Friday, August 8, 2008

souvenirs

I love bringing home souvenirs from places I visit or vacation at. Besides the usual Tshirt and magnet, I brought home some cool stuff from Alaska that I'd like to share in today's Show & Tell.


These are bark carvings hand made by the owners of the cabin we rented for the week. Here's what is written on the tag: This mask has been carved by hand from the bark of the Black Cottonwood tree, which occurs in the lowlands of Alaska's southcentral and southern coastal forests. The bark comes from trees that have been dead for 5 to 6 years. It is then possible to remove bark that is up to 6 inches thick.


















The mask on the left is about 4 inches long (without the hair) and the hair comes from beaver and mountain goat. The one on the right is smaller, about an inch (without hair), and is made as an ornament. This one is trimmed with beaver and reindeer.

This is also an ornament which I purchased in one of the local shops displaying Alaskan art. The only description on this one is: Original designs inspired by the art and legends of Alaska's Native cultures. It has the artist's name along with her address and email, so I know it was made in Alaska and not someplace like Ch*na.


I liked it and bought it because it reminded me of a sun. And you know I'm all about the sunshine =)

And the last of my, rather ours, souvenirs wasn't anything I, or we, could put in our suitcases - unless we wanted to deal with a horrific odor. So, we had it shipped home. Yep... it's fish. More specifically, the halibut that Don and Jake caught on their fishing expedition. Anyone want to come on over for a halibut dinner? We have seventeen pounds of it.









For more Show & Tell, click on over to Kelli's There's No Place Like Home.

17 comments:

MightyMom said...

name a time and place and I'll be there!!

I love me a good ol fish fry!

17lbs after boning and cleaning...that's a good haul!!!

Kathy said...

It sounds like you have a treat in your freezer! Interesting masks.
Kathy

Carrie said...

You chose very nice artwork to remember your vacation trip.

MightyMom said...

non-bag ladies can come play Thesaurus Thursday too ya know!!! (yes it's up)

Anne Fannie said...

I can smell the fish on the BBQ right now. Those masks are a little scary, but a good memory of your vacation!
Love, Ann

Liza on Maui said...

Oh I like "fish" (yes, cooked). I wish I can go there for dinner :)

Hootin Anni said...

Oh to be sure....I can understand having fish shipped home! We did the same with salmon from the northwest!!

Love the cottonwood masks too.

Stop by my antique show n tell if you can. [you'll need to scroll down a bit since I added the Tropical Storm update of the damage done in Houston where my son lives on the top of my blog this morning! ---]

Happy weekend.

A Hint of Home said...

I fish in my freezer from Alaska. Just ate some of it recently.
Very interesting masks.

Carla said...

I love those faces! I don't know which I like better, her's or his! The textures are great to, and that sun is just, well happy! I like happy suns. Thanks for sharing some native art!

Sandra said...

Those are interesting, love them :)

Susan said...

Nice remembrances from your trip.
Susan

Anonymous said...

Those are certainly unique! I am glad the fish could be shipped.

Schotzy said...

Fascinating post. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I have been catching up and WOW what an amazing trip!!! Love all the pictures, and yes I will be there for the dinner. It is always good to be home yes? Have a great weekend:)

sharon brobst said...

Oooh I love fresh fish!!!

Love the masks!!

Lynne said...

That's a lot of fish!

Cool looking masks.

Kelli said...

Those are very neat masks and great keepsakes from your trip!
~Kelli