Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Meandering Moose

Sure is fun seeing this cow and her calves wander by. So far she hasn't ate my flowers with all the natural foilage abundant. I usually see them in the early morning while having my wake up coffee around 4am. I might get a chance to go King fishing on the Kenai tomorrow. Be cool if I can catch a 22 pounder and serve it for the dinner for 10 Thursday night. Kill it and grill it. Along with the Bobs and Blueberry Cheesecake.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Red Salmon Cookie


From the Moose is Loose bakery in Soldotna, Alaska.
Good enough to eat!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Mail Advice


Saturday, June 27, 2009

Sharks Out There



Mt. Redoubt and the sunset last night.
Here is a Mouth of the Kenai report on salmon sharks. Could they be the reason for the slow Alaska king salmon return this year?

Friday, June 26, 2009

Surf and Turf One



Dinner went well considering I wasn't able to do a lot of prep and had to turnover the whole lodge that long 18 day. Luckily, one of the guests arrived 2 hours late and bought me more time. Dinner was at 8pm and over by 9:30 for the early rising king fishers.

The turf was Beef Sirloin Tip cut in 6 oz. servings 1 inch thick by the butcher. Fresh tarragon, lemon juice and olive oil marinade. Save half, for sauteing the mushrooms in, then top with tarragon.

For next Thursday I'm thinking Shishkabobs and King Size Salmon Fritters.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Nice Hat


I'm making a special dinner tomorrow night at the lodge for 10.
Here is the menu:
Halibut Olympia
Steak & Mushrooms
Grilled Asparagus & Carrots
Garden Salad
Dinner Rolls
Strawberry Shortcake for dessert
Red salmon dip for appetizer

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Swedish Fish

Good fisherman lunchbox candy.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Kenai Klams

Fresh dug razors. The easiest way to clean them is with scissors.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Behold the Fisherman!


Behold the fisherman!


He riseth early in the morning


and disturbeth the whole household.


Mighty are his prospects.


He goeth forth full of hope and when the day


Is far spent he retrurneth --- smelling of


Strong drink; and the truth is not in him.


~Author Unknown






Saturday, June 20, 2009

Happy Summer Solstice

I'll be waking up at 2:30 am, and it should be getting light out, to make a 3:30 am light breakfast. Put oatmeal in the crockpot on low about 8 pm tonight for ready made creamy oats in the morning. With buttered toast on the side it will make a warm and hearty breakfast for fishermen (a dad and his 2 young sons) chasing kings in the early morning tide on Summer Solstice.


Happy Fathers Day, too!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Pleasure Craft

Spotted this boat in a commercial fisherman's yard.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Sockeye Wraps

Had a fillet of leftover fresh cooked sockeye salmon from the Russian River so I made wraps in jalapeno/chedder cheese tortillas with cream cheese, spinach, black olives, ranch dressing and bacon bits. For 12. We are full from here on out.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Lunch Lures


The best packed fisherman's lunch on the Kenai won't make a fisherman happy if he isn't catching fish. So to brighten up the boat and maybe attract the world class Kenai King to their hook I spruced up the hardboiled eggs. I wrap each egg in a napkin and put them in a snack size glad bag with salt & pepper condiments from McD's (until I find another reliable source).

Monday, June 15, 2009

Poppin' Poppies



Watched these poppys bust through the freshly laid gravel outside my door today. Hardy bright orange petals with a yellow star in the middle. Made me feel lucky. Then 12 guests arrived. Making Sockeye Pie for a 5:30am breakfast. A little sourcream and salsa topping and they will be ready to go salmon fishing.
There are 4 poppys now!



Sunday, June 14, 2009

Upside Down Tomato Plant

A friend is trying it out and seeing if growing a tomato plant upside down works for bigger juicier tomatoes.

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Friday, June 12, 2009

My New Coat


The boss surprised me with a new coat tonight! Its a cool looking army green color (the pic doesn't do it justice) with a hood. It's from Cabelas and has his fish logo on the front. You can see whats on the back and arm. New hats and fleece sweatshirt jackets should be arriving soon.
Tomorrow fishing with bait on the Kenai opens up. I have 10 for breakfast spread out with the first two at 4am. They are going halibut fishing and need to be in Ninilchik at 5:30am which is an hour away. That means I'll be up at 2:45am. I'm getting smarter and already have the lunches made and in the fridge. I made turkey wraps with cream cheese, guacamole, baby spinach and bacon bits.
The first breakfast will be sausage patties, hashbrowns, eggs and toast. Then blueberry pancakes and bacon for the crowd.
After they are all out the door and the kitchen is cleaned up I'll be napping.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Lodge Momma

I didn't take this picture. I posed. For prosperity. And fish.


Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Fish Scaping

Heres a picture of the front of the lodge after I put the garden cover down on the flower beds. Its supposed to cut down on the weeding. Which gets really crazy in July & August when the salmon are running.

Heres what it looked liked this morning with the flowers in and the beauty bark down.

Then this afternoon I washed the deck so it looks even better. The lodge is clean, stocked and guests are pouring in. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

Monday, June 08, 2009

Deep Creek Halibut Catch


Got to halibut fishing today with Alaska Trophy Outfitters on the F/V UNFORGIVEN. Everybody on board limited out with 2 halibut each. Though not big halibut the little ones are aptly named "chicken of the sea" as they are good eating. And easier to pull up from 200' below the sea.



A hard days work for the FishTaxi!

Sunday, June 07, 2009

First Kasilof King

Little king salmon disected, inspected (male) and made into the first fresh sushi of the season.

Going Halibut fishing in the morning!

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Friday, June 05, 2009

Cute Kids

It is going to be a good year. Twins were born.

Thursday, June 04, 2009

Fish Alley


Beach access road to Cook Inlet with Mt. Redoubt in the distance.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Funny River Road


The corner of the Sterling Highway and Funny River Road.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Cabin on the Edge

Cute cabin on the Kasilof River that sits precariously close to the edge. I'm sure when it was built it was further away. Due to erosion its getting closer and closer to the edge. Might be time to move it inland soon.

Life at the lodge has me busy. Besides my regular duties, cooking and cleaning, I've been preparing the flower beds and planting flowers. Also taking the time to go swimming as the pool opened today with the summer schedule. After 2 weeks I'm into the routine of waking up early. It helps that its light out by 4am. Even though its still light out when I go to bed, I have no problem going to sleep, in my cozy little shack not very close to the edge of the sea.