Cheap dates

Steam sublimating off the roads

Baking and cooking have become increasingly more important and enjoyable aspects of my life since the arrival of my honey.  I rarely had the motivation to cook for just myself, however the additional enthusiasm, helping hands, and quite frankly, tummy to fill has made cooking a great pleasure of mine.  One staple of our culinary repertoire is homemade bread.  My roommate rescued a bread machine from the Teller dump, and with a good sanitizing, a replacement paddle, and some elbow grease it’s back to tip top shape.  We’ve had a blast testing out recipes, and even coming up with some of our own.  My favorite creation so far is cracked pepper and salt wheat bread, but honey wheat is a close second.

Taking the easy way out when making bread

This week was the high school play, directed by two of my dear friends in Nome, entitled “Just Another School Play”.  The baking theme continued as my only contribution to this wonderful show was an assortment of goods for the bake sale.  After making homemade snickerdoodles and brownies, I perused the grocery store looking for inspiration, which came in the form of the auspiciously available 50% off merchandise.  This is a bush Alaska phenomenon, and most certainly one of my favorites.  Inventory does not have the same turnover rate as it does in the lower-48, so when food gets within a day or two of its “best by” or “sell by” date, it is marked half off.  I always try to scope out the shelves and time it right so that I can get my favorite things at a more affordable price.  The most common items that get this price break are dairy, eggs, and other perishables however I’ve been known to snag a box of crackers when the timing was right.  Thanks to these ½ off stickers, the good people of Nome were treated to fresh-from-the-oven cinnamon rolls, three tubes for only $5.50; a bargain in any location.

I search out these stickers every time I shop

Yum!

Along with baking I was put in charge of the bake sale table, which afforded me the opportunity to see the show for all three performances.  I couldn’t believe that a cast of six brave high school students pulled off such an amazing show!  I was expecting the typical corny humor of high school plays, but these kids were genuinely funny.  Their line delivery and mannerisms were top notch.  Audience participation was a must, and I was the lucky recipient of a hearty rendition of “happy birthday” all three times as mine is coming up next week.  The stage crew consisted of a backstage person tasked with handing out props, and a sound person tasked with pushing the play and stop buttons on a boombox.  The backdrop was the white side of a tyvek sheet, splattered with colorful paint.  I’m so proud of these bold and talented students, performing to a small but supportive audience.  Much different then the elaborate plays I was involved in years ago, but just as entertaining and impressive.

Our bake sale spread, facing the stage for a good view

Friends manning the tickets

The audience before the show (starting 15 minutes late for "Nome Time")

Quiet please!

The entire cast of this production, very talented

My friend and assistant director, starring as well!

My friend the director during the twist ending

The weather keeps playing with my emotions, as we’ve been hit with yet another cold spell.  Puddles and mud return to ice and frozen ground each night, and my truck is covered in frost.  It’s funny; I never had to scrape my windows when winter first set in, but it’s now an every day part of my morning routine.  It’s no longer a crazy Alaskan winter, just the regular winter weather I’m used to.  But the fact remains that it’s still winter, and I’m over it.  What happened to out like a lion, in like a lamb?  Thankfully I’m warm, snug as a bug in a rug in the same apartment I’ve been renting with the girls.  Despite repeated foreclosure notices, bank notices insisting our already paid rent be repaid to them, the threat of a significant rent hike, a roommate deciding to leave at the end of the month, a frozen shower drain, and a malfunctioning water heater I have the ideal living situation by Nome standards.  Home sweet home.

Frosty truck window

Front porch, finally with a snow-free walkway!

I break this off nearly every day - it just keeps coming back!

Sunrise on my drive to work - this looked blood red in person

Sunset, close to midnight now!