The Alaska Iditarod: Sled Dogs & Mushers Kicking Off 2016 in Anchorage

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in March in surprisingly sunny Anchorage, Alaska.

The Iditarod track made of leveled snow (freshly trucked in from Fairbanks, AK) was perfectly spread along Cordova Street, spanning the entire length and width of the road. Any other week of the year, Cordova Street is a semi-well used street, passing through residential neighborhood and running straight north through downtown Anchorage. Continue reading The Alaska Iditarod: Sled Dogs & Mushers Kicking Off 2016 in Anchorage →

Do chickens need a rooster around to lay eggs?

Backyard ChickensAshley

Because eggs are a part of any bird’s reproductive cycle, it’s a legitimate question to wonder whether or not hens will still lay eggs without a rooster around.

The answer? Nope, you don’t need a rooster to get eggs from your hens. Continue reading Do chickens need a rooster around to lay eggs? →

4 big benefits of canning salmon instead of freezing it

Hippie Hacks & DIYAshley

The more I’m getting comfortable with using my pressure canner, the more I’m realizing what an incredible tool it is. Continue reading 4 big benefits of canning salmon instead of freezing it →

Hiking the Eklutna Lake “Lakeside Trail” in February

Only in AlaskaAshley

On a gorgeous Saturday afternoon in February, my friend C.j., her pups & I put on our winter gear and drove out to Eklutna Lake for a winter hike. Continue reading Hiking the Eklutna Lake “Lakeside Trail” in February →

Canning Smoked Alaska Salmon & Recipes

RecipesAshley

After thawing 6 large frozen salmon fillets overnight ( = 3 Alaska red salmon from our catch last season), Brian started up the grill at a low temperature with plenty of pecan smoking wood chips. Continue reading Canning Smoked Alaska Salmon & Recipes →

Super easy smoked Alaska salmon dip recipe (using canned salmon)

RecipesAshley

If you want to impress your friends & family with sophisticated-looking snack that’s deliciously easy to prepare, this smoked salmon dip recipe is definitely the way to go. Continue reading Super easy smoked Alaska salmon dip recipe (using canned salmon) →

How to get the lid off of a stuck aluminum pressure canner

Hippie Hacks & DIYAshley

I was a lucky lady this Christmas and got my very first pressure canner, the All-American 41-1/2-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner, model 941.

After processing a batch of canned moose, I let the pressure canner naturally come down in pressure and waited the instructed length of time before trying to open it.

But to my surprise, once I unscrewed the twist knobs and tried to rotate the lid to get it off, it wouldn’t budge. I tried with all of my strength to twist the lid off without luck. Continue reading How to get the lid off of a stuck aluminum pressure canner →

Canning moose meat with tomato juice & broth

RecipesAshley

With plenty of moose roast meat in the freezer from my husband’s hunt last fall, I decided to pressure can some of it, using the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service’s directions, pamphlet titled ‘Canning Moose and Caribou’, FNH-00226. Continue reading Canning moose meat with tomato juice & broth →

Homemade Butternut Squash Pie Recipe: Yeah, it’s just as good as pumpkin.

RecipesAshley

Did you know that you can make pie out of butternut squash that’s just as delicious as pumpkin pie? Continue reading Homemade Butternut Squash Pie Recipe: Yeah, it’s just as good as pumpkin. →

How to Make a Sick Chicken Drink Water

Backyard ChickensAshley

I had a sick hen and was worried about whether or not she was drinking enough water. I figured out an easy way to force feed her water using a syringe (without the needle). Continue reading How to Make a Sick Chicken Drink Water →