Independence Day July 2008

Here I am with Chica and Nuka on the top of Pillar Mtn. with Monashka Bay in the background. Yes, Jules that is the fancy 'fanny pack' on my waist...I like to call it a hip pack :)









hiking in Damien's backyard.





a buffalo (or a bison) at Saltry. Let's just say, it is huge animal about 5 feet away from me. I thought it was necessary to take photo.





self portrait. saltry cove. life was good. reading a great book, watching folks fish, drinking my beer, sitting in my own chair, just enjoying life.






the 'sunset' on july 4th.










gretchen and chris at pasagshak, with 1 of our 3 red salmons that we caught that day.






gretch, chica, and chris just enjoying the day.








vega - 'i am totally innocent.' he is a great dog, but doesn't always do what a person wants him to do.






the random wild horses at saltry cove.

And the tide keeps rolling to June 2007

June was a fun month...
full of four wheeling and watching people fish. Now, I don't have any photos of my wheelin' through the mud, but you can get the picture of what I was viewing all summer!




Along the beach to our campsite...
Bear paw prints were spotted from the bear that had just been inhabiting the campsite.






Here I am at Saltry Cove.







This is Damien fishing...basically what was done all summer while I sat in a chair, read my book, and drank my beer. It sure was relaxing!






The view from our campsite.
Ari is on bear alert!








Doug, me, and Kate having a great time at the 'vous.







The girls decide it is time for a shotski!








And the girls decide it is time for another shotski after sundown!








Elisalyn and I on our way to Lake Gertrude. It was one of our last hikes before Elisalyn moved back to Utah. I sure do miss that gal! And no, we didn't make it to the Lake on that trip...I had to go back another day with more brewskies.






Elisalyn enjoying the view -
Ah, what a place!

Catching up, let's start with May 2007

I realize that I have been EXTREMELY horrible about keeping up with this blog....but I promise to spend my President's Day holiday catching everyone up on the last 10 months of excitement in my life. I haven't posted anything since last April, so this is going to be quite the challenge.

Let's start with May...

Kentucky Derby Day 133
Elisalyn's 29th Birthday
Cinco de Mayo




What a day! The Derby party was a success (I realized I don't have any of those photos on my computer...they will come later), but you can get the gist of it with EG and I in are hats at El Chicano's celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Yes, we were all dolled up and downtown...left the xtra tuffs at home that night.

Dad came to visit in May. He was here for the emergency oil spill response training. Unfortunately, he only got to stay in town for a couple of weeks this time and then he had to go back to Kentucky and then to the BVI for his sailing trip. It was great fun having him here though. He got to experience Crab Fest (a.ka. Rain Fest) and we were able to get out kayaking (even though Dad tried to go swimming) and he even got a little fishing in to the mix.



Dad and I on Puffin Island









Dad kayaking in Chiniak Bay








Ari watching for bears while Dad was fishing





And all at the same time, I met Damien and that chapter lasted for about 6 months...but in the mean time I saw new places on the Island and started riding four wheelers...okay, so it may have taken me a few rides to figure out how the thing worked, but I finally got it.









And don't think I forgot the Crab Fest photos...

Sportin' the crab hat while Gretchen laughs at me...thank goodness the Brewery is right through the doors behind us.








Watching the parade with Phyllis







One of the kids' floats in the parade









Enjoying the music at the Rendezvous with Elisalyn!








The shotski is always a big hit on the back deck while the music is jammin' inside.
(Me, Elisalyn, Dad, and Val)





And while dating Damien the banya was built in the back yard.









This is the adventure to Cedar Beach in Chiniak to gather firewood for the banya.


Don't worry, I just drank the beer and watched the men work.
(Damien and Shane)








and Damien was the brave one to get on the bike with me at the helm.














Just another day in paradise.

Ready, Aim, Fire

Everything about this place has a sense of 'provide for yourself.' And that is what I have decided to try and do for myself. Not only can you fish for some of the most delicious fresh seafood around this island, you can hunt for some wild game too. My friends Sara and Brad were kind enough to take me out for shooting lesson 2 Sundays ago. I didn't do any long range shooting, just standing about 20 yards from the target. I even got a bullseye! I'll have to keep practicing before I head out for a moose, but I think I'm on the right track.

Afternoon walks

My friend Gretchen has 2 pups - 11 year old Chica, and 6 month old Nuka. Great dogs!! They have to go for a walk multiple times a day, so if the timing is just right, I get to tag along. Gretchen likes to go on trails that aren't frequented by everyone and their brother in town. This is fun for me because they are always new trails for me (if you can call them trails - we are usually fighting through the alders). Here are some photos of a walk along a stream that runs into the Buskin River.

Pyramid

Chica, Gretchen, Nuka

Missy

A Walk Through Girdwood, AK

A couple of weeks ago, I was lucky enough to get a weekend off the 'Rock.' I headed north to the tiny ski resort town of Girdwood, Alaska to visit my wonderful friend Tyan. Our weekend basically revolved around eating, so to compensate we thought it would be wise of us to go for a little walk. We made it about 3 blocks (or less) from her house, realized we couldn't feel our faces anymore when we were laughing. Needless to say, we turned around quickly and headed back to the house. We decided that a trip to the store for more food and a bottle of wine would better suit the evening of cold. Finally, we broke down when we found a path that was fully located in the sun. Our 30 minute walk resulted in the pictures below. After this though, we returned to the warmth of the house for a blissful Saturday evening of knitting, wine drinking, and some great halibut olympia!

My Photographic Debut

Today in the Kodiak Daily Mirror, I will have my first published photograph!

The Kodiak Winter Guide will publish today and this photo will be on the cover...

I'll receive no royalties from the printing of this photo, but I guess I should be happy with my paycheck that I receive every two weeks.

(Note: The snow found in this photo is no longer on the ground. Everything that is covered in snow in this photo has been replaced by ice. Needless to say, the ice makes for interesting walking down the driveway.)

Roasted Ginger Salmon with Ginger Soy Butter Sauce

Having an intense amount of salmon in the freezer, I decided that I must start cooking. And what better to cook than when the ladies are coming for a Stitch n' Bitch evening! I made this on Wed. 1/24/07, with raves from everyone...even those who are not the biggest fans of ginger. I made the recipe for 6 people...and it was more than enough! I had leftovers that I promptly made into 'salmon pot pie.' Thanks Dad for the idea! I hope you enjoy this delicious recipe!

Roasted Ginger Salmon with Ginger Soy Butter Sauce
4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets (I used king salmon cuts.)
Essence, recipe follows
1 cup fresh grated ginger (I used just a bit less than a cup...a little goes a long way with the ginger flavor.)
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
1/2 to 1 cup bread crumbs, enough to bind the crust (I only used 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro (Definitely use more cilantro!)
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Ginger Soy Butter Sauce, recipe follows
6 fried whole arugula leaves
1 tablespoon brunoise red peppers
1 tablespoon brunoise yellow peppers
1 tablespoon chopped chives
(I didn't use any of the garnishes above. Peppers are expensive in Kodiak, but if they were cheaper I would have definitely attempted the brunoise peppers.)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Season the salmon with Essence.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the ginger, zests and cilantro together. Stir in enough bread crumbs to bind the crust. Season with salt and pepper. In a saute pan, heat the olive oil. When the oil is hot, sear the salmon for 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Remove from the heat and cover the entire top side with the crust. Place in the oven and roast for 6 to 8 minutes for medium rare. The crust should be golden in color. Remove from the oven.

Spoon a small pool of the Ginger Soy Butter Sauce in the center of the plate. Drizzle the rim with the sauce. Place the salmon in the center of the sauce. Garnish with fried arugula, brunoise peppers, and chives.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning): (Makes more than enough for this recipe...so make sure that you have something to store the extras in or just the recipe by thirds.)
2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thymeCombine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
Yield: about 2/3 cup
Recipe from New New Orleans Cooking, by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

Ginger Soy Butter Sauce:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 ounce minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1 orange, juiced
1/2 pound butter
Salt and pepperIn a sauce pot, combine the soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ginger, garlic and shallots together. Bring the liquid up to a boil and simmer the liquid for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the sauce is dark in color and reduced by half. Remove from the heat and mount in the butter cubes. Stir in the orange juice and strain through a chinoise. Season with salt and pepper

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
(Yes, it took me longer than 15 minutes to prep...so much for paying $300 to learn to chop...I knew I should have just gone to work with my sister...or James...oh, but therapy that may have ensued from those hours!)

Episode#: EE2377 Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved