Memorial Day, Alaskan Style. Now with Added Zip.

I'm posting this picture for two reasons: A) Because that's what I'm seeing at 11 pm right now as I type. The sun is still up and I'm having a hard time going to bed while there's sunlight to enjoy.

And B) Because I've been gone all weekend and have been very, very lazy. A real post? Surely you jest. Nothing but casual snapshots of the backyard to see here folks.

We were up north at my parents' cabin where the temperatures were at the exact optimal point for human contentment: a steady 70-75 with a nice gentle breeze to waft through our hair (yes that was the word "waft" you read because I'm feeling so darn poetic.)

There was not a drop of internet to be found and I took a complete break from all things digital. Kind of like Lent. Only without the benefits of any religious significance and with a lot more calories because I'm afraid I ate my way through the weekend as compensation, from start to finish (don't worry, later I'm posting the recipe to the passionfruit cheesecake I made . . . they don't call it "passion" fruit for nothing folks.)

Here's a shot of the drive up and while at first glance it might not seem noteworthy there are three things that are quintessentially Alaskan. First, there's the "awesome" view of Denali--and yes, that is an appropriate use of the word "awesome" I'd say.

Second, you see the half-form of a bicyclist. Bikers seem to come out with the blossoming of the trees, you can't swing a dead cat without hitting someone on a bicycle, even 80 miles from civilization. Not that I'd advise doing so, they tend to get irritated when you do that.

Third, a truck. Probably driven by a male under the age of 30 who pays exorbitant insurance premiums. They're everywhere and often sporting mullets and towing a set of four-wheelers or snowmachines, depending on the season.

The only thing missing to complete the ambiance of the scene is a road construction sign and a flagger to stop traffic because once the sun hits it's all about construction until the ground freezes again.

So we had a great time and you see here what my children can look like after a build up of three days worth of grime and grease. Somewhere under that dirt is my daughter.

But to make the weekend particularly grand, to top off the whole experience--our Memorial Day was sponsored by Oscar Mayer. Yes, it's the first time I've had a holiday sponsored but I have to admit it is kind of fun. We ate a LOT of hot dogs and I'm finishing up with the recipe I used.

They're called Zippy Dogs, which recipe I found at The Big Red Kitchen and which she found in an old cookbook and it goes as follows:

2 cups ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 sweet pickle relish
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons dried minced onions
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Mix all the ingredients in a pot, add 16 hot dogs and let them cook up nice and plump then serve on buns (I'm afraid I got rather sloppy in the picture you see above. The family was getting HUNGRY and I didn't have much time for niceties such as tidy dogs.

The kids loved them and I loved them--we all loved them!--and right now I'm thinking that Oscar Mayer really ought to get into the Zippy Dog market because they're gold. Solid gold.

As for more serious posts, I'll get back on it right away. Right after I exercise off those Zippy Dogs, tackle the seven loads of dirty laundry, the vacuuming, the hair cuts for the boys and washing the cars (my schedule for the day). Right after we get back from baseball practice, I promise.

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