Spice Up Your Life!

First of all, Happy Summer Solstice! What a wonderful thing to celebrate—the longest day of the year, the finalization of our hemisphere’s bow to the sun, a time to start counting down to the long, cozy nights of the winter to come. I can’t help but think that, cyclically, this is the top of our seasonal wheel and we’re celebrating a brief breath at the peak before we continue to spin madly on.

Alaska’s state flower, the forget-me-not, likes the lots-o-light!

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  1. Judy says:

    Your salad in a jar sounds yummy. I’d love to see a picture of one, might help me convince the family to try it. Thanks for yor posts I am really enjoying my visits to Alaska, through them.

  2. Pam deMarrais says:

    You have a great handle on using spices at an early age; that is awesome. I love your salad in a jar idea. Will have to try it! Thanks for sharing your tips. I will think of you this evening as the sun sets…a lot sooner than where you are!

  3. Kelly Ryan says:

    I love the salads in a jar idea too!!! Loved reading your post!
    Kelly in Ca

  4. Leonora says:

    Love the salad in a jar idea especially the idea of preparing once for a week’s worth of lunches. Candied spruce tips…
    sounds good. Thank you for your wonderful blog and pictures.

  5. C Harvey says:

    Try some curry. That’s a wonderful flavor. Also, dill has become one of my best friends. Great in coleslaw!

  6. Linda Hooker says:

    I just love your post. You are such an interesting young lady. I love to try spices and herbs too, I make goat cheese and herbs and spices are vital! Love the salad in a jar idea.

  7. Nancy Couden says:

    Love spices and herbs. Like the others–the salad in a jar sounds like a wonderful idea. It is time for me to start using my lettuce–got a late start this year.

  8. Tell me more about the spruce tip syrup and candies. I am intrigued!

    Kathy
    Herbal Maid Fiber Farm in Missouri

  9. Kim in SC says:

    Hi Alex!
    I have been a Mary Jane’s farm gal for only a little while and haven’t fully explored all the blogs yet; today I happened to click on the link Mary Jane posted for Rural Farmgirl and what a wonderful surprise to see that you are in Palmer, Alaska! I had the opportunity to visit the Wasilla/Palmer area last year in June and have family living there still…I can totally relate to the later dinner times and the screwy appetites! I loved the lush green everywhere… It was so hard for me to explain to people how it never really got dark and how easy it started to get to be up for 20 hours a "day" and still have energy… Will be following your blog from now on. 🙂

  10. Sarah says:

    Tarragon makes a deliciously sweet addition to chicken pot pie. I only make that in winter, but it is wonderful then! I’d say for summer, you should go for basil or oregano. Pesto is very summery.

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The Return of the Frog Prince

Our vacation through the Midwest is over—and what a momentous vacation it was! Our adventures took us from Bozeman, Montana to Valley City, North Dakota, and finally to Minnetonka, Minnesota. The highlight from all of these lovely places and all of the great things we did was…drum roll, please…I’ve returned to Alaska an engaged lady! And I’m not just any engaged Farmgirl, I’m engaged to one of the best men out there (in my opinion).

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  1. bonnie ellis says:

    Alex: Ah young love. I remember 50 years ago when I was you. God bless you to have a wonderful life! (The pictures are fun and you are a great couple)

     

    Thank you, Bonnie!  We are looking forward to many decades together!

  2. Adrienne says:

    Congratulations and best wishes to both of you! What a wonderful story.

     

    Many thanks, Adrienne!  We kind of like the story, too 🙂

  3. Sabrena says:

    Congratulations to both of you!

    Thank you, Sabrena!

  4. Nan Roberts says:

    Awwww. Thanks for sharing your lovely fairytale story. God bless you both, and your marriage and life together. I love that frog. The sweet thing. May you have lots of frogs and such to go with lots of kids.
    Nan in Oregon

    Thank you for your well wishes, Nan!  I love the frog too–knew right away I had to catch it for a photo op.

  5. Coleen says:

    Congratulations!!!! I love fairy tale endings (beginnings).

    Here’s to farmgirl dreams.

    PS… I really enjoy your blog.

     

    Awww, thanks, Coleen!  Fairy tale beginnings are fun!

  6. Cleda M says:

    Congratulations on your engagement. The magical tale of about the appearance of the frog was delightful. Have you set a wedding date?

     

    Thanks, Cleda!  No wedding date yet–probably two summers from now.  We’re not afraid of a long engagement 🙂

  7. Laura says:

    Many heartfelt wishes for a beautiful and happy life together! What a love story ! Blessings to you,
    Laura
    p.s. love love that ring!

    Thank you for the kind words, Laura.  Blessings and love to you as well!

  8. Kathy says:

    I have been following your Farmgirl blog for a while, sincerely jealous of the adventures you’ve been having in Alaska. Oh to be young again! The frog story gave me the chills! Congratulations to you both, you make a darling couple – love Evan’s smile in the pic with your little niece! It sounds to me that the two of you have become good friends, which makes a sound foundation for a marriage. I look forward to reading all about the planning stages of your wedding.

    Thanks, Kathy!  I’m sure I’ll need some farmgirl help with the planning–it will be a slow process for sure.  Evan is a keeper, I’m a lucky gal to have found him!

  9. Debbie says:

    I love a happy ending and this story has one!
    Congratulations to you all! Many blessings in your life together!
    sister Deb( BEACHFARMGIRL )
    ps. I can hardly wait to see the wedding picks!

  10. meredith says:

    Wow! Great story and greater ending (beginning!)- Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together! I love your ring too!

  11. marci says:

    Congratulations on beginning a new adventure! You have such great memories already to build a relationship. They will keep you through the hard times. God bless you individually and together

  12. Pam deMarrais says:

    Alex, I am so happy for you and Evan! You make the perfect couple. I look forward to hearing about your wedding plans. It is so nice that you are waiting a bit to tie the knot. That will give you time to savor every moment as the big day approaches. I loved reading your story, especially the happy ending!

  13. Kay Ruh says:

    The joy in your faces has brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing your love for one another, and for your families which we are so blessed to be a part of.

    What a great celebration our time together was! Can’t wait to do it again!

    Love, Kay and Bill

  14. Denise (Kracht) Wadeson says:

    Congrats to you both your future mother-in-law about attacked me this morning with this news. I graduated high school with Evan and work with his mom. Again congrats and look forward to reading about all of your adventures.

  15. Betty Thompson says:

    Congratulations and may your future be filled with magical times.

  16. Gail Pederson says:

    A Mom couldn’t be much happier with those happenings on Memorial Day weekend! We are so blessed to have you in our family. Thanks for bringing "the son who runs the farthest" back to the country life.

  17. Becky Bartlett says:

    Alex,you really became part of our family immediately. I amso happy that it will be a permanent bond! Your love for each other radiates warmth to those around you. It will be such a pleasure to watch it grow even stronger.

  18. Marla MacBeth says:

    Congratulations, Alex! Of course he is nice and from a great family. They are from North Dakota! Yes, there are nice folks everywhere but those Northern Plains people are extra special! Enjoy every minute of your adventure together!

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