Fairbanks, Alaska

A reason to love this town I live in,

if for nothing more than

it attracts people like this

to live here *

* I clipped the obituary below out of The Fairbanks Daily News Miner.
I have never met the man it is about. I clipped it and saved it because I appreciate how his memory is celebrated in an eclectic list of what he loved. The person who wrote it must have enjoyed reminiscing the simple pleasures he delighted in . . .all the while creating the best obituary I have ever read.

Thanks Richard for "getting it." Yours was a good life.

* For easier reading, click image to enlarge type

Childhood

A few treasured finds in the recent clearing and cleaning of my space *

Photographs from one day in the life of my four year old self. My Dad was most likely taking the picture. I wonder what day it was? Maybe a Saturday. One thing for sure - looks like it was Texas sunny with kids messing around in the front yard. Gotta love a good childhood. Thanks Mom and Dad *

hello november

 

I used to live here, Goldstream Valley, 2002

I'm gonna tell it like it is folks.

It's a make you snap twice, sprint to the front door, long john pullin', shirt tuckin' C O L D.

I do believe

more

is in store.

It's a water crystal's floating, ice fog hanging, sly moon sliding, wood stove stoking 

kinda' affair.

Winter is just getting interesting.

I've got all sorts of cozy going on over here : homemade moose meatballed spaghetti (recipe follows), a 300 degree wood stove burning, itunes genius playing (starting thread My Moon My Man by: Feist), today's enjoyment of yesterday's whole hearted house clean, a completely organized art studio where I can put my hands on what I need in 2 seconds flat, six freshly sanded birch hearts to paint while I listen to Christmas movie's and one two dollar organic ambrosia apple for desert. I am a happy girl.

You know, it was on my list for months to organize my studio. No small task my friend. I productively procrastinated around it for quite some time. Last night, at ten, I was inspired to knock it out, take it out, head to toe. I was committed. Six hours later and the space was neatly stacked color, column's of untouched boards, clotheslines hung clipped photograph's, and windowsill line of rocks that spin my world round.

The studio is ready. I am ready. The switch is flicked and lots of new art is on it's way. Come on back now ya hear?!

Coming Soon *

A new collection of  pattern paintings on wood, natural stone's and sea glass posted in my etsy store by the month's end !

New work will be a part of December's Alaska House Art Gallery Woman's Show - Come out and see!

(for details visit www.thealaskahouse.com)

Moose Meatballed Spaghetti

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 yellow onion, finely diced

Kosher Salt, freshly ground pepper

3 garlic cloves, minced

2 cups torn pieces crustless white bread (1/2 inch pieces)

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 lbs. ground Alaska Moose

1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leafed parsley

1 tsp finely chopped thyme

5 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into 1" cubes

7 cups tomato sauce

1 1/2 lb. spaghetti

In large pan, saute onions for 10 minutes in 1 tbsp oil. Add garlic. cook 1 minute. Let cool. In bowl crumble bread, add buttermilk. Add meat, onion mixture, parsley, thyme, 21/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper, mix with hands until cohesive. form into 10 meatballs.  Stuff cheese cube into center of each one. Reroll meatball.

In same pan, over medium high heat warm 2 tbsp oil. Brown meatballs in 2 batches. 8 minutes per batch. Remove and place on a plate. Pour sauce in pan. Add meatballs. Cook on medium low for 35 - 40 minutes or until fully cooked. Enjoy!

 

Each paper birch heart is locally sourced in Interior Alaska. Organic and Original. Hand Painted in Acrylics. Sealed for longevity. Delicate in nature. A sweet way to say "I heart you ..."

Artist In the Arctic