It's our Anniversary - 32 years and counting!!

Thirty two years ago today, I married my best friend.  It was a swift courtship, and we both knew that was it.  We were off the market!

In the summer of 1979, I was eighteen years old and I had my dad's truck and two of my best friends. We were going out, going to the Cabin Tavern, still there, on Muldoon road.  On the way there I stopped at the gas station on the corner of Northern Lights and Boniface, also still there.  This cute Filipino came out to help us.  He filled up my gas tank and told me that I was missing a gas cap and that he had extras, he would try to find one that would fit my tank.  How very nice of him!!  I found out later it was a ploy between he and his friend to keep us there longer.  Sneaky boogers aren't they!
We were all talking and they ask us where we were headed.  We told them, said our thank yous and good bye's and headed out.

Hours later we were having a great time and these two cute Filipino's came walking in the door!!  I was there with another guy that I was kinda' dating at the time, but nothing serious.  So Danny and his friend spent the evening with my two friends and me and my date.  We all found out that night what a great sense of humor Danny had.  We all had such a great time!!  When it was time to leave, Danny ask my friend for a date.  I was so happy for her, he was cute and lots of fun!!  What more could you ask for!!

The time came for their date and  I was staying home that night, when the phone rang.  It was Danny!!  I was a little confused and ask him about his date with my friend, he said that he had called her and had ask how serious I was about the guy I had been with that first night.  She had told him, not very, so he broke his date with her, got my phone number and called me!!  We talked for over 3 hours that night and the rest is history!!

I guess I should give you Danny's version of how this all came about - according to him, we met at the gas station, but once he hooked up with us at the Cabin Tavern, I grabbed a hold of his leg and begged him to pick me!!  You guys can go with whichever version you like!!  LOL

I also have to tell you that his proposal wasn't the most traditional either, there was no getting down on one knee or anything like that.  We were out dancing and he looked at me and said, "You know I really like you, I don't just like you, I love you, we should cut the cake!  How could I ever turn that down!!  LOL

When we first got married, Danny worked at the Yamaha distributor in Anchorage.  His dream was to
own his own dealership.  Finally, in 1992, his dream came true.  It was a successful, family run business for over 17 years.  Danny was the Salesman/General Manager, I took care of the bookkeeping and our son learned to run the service department.  Danny also has always had a love of racing and has been active in the racing world for as long as we have been married.  This also was a family activity that we all enjoyed.  Both our kids have raced over the years, Chad continues to race, but Danielle decided that she was more like me when it came to racing.  I am a backup kinda' gal.  I enjoy helping to make sure everyone has what they need and always keep track of the status of each of the racers.  This also is something that I admire in Danny.  He is happiest when he has all of his family around him.  Over the years, either in business or just in life, we have always found ways to spend time enjoying each others company and still remain very close.


I am so very proud of the life Danny and I have.  There is always compromises and sacrifices that have to be made in any relationship,  and to truly be happy you have to want to make these compromises for the greater good.   We have always made the choice to work thru things together.  I have always been amazed that when I am at my weakest, he has been there to hold me up and when he is feeling weak, I am there for him.    It's definitely not always the easiest path, but it is, without a doubt the best and has always been worth it in the end.  And look, now, after 32 years, I get to spend everyday with the man that knows me better than anyone else in the world.  A man that has worked thru the bad times and celebrated the good with me.   There are so many good memories!!  Even the memories of the bad times, we can look back and enjoy the fact that we made it thru - together.

A friend and I were recently talking about another friend who had divorced and how sad it was.  The conversation turned to our own marriages and laughing about all the little quirks that make life interesting.  There is no perfect relationship, but I told her that no matter what lies ahead of us,  I would never want to live it without Danny.  She looked at me and said, "Cheri, if you and Danny ever broke up, I would feel that there is no hope for the rest of us."  Without even realizing it, she had just given me the best compliment anyone could give!!

Yes, 32 years with my best friend.  We have raised two amazing kids who now have their own families and successful lives and they have given us five of the most perfect grandchildren we could ask for.  We have had successful business ventures in the past, present and are even working on a future one!  Racing has been a big part of our lives and has given us lots of great memories and well as some of the best friends we could ask for.  We also have lots of great memories of our travels around the world.  Life with him has been an awesome adventure that I wouldn't trade for anything!  And yes, he still makes me laugh!

On this day, 32 years ago, in our marriage vows to each other, we both said, "for richer or poorer, til death do us part".  There is no doubt in my mind that Danny and I both have done so and fully intend to continue happily stand by that vow. 

I love you my hubby!  Can't wait to see what lies ahead, always with you!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Happy Valentines Day to you All!!  

This is a wonderful day dedicated to showing those you love how very special they are to you.  Danny and I celebrate it a little differently than most.  We both are huge foodies and love cooking, so rather than go out to dinner.  We have started our own traditions.  I am always the cook on this day.  I start searching weeks before and plan out the whole menu.  There is usually appetizers and maybe a glass of wine, we then sit down for dinner and there are at least 3 courses, which I serve.  I break out the good china and glasses, candles everywhere and red and white roses.  I can't even remember the last time we went out to dinner on this day.  It started out just Danny and I sharing a romantic dinner at home, but for probably the last 8-10 years or so, we invite others who don't have someone to share this day with.  We have had single friends over the years who start to get depressed just thinking about Valentines Day, so Danny and I decided that we can have a romantic dinner, just the two of us, any day of the year, why not share this day with those that need a little cheer on this day.  Also, Chad, my son works up on the North Slope and I think he has only been home for one Valentines Day since he met Jayme, so it has become a tradition to share this day with first her and now the girls too.  Allie has informed her Daddy, "We go to Nana's for Valentines."  

Danielle, my daughter does the same thing in her home.  She plans a special meal and shares it not only with her husband and children, but they have always invited Jeremy's grandmother to enjoy it with them.

I know that Valentines Day can be viewed as an over commercialized holiday and it can become that way if you let it.  But to me, it's a day to show those that you love how much you really care and to make them feel special.  Last year, I can remember Allie's eyes lighting up when she told me she had helped mom make the chocolate dipped strawberries that we shared and when she saw the fancy table with candles and she got her own stemmed glass for her juice.  And the huge smile when she finally got her huge cookie all to herself!!
   
Danny and I always look forward to sharing this day, not only with each other, but with any and all those that we love that want to enjoy it with us. 

This year the menu is:

For the appetizer: seared ahi tuna with wasabi and soy sauce.
First course:  Spinach salad, with strawberries, almonds and a homemade poppy seed dressing.
Second Course:  Puff Pasty wrapped Salmon fillet with watercress mousse and a champagne, chive
                              butter sauce, with steamed broccoli.
Dessert:  Fresh strawberries, stuffed with cheesecake and topped with graham cracker crust and drizzled with chocolate. (Jayme found this recipe on Pinterest, it's pinned to her board, "Food") we thought that this recipe drizzled with chocolate would put them over the top!!


I'm also surprising Allie with a huge chocolate chip cookie!  I made her one last year and that was the only thing she wanted all the way thru dinner.

I truly hope you all have the best Valentines Day ever!!  Enjoy those that you love, whether it's with that one special someone or with those that are special, it's a day to go over the top to show your love!!

Scroll to Top

Sleepovers and Snow

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I most certainly did!!  I got a phone call on Saturday afternoon from my nine year old grand daughter.  She informed me that she and Landin had decided that they should come over and have a sleepover and invite Allie to come too!!  Worked for me!  I'm always up for grand kid pajama parties!!

We spent most of the afternoon, just hanging out, we found out that my oldest grand daughter had a basketball game, so we all piled in the car and went to cheer on her team.  They won!!  YAY !!!!  More often than not, she has a big fan club there cheering her on.  Danny and I try to make as many games as possible and she has her other grandparents, aunts, uncles and even a great grandma that come on occasion also.  It has been said that it takes a whole community to raise a child.  I love that my grandkids have such a large support group.  There is no doubt in their mind or ours for that matter, that they are loved and have support from us all.

Ok, sorry, back to the sleepover!!  On the way home Lanie ask if I had ice cream at home.  I told her no, but had a great idea!  A friend on facebook had recently made snow cream!  Our Alaska winters over the last few years had not accommodated with very much snow, but this year we have had plenty!!  I'm loving it and we had just gotten some fresh stuff that day.  Perfect for a big bowl of snow cream!!  I told the kids my idea, they had no idea what it was, but were super excited just to try something new.  Allie, said "Nana, I just wished on that star over there that we would make snow cream!"  I laughed and said, "Well, you wish is granted!!  We are making Snow Cream!!" 

I have made snow cream many times over the years.  So I have my own recipe, but was curious, so went to Pinterest and actually found another recipe for it, slightly different ingredients, They used soy milk for theirs and I have always used evaporated milk, but basically the same.

This is pinned to my board "Food and Recipes"

Stepped right out onto the deck and filled up my big stew pot with fresh snow!!  Started mixing all the ingredients and Landin and Allie ask if they could help.  I told them there wasn't much to do, just had to keep mixing until I got it right.  Landin looked at me and said, "But Nana, we always help you."  I had to giggle.  They are so stinkin' cute!!  We got it just perfect and I dished it up. 

Their very first bowl of Snow Cream!!

I remember my mom making it for me and my brother and sister and I have made it many times for my kids and their friends.  I actually posted this picture on my facebook page and one of Danielle's long time friends commented that she had memories of me making it for her too.

Good stuff and Good memories!! 

We woke up the next morning and Allie had brought a big bottle of bubbles and ask if they could play with them.  We did for a little while, indoors, but I also remembered a pin that I had added that involved bubbles.  It had said that if you blew bubbles outside and it was below freezing, they would freeze.  Perfect!!  Had to try it!  This is pinned to my board "Nana Day Activities to Try"

They were so excited, they didn't even take time to get dressed!  We all threw on our coats and boots in our pajamas and went out of the front porch to give it a try!!

It worked!!  They really do freeze!!

Lainie wanted to try to pick it up, but it melted as soon as she touched it.

I didn't have any time to plan craft projects or buy extra goodies at the store before the kids arrived this time, but we still had loads of fun!  Sometimes, the little things that happen spur of the moment are the best!

Scroll to TopScroll to Top