Are you bored of seeing us crab yet?

How many pictures can I take of crabbing and fishing? A lot. (and videos too) The fact is, this is our life up here. We bought a boat and we're going to get our money's worth out of it. (not literally of course...but we're here to enjoy life and that's what we're going to do) It's funny because locals (and coast guard wives that hate Ketchikan) always ask me why we CHOSE to move here. I get asked probably once a week, and my answer is always the same, for a better life.

It's been exactly a year since we visited Ketchikan for the first time, (it's also our anniversary!), and now that we're here we couldn't imagine being anywhere else right now. We love it's beauty, it's freedom it's adventure and it's ability to provide as much solitude as we are willing to go out and find. So every chance we get we're out on that boat looking for something new...and Alaska does not disappoint.

Yesterday we pulled in our very first shrimp pot, and when I say pulled in...I mean PULLED in. See all those shrimp? (Ok, there were only 18...but when you're pulling up 400+ feet of line, it feels like gallons!) First crab, then fish...now shrimp!!!! It's good to be Alaskan!

Crabbing Alaskan Style...with a shark!

Our weather has been awful lately. Just awful. Depressingly awful. Sigh.

With a slight break in the weather this week...out we went.

We went out to put out the crab pots and do a little fishing. Honestly, we didn't expect to catch anything...we don't really know how to fish in the ocean. (We both grew up in land-locked places.) Boy were we surprised when we couldn't get things to stop jumping on our hook. Everyone caught something; a couple of rock sole, a sculpin, some crabs and even a SHARK! (It made Luke's year when he caught the shark on his line)

On our way back home we pull in the crab pots, and so far this week we've brought home 13 crabs. For those of you not from big-crab-country, this is NOTHING like the little blue crab from the southeast that I grew up with. (1-2 crabs will literally fill you) So with that much crab to cook...here is what SOME of it became. (I still have more to use!)

Crab Feast (Low Country Boil)
I steam instead of boil, cause I don't like my crab getting bogged down in water. I add a dash of salt and vinegar to my water, and sometimes lemon or orange rinds if I have some leftover. And after I stream my corn I finish it in a skillet with some garlic and butter until some of the edges start to brown (so good).

Fresh Corn and Crab Salad
This was the easiest, fastest and healthiest of all the meals. Some fresh corn cut from the cob, diced fresh tomato and cucumber. Dashes of vinegar, tabasco, and oil...a smidge of mayo and some parsley and cilantro. Stir in the crab and salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit for a few hours to combine flavors.

Crab Enchiladas Suiza
This one was INCREDIBLE. The kids cleaned their plates (even my "non-crab-eater")
and begged me to make it again after our next crab haul. It is heaven in your mouth...no lie.

Crab Cake Burgers

I never follow a recipe with these; just throw together what you have. This time I used crab, ritz cracker crumbs, egg, a little mayo, tabasco, lemon juice, and fresh parsley...you just can't go wrong with these!

Whew...this has been one hell of a week for good eating. I don't know where we'll move next after we leave Alaska, but I do want to stay within a reasonable distance to good crabbing. I don't think I can live without it now! There is something awesome about going out on the boat here, away from everyone. I had no idea that I craved so much solitude, but the more I find, the more I want. Just me, my family, and nature...

It's good to be an Alaskan.

It's your hot chocolate...and it's happy to see you!

Laurel found this cute idea in one of her Halloween Magazines (yes, she collects them...yes, she's 6) and decided to make them for the whole family yesterday.

Why not? Little special things shouldn't only be for special days...why not do them all year long and make everything special. Plus, she could do it herself...big marshmallows and chocolate chips, easy peasy. (but it takes some balancing to get them to stay pointed the right way...so don't get too frustrated, it's supposed to be fun)