From Alaska to Alabama: Week One

(blogging today from Huntsville, Alabama)

Today marks one week that I left Alaska for a long-awaited and much needed excursion down South.  It has been a whirlwind of a trip so far, catching up with family and close friends, eating a ridiculous amount of Southern food, and marveling at the warm winter temperatures.

Traveling from Alaska to Alabama isn’t always easy.  This trip included the “milk run” out of Juneau, which took me through rural Southeast Alaska with stops in Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan.  I then traveled to Seattle, took the red-eye to Atlanta, and a short hop over to Birmingham, Alabama.

Regardless of the jet-lag, it is so much fun being back in The South.  Here’s a photo synopsis of my trans-continental travels and my first week in Bama:

All aboard the Boeing 737-400 Combi aircraft in Juneau!  This is a combination cargo and passenger aircraft with all passengers way in the back.

It never fails.  The moment I depart rainy Juneau, the sun starts shining!

De-icing the plane in Petersburg, Alaska.

Petersburg Airport.  Not to be confused with St. Petersburg Airport.

Wrangell Airport

Ketchikan International Airport

An Eskimo and the moon.

Deplaning at the Seattle–Tacoma International Airport

First class fruit plate. 

Watching "The Dark Knight Rises" and drinking champagne during my red-eye flight to Atlanta.

First stop in the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport : CHICK-FIL-A!

Catching up with my good friend, Eduardo, who wore a Nome Ice Golf Classic t-shirt in honor of my visit. 

Noshed on a Krispy Kreme Doughnut Milkshake at the Flip Burger Boutique in Birmingham, Alabama.

A little bit of Alaska at the Anthropologie store at The Summit in Birmingham, Alabama.

I wasn't expecting it to be this warm IN THE WINTER.

The weather was so balmy and hot for me, we had to drive with the windows down.

Sassy shoes!  Glitzy stilettos = a fixture of Southern couture.

I'm not sure if this is practical in Alaska, but it sure is cute in Alabama!

You know you're close to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center when you see Astronaut Ice Cream for sale.  (I think I prefer Eskimo Ice Cream now.)

Catching up with my very good friend, confidant, and mentor, Audrey, who also happens to be a big reason I moved to Alaska.  This woman has changed my life!

Finally able to wear my sunglasses - something I don't do very often in the temperate rainforest of Juneau!

Scoping out Alaska fish condition and prices in Birmingham at the Whole Foods market.

Milo's, it's been too long!  <gulp, gulp>

Shameless promotion of my site at Whole Foods.

Yes, this happened.  Why I'm not working for them, I do not know.

Celebrated my best friend Carmen's 30th birthday with a Murder Mystery Party.  Unbeknownst to me, my character was cast as the killer!

Took part in an OUTSTANDING Christmas service at a new place called Church of the Valley.  I partook in communion and was pleasantly surprised with their use of disposable communion sets.  What a neat idea.

Two Southernisms: "Bojangles" and a fast food discount for going to church.

Stopped in to see "Mr. Jerry," a great family friend.  Jerry Swanson is the founder of Alabama Orthotics and Prosthetics which provided artificial legs to my Dad throughout the course of much of his life.  It's always a pleasure visiting with Mr. Jerry and his wife, Bonnie.

Had a lovely visit with friends, Deb and Tim.  These folks ooze Southern hospitality, and I enjoy soaking up time with them.

There isn't a Target store anywhere in Southeast Alaska.  Needless to say, I was beyond surprised to discover Target is collaborating with Neiman Marcus now!

At the Guvnah's House

(blogging to you today from Atlanta, Georgia)

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell and First Lady, Sandy, continued an Alaska tradition on December 11 with opening the Governor’s Mansion to visitors for a festive holiday celebration.  The annual open house welcomed more than 3,200 visitors to savor the holiday spirit and enjoy an assortment of cookies, nuts, fruit, and oodles of delectable fudge. 

This is one of my favorite events in Juneau and a big reason I enjoy living in the capital city of Alaska.  The proximity to state officials is remarkable, and I appreciate this sizable event gives Alaskans the chance to hob-nob with the Governor, First Lady, Lieutenant Governor, and Cabinet members.  It is also a neat occasion to see the inside of the home of Alaska’s top public servant.  Exploring the impeccably decorated interior and exterior really puts me in the Christmas spirit. 

According to the Juneau Empire, this event has been held since 1913, with the exception of a two year hiatus during World War II.  I first attended the Governor’s Holiday Open House in 2010, and it has become an annual tradition for me and my friends.  It is delightful to stand outside the mansion and socialize with my Juneau neighbors in freezing weather.  Being served hot cider and homemade treats by the Governor’s Cabinet members makes the low temperatures, snow, and ice more tolerable. 

This year’s event also included 24,000 cookies and 200 pounds of fudge, all locally made.  It was charming to see kiddos and adults alike, exiting the home of the Governor while hoarding plates and piles of sweet treats as they trudge back to their homes.

If you’re planning a visit to Alaska in early December, try to schedule a stop in Juneau during the Governor’s Open House.  You won’t be disappointed.  And you might, just might, get to shake hands with the Guvnah.

A rare blue-skies Juneau day, overlooking the Federal Building (left) and the Governor’s Mansion (right).

Same view as above, but at night.

 

The Governor’s Mansion is so brightly lit, you can see it a mile away.

My Christmas photo with Governor Sean Parnell, First Lady Sandy Parnell, and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell (right to left).

A visit to the Governor’s Mansion isn’t complete without the requisite photo at the door.

Weekend Fun: Juneau Public Market

Juneau was hoppin’ this weekend at the Annual Public Market at Centennial Hall and the Juneau Arts and Culture Center.  Touted as “the best Christmas shopping in Alaska,” this Thanksgiving weekend tradition welcomed over 170 vendors and thousands of shoppers. 

One of my favorite non-shopping activities at the market is the chance to get up close and personal with education birds from the Juneau Raptor Center.  Blueberry (aptly named for his deep blue eyes) is an adult raven who was rescued as a chick with a fractured left leg.  Being a sucker for blue eyed wildlife, I was instantly captivated by this beautiful bird. 

With so many talented vendors and creative handicrafts at every glance, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you’re running around like a blind dog in a meat house.  Here are some of my favorite finds at this year’s market.

I am positively SWOONING over these adorable hand-crocheted baby “XTRATUF” booties.  Every Alaskan should have a cuddly cozy pair of these at home.  Kindly contact Genny at genevieve.elle [at] gmail.com to get your hands on her one-of-a-kind creations.

Haines resident, Genny Szymanski, shows off her cheeky take on the Alaska sneaker.

And nothing says “The South” like Mardi Gras and John Deere aprons.  These kitchenwares are handmade right here in Juneau and are reversible and can be ordered in a variety of prints and styles.  Check out Kathy’s colorful inventory at Sew Passionate.

Handmade aprons from Sew Passionate.

Alaska Pure Sea Salt Co. features handmade sea salt from the Gulf of Alaska, and boy are they a big hit!  I’m a fan of their wild blueberry sea salt, and this year I was surprised to discover two new additions to their line up: the Fresh Lemon and Lime Flake and the Spicy Hot Pepper Flake.  I couldn’t resist purchasing the lemon and lime infused salt for rimming margaritas during my next visit to Alabama.  Yummo!

Sea salt samples down by the sea shore.

I was thrilled to see the Howling Wolf Furs booth in Juneau.  These designs are some of the best out there!  I went head-over-heels for a pair of their beaver and lynx mukluks, and words do not describe the warmth of these boots – a must have for strutting around town or snowmachining in -30 degree winter. 

Beaver mukluks with lynx, sheared beaver trim, and removable sheepskin lining.  Be still, my beating heart!

Alaska Couture

It's not every day a Southern woman gets to wear a lynx.  On her HEAD.

If Juneauites didn't find exactly what they needed during this year's Public Market, they were encouraged to take a little (or a lot of) LOVE:

I heart Juneau.

Want to read more about this mainstay event?  My friend, Barbara Belknap, sums it up quite nicely here: Another terrific Juneau Public Market.

Hope to see you at next year's Juneau Public Market!

Full as a Tick

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!  Juneau weather was in full force today, with a few inches of snow accumulation and 50 mph wind gusts here on Douglas Island.  It was nice to hunker down inside and feast on traditional Alaska and Southern Thanksgiving treats. You know the eatin’s gonna be good when there’s countless casserole dishes on the table. I don't know about y'all, but I'm full as a tick!

This season, I find myself gushing with thankfulness for all the blessings poured on me this past year.  What a life-changing year this has been.  Ups and downs, challenges and chances, distractions and motivations.  It's easy to lose our enthusiasm and gratefulness when life becomes ridiculously easy.  It's been a tough year, and I'm thankful for all the chaos because one can't have the rainbow without the rain.

I want to thank you (yes, YOU) for being here during my journey and also for your being.  May the small blessings in your life accumulate and make for a marvelous year.

Southern Sweet Potato Casserole and Classic Green Bean Casserole - Two Southern Staples!

Turkey and ham and all the fixins'.  I'm fixin' to get me a plate!

Inside: comfort food.  Outside: sideways snow.

Nothing says The South like good ol’ apple pie.  (Except maybe Chick-Fil-A and Krispy Kreme)

Try not to get distracted by Sonny Bunny’s belly roll.

Tryptophan overdose.