Three Skillets and a Daughter's Surprise

The challenge of living in Alaska, if you're not originally from here, is connecting in person with far-away family and friends.  For starters, it's ridiculously expensive to fly out of Juneau.  Secondly, if you can't get direct flights on your itinerary, it can take an entire day or longer to get to your final destination, especially if that destination is south of the Mason-Dixon line.

I recently decided to surprise my Mom, who lives thousands of miles away in Alabama.  My good friend, Yvette, took my Mom to dinner, under the guise that Yvette would soon cruise through Juneau, and it was ample opportunity for Yvette to bring up some things I had in storage. Yvette totally rocked our surprise, and I couldn't have done it without her.  Thanks, Yvette!

A big THANK YOU also goes out to the kind folks at 3 Skillets in downtown Huntsville.  They helped me orchestrate an epic surprise - complete with a quick and dim jaunt up the back stairway.  Below is the video capturing the surprise moment.   Grab your Kleenex!

It was all I could do to not run towards my Mom when I saw her park outside the restaurant. 

Mom and I at 3 Skillets. 

With my sweet and beautiful friend, Yvette.

Fourth of July, Small-Town Alaska Style

There's a whole slew of Fourth of July events in Juneau each year.  But none are as unique and Alaskan as the parade on Douglas Island.  Check out my photos, and don't miss the video below - the kiddo's expression at minute 2:18 is PRICELESS!

To get to the parade on Douglas Island, one must first drive across the Juneau-Douglas bridge.  OR you can run across it, like these fellas. 

With Parade Grand Marshal, Jeff Brown.  He's a legend!

The view toward "downtown" Douglas.

Cozying up to my friend, Kathy, who's wearing the beautiful kuspuk my mother made especially for her.  She looks amazing!

Photo of me strolling after the parade, courtesy of my good friend, Kerry Howard. 

Steaks before the hot grill.  Yummo!

I was craving The South - so I made an apple crumb cobbler.  And by "made," I mean I opened a cardboard box and popped this in the oven.  It was awesome. 

A deliciously sweet ending to a tremendously awesome day, celebrating our nation's independence.  MERICA!

GRITS = Girl Raised In The South

It's no surprise I'm a Southern woman and that I love The South.  And there are certain things I miss, like Chick-Fil-A, Krispy Kreme, seersucker suits, and good old fashion Southern hospitality.  Oh, and the accents.  My heavens, the accents!  Here's a crash course on conversing with a Southern Belle.  These videos are so good, I'm fixin' to watch 'em again.