"Our Fall Tour" or "Coffee Shops Across America"

We're home!

And before you ask, YES. We did travel across the entire midwest in a 60 foot long caravan (bus and camper), or as I like to call it: the Zahasky wagon train.

Because three months is a bit hard to write about in depth, I'm just going to give you the highlights of our tour down in the continental US...

First off, the hardest part about leaving our homes (besides the fact that we love our own beds) was Elizabeth, our pet squirrel. She had been such a friend to us all summer long, and we were sad to say goodbye to her.

Before we could start our tour, the bus was in dire need of some sprucing up. We hadn't used it for two years, and Melissa was ready to make it beautiful once again.

A swirling vortex of green paint and sawdust consumed our lives for a week and half as we worked to get the bus ship-shape. 

It was CHILLY working in the bus. Here we are huddled
around the tiny space heater. I think my face says it all.

See those nice green painted cabinet doors there? I painted those. Of course, after I painted them Melissa informed me that they were supposed to be blue. 

That was a hard day.

There was hardly anything in the bus that was staying the way it was, we even replaced the toilet that had been in it. But wait...whatever happened to the old one?

It seems SOMEONE thought it would be funny to stick it in grandma's yard. 

But we were (finally) on our way!

This next section I would like to call,

"Scenes From the Bus"

A giant black crow looms menacingly on the side of the road.

A haiku about traveling in the bus:
It is very flat
Such flatness I have not seen
How I miss mountains

Passing the time by counting the cars that pass us.

An early morning spent driving.

ANOTHER early morning spent driving.

While we were on the road, we experienced and witnessed a lot of new and very strange things.

Like that one time Laura made some friends back stage...

Or that one unfortunate day that an entire carton of eggs were spilled and broken on Quinn's shoes.

He was very broken-up about the whole thing...

And no one can forget the day we saw THIS car parked near our bus!

We kept our eyes peeled in that town, we didn't want to be chased by dinosaurs!

I think everyone would agree that our favorite times were the nights spent in Walmart parking lots:

These are the memories I'll cherish forever.

Or maybe,

 our favorite memories were the hours spent in the countless coffee shops we found ourselves in.

Can you say, 'YUM'?

Yes, I would like one of everything please.
Actually! Can you make it TWO of everything?
Thanks.

We played in a lot of old, beautiful theaters while on tour, some of them were even rumored to be haunted! 

Abigail and I found ourselves singing "The Phantom of the Opera" more then once while setting up for shows. 

Sadly, no handsome phantom ever showed himself...

Here, Regina is having us practice her favorite song, "Ice Ice Baby"

We had a great time on tour, but we can't tell you how happy we are to be home. Christmas is almost upon us and we're so excited to spend time with the family and friends we've been missing these last several months. 

But it won't be long until we're packing up and 

getting ready to go on the road again!

An End to the Summer

Today marks the last night that we will be playing on the Princess Cruise ships this summer. We are excited to leave for our Fall tour (This coming Sunday evening! It's almost here!), but playing on the Princess Cruise ships has been absolutely wonderful!

A few key things we will be missing:

1.) The FOOD - Paul especially has loved filling a plate (or two...or three...) every night (and yes, sometimes at lunch too) before a show. We just wish Melissa had let us go up and try the ice cream and milkshakes, but sadly, dairy like that just isn't good for the voice before a show. 

2.) The stage crews - Wow! If we could talk a few of the people we've come to know this summer into traveling with us, we would never have to set up, take down, do sound or our own lighting ever again! It would be heaven... One of the best things about playing on the ships was being able to show up, practice a little bit, and step right on stage. They had everything done for us.

3.) The BIG fancy stages -  After working lots and lots of summers at the Mount Roberts Tramway (which we adore for different reasons), a big stage to really move around on was extra special and made us feel like rock stars (even when only eight people showed up for the show - YES, that really happened).

One thing we will NOT miss:

1.) The evil looks we got from security when we were late getting off the ship because they scheduled our show right before departure leaving us no time to get paid or pack up - One guy DID look like Hugh Jackman though, so that was sort of a consolation prize...

We thought we would show you a little bit of a look at the Coral Princess Cruise ship as we get on to play our last show. Hope you enjoy it!

On the Ruby Princess

Doesn't Abigail look excited?! She has reason to be!

Not only was she in a pretty dressing room (filled with pretty costumes to swoon over), she was on the Ruby Princess! 

Last night was our first show on the Princess Cruise Ships, where we will be playing all summer. We're so excited to be able to live in our favorite place (Juneau, our home!) and work on the Princess Cruise ships as they're docked here.

I have to say we were all a bit nervous for this first show. We've practiced and practiced since January (I can't guess how many hours we've put into practicing. Quinn would probably say it was millions!), so we were excited and a little bit scared to perform for the first time on a big stage.

I was certainly nervous, especially after the LAST shows we played on a cruise ship where I was so sick I spent the whole time in my room (thankfully this summer we won't ever be leaving port, so I won't have to deal with sea sickness). But I'm happy to report that the show went wonderfully! We had a great time! The turn out was a bit small, but we were happy not to have a packed house for our very first show.

Although the show went well, we were a bit disappointed we couldn't celebrate by jumping in one of the many pools on board...oh well, maybe next week?

Please let us know if you, or someone you know, is heading up to Juneau this summer! We would love to see and meet you (either on the ship, in downtown Juneau, or maybe up at the tram!). We're so looking forward to this summer and a new season of work!

Happiness Is

Happiness is laughter, 

and what puts a smile on your face.

It could be the feeling of sunshine

or Quinn on the floor playing bass.

Happiness is hunting through tide pools,

and hearing the ocean waves.

It's putting on your favorite apron

and baking cookies to last for days!

It's making memories with family,

to remember when times grow hard.

Remember the times of happiness

when lighting lanterns in the yard.

Happiness is a wish made as the last

of the candles go out.

And knowing that wish will come true someday,

for you don't have reason to doubt.

---------------------------------------------

What are some things in your life that make you happy? 
Share with us down below in the comments!

Photos in the Rain

If you've been following the band's adventures since last September, you may remember a particular blog post (read it here) about how I wasn't in any of the band pictures (and why that needed to change). 

Well I have good news! I am finally going to be in an actual band picture! And this time, I wont have to photoshop my one-year-old adorable face into it! 

Yes, I was an adorable little one-year-old.

But a band picture takes a lot of work to organize, namely matching outfits and lots of makeup and fancy hair-dos! 

Also, crazy socks!

Our feet weren't going to be in the pictures, and it was a bit too nasty outside to hike around in heals. So boots are what we wore!

Our cousin Henry came over to take the photos. We started out downstairs in Abigail's studio to first get some close-ups(because we knew when we came back our hair and makeup would be done-for).

But all too soon it was time to go out into the elements, so we each bundled up (us girls being careful to not crease and wrinkle our freshly ironed dresses) and set out for the end of North Douglas Island, just a few miles from home.

Doesn't Abby look great in her beehive hair-do?

And can you tell she's already cold?

Off we went! Cameras, instruments, and rain gear all piled high in our arms.

Thankfully, it didn't rain too much while we took the pictures. But let me tell you, there was a strong, cold wind blowing most of the time!

Melissa remarked to me that this was the coldest photo shoot she had ever done, but Quinn was quick to remind her of every other band photo shoot (some including glaciers and chilly waterfalls). She agreed that maybe this photo shoot wasn't that bad...

Brrrrrrr!

Well, we all agreed it could have been warmer!

I wont point any fingers...

but someone had the bright idea to bring Cedar with us.

She made it into quite a few of our pictures by accident.

Can you tell we're freezing? 

Oh yes, we are so, so lovely.

Well Abigail and I are at least!

I simply can't tell you how excited I am to finally finally finally be in a band picture! I mean, Quinn and I have been married for almost a year, and I've been playing with the band for longer then that! But I'm not bitter, promise.

Our Love For Folk Fest

Here's Abigail singing at Folk Fest back in 2013!

It's Folk Fest week! 

People from all over Alaska and beyond have come to Juneau to sing, play music, and dance at the Alaska Folk Festival. 

The whole community seems to pour into the concert space to watch local and out-of-town artists. Music on the main stage will go to 11:00pm on the weekend, but jam sessions out in the hall will go till early in the morning!

You can always count on seeing cute little kids playing off to the side of the stage (who's cries of excitement can be heard all the way in the back row).

The band was unable to play at Folk Fest last year (since they were all in Australia. I was in my Biology class...but I'm not that bitter) and we've been so busy putting together a new show, we weren't able to be in it this year either, but that doesn't mean we're not going!

Here's a throw-back for you! 

The band at Folk Fest circa 2010! 

Abigail looks so young, doesn't she?

If you'd like to tune in and see the people we love watching up on stage, you can go to the Alaska Folk Festival website and enjoy the music along with us!

Click here to go to the Alaska Folk Festival website where you can watch a live stream of the fun happenings we'll be watching too. 

We plan to dance the night away Friday and Saturday nights to some fun bluegrass music, we hope you join in and listen!

Easter with the Zahasky's

The Zahasky family celebrated Easter a bit early this year, so we could have a more restful Sunday (and so Quinn and I could go see my huge extended family as well!), so our celebration happened on Friday!

It started with Abigail and I walking up the road with our faithful trugs in hand to fetch more blueberry brush for a new egg tree!

This pretty church egg was painted by Melissa, isn't it lovely?

Paul and Quinn were busy working that morning, so Abby, Melissa and I got the house ready for our Easter party!

We used Melissa's favorite dishes (that she's never used before!).

Melissa had been up late the previous night putting together a lovely tablescape. 

These flower arrangements are her own creation! 

Abigail and I helped Melissa in the kitchen (though she did leave us near the end with clear instructions to NOT look outside while she happily skipped around hiding eggs for us to find later), and soon, Paul and Quinn were home and we were ready for the festivities to begin. 

But first some important things needed to be done:

Against an old stump in the backyard, Quinn and I had secretly put together a little place to remind everyone what the day was really about.

Three crosses were made from willow branches and stood as a reminder of Jesus's crucifixion.

As the family stood around the crosses, I read the story of Jesus dying for the sins of the world.

 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23: 34

Thankfully, that wasn't the end of the story. As I finished reading, I handed the Bible to Quinn and we walked the family to the other side of the stump.

A cave was there, with a big stone having been rolled away from the entrance. Candles were lit all around, and a white sheet was all that was left in the opening.

Jesus had Risen!

Quinn read the exciting news to all of us:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words.

Luke 24: 1-8

After we prayed and thanked God for the miracle of Easter, we headed inside the house to share communion as a family and pray again.

Quinn's stomach may have been growling the whole time though! Hardly any of us had had any lunch or breakfast that day with all the preparations that needed to be done and we were hungry! 

But as the food was carefully put in the oven to bake, the Easter egg hunt began!!!

Everyone chose different ways to gather their brightly colored eggs:

I used my trug,

Quinn used a straining spoon he grabbed from the kitchen in his excitement to start,

and Abigail used her apron pockets!

While we hunted, Melissa walked around with Paul watching us and laughing when we excitedly found one she had hidden well.

She also pointed out a few eggs for Paul (I think because she wanted the chocolate truffles inside for herself)...

An amazing time was had by all!

But the best part was still yet to come...

dinner!

As we counted our eggs and found the sparkling wrappers of truffles and brightly colored jelly beans inside, Paul had turned on the grill was busy getting food ready!

Quinn really enjoyed his egg-collecting method, though he says it did get rather hard near the end from too many eggs having to be balanced on top!

Cedar was happy to have everyone outside running around the yard. She also liked us yelling and telling her to chase away the ravens who easily found our hidden Easter eggs and went after the candy inside...

However, she did not like being cuddled so fiercely by Quinn!

Yummmmm!

...it was almost time to eat!

Because we had all been so hungry, after dinner we couldn't imagine eating another piece of Easter candy. But as we were all getting up to start cleaning dishes, Melissa said to Abby, "Go upstairs and get the dessert!" 

We were all a bit surprised! We didn't think we had any room left for a yummy dessert. but as Abigail climbed the stairs, a shout of surprise and joy resounded, and I went right up the stairs after her.

The sight that met our eyes was like a fairy tale! Melissa had put together Easter baskets for all of us, even Paul! 

They were overflowing with candy, and with pretty ribbons and pussy willow and flowers, it was hard to take them all in at once!

Along with all the chocolate, Quinn found strawberry plants for planting and books on how to build Hobbit holes in his Easter basket (something he's been very interested in).

Paul found garden plants in his as well, plus a white chocolate Easter bunny, that Quinn and Abby were a bit envious of!

Nestled in among a vase of flowers, Abigail and I were delighted to find Madame Alexander dolls in each of our baskets! 

Abigail was given Heidi (along with the classic which she had never read) and I was given a doll named Degas, after the famous painter. 

As I pulled my doll our of my basket, Abby excitedly said, "Mom, you have one just like that!" and it was true! Melissa then shared the sweet story about how she came to love her own first Madame Alexander doll.

When she was young, there weren't big stores in Juneau to buy things like presents. Everything had to be ordered through something like a Sears catalog. One Christmas, because of bad weather or something else, the Christmas presents had not yet arrived by Christmas Eve, and Melissa's mother had nothing to give Melissa for Christmas the next day.

Her mother went to a local drug store and they just happened to have the doll you see above! Melissa was so excited about her present that Christmas, and she now says that she really was lucky, as nothing so nice as a Madame Alexander doll was sold in the catalogs! 

We spent the rest of our Easter eating candy and relaxing on the couch. 

Abigail and I played with our dolls (you're never too old!) and Quinn made plans for building his own Hobbit hole.

We hope you had a happy Easter, we sure did!