HGTV's Living Alaska

HGTV's Living Alaska -- Now Casting!

Calling all Alaska realtors and homebuyers! HGTV's “Living Alaska” is looking for outgoing, outspoken, and enthusiastic people who want to show off their passion for all things Alaska — on "Living Alaska!" 

Have you recently moved to Alaska from the Lower 48, or are you planning a move to Alaska in the next 4 months? If so, HGTV's "Living Alaska" wants to hear from you!

“Living Alaska” is part travel show, part home show, showcasing all the wild wonders that Alaska has to offer. Each episode follows a real estate agent as they introduce home buyers to Alaska abodes and all the adventures that can come from home-buying in Alaska. 

Potential buyers should be from the lower 48 and in the market for homes that scream Alaska... from a remote cabin on a salmon stream to a contemporary Alaska home on a mountaintop... from a state-of-the-art island escape to an off-the-grid home on the outskirts of town that offers an outhouse as the “half bath.” You get the idea.  

If you’ve always dreamed of "living Alaska," HGTV is looking for you. To be considered for the series, simply fill out the casting application here. 

Realtors, connect with casting producer, Ronica Harris, at rharris@dorseytv.com.

I wish I had heard about this opportunity when I was planning my big move to Alaska years ago. What a fun opportunity this would have been. 

Good luck and happy trails!

We Did It!

We did it! With 33 sponsors and in just 20 days, we raised $2,414 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation!  I can't thank you enough for your generosity and encouragement as I have been training and fundraising for this big event — the Susan G. Komen 3-Day — in which I will walk 60 miles in three days.  Thank you for your support!

I'm also excited and honored to announce that the San-Diego-based team I joined on this adventure — TEAM: Powered By Optimism — has eclipsed the $250,000 mark in our fundraising efforts. QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS, y'all!  If you donated to my campaign, then YOU personally helped make this happen.  We appreciate you! 

I leave Alaska this Thursday for San Diego, and Friday is when things get really serious — and fun.  Quite possibly, this will be one of the most physically demanding things I've ever done — but it will be worth it.  I look forward to sharing this journey with you.  

G'Day Mate

Alaska brings people together.  Case in point: during my First Friday exhibit earlier this month in downtown Juneau, my first customers of the evening were a cute couple of tourists who came into the store and walked straight up to me, letting out a sudden and LOUD squeal.  I stared back at them blankly, wondering to myself, "Oh boy, this is going to be interesting!"  And interesting it quickly became. 

As the woman spoke rapidly, I noticed her charming Australian accent.  I hollered when I realized who was standing in front of me.  At first I didn't recognize them because it had been four years since I had last seen them, when we first met during a day cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord. But lo and behold, there they were - Barb and Tony Blair, my friends from Melbourne, Australia. 

Barb and Tony had been traveling through Alaska for five weeks, so they hadn't been on Facebook yet to see the announcement about my art show.  They just happened to be in Juneau, walking down Seward Street when they saw the sidewalk sign advertising my show.  Recognizing my name, they waltzed right in and gave me such a big surprise!

We were able to catch up over lunch a week later when they found themselves traveling through Juneau again.  It was so wonderful to share a meal with my two friends from Down Under.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to seeing them again - and next time it'll on their home turf - Australia in 2016!

Barb and Tony gave me a big surprise during my First Friday show.

All smiles in Juneau, Alaska.

One must take a selfie with friends when they visit from halfway across the world! I just adore Barb's sweet expression in this picture. 

Catching up over lunch at the Sandpiper Cafe.

FLASHBACK: I took this photo in 2011 when I first met Barb and Tony.  They were all smiles then - and still are!

FLASHBACK: The precious couple on an Adventure Bound cruise to Tracy Arm Fjord in 2011.

First Lights

Tonight, I got a call at 10:38PM - "The Northern Lights are out!"  I packed up the camera gear, Mom got bundled up, and off we went to the shoreline of the Gastineau Channel... to feast our eyes on the majestic Northern Lights dancing above downtown Juneau. 

This is my Momma's third visit to Alaska, and since she only visits in the summer, I know the chances of her seeing the aurora borealis is rare. (Land of the Midnight Sun and all...) For my Mom's first time seeing the lights, the aurora did not disappoint. In fact, she put on quite the show for us!  It was such a blessing to have shared this moment together. 

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