Tender Mercies

This picture makes me so happy. Don't ask me why. Maybe it's because I am make-up free, except for the Alaskan Mascara. Normal people sleep in on Saturdays. I'm not normal, and was up before 6 am this past Saturday.   There is something very peaceful about waking up before the rest of the world. The air is still and my mind is more clear. Marshall and I decided to wake up and go on a little 3 mile run in before Conference began at 8am. We got a little Vitamin D therapy, some endorphins going, and quality time together.  All before 7am.  I had not run outside since September because I am taking a break from running, but this felt good. We ran out along the ski trails in Creamer's Field, through the trees, and watched the sun rise. The quiet solitude was priceless.  Plus, I got my Alaska mascara fix. Be jealous.   It's all smiles after our run at 7am on Saturday Morning. Temp: 18 degrees F After our run, I did what I have wanted to do all winter...

Please no one hate me for saying this, but I have LOVED the hot summer we have had in Fairbanks. By hot I mean temperatures in the 80s.  It has been pretty crazy to have more than 30 days this summer with temperatures above 80, but I am not complaining. I know it has been hard for the forest fires, but this little California/Missouri girl likes her heat.  Hey, I even have a flip flop tan line! I guess this means this summer has been a success :) Well last Monday, August 12th, Marshall and I were running in our favorite place, Creamer's Field, when we saw it. Yes, we saw the dreaded sign of fall and winter.  Fall is a marvelous time in other places, but it only lasts a couple of weeks here.  But it truly was beautiful. Yellow leaves and all.  It has been a gorgeous summer, jam-packed full of hiking, camping, and 7 trips down to Anchorage.  I may not be ready for winter, but at least I have about a month of summer/fall left! So Happy Fall eve...

There is about a foot of snow on the ground.  The daily forecast for the next week is in the single digits.  I could just stay inside and read or watch TV.  Or I could cross country ski in my free time. I pick the later! On Friday, my sweet husband bought me my own cross country skis and boots, which we found for a pretty sweet deal at Play it Again Sports.  I was so excited to go out and try my skis for the first time on Saturday, but it was a little trickier than I thought it would be. Everything I have learned from ice skating, and everything I have trained my muscles to do on the ice had to be pushed aside.  For example: --You learn in skating to NOT skate with your toe picks.  This is like the biggest no-no.  But in touring cross country skis, you glide in a straight line and you DO push off with your toes.  At first I wasn't using my toes when I was skiing, and Marshall was like,...