Christmas at Lake Louise

You would think this was Tennessee, well, without the snow, because it is down-right cold here! But, this was taken at Lake Louise in Alberta.

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of the most beautiful places in the world. (Gingerbread and chocolate!)

Everything was so wonderful there.

And festive.

Nostalgic.

Magical.

Cold.

Delicious.

and friendly. It's absolutely perfect!

I fiddled with this shot in iPhoto. It was eerie to begin with, but now it's downright odd! Perhaps it's just me. Poor feller.

The night before we were leaving, we took a horse-drawn sleigh ride around the lake at sunset. Burrrrrr, it was absolutely freezing--probably below zero ƒ! And (I wish I had a photo), there was a lady who was wearing a mini-dress, stockings and high-heeled (stiletto) boots! Oh MY gosh, she had to be completely frozen by the time we made it back. The teenager had on long johns under his jeans, layered sweaters and a ski jacket with wool hat. He was frozen even before we made it to the end of the lake! By the time we were heading back, I was feeling the cold and I was dressed similarly to him with an additional lap blanket. I know we all were chilled to the bone by the time we made it back to the hotel.

But oh was it ever gorgeous.

The sun goes behind the mountain at the end of the lake around noon, so you get this blue tone over the area.

By sunset, it's almost all blue. Here's the frozen waterfall. Gorgeous.

The moon peeking through over the hotel as we returned was an amazing sight.

Again, by the time we did get back, we all were very, very cold.

The kid and I found a spot in the lounge and got some hot cocoa to warm us up. The teenager and hub wound up in the pub. Figures. This is the lap blanket I found at one of the shops on sale. It's made by Olena Zylak of lambs' wool with soft leather additions on the corners. Her pieces are so much fun! The salesperson was really up on her. Now I can see why.

I absolutely hated packing. We had almost three duffels of snow clothes, alone! Garsh. And I had used those space bags that you vacuum the air out of, so I had to call and get a vacuum. lol Crazy Americans, no?

And one last look at the lake from the room. (The teenager and hub circled.) (I forgot to mention the boys went dog sledding! --just an afterthought, sorry.)

After what happened Christmas Day on the flight from Amsterdam, we knew we were in for quite a ride once we arrived at the airport. We had already read up on the changes in security; so thank goodness we knew there were no carry ons allowed. I am so happy we were at a Canadian airport going into the U.S. rather than coming in from Europe! Oooof. The only "incident" was when we first arrived, four hours early and a United Airlines "attendant" felt a little power hungry. {RANT ON} We were getting our checked bag labels printed (we checked everything but my purse, the hub's lap top carrier and his camera bag. We were at one of those kiosk thingies (hate them!) when the woman came up to me and said "Your purse has to be 8X11 to take on board." Well, I'm sorry, but at 5 a.m., I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. So I picked up my purse to show her and asked nicely "Is this 8x11?" She replied, "I don't know, you tell me." At which time I replied, "NO, YOU tell ME." So she walks over to the counter, picks up a piece of paper and says "This is 8x11." Now, if I had been in the least bit awake, I would have replied, "NO, that is 8 1/2 by 11!" Biotch. Regardless, when we actually did get up to the counter where a REAL person was working, I asked her if my purse was ok. She looked at me, rolled her eyes and shook her head yes--as if to say "that woman is looney." ha. {RANT OFF} The rest of the airport was wonderful. Yes, even after the heightened security. They were very organized. You could only go through customs two hours before your flight. They would only let so many people through to customs at a time because it was so hot in the room. By the time we got in, it moved, they had set up fans and it was fine. Customs did their jobs effeciently, baggage was pretty self explanitory and we left on time. I never, in a million years, would have thought it would have gone so smoothly so closely after a terrorist attack attempt. Phew!

I brought one of the mini stollens home (a little old) which came with a recipe! You think I should give it a try? Perhaps 2010 is my year for baking???

Well, needless to say, Canada has become one of my favorite countries. It's beauty and it's people's friendliness is so exhilarating. We all fell in love.

xo
ro

Ring in the New

With black eyed peas!

I changed my recipe a little and tried a new one.

It's from Garden & Gun and can be found HERE. Well kinda. I didn't make the "Hoppin' John." I kinda made a soup. I doubled the beans, added a Honey Baked Ham bone (rinse the sugar off) and put the tomatoes (canned/diced) with the soup and did not cook the rice with the peas.

I didn't make the "Hoppin' John." I kinda made more of a soup. I doubled the beans, added the tomatoes with the soup and did not cook the rice with the peas.

And, dinner is served.

We had flurries this morning which delighted the kid and I. I think this is the first for us this season. We've always been out of town when we did get some of the white stuff.

But with the snow comes the cold. Burr doggy. We're not quite used to this temperature down in these parts. I had to actually wear a coat while driving the kid to his orthodontist appointment. Whattup wit dat? (He--the kid--DID get his braces off this morning!!! Yay! Photos later, perhaps.)

Dave has the right idea lying by the heat register. He doesn't even want to go out! Now, that cold.

Ok, I don't know why I can't sit down and try to get up to date with everything I need to post about--like Thanksgiving! I have the photos in a file ready to go. This week, I'm truly going to try and get up-to-date. New Year's reso? Hmmmmm.

xo
ro

A Year in the Life--2009

Rewind.

January began with some changes around the house. I had to install a gate going up the stairs for mom after her fall on the third level of the house Christmas eve at 3 a.m.. She didn't like it too much.

But there was new hope for the country.

On February 16, mom turned 85. She was happy, as always.

And I started a very strict, all organic diet. It works. (But I now have the ten pounds I gained this summer to LOSE!)

March brought a trip to Riverside where I may have just eaten a family member of this little feller. Our neighbor gave me some fresh lettuce from her garden, which I ate eagerly. But then I found this guy, who obviously had hopped out of the bunch before I ate him! I so solly.

The end of March brought another mini stroke which put mom in the emergency room.

After sleeping for several days, she was wide awake with her wonderful smile, so happy to see us.

April brought many changes in my life. Mom was admitted into rehab, close to home, after losing her mobility and some more of her thought process. While she wasn't too happy with the physical therapy, she loved all the attention the nurses gave her and became quite able in her wheel chair. Unfortunately, mom was unable to come home and live independently and therefore moved into the nursing facility.

The hub and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary, a little late.

May brought a visit from my sister-in-law, Mary Jane, and my niece Kelly. Mom was so happy to see them!

We took a cooking class at The Viking Cooking School while they were here.

June brought the cuz down from DC to visit and we began our road trip.

Which started at the W in Atlanta, on to Savannah, then to Tallahassee, and on to Riverside and then back to Nashville.

Mom settled in nicely and was quite content in her new space.

July brought hot days full of love.

And the teenager's 20th birthday.

August came and went quickly with the kid beginning driving school.

And a visit from my brother Jim.

In September, the kid and I jumped on board a business trip with the hub to San Diego. We were able to meet up with family and enjoyed it oh-so-much.

I met up with Beth and her mom Lottie for a little day of art.

Mom continued her adjustment and was loving everyone (except me on some days!).

October brought my girlfriends together at Riverside. But I was called back when mom developed pneumonia a couple of days after I arrived.

She passed three days later. Mom never suffered and my brother Jim was here when she left us.

November brought mom's celebration of life at my brother Jim's in Maryland. We were all surrounded by family and friends and I know she was there with us. We cooked all her wonderful foods including friend chicken and bbq. It was a precious day for a most precious woman.

We celebrated the kid's 16th birthday a little late, but that's ok.

Then my brother and his family came down for Thanksgiving (which I have yet to post about!). So good to have them with me, always.

A VIP Miley concert for my nieces ended the trip with a bang.

December is quite the blurr. I do know that we spent Christmas at Lake Louise in Canada.

And New Year's in San Francisco.

A year in a flash. I'm still numb from the ending of it all.

We're Home!

I'm missing so much I found on our trip. I did, however, have enough sense to bring a small loaf of sourdough home with us which we enjoyed today. I hardly even remember yesterday. We were lucky to have one of the first flights out of San Fran and all of our flights, the entire trip, were on time. Overall, we were very fortunate when it came to our travel days. Cannot complain, one bit.

We came home to a very cold Nashville. The heat has been upped and I've even put a pot of water on the stove for a little humidity. That is rarely needed in these parts. I've also been told that Riverside is very cold and our friend has stopped by to turn the heat on there and even have the faucets dripping. Ouch. I plan on a trip down soon to check up on the place. I never was able to properly closer her up before leaving in October. It all seems like so long ago, yet then again it doesn't.

Bella wanted nothing to do with any of us but has since calmed down. I know she doesn't like the gent who stays here while we're away. Poor boo. It only took a couple of hours before she trusted us again though. Looks like either Dave or Abby swiped her nose. I'm sure she deserved it. She can be so vicious to them and momma wasn't here to protect her. lol

I'm happy to be back at home; although the trip was truly magical, and I do miss being in San Francisco and Lake Louise. I suppose that's why there were very few posts. Who wants to blog when there's a big, beautiful world out there to explore? But coming home always reminds me of how fortunate I am--with loving friends, old and new, and a family who has always been my biggest fans. Who could ask for anything more?

I have so much to share, so many photos. Little by little, I'll get to them I suppose.

Looking forward to a wonderful new year. Wishing love, happiness and health to you all.

Blessings.

xo
ro

Happy 2010

Almost.

We are enjoying Northern California soooo much!

Happy New Year!

xo
ro