Stranded at the Temple

Yesterday, after working our shift at the temple, Anita, Randy and I got in the car to come home and the car wouldn't start. They have had the same problem last year with the car and had to have it towed about 10 times. After it was towed to the mechanic , it started right up, so they had trouble diagnosing the problem, but thought it was finally fixed for about a year now. It has something to do with the security system and the battery. We tried several things to get it started and the temple mechanic came and tried some more to no avail. So, I called my IRREPLACEABLE husband and he came to our rescue with a car trailer. As Anita and I were pushing the car down hill with Randy steering to load it on the trailer, a guy in the parking lot remarked, "That's a good way to save gas!" Randy yelled back,"I just wish my other three wives were here to help."

Karrie's Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Karrie's birthday with a little family dinner on Sunday. She picked the menu:

Wild Alaskan Salmon (for the adults)

Chicken ( for the kids - only Kacy tried the fish)

Spinach Salad

Fruit Salad (for the kids, since they won't eat spinach)

Roasted GardenVegetables (Zucchini, Peppers, Onions)

Fresh Baked Rolls

Carrot Cake

David's salmon was FABULOUS! We had leftovers, and had some on salad later which was also yummy. Lee helped me make the carrot cake on Saturday. It was three steps with the cake, a glaze and the cream cheese frosting. We made two so there were leftovers. David had some on three different days, and said it was best the third day. As you can see in the above pictures, Karrie had pleanty of help from the kids to make sure her 31 candles got blown out.

Barry and Lee 's Visit

Barry and Lee came up from Escondido for a few days so David and Barry could continue working on Barry's Mustang . They came Friday and stayed until Monday evening. It was great to have them here and David and Barry even made some progress on assembling the engine despite having to return several times to the parts store to get the right stuff. Lee and I did some shopping and talking and preparing for Karrie's birthday dinner. We hope they'll come back soon.

Monday morning we made pancakes to try out a new batch of apricot syrup. It was YUMMY! After breakfast, Barry stood up and realized his back end felt a little "sticky." We all came to see why and discovered the reason: My grand kids had eaten dessert at the kitchen table on Sunday. We had wiped off the table, but not the chairs after they finished. BIG MISTAKE. A glob of ice cream that had been left on the chair overnight had rubberized and adhered Barry to the chair! Better him than us.

Happy Birthday Karrie

Make three wishes Karrie!

I hope they come true.

Fishing in Alaska

David really enjoyed his trip to Alaska.

Here are a few fish pictures :

David showing off his "Yellow Eye".

This is the catch for the day for their boat.

Here, Steve is bringing in a salmon.

Nice catch!
This guy got the biggest halibut of their group. He got $10.00 from each of the other guys for the biggest halibut of the day, and a free trip for the largest of the trip. So that fish is worth about $2700.00 !It's all luck too. They bait up the rigs and rotate who hauls in the catch. First, they fish for salmon and the limit is one per day. After everyone has a salmon, they attempt catching halibut, with a two per day limit. The halibut swim on the bottom sideways. Notice in the picture that one side is light and one dark. Also, it's hard to see, but both of the eyes are on the dark side. At the end of the trip all the fish is combined and divided between the people on the boat, except the biggest halibut. David brought home one box of frozen fish weighing about 30 pounds. That's about $100.00 per pound fish. I think we'll really enjoy it.

I know many of you have been wondering about Steve's final fur selection. I believe he liked this "stripey" beauty best. He also hauled home a reindeer hide along with his frozen fish. David brought a duffel full of gifts home too. Our kids and grand kids each received a shirt from Sitka, all different. I hope to get a picture of all of them 'cause they are really cute, but for now here is Jessie sporting hers:

For me he chose beautiful pale aquamarine earrings which "capture the lucid beauty of the oceans. " According to saga, aquamarine originated on the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids and since ancient times has been regarded as the sailors lucky stone. Wearing one promises a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth. Wow! What a gift. I know David has some great memories of the days spent in Sitka.

Someday he wants to go again and show me around.

It's not BBQ, but...

This is a dinner menu and pictures David sent from Alaska:

Got to Kill Fish

When I got home from the temple today I discovered David had sent me an e-mail with these pictures and the following message:

"No time to write. Got to kill fish."

More from Sitka

David and the guys arrived in Dove Island by boat yesterday. The place they are staying has a gourmet chef . Dinner last night was five courses and took and hour and a half. Prime Rib was the main attraction. What a life! Here are some pictures taken before they left Sitka:

Steve and Bobby (he's the one who makes THE barbecue sauce!)

Teddy ( Bobby's son) and David at the hatchery:The eagle release:

I haven't heard anything from them today. Hopefully, they were busy catching all kinds of fish! I spent last night and all day today at my mom's house. She fell yesterday afternoon and I wanted to make sure she could get along alright by herself, since she was having trouble walking.

Sightseeing in Sitka

The guys spent the morning sightseeing in Sitka today. They went to the Rapture Center and got there just in time to see an eagle being released.

The Sitka Fur Company was another stop, which they seemed to have enjoyed a lot, since they went last night and also today. It was probably difficult for them to choose what kind of fox or sable coat to bring home to the wives to wear in Bakersfield. The Artic Brain Warmers ( hats with wolf heads) seemed to be their favorite.

I understand Steve is contemplating the purchase of this bargain.

(And I thought they would be taking pictures of totum poles and churches.)

Finally, they stopped in at the fish hatchery where millions of salmon are grown and released for spawning.

Sitka

I just got a call from David in Sitka. They arrived safely and had just finished dinner. He could see the A T & T store from where he was calling and the reception was crystal clear. He said it was 40 degrees there. Tonight they will stay at the Sitka Hotel and, tomorrow, explore the town. Then, they will be picked up Sunday and transported to Dove Island to begin the fishing experience. He has internet and took his computer and my camera, so I'll be expecting him to post something on OUR blog for the first time. NO EXCUSES will be allowed !!!!