Moose in April

We have had the same moose nibbling their way in our yard. Larry was able to get some better shots as he stepped outside. Usually we take the photos through the window. The cows will be dropping their babies soon. One moose is a baby from last year. The other might be the mother.

A chunk of coal

Coal is found on the beaches here in Alaska. The guy riding the 4-wheeler in the clam digging photos spotted this big chunk and of course they had to have it. It took three men to get it in the back of the Jeep. Not sure they listened to me but I suggested logs and trees to get it in and that is what they did because they could not get the leverage. We collect small pieces and burn it along with wood when we have a fire in the outside pit or a fire on the beach. One of the clam diggers burns it for heat. That will last him a while. So it is recycle too on the beaches. My father used to collect driftwood for a fireplace on the beach in Maine when I grew up.

Clam Digging April 8

We had the best day on the beach clam digging. I forgot to get a photo of the size of the clams--just think Alaskan BIG! They are called razor clams and are much bigger than our butter clams. They have to be cleaned. The guy on the 4-wheeler was a friend who went with our friends. We drove in a beater car 4-wheel drive to the best spot where the sand bars were exposed. It was very wet though. And cold but we dressed for it--we had Tyvek suits under our clothing. I felt like Michelin Man. I had to unzip my coat and take off my gloves. It really was fun. Larry uses a clam gun and does not get on his knees like the guy in the one photo. The others were digging but the clams can go down so fast you have to get on your hands and knees and grab 'em sometimes. The clam gun brings up the mud and hopefully the clam in the mud. I love being out at the beach. It was a pretty day but by 3:00 we had snow coming down. We got a few more inches but it has gone now--but we still have winter snow piles.

Sewing cuties

I made this little wall hanging for a friend in CA because we share the love of quilting. Another quilting friend sent me the fabric which had about 10 different funky looking quilters/sewers on it. I got the idea to make a wall hanging from it from another quilter. Round and round we go!

Walking on the snow

I was shocked that the snow in my yard was so crusted and so hard that the moose could walk on the top of it. But here is proof. These were taken from the inside hence the flash on the window.

This is a keeper

I love log cabin! That is the name of the block for all you non-quilters who might read this blog. The blocks were made by a group of quilters in an exchange--a group of quilters in Fairbanks. Every exchanger picked her own block and colors. When mine came in I was astounded and they all went together perfectly. I could not wait to put it together. I have blocks from other exchanges that are still not put together but these blocks caught me right off and begged to be put together. I think this quilt is a keeper. I did my own quilting too on a Grace Machine Quilter.

March and spring is coming

No posts because nothing exciting happening and no photos to post. Even Henrietta left home. We don't know if she hit someone's stew pot (not ours) or she is fickle. She was seen about 2 miles away at my friend's house then a couple of days later a male pheasant was seen too in the same yard. Does that tell us anything?

We have had some lovely melting down days. Lots more to go but spring is coming. We have had some ice dams coming off the roof in the kitchen/dining area--one that brought Larry out of his chair as he sat by the window. We have long days now too.

I have a couple of things close to completion in quilting and will be posting photos soon since this blog has the word "quilting" in the name I guess I should. I did quilt a quilt for a friend in exchange for her knitting a sock for me. Yes, a sock. I have been trying to do the second sock to the pair for a long time and found I just was not interested. But the lady I quilted for does beautiful knitting. She likes how I quilted her daughter's quilt she so asked what color I wanted for a second pair because she has another quilt she needs quilting. I guess I should be flattered but this always puts a crimp in my time on my own things.

Soon I will be outside more in the garden and on the beach. Every day I walk the treadmill for 25 minutes and do my mile. An iPod has really helped in that regard. And the pounds are coming off slowly, thanks to Weight Watchers.