Tender Mercies

I hope that these pictures will tantalize you into wanting to come and visit us...you have about 4.5 months left...clock is ticking. Anyways, on Monday I received an email from my dad, asking me when he would be able to see pictures of our cabin. I know, I know, we've been living here for two weeks already and I still haven't posted. Well here it is! It has been two solid weeks of adventures here in the Adams' cabin and in the surrounding playground we call Alaska, and we have yet to spend a weekend home. But now, I finally feel like we are moved in. Now let's get on with the tour! I hope you enjoy the quirks as much as we do :). As you drive onto our road, you may pass a flock of geese, some dogs in neighbors' yards, or maybe even a cute piglet just oinking around his owner's driveway. Seriously the cutest thing ever. Up our driveway you turn... ...Until you reach our lovely home!  Our cabin is two separate buildings, combined with a cov...

Post race smiles. I made sure to wear my good luck running t-shirt. This explains why you've seen it so often. I don't know any other place where the summer solstice gets more people together and out of the house than in Fairbanks, Alaska. It is almost easy to say that if you didn't have any plans on the 21st, you either just moved here or you really didn't want any plans. On New Year's Eve 2013 I went to bed at 12:01 am. On the Summer Solstice 2014 I went to bed at 2:30 am. It was still so bright outside.   With Cami and Michael Crutcher after our awesome finishes. Marshall and I ran in the Midnight Sun Run 10 K last night. It began at 10 pm at the University and ended at Pioneer Park.   I ran it two years ago alone , but Marshall was not there to run it with me and we were out of town last year, so this was out last year to do it together! I have taken a break from running so I was pretty nervous going into the race, hoping I had prepared enough over ...

This is my backyard. If I would have slept in, I would have missed this beautiful moment in time.  4:15am. That is what time my body said, "wake up!"  Really?  On a Sunday? (I don't know if I should blame the morning sun. I am living in Alaska after all.) In all honesty, I need to show my gratitude for this. My body is naturally wired to being alert in the early hours, as opposed to after 8pm. Since my husband is three hours ahead of me right now, I knew I could talk to him without it being insanely early for him. Hearing his voice was very therapeutic because while I still  wanted to sleep, I didn't feel tired nor did I feel like getting up and being productive.  Productivity can begin after 5:30. But why would anyone in her right mind be grateful for waking up early? Here are my reasons: 1). The rest of the world is quiet . So I can hear myself think and ponder. Reading, studying, and praying in the early morning is more produ...

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...

I really don't have a lot to say.   Fairbanks got dumped with tons of snow and ice this past week.   School was cancelled for 3 days.  My husband was off of work for 2.  We were out of power for 10 hours (we were the lucky ones. I have many friends who were out for 3 days).   But I tried to find the fun in all of it, and I enjoyed the snow while the sun was up! This was Monday at UAF.  Best $15 ever spent. But I am buying a foam sled next time! Monday 3:30PM University of Alaska, Fairbanks More sledding! During the Thursday snow storm! It felt SO good to be outside! My inner child came out. Our pumpkins (which really should be in the dumpster by now)... My husband gets a kick out of watching the squirrels eat our pumpkins!

Some people get their adrenaline rush by skydiving or driving really fast. I get mine from running in a marathon relay. Oh boy, was it fun! The morning was gorgeous, but cold: when I started running it was 24 degrees.  The Equinox Marathon has the traditional 26.2 mile marathon, a 40 mile ultramarathon for crazy awesome people, and a 3-person marathon relay for really awesome people.  Our third teammate made it in! Official time: 3:56.09 The Adventure Squad team consisted of: Jenessa: Mile 1 to mile 8.4..... 1:03:30 Marshall: Mile 8.4 to mile 17.1 (and a 1800' climb!)..... 1:26:26 Reta: Mile 17.1 to mile 26.2.... 1:26:12 Overall placement: 13th out of 117 teams Open Mixed Relay Placement: 4th! This race is NO JOKE!  I had been mentally preparing for this race for many weeks now, and I had been planning on enjoying the race experience, rather than worrying about time or placement. It is something I have been working on lately.  Well, toda...

It may not look like it, but this is the best Fireweed frozen custard ever!  We did it again. We made something else DELICIOUS out of the ubiquitous fireweed of Alaska. We didn't just make ice cream. We made frozen custard.  Holy moly it was good! Ever since my experience with Andy's Frozen Custard in Missouri when I was in college (they do have the best frozen custard in the world, BTW), I have loved the stuff. I have to say that my first time making it was a super success! Here is the recipe for all you go-getters.  The best part is that it only requires 1.5 cups of flowers, which takes tons less time picking than the 8 cups required by the jelly.  You also have to make sure you leave no stems or leaves, as this could produce a bitter taste. I just about died when I tasted the amazing custard! Marshall loved it too. You can tell from my silly picture that I enjoyed it! I did expect it to be a brighter purple color, but the cream and milk diffused the lovely...

Fireweed is everywhere in Alaska, mostly around young forests, in meadows, and on the tree line.  I never realized what it was until Saturday, when I learned about edible plants in Alaska at a church activity (there are so many!).  So of course, I get all adventurous and Marshall and I go out after lunch on Sunday to pick fireweed out by the Cushman shooting range. I am lucky to be married to a guy who enjoys picking wildflowers and berries, because it is so tedious.  It was nice to be out in the sunshine, but after an hour of fighting mosquitos, I was done.  It was a good thing we didn't stop any earlier because we had just enough flowers for our fireweed jelly!! Fireweed Jelly has such a gorgeous, hot pink color that is totally natural, yet looks so artificial :) On Monday night I took the paper sacks of blossoms out of the fridge and spent the next two hours taking off the small stems from the flowers.  I am not sure how ...