Our "Uff Da" Cabin!

I often refer to where we live as "my remote corner of the planet" ... I justify that because in order to travel to Cordova, you have to come by plane or boat.  Twenty-nine years ago, we purchased a small, one room cabin at the mouth of the Eyak River!  May through October, we would spend nearly every weekend there ... every weekend was a mini-vacation!  We named our cabin "Uff Da" ... reflecting our Scandinavian heritage and that this little piece of heaven on earth was a place to relax as a family.  It makes me chuckle to think we needed an even more remote place!  Too funny!

Until recently, it has been two years since we had been there!  Crazy!  During the summer of 2016, I was recovering from knee replacement surgery and last summer our lives were turned upside down with the passing of my mother-in-law!  All excuses aside ... I have been anxious for us to resume our cabin life!

Travel to the Cabin

The boat landing is only 6 miles out of town.  Once the boat is in the water, it is a 20 minute boat ride to our cabin.

It is a beautiful trip!  Even poor weather doesn't usually prevent us from going ... we just dress for it!

There are a total of 10 cabins in the area ... only a few are used regularly!

Cabin Conditions

I didn't go on the first trip down river, as I had other commitments.  Of course we expected it to be over grown, but it was still shocking!  It was difficult to find the stairs leading up to the deck!

The grass was 3-4 feet high and willows had sprouted everywhere!  The first priority was reclaiming where we tie up the boat and climb the river bank ...

... as well as cutting down brush and creating a path to the cabin.  Brother, Girlfriend and Mr. DD spent several hours at the task!  They accomplished a lot!  Uff Da!

Mr. and I returned the following Saturday to continue reclaiming the yard!

New alders were cut down before they took over and we lost any more of our view!

Awe ... that looks better!

We made more great progress that day ...

... but, oh my, there was so much more to do!  Uff Da!

Nissa loves it at the cabin ... she is the sixth family dog to spend time here!

Running around like a crazy retriever ... wearing a black fur coat ... makes for a very hot pup!  Fortunately there are ponds directly behind the cabin, as well as shade from a few large trees!

On Sunday ... Brother, Girlfriend and Ari joined us! I loved how Nissa immediately knew Ari was on the boat!  Look at Ari!  I was afraid she was going to jump and swim to meet Nissa!  They are the cutest!  Uff Da!

Brother replaced the chimney stack ...

... which was no simple task! Uff Da!

Our cabin is extremely rustic ... no electricity, no plumbing, no modern conveniences ... but wonderful in every way!

Look at the progress Girlfriend and I made on the yard! We really appreciate the assistance Brother and Girlfriend ... we couldn't do it without them!

Last weekend, Mr and I returned to finish the yard!  Omgosh ... I felt like we were pioneers clearing the land!  Uff Da!

I love this view!  Uff Da ... it is beautiful!

Now that the yard had been reclaimed, it was time to cut back some of the brush along the river bank!

That looks better!  There is still more to thin out, but we like to keep some as it helps prevent the river bank from eroding.  It took us a total of three weekends to reclaim the yard and repair the chimney!  And there is more to be done!  Uff Da!

Traveling Back to the Landing

We have had nearly three weeks of beautiful weather!

It has made the work on the cabin easier and the ride to and from enjoyable!

Uff Da!

Nissa's Boat Ride

Be. Still. My. Heart!  The cuteness kills me!  This is a photo of Nissa's first boat ride in 2015!  Ten pounds of sweetness! That puppy face looking to me for reassurance that she would be safe.

Three years later ... 75 pounds of sweetness.  She is still a bit unsure about the boat ride, but understands that it means going to the cabin!

Eventually all the work that needs to be done will get accomplished!  Then we can relax and enjoy cabin life again!  I guess we unknowingly knew what we were doing 29 years ago when we named our cabin! 😊 Uff Da!  I love our remote cabin life ... it is a special place for us!

Do what you love!  Uff Da!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally 

Meet Mr. Nutty!

It is a pleasure to introduce a new friend here in DillyDallydom ...

... Mr. Nutty!  Mr. Nutty is a "notion keeper"!  It is his responsibility to assist me in keeping my projects organized!  My goodness ... I have needed a Mr. Nutty in my silly dillydally life!

Mr. Nutty is the creation of Kathy Schmitz.  Kathy is an incredible artist! Her designs are filled with whimsy and a gentle cheerfulness ... a true reflection of her!

Kathy was one of the instructors at the Martingale/Moda Quiltstock event I attended in July.

Each instructor had samples of their work on display ... Kathy's were so inspiring!  Her class was the first on my schedule ... such a lovely way to begin an event of this size.  Having traveled there alone and having just met the people at my table and in my group, hand embroidery allowed everyone to get to know one another while we were learning together!

Such a wonderful way to begin the first day of classes!

When given the supply list in June, I chose to purchase the kit for this project.  Kathy created the kits herself!  She hand traced the embroidery design in every kit ... OMGOSH! ... I cannot imagine the time that took!  She also prepared the finishing items essential to the project!  All her efforts made the class run smoothly for everyone ... both beginners and those experienced with hand embroidery!

Kathy's instructions and demonstrations were clear and easy to follow.  Her soft spoken personality put everyone at ease, and any struggles were easily addressed. 

Long time followers know that I have enjoyed hand embroidery since my childhood.  I learned so much from Kathy and added a few new stitches and techniques to my embroidery skill list!  The only complaints about the class came when it ended!  It was a half day class and we all wanted to extend our time with both Kathy and Mr. Nutty!

Once home, I gradually made progress on Mr. Nutty!  I decided to give him a green sweater ...

... and matching hat!

With the embroidery done ... time to layer him with batting and begin hand quilting!

It has been some time since I did any hand quilting ... it was enjoyable on a project of this size!

I neglected to take photos of sewing the pockets to the front.  But it was an easy task and well explained in the book!  Flicka finally showed some interest in Mr. Nutty when I began to tack on the cording for the edge.

Yep ... I am convinced Flicka wanted to get her paws on that cording!  She restrained herself, but it was difficult!  I assured her that only the strongest of kitties can resist that kind of temptation!  Kathy had made the cording using embroidery floss and included it in her kits!  Again ... I can only imagine the time that took!  Having that prepared made finishing this project so much easier!

The kit included a button for the closure, but I decided to raid my stash of antique buttons!  It was fun to dig through my big jar and I pulled several for consideration.

I auditioned them all ... the two finalists were this green one ...

... and the brown four-leaf looking one from the card!

And the winner is .... the brown!  I loved its unusual shape!  It is just so unique!

Mr. Nutty voted for this one as well ... by raising his needle in approval!  I loved the interesting way it had to be sewn on ... as it doesn't have holes or a shank.  It was fortunate to have it still on the card ... that way I knew how to apply it! 😁 Too fun!

Yep ... I'm very pleased with the result!

Mr. Nutty is fully assembled and ready to get to work!  Like squirrels everywhere, he is happiest when busy!  Yep ... he is a dillydallier!

Be. Still. My. DillyDally. Heart! 💖 Meet Kathy's community of "Kind & Gentle Soft Toys"!  I immediately fell in love with them!

Sew ... of course I purchased them ... all ten!

I will build my village by beginning with the bears!

I picked through my fabric stash ... pulled out the colors of floss I plan to use ... and last I added needles and a scissor!

All notions for this project are secured safely in one place!  Love this notion keeper already!

I live in Alaska ... sew ... of course the bears who live with me are brown bears!

Oh the adventures Mr. Nutty and I will have here in DillyDallydom!  Thank you Kathy!  You and your talent are a blessing in my dillydally life!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally

Soaking Up Some Sun!

To describe this summer as wet and cold is an understatement!  Mother Nature has been moody ... spring was very late ... one coastal storm after another was aimed directly at our remote corner of the planet!

Rain was constant and then ... on August 31st the skies cleared!  When the sun shines ... plans for the day are dropped ...

... and Nissa and I head outdoors!

We take long walks ... Nissa plays ...

... and I always bring a knitting project!

We seek out wide open spaces this time of year!

It is not uncommon for Nissa and I to find ourselves all alone on our adventures.  This is the time of year when bears are gorging on berries and salmon ... and the moose are busy breeding ... making both species especially dangerous.

I was standing on a sand dune when I took this photo ... considered making this our dillydally spot for the day ... and then I looked down at my feet!  Multiple bear tracks going in both directions!  Obviously, bears like this spot as well!

We moved on and traveled to the end of the road ... literally ... at 37 mile!  Gorgeous view and strong breeze that kept the biting bugs away!  A perfect dillydally day!

As autumn progresses ... the views change daily.  I enjoy noticing the transformation ... some subtle and others obvious!

Nissa loves playing Hide n' Seek!

My silly girl pup!

Although it has been warm and sunny ... autumn is a short season for us ... winter is coming!  Mitten weather is just around the corner!  Several pairs are in progress!

Nissa seemed to notice that this pair of mittens will match her fur coat!  She actually has great knitting manners and often likes to be closely involved in the process!  Love this goof ball!

When home, Flicka likes to soak up some sun as well!

Having a solid week of sunshine ... well ... it has been heavenly!

Do what you love!  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally