A Whole Year!

Today marks the first anniversary of our arrival as permanent residents in Alaska. My, how time has flown. My, how our lives have changed.

While there are things we miss about living in The Contiguous States, like inexpensive fresh produce and toasty summer days, there are things we wouldn't have experienced anyplace else but here. Honestly, a year and a half ago, this was the last place on earth I wanted to be, but now I wonder if I could go back without experiencing a bit of culture shock already. I think we've adapted to our new environment quite well, and it feels so natural. As if we were headed here our whole lives and just didn't know it yet.

So, here I am, surrounded by my dogs, my men busy at work, the windows and door open to the sunshine and the sparkly lake beyond, the smell of wildflowers wafting in, yesterday's batch of soap waiting to be cut into bars, and I feel content.

Hello. My name is Deanna. And I'm an Alaskan.