Winter on Ice in North Pole

Today it was free to get into The Christmas in Ice display at Santa Claus House here in North Pole. The carvers were still working on the sculptures so it was interesting to see them working. Below are some pictures.

Santa and his Reindeer

 My favorite is the train. Notice the carved puffs of smoke coming from the smokestack. - Nancy

Reindeer eating supper.

A Thanksgiving Surprise!

I had a big Thanksgiving surprise in the arrival of daughter Tasha from Honolulu. I knew that Mark would be with me (I picked him up at the airport), but had no idea Tasha would be coming. The doorbell rang in late morning on Thanksgiving Day and it was Tasha! We (Mark and I) had previously arranged to have dinner with the Fawver family at Mike and Nancy's, so the food is shown below ...

Also pictured is Mareesa Fawver (Mike and Nancy's eldest) with ripe olives on each finger! - rw

Winter Scenes in North Pole, AK

I know I'm getting used to Alaska winter weather when I think it's warmer and it's still -1 degrees F. This week I had two dental appointments. It was -21 when I got home from the first one on Nov. 18. That is the coldest it's been since I've been here. There was a warming trend and on Nov. 19 it was a warm -1.

I have been taking walks in the snow. It seems that kids here go sledding via snow mobiles that pull them. That eliminates having to walk up the sledding hill. -Nancy

Winter sun is low in the sky

George Fox Football ...

George Fox University completed their 2nd season of football in the modern era and won four games (compared to only 1 win last year). As the guest of Lew Goslin, I was present for the last game of the season -- a George Fox win over Willamette University, 21-14. It was an exciting game, especially at the end when Willamette had the ball and threatened to tie the game and force overtime. - rw

Car in the Far North

Today when I arrived home from work the outdoors temperature gauge on car was 0 degrees for the first time. Tonight is supposed to be about -10 degrees. Later this week it is to get to -20 degrees and not above zero even during the day. So how do I get my car to start when I have to park it outside all the time? I plug it in both at home and at work. The back view shows how the ice and snow build up. The license plate might be visible by April. There is a certain beauty about the snow never melting and the trees always being covered with snow and frost. The snow crunches when you walk on it because of the cold. - Nancy

Work on a Holiday

Veteran's Day has been a holiday in all public schools where I have worked so I find it a bit ironic to work in a school that is on an Air Force base and it was not a holiday. For the first period of the day it was not school as normal. The parent-teacher association presented a breakfast for parents who are in military service or are veterans. Parents were welcomed at the door by student council members. The ROTC provided a sabre salute and the choir sang a very moving song. -Nancy

I do work ----

I came to Alaska to work in a school library. Here are some views of the library. I have fabulous student aides who have help rearrange the entire fiction section. The students also create nice bulletin boards for me. My first order was to purchase Alaska Battle of the Books for both the junior high and high school levels. There are 12 books for each level and it is my goal to read all 24 of the books. I've read 6 so far so I have a ways to go.
- Nancy

Alaska Battle of the Books

Lounge Area

My Church in North Pole

I have decided to attend the local Lutheran church in North Pole. The congregation and the size of the Lord of Life Lutheran church reminds me of Bangor-Liberty Friends Church where I grew up. - Nancy