Real Kris from Southcentral Alaska

Taking Flight Over Cordova

Let me tell you about one of my favorite Alaskan women -- Kris from Cordova. Cordova, a small fishing town of about 2500 year-round residents, is located in gorgeous Southcentral Alaska overlooking Prince William Sound. Because it is so small, most everyone knows most everyone else. Kris is one of Cordova's stars who has lived there for over 30 years. Another day I will tell you about her tireless work in the field of developmental disabilities. For today, not only does Kris catch, clean, and smoke fish, she also creates the most yummy candied rose hips! About a year ago, I emailed her to ask how she makes them. In her words: 

"It isn’t too hard especially when it happens as a mistake…lol

Anyway, after the first frost is when I really like to pick them, but also I jump the gun and pick them when they are just about ready, the frost makes them soft…and for cleaning it is a bit trickier…but pick them as close to the first frost as possible….

Step two: clean them, I cut them in half then scrape all the multitudes of seeds out and any greenery or flower that is left….and watch tv or a movie…takes time to do this ….discard all the seeds in your garden….and maybe make more roses or just toss….

Step three: layer them in a dehydrator as many as you can on each level….turn it on and walk away.....This is the strange part….I forgot them overnight and they became like little rock pieces of rosehips….so not to throw them away….I made: Step four: take some of the really hard halved dried rosehips, put in a silver bullet, blender, coffee grinder or what have you….and pulverize…There is no sugar or anything on these rosehips…so when you put them on yogurt, in tea or cereal…they do not add anything other than their own unique flavor…..They keep really good in a closed container…do not have to refrigerate, freeze or can….not too bad huh for a mistake….Don’t mind sharing…it is a lot of work…but way worth the pure vitamin C you get and share…My son’s friend swears that this has been helping her sinus infections….she sprinkles a small amount on her yogurt daily or on her salad…..really likes the added flavor too…Take care..hope you can understand  my instructions…like I said I stumbled into this one…Kris"

Thanksgiving

We celebrate Thanksgiving this week, the fourth Thursday in November.  Canada's Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Although this is primarily a North American holiday, I am certain the rest of the world has something similar ~ that period of the year when we devote time to feeling, expressing, and sharing gratitude for everything God has provided for us.  We are very blessed to live in a part of the world where the bounty is great.  Where most of us have food on our tables, a roof over our heads, and a bed in which to sleep.  Recalling Henry IV's goal for his people:  "I want there to be no peasant in my kingdom so poor that he is unable to have a chicken in his pot every Sunday," and as we think of our blessings this year, may we also consider those less fortunate, both around the world and in our own country.  May we give of our time, our talents, and all with which the Lord has seen fit to bless us this holiday season!

Golden Shores Are Like Real Women

Even in the middle of the summer, sunny days in Sitka, Alaska are sometimes like the rarest of a treasured emerald. And the summer of 2010 was no different. Like Real Women, days like this one offer an opening for true beauty, particularly under the surface. Appreciation for God's artistry abound in this abundant land and within all Real Women.

Beautiful Rainy Sitka, Alaska

52 degrees and raining. . .

You just cannot beat an incredible rainy day -- regardless of the season -- in the temperate rain forest of Alaska! What a day to start off this blog ~ I LOVE rainy days. They evoke feelings of hot chocolate and afghans and good books. Peering out into the day and listening to the ping-ping-ping of raindrops on the roof. And in Alaska, we are free to be the women we choose to be, because there is no denying that Alaskan women can do just about anything -- from running a charter fishing business to collecting lava rock from extinct volcanoes; from picking luscious salmonberries to filleting the halibut she just caught that weighs as much as she does; and from working in the office all day to taking that cooling off walk on the trail that was just cleared. What a wonderful way to be alive!