Ellemmennopee.

A. Age: Twenty Nine
B. Bed size: Queen, I think.
C. Chore that you hate: Mopping.
D. Dogs: I am obsessed. I will watch any dog video and scream nonsense at stranger dogs. This is also true with cats.
E. Essential start to your day: Breakfast and taking the dude out to pee.
F. Favorite color: Orange and turquoise and red.
G. Gold or Silver: Gold fever.
H. Height: Pretty tall, but still not tall enough to reach the flour on top of the cabinets.
I. Instruments you play: Air violin. I'm taking air guitar lessons, too. I also play the piano.
J. Job title: Desk Jockey
K. Kids: I prefer 6-month-olds, and my niece and nephews. Only.
L. Live: One of my favorite bands in 8th grade. "Lightning Crashes" was m'fav.
M. Mother’s name: Marianne.
N. Nicknames: A-hole, A-ho, Mountie.
O. Overnight hospital stays: None.
P. Pet peeves: Low water pressure.
Q. Quote from a movie: "Yeah I called her up. She gave me a bunch of crap about me not listening to her, or something. I don't know, I wasn't really paying attention." -Dumb and Dumber.
R. Right or left handed: Righty tighty, lefty loosy.
S. Siblings: Two and Two. Brothers and Sisters.
T. Time you wake up: 8ish.
U. Underwear: All the time.
V. Vegetable you hate: Most.
W. What makes you run late: My own frantic nature.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Vision. ....... oh yeah.....
Y. Yummy food that you make: Cookies. It's all I do.
Z. Zoo animal: Baby zoo animals. All things furry. Any animal I can get really close to and squeal baby talk at.

Your turn!!

xo
Alli

19-years-old

9/11/2001
This is where I was.

I lived in Wahington Terrace, Utah with two of my best friends-Meredith and Erin.

I worked at Franklyn Covey in the Newgate Mall.

I had a major crush on my married classmate, Dave Andrews.

I was a wee bit infatuated with an older art student, Trevor Shaw.

I was knee-deep in chat room romances.

I loved staying up late to watch MTV and Seinfeld/Friends re-runs.

I loved wearing one strap tank tops, back pocketless jeans, huge hoop earrings, vintage t-shirts, Meredith's upholstery skirt, and Erin's black Steve Madden wedges.

I liked wearing clothes that were a wee bit too small for me.

I had never been to Alaska.

My dearest childhood friend was engaged.

I had just seen Aerosmith in concert. In Vegas.

I ate fast food for almost every meal.

I had just learned to text.

I did not know how to knit.

I owned way too much scented lotion: Love Spell, Vanilla, and Sweet Pea.

We had a vintage hairdryer that served as a chair in our living room.

I was rehearsing the musical, "Nine" at Weber State.

I thought the Olive Garden was fancy.

I was obsessed with the Indigo Girls and Britney Spears.

I thought I knew everything.

I was/am wrong.

The Tennis Ball

California Dream

I can't believe it's already been a week since Jeff and I took a much-needed long weekend to California.  We were so lucky to stay with my dearest friend, Meredith. She lives in cozy '70s house in Yorba Linda,  with walls covered in art, vintage finds, treasures, books, and most important-a backyard pool. We spent most of the weekend chatting and laughing by the pool, but we did take a couple of day trips to the San Juan Capistrano Mission, and a wedding in Long Beach.

The mission was incredible. I think it was the most historic place I've ever been to in California. It was established in 1776, but the Catholic flavor made it feel much older. 

I wore the shortest shorts, because I only have a little bit of my 20s left. Must. Flaunt. Youth.

Gorgeous koi pond.

Meredith, playing tourist.

Jeff, being a tourist.

The mission ruins.

Jeff declared that he wanted that oven. 

After our tour of the mission, we had fish tacos and wandered around the little town of San Juan Capistrano. There were tall cacti, little shops, bikers, antique shops, and most importantly-a petting zoo. Check out this guy's underbite!

We spent our evening talking by the pool. Jeff even had a late night swim. It is not radioactive. I don't think.

Jeff and I spent Sunday in Long Beach for a wedding of one of his Yale buddies. It was really a hideous day. ;)

The couple had a road sign, indicating how far some guests had traveled for their big day. They didn't know that we're now in Anchorage, which is just a little bit further away than Douglas. But we were happy to represent.

The wedding was at the Museum of Latin American Art, so we got to wander the gallery. This was my favorite piece. I thought it was perfect for the occasion.

Me and Jeff and the eerie Long Beach evening.

Mer's nightstand

Our trip was short, but I'm still reeling from how happy and peaceful the whole weekend was. I was inspired by my best friend, her awesome house, and the sunshine.

Happy, little nook in Mer's house

I can definitely visit this place ten times a year, at least.

View from Mer's bedroom

xo

Alli

Farm Tour

 Every once-in-a-while my job has some pretty delightful perks. A couple of weeks ago, I went on an tour of some farms in the Mat-Su valley, which is about a 40 minute drive north of Anchorage. We went to four farms: Palmer Produce, Wolverine Farm, Grey Owl Farm, and Glacier Valley Farm. It was a cold, beautiful Alaskan summer day-and it was especially great because m'man came along, too.

 Jeff ate this whole cabbage in one bite. Easily.

 Senator Dyson and Senator Huggins. And a food cache with antlers.

 

This tour encouraged me to purchase more local produce. We learned that Alaska's produce tends to be larger and sweeter-with the added bonus of a smaller carbon footprint. I wish there was a way to get the produce to Juneau. But, I'll keep taking advantage of our Saturday farmer's markets well into the fall.

xo
Alli

Me Time

Jeff is out of town, which means lots of movies and knitting. These are two things I do when he's home, but now "movies" means "re-runs of Jersey Shore." "Knitting" still means knitting, but there is a ton more frogging and a lot less bragging. 

 I also get the animals all to myself. They love humans. Since I'm the only one, I get to be the meat to their sandwich. I looove 'em.

...Oscar refuses to move...

What do you like to do when you're home alone?

xo

Alli





Crescent Lake

A couple of weeks ago, we went up to a cabin at Crescent Lake. We met up with some friends, who had arrived at the cabin by float plane. Jeff and I decided to save the money, and gain some adventure by hiking the seven miles in. We hit the trail right after work, and had no idea what we were in for.

The first mile of the trail was steep switch-backs. It was tough, but I pushed through, thinking the rest of the trail would be flat and easy. Once we reached the plateau, it was easy for a bit, then we got to the "primitive trail." This portion of the trail was unkempt, had shoulder high grass, and the ground was rooty and rocky and very hard to see. We also had to walk through some rushing creeks, and my feet got soaked. It was pretty, freaking, tough.

We made it, though. My spirits didn't even get too low this time. There was a fire all ready for us. We were happy to dry our shoes by the fire, and Oscar was excited to curl up next to the heat. We were greeted with smiles and a delicious meal of reindeer chili dogs. Jeff and I aren't really eating meat, but who can resist a reindeer sausage cooked on the fire covered in chili?? Not me. Delish. The dinner on the second night was moose spaghetti-which was equally irresistable.

The next day, Jeff took a couple of our friends across the lake on a row-boat, so he was gone most of the day. I sat down by the lake with the girls, and watched our friend, Fish fish.

Yes, his name is Fish.

Here is Fish, with a fish, about to set the fish free into the water.

Here's a blurry picture of Jeff returning from his "day at sea."

Here is Oscar, anticipating Jeff's return.

Our little spot.

Our little view.

After a while, Oscar was a little unsure where to go. He is used to sleeping all day, and all the activity made him confused. He just wanted to go inside.

I didn't get any pictures of our hike out, because it was...well...intense. It was pouring rain, so our packs felt twice as heavy. We tried to navigate our way through the primitive trail, and it was even more difficult the second time. We did it though! Our spirits were bruised, but I'm almost ready to hit the trail again.

There is only a little bit of summer left, and we are going to eat up as much as we can.

xo
Alli