Merry and Bright

I wanted to put together a little mixtape of Christmas songs together for you but it proved difficult to transfer it from the computer to my blog.  The few songs I really wanted to share with you were:

Dave Matthew's Christmas Song: Found on his Live at Luther College album (disc 2), the lyrics tell the story of Jesus's life in a genius way.

Sarah McKeown's Christ Child: A Celtic singer, found on her album with Through the Bitter Frost and Snow which is a beautiful collection of winter and Christmas music. Highly recommend!

In the Bleak Midwinter by The Tudor Choir found on Fair with Her Firstborn album.  This is a local professional chamber choir which I'm excited to see in concert this Saturday! 

If you have a few moments and can seek out those songs  either through XBox Music (which is where I found them) or iTunes, etc. 

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

xoxo ~Annette

Views from Denali Lodge

One evening Patrick and I went for a brief stroll around the property of Denali Lodge and captured some beautiful sunset views.


A public service announcement:

Last weekend I made this from ground cherries (husk cherries) that I found at our local farmers market.  If you can find yourself some of these heavenly little orbs at your farmers market or natural grocer I highly recommend making some for yourself.


Plus a little wish list:

for travel (in navy)
to adorn my neck
for creating a still life (its hard too choose a favorite in this shop)
embroidery to ornament
for inspiration in lettering
to snuggle into and feel beauttiful
help for filling up these white walls around my house with this
to throw on the floor for a slumber party
for a little greenery little pots and plants like this
to scent our home
to sip a sample
for those weekend breakfasts for two

Alaskan Survival

The Alaskan survival tour was the first of our tours we booked through the cruise.  Brian, our tour guide, hailed from the Seattle area but had been living up in Alaska year round for the last three or four years.  He shared with us tales of survival in the Alaskan wilderness, teaching us the five key elements to survival - shelter, warmth, food, water, and communication. 

We then played a scenario out in which we learned how to use the survival techniques.  Brian showed us how to use the gifts of the forest floor to create shelter, gather food, and build a fire.  We picked watermelon berries, saw examples of shelters built from branches, and demonstrations of fire starters. 

Patrick tried one of techniques for starting a fire, using a 9 volt battery.  He confessed that it was something he had experimented with as a kid.  The look on my in-laws faces was priceless!  (However it makes me nervous to think about have children with this man... well only a little!) 

The whole afternoon was incredibly fun and educational.  Although after hearing those survival stories I don't think I would last very long out in the wilderness.  Good thing I tend to stick close to home!