Crescent Moon

Crescent Moon

Last week we had beautiful weather, with clear blue skies and high temperatures of 40+ degrees. The huge amount of snow that we received on March 25th was finally melting, and it really started to look and feel like Spring around here. I even saw pussy willows starting to emerge on some of the trees. It was wonderful!

It was during one of these warm and sunny mornings that I snapped this picture of the crescent moon hovering above the Chugach Mountain range. This picture was taken about 6:30AM, just a half hour or so before the sun was to rise above the same mountain range.

It was a lovely week, but I guess Winter decided it was not quite finished with us yet, because yesterday the clouds rolled in and we received another 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground. It is currently 23 degrees, but the wind is blowing, which is making it feel much cooler out.

Oh Spring, Where Art Thou???

~Enjoy~

Sunrise and Moonrise

Sunrise

Moonrise

It’s been clear, cold, and beautiful here for the past couple of weeks, and the morning and evening skies have been absolutely gorgeous. The high temperature has only been around 10 degrees, but it’s worth stepping outside into the frigid cold when you can capture photos like these.

~Enjoy~

October Sunrise

I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather for the past few days, and unfortunately I haven’t had the energy to bake any new treats. So instead of posting a recipe today, I thought I would “treat” you to a photo of a beautiful Alaska October sunrise.

~Enjoy~

Orange Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

Orange Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

When our electricity came back on after the recent wind storm, I thought that maybe I’d better bake something quick, just in case the power went out again. What I decided to make is this very delicious Orange Chocolate Chip Pound Cake. The chocolate and orange flavor pair so well together in this pound cake. In fact, the taste is very similar to that of eating one of those chocolate orange candy balls that they sell in the grocery stores. Yum!

Luckily, our electricity has stayed on and there are no high wind warnings included in our weather forecast for the next few days. However, there was a freeze warning in effect for last night, and the temperature is currently only 31 degrees outside right now. Brr!

Even though the Autumn season hasn’t officially begun yet, it seems that Winter is itching to make an early appearance – as can be seen in the picture below of the termination dust that has already accumulated on the mountain tops.

Termination dust on the mountains

I hope everyone has a warm, safe, and wonderful Sunday!

~Enjoy~




Orange Chocolate Chip Pound Cake

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
12 packets True Orange
6 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch x 5-inch loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine butter and sugar. Mix with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time and blend until well combined. Add True Orange, water, and vanilla extract; mix well. Add in the flour mixture alternately with the milk, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until smooth. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool completely on a wire rack. Drizzle with Chocolate Glaze; if desired. (recipe below)

Chocolate Glaze

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Place chocolate chips, butter, and corn syrup in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 15 seconds, stir, then microwave for another 15 seconds. Add vanilla extract and stir until blended and smooth.

Wolverine Peak Trail Revisited

Wolverine Peak Trail

As some of you may recall, the last time I hiked Wolverine Peak Trail, the hike ended up becoming a Walk in the Clouds. I vowed then that I would return and hike the trail again in hopefully much better weather.

This past Saturday when I awoke, there was brilliant sunshine streaming through my window. I took a peek out the window and discovered that the sky was blue and there were only a few clouds floating above. I could tell that it was going to be an absolutely beautiful day, and I decided that this was the day to revisit Wolverine Peak Trail.

Despite the record snowfall from this past Winter, the trail was surprisingly clear and dry. I was a little disappointed that I didn’t see any wildlife along the way that I could snap a picture of, but the scenery was breathtaking and I ended up with a lot of landscape and wildflower photos.

Here are just a few of the many photos that I took during the four hour hike.

~Enjoy~

Bluebells

Wild Geranium

Sun-kissed Moss

Plant trailing along the rocky ground

Anchorage