26 December 2011   What a magic day of skiing! A new local for me, the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club. Sis and I did the 8km beginner trail with a midway stop at a hut for more marvellous grilled cheese sandwiches. The sky was clear for the 4km to the hut; small birds could be heard in the tree tops. That first leg, Booty’s Trail, had lots of small dips and climbs. The hut was warm and cozy. When we emerged after our delicious lunch, the sky had changed dramatically. We began the second loop, Ben Shaw Trail, just as a few delicate snow flakes began to fall. Home for Christmas dinner leftovers. Perfect day!

http://www.castlegarnordic.ca/home

Just before we arrived at the hut, we crossed a small bridge over this beautiful scene.

Our little sandwiches grilling on the stove in the hut.

The finished product, yum!

Our little luncheon hideaway, Ben Shaw Hut.

The Welcome sign at Ben Shaw Hut.

The beginning of the second leg, Ben Shaw Trail.

Looking back the way we came, Booty's Trail.

25 December 2011   Perfect Christmas Day! Another dusting of snow overnight set the stage for a wonderful, relaxing day. Lovely breakfast of Fol Epi panatone and fruit with yogurt. Then we left GJ to put the turkey in the over while the rest of us went tobogganing just next door on the snow-covered golf course. Once we were home, sis and I donned pretty aprons and set about creating the rest of the meal, with the help of the fellas who did not wear pretty aprons. Delicious dinner and restful evening with A Christmas Carol, the old, spooky version. Merry Christmas to all, and to all, good night.

Wishing everyone a joyous Holiday Season!

Sisters ready for tobogganing. Such a beautiful day!

Off we go for snow fun with toboggans.

GJ caught us in our frilly aprons!

Lots of chopping!

A table set for feasting!

24 December 2011   What a wonderful thing to wake up to new snow! I had been trying hard to hide my disappointment at the amount of snow here since we arrived. White tho it was, the magical trees heavy with snow, gentle flakes falling and general winter wonderland was missing. Not anymore. A good bit fell over night and continued most of the day. So beautiful! My sister made the most delicious crèpes for breakfast before we headed back to the Nelson Nordic Club for day two of skiing. Everything I learned two days ago seems to have stuck and I felt far more confident today. The site was even more incredibly breathtaking with all the new snow. We travelled about 6k and I learned how to snow plow. After returning home and a lot of stretching we headed to some friends of sis of a fantastic dinner. Sorry, I forgot to take pictures, but it was delicious. And a delightful family with two gorgeous children. The 2-year-old kept us laughing all evening. Midnight mass for old times sake and off to bed to wait for Santa!

Began the morning in style with delicious crèpes.

Snow was not going to stop the people of Nelson from last minute Holiday shopping!

Quite a different scene at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club this morning with all the new snow. It was quite a bit warmer today and we had a very pleasant ski!

Here I am doing my new favourite thing. I guess it's confirmed that we need to move to a more snowy climate!

On the right of this photo you can see the tracks of an animal left sometime in the night. Sis thought maybe coyote.

My genius sister packed us some grilling cheese sandwiches wrapped in foil which we just popped onto the wood stove in the hut at the end of our ski. They were delicious accompanied by hot apple cider.

22 December 2011   Awesome day! I cross country skied for the first time ever! A beautiful day, crisp and mostly clear. My amazing sister and I hit the beginner run at the Nelson Nordic Ski Club and she gave me excellent instruction. We only did two laps of a very easy track, but I’m sure sore today. We’ll go again tomorrow and then we’ll head to the Castlegar Nordic Ski Club for an 8km ski on Boxing Day. Oh boy! Other wonderful things from yesterday were delicious breakfast at The Bent Fork, met some fantastic friends of our family, picked up the turkey at Ellison’s Mercantile which was having customer appreciation night and then absolutely unreal Indian food at Baba’s.

http://www.ellisonsmarket.com/

http://www.nnsc.kics.bc.ca/

Christmas tree at my sis's house in Nelson BC.

Tree close-up: little glass owl.

The setting of my first ski ever: The Nelson Nordic Sk Club.

Cute and kitschy with such good food: The Bent Fork, Nelson BC.

21 December 2011   Off we go to Nelson BC for Christmas with my sister! We had a very flight on Pacific Coastal Airline Victoria-Vancouver-Trail. A dear friend who lives in Salmo picked us up at the airport and we spent the day with him and his lovely family. Arriving at my sister’s house in Nelson in the evening, there was just time to trim the tree before falling into a deep and peaceful sleep. Here are a few pics from day one:

Lovely cats...

adorable dogs...

and wonderful horses!

These Robin's nests were apparently all made by the same bird.

A beautiful table set for an amazing meal!

Homemade baguette, we were so spoiled! (Spoiling didn't stop until we had polished off the chocolate crème brulée.)

Just before they went into the oven: individual lasagnas.

The sweet tree at our friends' house in Salmo. The cut it themselves on their acreage and most of the decorations were made by their two beautiful boys.