Kicksledding and Sourdough

Dear Family & Friends,

Kitty writing this week...
I had a fun time last Friday night with the girls. Sister Watanabe and Sister Au Sue picked me up. We met a female friend of theirs at the Bear Tooth Grill. The food was excellent and it was fun to have a night out with the girls.

Then we headed to the Botanical Gardens to see the lights and ice. It was cold and we all bundled up. These women are the best and we had a good time. The Sisters and I serve at the Anchorage Alaska Temple and I usually see them Thursday evenings. They serve in Member Leader Support. Pic of Sister Watanabe and I.

We all tried kicksledding for the first time. I don't know how they steer the sleds, but we didn't crash and it was good exercise. I look forward to seeing the gardens in the summer with Farrell and spending more time with these amazing women. Sister Watanabe is going home next month and it's hard to see new dear friends leave. 

Moose in our yard.

Farrell had a visitor this week on his birthday in our front yard. A large moose nibbled on the flower bed in front of our house and then bedded down under the trees between our house and the one next door. Our cute veterinary neighbor, Sarah, texted to let me know about it since I often walk outside. That was very thoughtful of her. I was at the Visitors' Center and by the time I arrived home it was gone. We did see the three moose last Sunday on our way to church. This is at least the fifth time that we have had moose in our yard here. This lot is only under a fifth acre without a sidewalk and a gated backyard, so that's obviously not the draw. There are an estimated 1,600 moose in Anchorage. It was a mild winter and we think they avoided the city. We have only just started to see them again. 

Moose on Sue's Way.

For Farrell's birthday I finished labeling pictures, finished our weekly report, asked Farrell to get a dessert from Costco to celebrate (Cheesecake with fresh raspberries), came home to shower and get ready, enjoyed a delicious grilled steak dinner, and then served at the temple that evening. He tried to make the day easy on me. It was pretty funny. He kept asking if I wanted anything else for his birthday:) I gave him a pop up card and tulips. He had lots of phone calls from children and siblings with many messages from friends, which he greatly appreciated.  We celebrated more later in the week!

Farrell w. sourdough starter.

He also received a much appreciated mat to warm his sour dough starter from our son, Aaron, his wife HaLee, and their family. They are always so thoughtful. He can't figure out how they knew he had been looking at them on Amazon:) It's been impossible to find anywhere warm enough in the house to keep the starter going. The starter was a present from our daughter, Laurel. We celebrated again Saturday by going to Girdwood for breakfast at The Bake Shop. It's located right at the bottom of the ski resort lift and it was a little tricky finding a spot to park. Soon after we arrived lots of skiers started coming in off the slopes for a bite to eat. It's quite pricey, but had a fun small town atmosphere. The omelets were fine and the sweet roll we shared was good. They serve it with a scoop of butter, which was interesting. We heard their clam chowder was amazing so we may go back sometime for that. The best part was they gave Farrell a complimentary cup of sourdough starter. He was thrilled. We put it in a box and after driving around town sight seeing we headed back to Anchorage. They have all their famous recipes online. it's perfect if you want, for instance, 126 4oz. servings of their delicious Alyeska Sourdough Pancake Batter or 96 cups of Granola:)  https://www.thebakeshop.com/bake-shop-recipes/

The tide was out again on our way home along Turnagain Arm and part of the road was slightly detoured for a frozen waterfall that had crashed over part of the road. It's only a fast two lane road so I couldn't take a picture quick enough. We already missed the ice break up on Turnagain Arm. We saw it one Sunday on our way to dinner a couple weeks ago, but were surprised it happened so quickly. Potter's March is still covered in snow, but no ice skaters this year. 

Then we headed to the car wash. We have an unlimited carwash pass here, but there is always a wait. They just started offering clean towels, so that is a plus. We had a semi pass us on the way to the gym Tuesday and drench us in mud. We washed our car because after going to the gym I couldn't find it again in the parking lot. I only guessed it was our car because it was in the same place where we had parked it. After washing the car, it was 25% dirty again before arriving home. Farrell asked how I planned on cleaning the dirty car mats. I held up my manicured nails and asked, "When have I ever cleaned the mats?" Good question. We had a good laugh. At the car wash there are usually about 5-6 bays operating and there were three cars in each line Friday night when Farrell bailed. We had gone to pick up some milk and a few other things and he was hungry. Each car getting washed takes about 7-10 minutes. Now on Saturday afternoon there were four cars in each line. We took our turn and afterward headed to another car wash with a handheld wand to clean our mats. They look so nice again. Back in Utah, I would wash my car nearly daily when I went out because it was so fast and convenient. The Texas grandkids call the Quick Quack Car Wash Grandma's Favorite Place:) I do like the soap colors, nice smell, and a clean car. It's been a real treat to have my own clean car inside and outside after having eleven children with a van, and a pickup. We get along with only one car up here.

1 March 2025 Courtesy of Jonathan Hughes

We had a dusting of snow and the weather has been very mild in the mid 45's. Things are progressing well at the temple. They start pouring concrete on the roof this coming week. It's made of steel with galvanized steel decking and lots of rebar. That is always an exciting day. The walls are also going up in the basement and work progresses on the Utility Building.  https://churchofjesuschristtemples.org/anchorage-alaska-temple/photographs/

Please know we love you. We testify our Heavenly Father hears and answers all our prayers. The way back to our Heavenly home is through our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth, and the light. Families can be together forever. There is a prophet and apostles on the earth today.  We think of you often and you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Have a great week. We miss you and appreciate hearing what you are up to. #Think Celestial

Love always, Elder & Sister Badger