I'm Back....

Just a quick post, dear blog. I have been one poor correspondent of late. Life has been crazy busy lately and by days end I am too exhausted to log on. I still have been trying to keep up with my peeps, but as for me, nothing but work at home and Guide Dogs. Worked an extra shift on Tuesday this week and told my boss I would not be available to pick up the Wednesday (Sacred babysitting engagement). I knew there would be another day...the other nurse never can be sick just one day and her illnesses always seem to coincide with difficult classes...mmmm??? Okay, enough snarkiness. The birthday party was nice. It ended up being a little more low key than originally planned, per the birthday boy's request. We can celebrate more when I turn 50 soon. Tom was all concerned that since I bought him a 4 wheeler (plus all the other stuff that goes with it) that he would have to spend that much money on me. I get what I need and I get what I want. I don't keep score. I told him I want to go to Alaska for my birthday, so we are going to check into trips at this year's Sportsmen show (a February tradition for us) I would like to go to Clam Gulch because I hear the razor clams are huge there and the limit is like a kajillion. I need to check on that. Digging razor clams is one of my favorite outdoor activities and I really would like to fish Alaska and really just explore. I am really excited that Discovery channel is starting a new reality series on the Iditarod. Back in the day Tom and I used to mush with an eye on someday doing the Iditarod. Tom worked with Jim Tofflemire, the first man from Oregon to complete the Iditarod and we were friends with Terry and Carrie Hinesly. We no longer run sled dogs, but the memories of a fresh trail on a cool morning still bring a smile to my face. The worst day on the trail always beat the best day at work!!! In other news, I almost fell off the wagon this morning. Ann of Gorgeous Fabrics is having her famous knit sale and of course Fabric.com always calls my name. Intellectually I know I have plenty of stuff in my stash to work with. I just love buying fabric. It could be that I am just craving retail therapy because Tom is gone hunting. Spending some time in the studio should help. I should be able to get there this week. In my off time I have been canning like a mad fiend...tomatoes, saurkraut and apples up the yin yang! 28 quarts of apple sauce and probably 25 pies in the freezer! I lost count. That's like an apple pie every other week...mmmm!!! The kraut is about the best we have ever done...I am pretty excited about it. The flavor is really mellow...almost lemony. I learned how to make kraut from Grandma and Pop and it's pretty simple...shred the cabbage into the crock...pound it with salt to taste (almost too salty)...add carrots and then seal off from air with a bag of water (I double the bag (don't want the kraut to be diluted by a slow leak...then forget about it for a couple weeks as it ferments. I made 15 pints and 3 quarts this year. I'm going to break into the first jar tonight with some good polish sausage. Can't wait for dinner!!! Hayden is coming to spend the evening with me tonight so his Mom and Dad can have a date. It should be a great (unproductive) night!