Alaska

Cruises spoil you for everyday life.  I don’t ever have set meal times where someone puts my napkin on my lap and brings fancy 5-course meals.  Or someone who makes my bed and leaves wash cloth animals to greet me on my return home.  Or the option of constant entertainment and/or constant relaxation, depending on what my heart desires at that specific time of day.  That’s not “real” life.  That is however, life on a cruise and I really enjoyed it.  In fact, after the first two days my sisters and I decided that cruises are like summer camps for adults.  Evidence for our conclusion includes a set schedule for the week with each new week being almost the same as the one before it, activities galore, the aforementioned assigned meal times, being encouraged (and in some cases forced) to meet new friends because you’re all living the same experience, excellent people watching, afternoon free time, staff members that are all ridiculously cheerful despite being over worked and under paid, less than comfortable beds, and an escape from real life that is in most cases overpriced.  Yet just like teenage summer camp, the cost is small compared to the benefit of the experience.
   This was my first cruise (not counting the family Caribbean cruise when I was two) and I have to admit I’m a newly converted, big fan.  With the exception of feeling overstuffed 90% of the time, I thoroughly enjoyed every element of my week at adult summer camp.  Our sea-filled adventure brought us to Alaska.  Wow it is beautiful…and large.  If you ever want to feel incredibly small, take a cruise to Alaska – it will give great perspective.  The journey brought us to three Alaskan towns – Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan – as well as Tracy Arm Fjord which looks remarkably similar to Yosemite, with the addition of massive glaciers and mysterious icebergs.  It was actually pretty amazing a huge ship could navigate such a narrow water way in the midst of so many invisible chunks of ice below the surface.  Ketchikan was easily my favorite port, such a quintessentially cute fishing town, it was hard not to like it.  Other highlights include Carlos and Paula – our waiter/ waitress duo for dinners (we liked them so much one of the days we rearranged plans in order to make our normal dinner time), walking laps around the deck while at sea, naps in the sun, learning about the engineering, navigation, and culinary operations of the ship, movies under the stars (or in our case, under the afternoon sun), and watching at least one episode of Downton Abbey season 2 all piled into Mom & Dad’s room each night.  Being together is the highlight of all the highlights.  I’m blessed and so thankful to be apart of a family that enjoys spending time together.  Getting to do that on a cruise made it all the more exciting and memorable.

Ramblings

Most of the time I don’t usually talk just to talk.  If I have something to say I’ll share it, but I’m not one of those girls who has a word quota to meet each day.  Basically I don’t do much rambling.  Thankfully, I’m not a politician so rambling isn’t a necessary skill I need to develop.  Although I am finding my lack of the skill makes consistent blogging more difficult.  I’m also learning my posts are sporadic because, like conversation, I prefer them to have a purpose.  Since most of my days are filled with routine activities, the “postcards” I could share with you are what I’d consider “word count ramblings” just to meet the proverbial quota.  I say all of this as justification for my absence over the previous month as well as a warning/ explanation in case I disappear again for another 30+ days.

Speaking of 30 days, the month of April has exactly that.  Here are a few highlights in reverse chronological order, starting with last weekend...

According to locals, last weekend was a glimpse into what Seattle summers will be like.  In short, I’m excited!  Although a few of my previous postcards have been about the weather, a topic some may argue is the ultimate form of rambling, be prepared for more once the sun decides it would like to stay and play longer than 48 hours.  Anyway, since baseball and sunshine go together like peanut butter and chocolate, Shelly and I made a last minute decision to go to the Mariner’s game on Saturday which turned out to be a complete win.  Free tickets made for quality time together, soaking in much needed vitamin D while enjoying sunflower seeds and watching White Sox pitcher Philip Humber throw the 21^st Perfect Game in MLB history.  It was an all around perfect day.  

Sunday after church I ventured out to Green Lake with sandwich in hand for an afternoon of alone time and reading.  Although I may have been there by myself, I was definitely not the only person taking advantage of the sunny day.  It was packed! (The accompanying postcard makes the park look tranquil. It wasn't.)  My attempts to find a patch of grass semi secluded for quiet reading, yet optimally placed for sun exposure semi-failed and I ended up people watching/ listening instead.  Always an entertaining way to pass time.  The weekend was capped off with a BBQ at a friend’s house nearby.  If those two days were a look into the upcoming months, this is going to be a gloriously wonderful summer.

Back in February (and relevant to this entry because it still applies in April,) I started going to a Thursday night Bible Study at Bethany for young professional women.  Having been to groups like this in the past at other churches I was skeptical (so much so that I skipped the first two weeks because I thought it would be like all the rest and didn’t want to intentionally suffer.  I know, terrible attitude).  Once I finally got over myself and simply showed up, I was met with the blessing of intellectual study, thought provoking questions, great discussion, and new friendships.  I now look forward to our time together every Thursday as the lovely ladies in my small group have become a part of my developing community.  The Lord’s sense of humor and complete provision never ceases to amaze/ entertain me.

At the beginning of April I made a quick trip home for my Mom’s birthday.  My gift to her was me, which I realize was already a gift given by God twenty-something years ago, so I’ll just say I re-gifted myself.  We spent two full days at the cabin and enjoyed every moment.  I know most people probably refer to Disneyland as the happiest place on earth, but that’s because they haven’t been to the cabin.  It’s my happy place.  It’s also my mom’s happy place and being there to together makes it the happiest.  Great conversation also makes me happy and I am so thankful to have established relationships with my parents that allow meaningful conversation to flow easily.  With one remaining day in CA I was fortunate enough to spend it with wonderful friends from past seasons of life whom I love and don’t regularly see now that I’ve relocated 400 miles north.  The trip as a whole was good for the heart.  In fact, coming back to Seattle after such a great time with my parents and reconnection with friends was more difficult than expected.  I was sad the time had to come to an end and wished in some way I could bring my two worlds together in one place.  How great it is to know that one day they will be?!

p.s. I know I said I wasn’t going to post about recipes I'm making, so I’m not.  However, these protein/ power balls are particularly amazing and I feel compelled to share a picture of them with you.  They may look like a mound of you know what, but they taste light years better!

Christmas

Postcard from CA - while enjoying a sun hug

I've only lived out of California for four months, but that short time has given me a new appreciation for the sun. Not just sunshine, sun hugs. Actually feeling the warmth provided by the bright light in the sky. During my trip home for Christmas, I was blessed with non stop blue skies. It was lovely.  In fact, the whole week was lovely.  And not just because of the sun. 

This was the first year of having an additional member join our five-some for family festivities. Maybe it's because he’s been in the picture a while (so we're used to him) or maybe all first Christmases are just this smooth, but having my brother in law Matt around was really fun.  At least for me.  (I hope he felt the same :))  While it did change the family dynamic a little, it was a good change.  The male ratio is improving. 

Family traditions remained the same this year; Christmas Eve at my parents house, Christmas day dinner at my aunts, and Bajarin (my mom’s side) family ladies tea.  I love the togetherness that abounds during the holidays.  I also love spending time at our family cabin in the mountains which we were able to squeeze in to the few days all of us were home.  Sleeping in, eating delicious food, hiking, reading, watching movies and great conversation filled up just about every hour of the trip.  Oh, we also put together a family puzzle.  It was a 3D puzzle of the Capital building.  So patriotic, I know.  Not a usual Pund family activity and despite my small contribution to the building project, it was exciting to celebrate the finished product. 

I’m back in Seattle now and celebrating the conclusion of an action packed year.  It was the canvas on which God painted new friendships, exciting adventures, an additional family member, heart-ache, laughter, sweet endings and new beginnings.  I know I’ve said it before, but I am blessed beyond measure.  So before the brand new canvas of twenty-twelve even makes an appearance, I choose to surrender each eventful brush-stroke of the coming year to the Master artist.  In His hands it always turns into a more beautiful picture than I could have imagined.  

Apple Squeeze

Last weekend I made the 50 mile trek down to Steilacoom to enjoy the annual Apple Squeeze with Shelly and Matt (my sister and brother-in-law for anyone who may not know).  When Shelly first told me about the event I though, “what in the world is an Apple Squeeze?”  So if that’s what is going through your mind as you read, allow me to ease your wonderings.  An apple squeeze is when you squeeze the juice out of apples.  I know, super creative title.  I was almost annoyed it was so self explanatory.  Anyway, here’s a little back ground…

Steilacoom is an adorable little town a few miles south of Tacoma which finds its claim to fame as the “first incorporated town in Washington”.    There is one main downtown strip complete with a regal yet dainty Town Hall, quaint two seater barber shop, drug & hardware store turned café/ coffee house (that serves Sunday afternoon tea), and community park overlooking the Sound (aka water).  For those of you who are familiar with Gilmore Girls, it’s Stars Hallow’s twin sister.  (For those of you who aren’t, you’re missing out).  Upon arrival I learned the Apple Squeeze is a much anticipated town-wide festival.  They block off main street, set up booths selling an assortment of trinkets and goodies (most of which have something to do with apples), and serve apple pie, apple fritters, and apple cider inside Town Hall.  It would have been Johnny Appleseed’s paradise.  And the main attraction is of course the actual squeezing of apples.

For $6.75 experience seekers buy a sterilized one gallon plastic container, are assigned to a station and patiently await their turn to toss whole apples into the mouth of a man powered grinder.  The apple remains then fall into a holey bucket below and once filled, the bucket slides forward and a manual crank is used to press the flatten grinds, thus squeezing all the juice out of the ground apples.  The seeds and rinds are filtered out using a simple strainer and the pure apple juice is funneled into the overpriced container.  Just to clarify, when I say “man powered” and “manual” I mean do-it-yourself, not that someone is there doing it for you.  Which I think makes it all the more fun! (See video)  Overall, the squeezing process (including the machines) is something I’d expect to see in Williamsburg because it’s all so old-school colonial.  And the apple juice...holy cow… SO delicious!  Almost too sweet to drink before diluting with a little water…almost.  Or toss in a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg while on the stove and you get an unbelievably scrumptious cider.  If you ever have the opportunity to enjoy the quaint community feel of a small town apple squeeze, I highly recommend buying more than one gallon.  Mine is almost gone :)

In case you're like me and understand better with visuals :)