Our youngest son has always loved Legos, Star Wars, World War II, insects, and building materials.
Whenever Tripp is particularly proud of one of his installations or creations, he has me photograph himself and his work.
In almost all of the photos, he is holding up his fingers to indicate his age.
This week Tripp turned ten.
I don’t know what he is going to do next year.
You can’t do eleven with fingers.
Ozzy and I took a road trip to Talkeetna for a wedding celebration. Talkeetna is a sweet little mountain village. Every spring it turns into climber land when mountaineers from around the world gather to begin their ascent of Denali.
That’s me on cross country skis for the very first time. I don’t know why I waited so long.
Skiing on a frozen lake in beautiful spring time temperatures.
The cabin where we stayed was just a short hike to this amazing view of Denali the highest mountain peak in North America.
And speaking of heights, this just might be the tallest snow angel on record made by my friend Elizabeth.
Ozzy and I enjoyed a sunset viewing of the Alaska Range and surroundings.
Thank you Nancy Cook for taking these great photos.
I started this dress.
I am using a vintage fabric I have been carrying around with me for decades. It looks like linen from the front side.
But the back side is super shiny.
It makes my rotary cutter grow a beard. If you know what this fabric is, I’d love for you to tell me. Tips on working with it are appreciated too. It’s all kinds of slipperiness.
The dressmaking vacation is coming to a close. Next week is another top secret adventure in quiltmaking, but I can tell you this. I am pulling out the bit bins.
And I hope to make some scraptastic stars.
We Alaskans sometimes have our doubts that it will happen, but the vernal equinox did come again this year. This means we are officially turning towards the light.
We have more than 12 hours of daylight now. Things are starting to grow in Walt’s upstairs garden.
By the end of April we will have gained four more hours of daylight. Gotta love that. Happy Happy Spring Spring!
Hi Maria,
I have something similar I have kept forever, I think it is a type of silk…..
Blessings,
Cathy Bertanzetti
Thank you Cathy for stopping by. I think you are right, it is silk and that explains the slipperiness.
Beautiful photos of beautiful people!
Thank you Lila!
Love this stream-of-consciousness post and the photos of your son. We stayed in Talkeetna for 3 days and did day trips to various places including Denali. Gorgeous!
Sandy- I didn’t know you did that. What a great adventure for you. Talkeetna is an excellent base camp.
Hi Maria… I am so jealous of your 12hours of sunlight… Here in Kingston, ON we are getting closer now. Sunshine is my saviour when it comes to creativity…
Your son is amazing… Handsome in his new tenth year and he has your creativity.
Loved reading about your ski adventure and seeing photos from aAlaska is always a treat… Have fun with the dress. You will conquer the cloth and it will be fabulous and yes, I do think it is silk with the “bits” collecting on the cutter.
Bethany
I too love the light of this time of year. It’s really lovely with fresh snow. The light can be blindingly bright. Yes, Tripp and I both love pattern and repetition. When he was little we would spend hours together in my studio working side by side. Thank you for the tip about the fabric!
Loved seeing pictures of the kids! They are growing up so fast! Can’t believe it’s been ten years since Walt and I were up there. we are finally getting some spring days here.It’s been a crazy weather year. Give Tripp a birthday hug from me.Take care
Thanks Sue. Yes, time flies when your kids are young.
I think the fabric is raw silk
I think we have got a consensus on the fabric. This is great. When you are a quilter, cotton is all you know. Dressmaking is totally expanding my fiber vocabulary. Thank you!
Absolutely beautiful photos! Really make me want to visit Alaska.
I can help you plan your trip. I have lots of experience.