Potter's Marsh

Yesterday was a beautiful day, just like today! I was trying so hard to get the house cleaned and things put away. I think the kids knew it was so nice outside cause they were driving me crazy!

After nap time we headed to Potter's Marsh.

To get to Potter's Marsh take the New Seward HWY south. You will pass Rabbit Creek exit, then lookout for the little brown sign that says "Potter's Marsh parking" then turn left. It is right across the street from the rifle range. Which I think is funny. A bird sancutary that is right across the street from a rifle range.

There had been a lot of work done since the last time I visited. I can't beleive I hadn't taken the kids sooner!!! There is a long boardwalk where the kids can run up and down. It is very stroller friendly.

All along the boardwalk there were really cool signs talking about all there is to see at Potter's Marsh. Kids old and young can actually learn while enjoying the outdoors! This is a cool sign showing the life cycle of salmon.

Speaking of salmon! We got to see lots!! We saw lots of fry (baby salmon) swimming around as well. This is a great place to see them with little ones and out of state guests.

One of the cool thing's about Potter's Marsh is seeing the wildlife. We only saw seagulls, ducks, and Canadian geese this visit, but there are many more birds that frequent this sanctuary. Like the Arctic Tern, did you know it takes the longest journey of any bird! It migrates to Antartica every winter and then comes up here to breed! Crazy! Visit this Fish and Game page to learn about the other birds that visit.

Kaden loved using his binoculars to look at the birds. We did see an eagle while there. We also heard it screeching, which I think sounds so cool. Then it landed in a nearby tree in a nest.

If you are lucky, you'll see moose and muskrat that visit the area. If you haven't been, plan a day to go! Just the surrounding is enough to visit. Turnigan Arm, mountains, fresh air, wildlife....that's what Alaska's about right? Take the kiddos, they will love it!

Then after the kids ran out their energy we went to FireTap for dinner! I would recommend getting there a little early cause it gets crowded fast. But it was VERY kid friendly and we would go back again with the kiddos!

Hunger

A friend posted a convicting story of world hunger here. Please read the post so you'll know what I'm talking about. The photos alone can drop your jaw. Ugh I don't even know where to start? I'm speechless....

 I think of my 3 kids. How cute all the rolls are on them. This baby has no fat, how I wish he did. See I had a hard time reading Jenny's post. Part of me wanted to cry out for these kids who are living day to day asking where their food will come from. I'll be honest, the other part of me wanted to look away and not read any farther. To say that's so sad and move on. I didn't want my true emotions to be involved, wanted to be distant. That isn't here, it's not my problem.

 Really? It's not my problem? How can I think that! I hate even being honest with you, people I don't know, sharing about some of my dark thoughts. Fear of how you will judge me! Wow, how low am I! Why do I CARE about being judged when there are people NOT EATING! This is serious! What kind of bubble am I living in?

 I know world hunger exists with my head, I hear about it all the time. But time and time again, I have not allowed the power of it to affect me. I think it has to do with me being ashamed that I'm not doing anything about it. Or feeling inadequate that I CAN'T do anything about it. So I continue to sit in self pity of how horrible of a person I am for not doing anything and thinking the way I think. Never truly letting it hit my heart.

 But I CAN do something about it! First off I just need to acknowledge that I messed up and ask God for forgiveness. Now I can invest in hurting people and help them. Whether that is send money or resources, or even lending a hand. I can do it even here in Alaska.

 First off, I just want to say that I'm not on here to argue anything about God, religion, whatever. I'm here to talk about hurting people, period. I don't want to argue what religion or non religion you are, there are people, there are KIDS that need our help. Everyone can agree on that statement right?

 So what are we going to do about it? What are you going to do about it? What am I going to do about it? Here are just a couple of places you can help out with. Jenny, from where my post came from, has another post about her visit to Korah. She visits a couple who have opened up Embracing Hope Ethiopia. You can help their ministry helping the poor. World Vision is really credible, I used to sponsor 2 kids when I was in college.

 I also have a friend, Lianne, who is a missionary in Nicaragua at Children of Destiny. Visit their page and you can see how you can sponsor a child or just help them run their facility.

 We have hungry kids right here in Alaska. Just ask teachers who see this everyday at school, sitting next to your well fed child. I only thought it existed over seas, sadly it's here as well. The Children's Lunchbox helps feed local kids. Grandpa from Kids' Kitchen has been feeding kids since 1996. Dare to Care is another non profit that helps give school children food.

 As a mother, I want to teach my kids to care about others. The only way they can learn is seeing it with their own eyes, right? What can we do to give back? To give to those less fortunate. I know at times I struggle looking around my house at some of the crap that I WANTED, not NEEDED. How it's not being used, the money that was wasted. I'm such a consumer. Not all of it is bad. When I buy, especially local, I'm helping pay someone. But what am I doing other then buying for me and my family?

 I want to give back, no I NEED to give back. Not only would I be blessing others but what blessings that would be for my heart. That is what fulfills me, love.

 If you only get one thing out of this post, I hope it's this; we live in a fallen, hurting world and you can help. Start local, in your backyard and make a difference. Do it with your friends and family and it will catch! I always think of the Starfish story when I don't think I can make a difference in this HUGE world. I'll leave you with it.

 "One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?" The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die." "Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!" After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then smiling at the man, he said "I made a difference for that one."

 How are you going to make a difference?

Our rainy days have consisted of....

FORTS!

I know here in Alaska it rains a lot during the summer. Sometimes you have to go outside and just play in the rain. But some days I really do not like going out in the rain. Maybe my parents didn't let me play in the rain enough as a kid? Hmmm.

 Anyways, my kids LOVES forts. My son is always building his home behind the curtain. Then he just sits in the window and invites his sisters to come play. What kid doesn't like hiding in a fort! I remember sitting in the closet when I was younger with all My Little Pony's.

  I found some really cool table forts all over blog land. I DID NOT want to pay $200 or it so I made one myself! My kids love it! It covers the kitchen table and it packs away really wasily. Don't mind my lack of ironing. They pretend they are in a rocket ship or a cougar cave. When I go under there with them it brings me back to my childhood.

  My little one loves going in and out of it. They eat their snacks and play for hours under there! I did not come up with this cool idea. I first found it on Homemade By Jill. You can just google play tent in etsy and see some amazing tents!

Here is a tutorial for this cool tent below made from sheets and a hula hoop!

   You don't have to sew to make some forts, just grab some bed sheets!

 Just add some lights, how cool is that! I know I could spend all day in here with a great book. Especially on rainy days like these. My kids would love to read as well!

 So grab what you have on hand and make a fort! Blankets, sheets, pillows, cardboard boxes, cushions, tables, or chairs. You can build a fort city!!! Maybe a fort will give you some free time! Good luck and tell me how it goes!

Indoor Places in Anchorage

 The weather forecast is rain all week, oh yea! (Can you hear the sarcasm?) Summer is coming to an end and rainy season is arriving. Hopefully we will have a couple more pretty days before fall hits us. I have to admit fall is my favorite season! I just wish it lasted longer here.

 There are a couple of cool places you can take the kiddos here in Anchorage on rainy or snowy days. I hope this gives you some ideas when you need to get out of the house!

Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum -- I have not visited here, but if your kiddo loves planes this is the place to go! I hear it's not too kid friendly but lots of planes to look at!

Alaska Museum of Natural History --Toddle Time is GREAT! I love this museum! Very hands on for the kiddos and it's inexpensive. You can dig for dinos, touch lots of animals, play with playdoh and more!

Arctic Gymnastics --This is a HUGE gym for the kiddos to run around in. They have several trampolines, a cheese pit, balls, and lots of stuff to work on motor development. They have open gym Mon-Fri from 9-11a.

Bouncin Bears --Kids can literally bounce off the walls! Prices are a little steep though!

H2Oasis --When school starts, you can bring your toddlers to play! Very cool ship and slides!

Imaginarium --Lots of hands on things. Make huge bubbles, touch starfish, play in a fort and more! You have to pay for entrance to the WHOLE museum which is spendy. Wish you could just pay for the Imaginarium because I don't get to enjoy the rest of the museum with the kiddos. And we don't stay there all day due to nap time....I digress.

Pump It Up --Our favorite bounce place to visit! The price is right as well as the size. The owner is fabulous, area is clean, and you can climb on a moving wall!

If you are going stir crazy, get out of the house and visit one of these places!

Alaska Farmer Market's

 One thing I miss about the lower 48 is the fresh fruit! You buy it here from the store and it goes bad in a couple of days. BUT I do love going to the local farmers market and buying fresh produce. Have you been to one of the farmer markets? We have seven of them here in Anchorage. I was going to list all of Alaska markets here but someone beat me to it! Visit here for Alaska Farmers Markets.

 These are snow apple turnips, pretty tasty! I've never heard of them till I visited the South Anchorage Farmers Market. My kids love them! I've heard they go great in salads or to eat them plain, which is how we eat them.

  I got some strawberries and let's just say they didn't last 5 mins in my house. They were so delicious!! Fresh is best! One thing about the markets is you HAVE to get there early if you want to grab the goods. I went around 2 and everything was gone! Strawberries are the only fruit that I have seen so far. Unfortunately up here in Alaska we don't get a wide variety of fruit, which is a TOTAL bummer! We eat fruit like it's going out of style in my household!

 Not only do they have produce but they have cheese!! You can buy it in blocks or in curds, yum! There is also fish, meat, plants, honey, jams, bread, and....

mouth watering pastries!!

 It feels so good to me to buy local. I know where the food is coming from, helping out my community and keeping the money here in Alaska. The prices are great as well, but you can use WIC food stamps. Also eligible seniors qualify as well. Visit here to learn more.

I love going to the market with the kids. They help me pick out veggies and they are more inclined to try things. It's also nice just to go by myself. I like to think of how cool it would be if I had to go to the market daily to get all our meals and how fresh everything will be. Some days I would really like a slower paced life.

 There are always unique things to try and see at the market. Where can you get a salmon burger and reindeer dog? Definitely not in Florida! I love Alaska! People like to bring their dogs or bike to the market. It is such a laid back community. You see people in their Carharts and North Face rain jackets. Comfy and ready for the environment, my kind of style! You can usually tell who the out of town folks are. =)

 Be sure to visit one of your local markets. If you visit the websites below you can find recipes, how to process and store the produce and much more!

Alaska Farmers Market Association (visit here to find our local market)

South Anchorage Farmers Market (recipes, cookbook, schedule)

Pyrahs Pioneer Peak Farm (pick YOUR OWN veggies!)

Glacier Valley Farm CSA (will deliver boxes of local and outside produce to a location for you to pick up)

Rise and Shine Bakery

Alaska Farmland Trust presents  "BYOP" Valley Farm Picnic

 Sunday, July 31st   2PM - 6PM  Dimonridge Farm (aka Heaven's Hayfield)  2445 South Davis Road in Wasilla  Take Parks Hwy, exit @ Hyer Rd toward Fairview Loop. Turn Left onto Hyer Rd. Turn Right onto E. Fireweed and take first left onto Fairview Loop Rd. Take a left on to Davis Rd. Look for the signs on the left.  Have a day of fun with family and friends and get to know the Alaska Farmland Trust!

The Valley Farm Picnic is a “BYOP” (Bring-Your-Own-Picnic) event. You bring a picnic and we’ll supply the blankets and old fashioned farm fun! This FREE event will take place rain or shine with ongoing activities throughout the day. Prizes will be awarded to winners of each event! Don’t forget to bring a dessert to enter in the Dessert Auction at 3:00 pm. See you on the farm!

mom to mom Diapers (closed)

 I use cloth diapers for several reasons. One of them being to save money. I do have some disposable diapers on hand just in case I didn't do laundry or if other people will be watching my kids. So when Carrs/Safeway contacted me to try out their diapers, I jumped on it!
 I'm usually hesitate about using store brand diapers. They always seem cheaply made and leak through. I used the supreme diapers on both of my girls and I didn't have one leaky diaper! I even used them over night.

This is what the website has to say about the diapers. "The more your love bug is moving around, the more you'll appreciate the improved leakage control and better fit of these diapers. Stretchy waist and side panels add comfort, a hypoallergenic liner with natural botanicals, vitamin E and aloe protect skin."

 The diapers have this cool guard that seems to keep the poop in instead of leaking through. I'm all for poop not leaking through to the clothes! It's the worst when you are trying to get out the door and there is a blow out! I really like that the size of the diaper is printed on the front of the diaper. I hate having to try to guess what size leftover diapers I had from the last kid. The design is cute to, no characters, just numbers and ABC's.

 So next time you are out of diapers at 2am, don't be afraid to pick up these mom to mom diapers from Carrs.

Carrs not only gave me free diapers to try but 2 $25 gift certificates! I'm keeping one for myself and giving one away!

Would you like a $25 gift card to Carrs? You need to live in Alaska, leave a comment with what diapers you use, and an email address to contact you with. Ill pick a winner Thursday night!

Taco Soup and Flowers

Nice heading huh? I can't think of anything other then what this post is about. Maybe lack of sleep is really getting to me.

I got this yummy recipe from a lady years ago. I would credit it to her, but I don't know who she is or where she got it from.

Taco Soup

1 lb cooked shredded chicken OR hamburger meat
1 chopped onion
1 can red kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can white corn
1 can whole kernel corn
1 diced tomato
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 can chicken or beef broth (use the broth with whichever meat you are using)
1 pkt taco seasoning (1/4c)
1 pkt Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing (1/4c)

I rinse the beans and then throw everything into a crock pot. I keep it on low for an hour or 2. You can also just put everything in a big pot and boil. Instead of using canned corn I use frozen though.

My kids LOVE this, even my 10 month old! We also add cheese, sour cream and tortilla chips, yummy!! This is quick to throw everything together for a laid back meal.

 Are you growing a garden? We are growing a couple of things. Veggies and flowers! This is a photo of our peony, isn't it gorgeous! It just gets better daily! We have little broccoli florets growing. It's so cool to see something that we are growing our self!