Fur Rondy Snow Sculptures

The Fur Rondy ended today. I didn't get out to see any of the Dog Races or the Melodrama... and I love both events.. just didn't have the "want to." I did get out to see the Snow Sculptures. These are a peek at my favorites. I enjoy Native art. It seems like it always has a story to tell and it is usually involves amazing craftmanship.













I thought this little guy from Ice Age was appropriate. It felt like we were in another ice age the moment I took this picture!! The wind was blowing and it was well below freezing out... 8 above!

And who can resist the charms of Calvin & Hobbes! They are both so full of mischief and fun!

So, here I am in my new regular sized dress (XL from Banana Republic). It felt good to wear a dress from a store that doesn't sell plus sizes. I didn't realize my sash wasn't properly done, or I would have fixed it.

I feel a bit like the color of my dress right now....

4 years ago, I bought a dress, it was for a funeral. Today I was trying on the dress over there to the left<---
and received the most disturbing news... My boss died yesterday of a heart attack while riding his snow machine. It was a beautiful day here in the AK, full sun, gorgeous for being out in the snow... but I have to wonder why.. He was only 43, seemed to be in good health, the best boss I'd ever had, genuinely a good person, and an excellent friend. I've lost a friend. I don't know how I'm going to go on at the office. ..

Good news... this is the first time I've purchased a dress in a store that doesn't sell plus sizes. I'm sure I'll be wearing this to the funeral ...

Do you believe in coincidence?

Generosity...

I signed up for I'm A Ginger Monkey's International Fat Quarter Swap for fun and I received my package today! My swap partner really out did herself.. all she was suppose to send was 2 fat quarters and maybe a notion.. I got 3 fat quarters (which I really like, especially the seaside one), 1 skein of gorgeous yarn with the Feather & Fan Scarf pattern, a Yarn Forward Magazine and the most lovely handwritten letter. The letter took me away to another place. I could just image her sitting there and writing to me.... So sweet!

And then... Hello.. Not one but a second package for me today and it was from my swap buddy over at Ravelry! Another lady who went above the call of duty!! Such generosity. I'm really feeling the love here :)

I enjoyed both swaps, but I think I need to get busy now and produce something with all these lovelies!! No swapping for me for a while. I'm set!

Crafty people are just the best!

I've been in a bit of a fog this week and this goodness has lifted me right out of it.

As of Yesterday...

I've lost 100 pounds! It is hard for me to believe. I've met my first milestone. The next goal will be to get under 200. I'm in a size large top down from a 3x and pants 16W down from 26W. No longer an apple, but a pear ;)

It is still kinda hard to believe and I have an image problem (in my head). I know what I see is not what other people see, but seeing and believing are two different things. Hopefully I will get someone to take a picture of me soon that I can share :)

Thank you all for being with me on this journey!

Alaskan Fiber Hounds Yarn Crawl...

I've joined a Ravelry group called Alaskan Knitters and we decided to do a yarn crawl Saturday. The day started out at Pandemonium Booksellers and Cafe in Wasilla. I wish I had had my camera. The view from that place is stunning! Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! The store is nice and cozy with a nice but small assortment of books. What they do have is a rather large children's book section and great coffee :) Also, they don't mind that we come in and knit! So we ordered coffee and sat down at a table, introduced ourselves (first time meeting each other) and knitted for a bit and waited for Ewe First to open its doors.

Ewe First is a nice open airy store with plenty of room to move around. It had a nice selection of yarn, notions, books, and accessories. I liked the Namaste bags, reasonably priced and very pretty. I didn't buy any yarn there, but I did find a magazine, I'd been wanting...

Our next stop was to Fantastic Fibers in Palmer. This place was sensory overload for me. There is a lot to see and touch (and smell). All the walls are covered. I did find some beautiful yarn for a new pair of socks. It is so soft and I love the mixture of the greens & brown. Also, in one room, was clearance yarn... I'm thinking about making some mittens or fingerless gloves with this.

Our Next stop was to The Tangled Skein in Eagle River. It is a small shop, but very well stocked. I found some gorgeous buttons! Buttons are so hard to find here, especially unique ones. I definitely scored! I also bought this issue of VOUGUEknitting. Love it! I've got so many projects planned in my head. It will be a challenge to actually get them all finished. A girl can dream :)


The next stop was Far North Yarn Co. I love that store. There is such a family friendly vibe there. They have just moved things around and it seems to have a nice flow/energy. I like the areas they have set up for just knitting.

Next was Yarn Branch... It is an excellent place to get fabrics. Honestly, I could get more distracted by their fabric selection than the yarns. Although, they did have the nicest cashmere there I'd ever seen.


Our last stop was Knitting Grounds, which is a very unique store in itself. The owner, Zaynab, was wearing the most beautiful felted scarf. I really want to take a class and learn how to do that :) I bought the above yarn there and some more knitscene magazines. When I saw this yarn, I immediately knew I had to buy it. I think I will make a scarf with it. This store also carried a lot of local artist, for example the yarn above was made locally and the button I bought there was made by someone in Anchorage too. I think it is a good thing to support local entrepreneurs and invest in the community in which you live.

We enjoyed ourselves so much, we are planning on another Yarn Crawl in June. Fun, Fun, Fun.
These are the kind of things that keep you sane during the winter months. :)

Keeping me going...

I have browsed and browsed and found groups and patterns and interesting people with interesting blogs... It is mind blowing.. every knitters dream! And of course, it would not be winter without knitting.

Sashimi! I can't get enough of this stuff. Tuna in every 1 oz has 7g of protein. So yummy!


I will be singing your praises until the end of days... I'm sure! I promised I would never stray from the original Coke... but since I don't intake much sugar these days.. Diet Coke has been my best bud!

What else is keeping me going...

Work. I actually like my job. If I had to sit at home all day in the winter, here, we'd be moving!
Friends. It is super nice to just hang some days....
Books. I'm currently reading "Mr. Darcy's Daughters" by Elizabeth Aston. I'm planning to read a new mystery series by Maggie Sefton. The first book in the series is "Knit One, Kill Two". There is a recipe and a knitting pattern in each book. I think that is cool!

And the anticipation of an upcoming trip Outside!

What's keeping you going?