Alaskan Throw Party

The next time you want to celebrate something special, I've got a way you can invite as many friends and family (heck, even strangers) over to help you commerorate the occasion. Best of all, you don't have to clean anything in your house or cook!

Here I am with some friends after attending a special party in which we shared in the celebration of our hostess' toddler son catching his first salmon. I'm holding my "favor" (dryer sheets)! I didn't know the hostess or her son. No problem, I was welcome!

Come along...you're invited to my Throw Party! We will celebrate a lot of "firsts" for our family while living in the Alaskan bush! (Sorry, Paul, women and children only).

First, I needed to buy (while in Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks, or online) some things women would like. Remember, we're living in a remote place so things like plastic dishware, mixing bowls, laundry detergent, towels, and spatulas are popular. I even have some air mattresses, blankets and pillows (gently used) that women are gonna love! (Luckily, my friend told me to write "air mattress" on a clothespin and throw out the pin instead of the mattress! When the party is over, those with the clothespins come up and get their prize!) We also purchased some candy for the kids who come along with their moms, aunties and grandmas. Some of the boys are perched up there on my neighbor's roof.

What? You forgot to buy a gift? Silly girl, no need! As the hostess, I don't expect a thing from you! Just show up, ready to catch.

Yep, you read that right. CATCH!

You totally missed that first throw! Pay attention, now.

You will never come near my front door at this party. Just stand back there with the others. Park your 4-wheeler over there or walk on over and stand below my steps. You might bring a bag with you if you're feeling lucky today.

Inside our artic porch there, Madison and I have several boxes full of goodies you're gonna love. I'm really excited!

Hold your hands up high now. There are so many women here...maybe 50? My friend must have made several announcements over the VHF (the cb-like radios we all have in our homes).

No, I'm not going to throw those big boxes of Bisquick! They could kill someone! I'll hand those down gently to some of the older women up close.

Wow. That went fast! Only 20 minutes, but we worked fast and threw quickly. Did you catch anything? Oh, I so hope you did! And I hope it was something you like, something you can use.

Thank you for helping us celebrate today at our Throw Party. I'm so glad you came!

l

Photos from 2005 when we hosted a traditional Throw Party before we left the village.