Backpost Series Post 1: February

February was a busy month for me. Since it was the shortest month of the year and there wasn't enough already going on, I figured it would be a fabulous idea to leave the state for a week. You know how I do. :)

In the first installment of the Backpost Series, I share the highlights of the month of February with you.

Check it out here!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Letter to the Blog (and it's Readers)

Hello!!

How’ve you been, my dear blog?

I’m so sorry I missed your birthday… It was an important day. That was really rotten of me. Here, I brought you some cupcakes. Can we have a talk?

*silence*

Aw, come on…I know you’re upset and you should be.

But, you also love cupcakes…

Look.

 Sprinkles.

*quiet munching noises*

I wanted to tell you that I’ve been making things and every time I do, I think of you.

We need to fix our little relationship here, don’t you agree? This tend to you every few months thing just isn’t working. It’s making you sad. It’s making me sad. This is supposed to be our happy place!

You should know that I’m different now from when I started you. No worries, I still love mushrooms and ninjas. It’s just that some things have shifted inside of me—patterns are constantly being made and remade and I think differently now.

I want to share more than just DIY projects and crafts now. I want to share more about me and the things that I love. I want to become part of the online community of crafters and handmade lovers across the world. I want you to be a part of that.

So, let’s do a little experiment, shall we?

For the next month, I’m going to follow a loose blogging schedule. I’ve made up a list of things—both crafty and not—that I want to write about. I’ve even started a few of the blog posts already. For the next month, I’m going to just write about what I want to write about. But don't worry! I'll fill you in on what I did while I was gone with some back posts for the months of February, March, and April (one per month). I’m also going to give you a little makeover. Maybe a new banner and layout? I know this is all very fast. We can talk about that part later. :)

So, there will still be posts about ninjas and mushrooms and about making ninja and mushroom related crafts. There will just be more stuff, too.

Want to try it out with me?

Much love,

Julie

Backpost Series: April in Review

This is dated April, but I wrote it in May 2011 as part of my Backpost Series. I took a hiatus from the blog for 3 months in the beginning of 2011. Just sharing what happened while I was away!

These are my new Chucks and I love them.

I don't really think anymore needs to be said about that. Pretty self explanatory, right? Well, other than that they are awesome. Everyone should have some colorful shoes, I say.

Easter Egg Hunt!

My mom always invites us over for an egg hunt and food on Easter. You can count on Mom (and company) for fun and good food. We usually hunt the eggs first. Since the kids are still pretty young (2 and 4), we hide the eggs pretty much out in the open. My daughter told me that "the Easter bunny isn't very good at hiding things." I think we're going to have to step it up next year...

See that egg my daughter is picking up in the picture below? It was bigger than her head. And there was more than one of them. Craziness. No child needs that much candy.

Are you reading this, Mom!?! Let me repeat this just in case you missed it.

No child needs that much candy. Ever.

Seriously.

Oh! And, yes, that's snow on the ground. The weather was kind of warm, but...yeah, it's interior Alaska. Keep reading this blog and you will learn to expect snow in April like I do.

Other Events in April

We also celebrated my husband's birthday. It was pretty relaxed. We're kind of turning into boring adults now. Kids have a way of doing that to you. So does having a job that you have to get up early for and arrive to on time. Talk about party pooping. He did get to travel south for one last round of snowboarding at Alyeska. So I don't really feel toooooo bad for him and his old person party...

Aaaaannnnddd our family went to our first indoor professional football game. Go Fairbanks Grizzlies!!

How was April for you?

Backpost Series: March in Review

This is dated March, but I wrote it in May 2011 as part of my Backpost Series. I took a hiatus from the blog for 3 months in the beginning of 2011. Just sharing what happened while I was away!

The little orphan moose calf

I live on moose alley. They have a beaten path through my yard. My dog had to save me from being trampled by a particularly ornery one 3 years ago. They stalk me. These moose really need to get a life. Well, that is, all except this little orphaned moose calf. She can stop by and eat our dead leaves anytime she wants. She's shy, but freaking adorable!

See all that snow? 

Yeah, in Interior Alaska, spring doesn't come until the end of April/beginning of May.  That little moose calf is standing in about 2 1/2 feet of snow or so.

Cabin fever, people. It happens more than I'd like to admit.

Not many pictures from March other than these. How many pictures of sledding can a person take? The answer at my house is 127.

Other than sledding and moose calves, I tried my hand at painting, too...

I think it turned out okay. Or it did until I used too thick of a varnish layer and made the red run. Oh well, at least it was just a personal project and not a gift for someone. Follow the directions when they say "light coat" because it's not just a suggestion. It's truth.

So, what did you do in March? When does spring start for you?

Backpost Series: February in Review

This is dated February, but I wrote it in May 2011 as part of my Backpost Series. I took a hiatus from the blog for 3 months in the beginning of 2011. Just sharing what happened while I was away!

February was a busy month. 

But I still found time for a wee bit of recreational shopping...just odds and ends here and there. The octopus ring in the picture below was a pick-up from February and still something that I wear everyday.

Early February Favorites: Raspberry cheesecake cookies and my octopus ring.

In other news...has anyone else try the raspberry cheesecake cookies at their local Subway sandwich chain? I rarely eat at Subway (maybe 3 times a year), but stopped in for lunch one day in early February. What should my wandering eyes fall upon, but this delicious cookie goodness. There was only 1 left. I'm so glad I grabbed it. If you have the chance, try them. Are they still around? I may have to make a stop by a Subway for cookies...

You know what? Forget that. Anybody got a recipe for raspberry cheesecake cookies they want to share?

Sewing for a Purpose

The need was there and my sewing machine (and I) answered.

Don't you love the mushroom fabric?

Fly Me Away

The reason why February was so busy is that I spent the month preparing for, flying to, running around in, and returning from Portland, Oregon.

Good times were had. I made 20 new pals and changed a lot. Talk about a productive trip! Since I started out my trip a bit apprehensive about leaving my kids for the longest period of time since I had them, I'm really glad it turned out as well as it did. And you know what? My family survived just fine without me. :)

Enough about my apprehensions, though! On with the Portland show!

The Lion and the Rose Victorian Bed and Breakfast

I stayed at the Lion and the Rose Victorian Bed and Breakfast. It was a beautiful house with a very friendly staff and a quiet atmosphere. One of my favorite things about it was the walkway up to the front door. Lions flanked the stairway (click the picture above for a larger view). So cool!

My reason for going

I'm a Shivanaut, friends. Not only that, but I went to a training program and became a certified teacher. Part of my certificate is pictured above. This is where I gained my 20 new comrades and new view on things. I'm still figuring the whole thing out, but I'm also very glad that I went!

Portland Zoo!

My camera battery died after the Alaska/Northwestern animal section. So you just get pictures of Alaskan/Northwestern animals here. :) My favorite animal is the sea otter so I always make a point to stop by the sea otter exhibit of all the zoos I go to. Although, I am spoiled and get to see them in the wild, this is the next best thing. The day was drizzly, but I still enjoyed myself.

Hoyt "Trail Hell" Arboretum

I was supposed to meet someone, but got lost at the Hoyt Arboretum instead. Forever more, Hoyt Arboretum will be dubbed "Trail Hell" in my book. I later found out that my traveling companions of 2 stuffed river otters and my purse containing my wallet and bus passes were probably not the best supplies to take on a 200 acre hike in the woods. You would think an Alaskan would know this. And yet, I did not expect to find a forest so close to a major metropolitan area. Oh well, live and learn...

Portland is a beautiful city. I loved it there. I want to go back and explore some more. They have grilled cheese sandwich buses and delicious food, lovely shops of all shapes/varieties, and beautifully mural-ed buildings. No coconut coffee flavoring, but I'd let that go to stay there for a few weeks. Visit if you have a chance.


After getting home from my trip, I spent the end of February getting back into the swing of life after the trip. It's amazing how a change in your schedule can screw you up for weeks! But the trip was so needed and worth it that I am not sorry I went. It's so hard to take time away from the family and work for myself, but it's so necessary. I always forget how much better I function after stuff like this. It's like a reset button--as cliche as that sounds. Everything needs a reset now and again.

So how was your February? :)