second simmer.   If the soup gets too thick add a tablespoon of water at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.  Salt and pepper to taste.   The peas and the potatoes required more salt than you would think.  You can also add Parsley, like Grandma Virginia did, or a little bill of dill gives it a special flavor.

Serve with a crusty loaf of bread.

Just a note, it may separate in the fridge, don't pour off the liquid, you will need this to thin it out when you are reheating it, otherwise you could use it to plaster your walls. This soup can be frozen.


And yes, my boys refuse to eat it.  They had grilled cheese for dinner.  However sweet Claire loved it! Maybe one day the boys will develop a taste for soup, I can hope!