Daily Archives: January 2, 2010

XC Skiing

Any advice? Except to stay on flat trails to start. Jim and a buddy tried it for a couple of hours yesterday and we rented me skis, boots and poles and we’ll give it a shot in the morning. Most people at the shop were getting permits to ski the golf adjacent to the hotel, but we have a groomed trail a foot from our back deck that’s free so we’re going to try that. I feel a lot more confident doing this than downhill skiing.

Thirty years ago my parents bought us all SC skis for Christmas. We lived in a lovely community with very narrow streets that was perfect for the sport, and I used to ski to the post office to get the mail (the highlight of any Chautauquan’s winter day). Both skis and boots have come a long way in the intervening decades! Boots are higher with more insulation, and the skis are skinny little things! Care to take bets on how many times I wipe out? Happy New Year! Dee

Dear Mom

It’s been over a year now, another new year. My blog didn’t start until June of last year so you didn’t know about it. A couple of nights in the hotel after spending the day at your room in hospice I wrote a post.

What’s interesting is that on the “favorites” your name is always up there in bold. That’s because I talk about how you taught me to cook and I share some of your family recipes and ideas for others. So “mom” usually pops up on a post somewhere. Go figure.

Wherever you are, I hope you’re content. We’ve moved further West and are living our lives and trying to keep up with family. It’s been difficult not having a day off this year to visit our or Jim’s side or just take a weekend off. You are missed. Love, Dee

Happy New Year

Jim got home from work at a reasonable hour New Year’s Eve (before 8:00 even) and we had a quiet evening. Today, a friend came over so they could both go cross-country skiing for the first time. I went lunch with them and “made” dinner but did not join them on their adventure. Sorry to say, I didn’t get a photo either.

Their second time out before dinner, Jim brought his mining light and even had the temerity to take the dog. Needless to say, the hipless wonder is sleeping soundly tonight. Upon returning home he fired up the grill…

Dinner was a Whole Foods extravaganza. I made boursin with whole grain crackers (bought, not made) and made pita chips for the weekend. I got cheddar burgers from the butcher, rolls, made guacamole and sliced tomatoes and heated Yukon Gold fries. And since Jim really wanted pie last night, I got a cherry pie. Normally I’d cook myself and prep for dinner and guests but he only gave me an hour’s notice so I made do.

Tomorrow we plan to turn in the friend’s skis and boots and poles (they rented first time) and re-rent Jim’s and get me started. Many years ago my parents bought us all XC skis and boots for Christmas and what a beautiful place we had to use them. Here they try to sell permits to tour a private golf course. Two feet from our deck is a groomed trail that goes for miles, and is free, so that’s what we plan to do tomorrow. We also have a trail map, which would help if we got more than a mile from the house!

I’ll make soup and sandwiches for dinner as we’re off to an early movie with friends. Let’s hope Jim can walk in the morning after over two hours of a new sport! Omelets for breakfast? We’ll see. Black Forest ham and Havarti. Perhaps Rosti. Or just cereal and peach yogurt. Life is a series of choices, and meals are but one.

Wishing you luck and love and all good tidings in the new year. Cheers, Dee