Veggies Shortage

June 10, 2015

One of the quirks of living in a rainforest that's bordered by ocean on one side and ice fields on the other is that you learn quickly to rely on alternate modes of transportation - like the ferry system - for fresh veggies for your dinner table.

This week, because of an electrical malfunction on the Alaska Marine Highway System's M/V Columbia, Juneau's largest grocery store found herself with empty fruit and vegetable stands. Fortunately, the disrupted service is just temporary.

This certainly isn't the first time this sort of thing has happened. Juneauites usually experience a few shipping disruptions each winter because of inclement weather. The photo below is an example from a few years ago, when I experienced a "veggies shortage" for the first time. Thankfully, rainbow chard and raspberries will be back before we know it.

May Delight

June 1, 2015

I remember May like it was yesterday. And it was - by far - the best month of May of my life. Maybe it was the fact that May 2015 was Juneau's driest May on record. Or maybe it was because every single day held an adventure that stirred my soul. Who knows why I loved May so much - but I sure know May loved me back tenfold.

Why was May 2015 so incredible? Well, let's see. It started out with a fun photo shoot at Eagle Beach with friends, Becky and Kerry. Not long after, I bought a roadster hybrid bicycle and spent sunny evenings exploring North Douglas Island at sunset. The Alaskan Brewing Co. rocked my socks off at their Spring Fling event, and the Sealaska Heritage Institute fixed the pit and hosted their grand opening of the Walter Soboleff Center. Cinco de Mayo didn't disappoint either, especially since Juneau had weather reminiscent of South of the Border.

I spent a wonderful weekend in Anchorage, catching up with foodie/bestie Sharon, multi-talented blogger Gretchen, and my incredibly hospitable host Cyndi. Cyndi is one of the best cooks I've ever had the pleasure of knowing - and that's saying a lot.

Back in Juneau, I hiked with old friends (Denali the Dawg) and made new friends (Sarena's precious Momma, Maggie, visited Juneau from Fairbanks). One of my closest confidants, Michelle, celebrated her 50th birthday, though she doesn't look a day over 32.

I kayaked the golden hour with award-winning nature photographer, Daniel Buck and cherished an action-packed weekend at the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) event at Echo Cove.

Temperatures were regularly in the high 70s, and I couldn't resist soaking up the sun. I spent lots o' time in and around hawbaws (harbors) - like Auke Bay, Douglas, and Harris Harbors. To round out the month, I got my sealegs aboard the S/V Arcturus while sailing with Captain Louis Hoock of Alaska Adventure Sailing. As for the ICE-ing on the cake, I took a TEMSCO helicopter up to the icy blue Mendenhall Glacier for a Sunday afternoon walkabout, a trip that never gets old.

Every summer has a story - and this has been mine. Juneau in June is back to her rainforest self, yet adventure awaits around every corner. If there's anything this month has taught me, it is this: I am ready - rain or shine.

With two amazing women, Becky and Kerry.

Representin' the blue helmet on North Douglas Island.

Cheslea and Aileen rocking the sombreros.

Happy Cinco de Mayo from McKenzie and Candice (photobomb by Sonny Bunny).

Sharon in Anchorage with her tempura fried green tea ice cream.  Yummo! — Sharon in Anchorage with her tempura fried green tea ice cream. Yummo!

With Cyndi, the hostest with the mostest.

Sunset somewhere between Anchorage and Juneau.

Proof I'm not making up this temperature thing.

TEMSCO helicopter on Mendenhall Glacier.

At the helm of the S/V Arcturus. — At the helm of the *S/V Arcturus*.

At the bow of the S/V Arcturus. — At the bow of the *S/V Arcturus*.

Bravo for Brewskis

May 7, 2015

Before I moved to Alaska, I didn't really care for beer. Okay, I'll be honest: I hated the taste of it. But having now lived in Juneau for six years, I've discovered that my taste buds just weren't well developed enough in the Deep South with all that Coors Light and Budweiser floating around (no offense, Clydesdales).

The exciting thing about Juneau is that it's home to the Alaskan Brewing Company, an internationally recognized, award winning craft brewery founded in 1986. And I must say, I actually like beer now!

This evening, our hometown brewery hosted an invitation-only event at the Twisted Fish restaurant downtown near the cruise ship docks. It felt like half of Juneau showed up to sample different flavors and welcome in summer.

I sampled the (new to me) Icy Bay IPA, but Raspberry Wheat is still my favorite.

Thanks, Alaskan Brewing, for rolling out the red carpet for your fans!

With co-founder, Geoff Larson.  Learn more about the founders, Geoff and Marcy, in this Craft Beer feature. — With co-founder, Geoff Larson. Learn more about the founders, Geoff and Marcy, in this Craft Beer feature.

My good friend, Gretchen, was visiting from Anchorage. She runs an awesome blog - www.gretchenlovesanchorage.com - which I encourage you to check out!

Baked Alaska

March 6, 2015

In recognition of Alaska legalizing marijuana on February 24, 2015, here are a few excellent recipes for Baked Alaska - an incredibly decadent dessert made with ice cream baked inside a cake and topped with layers upon layers of meringue!

Individual Baked Alaskas with Vanilla and Coffee Ice Cream

Food & Wine Magazine's Baked Alaska Birthday Cake

Martha Stewart's Baked Alaska