Colorado fun

I made it back home(CO) with no problems, since when I got back, there wasn't any snow on the ground-the next morning at least a foot! Then today even more!!! It made walking to the grocery store pretty interesting, as the snow was really slippery. Today wasn't too bad but I did laugh at Miller as all four paws splayed out like in the cartoons, he is such a goofball...

It is so much snow, the town will just plow the 2 lanes on the road and push the snow to the center, like a center line barrier. Then they will plow it to the end of the roads in huge piles, which makes the stop signs that much more tricky. Once it stops snowing, they will use dump trucks and pile it all up at the end of town, quite impressive. Today was lots of plowing, people shoveling and 4 wheelers plowing driveways. Snow shoveling adds up FAST and you have to stay on top of shoveling or else the snow freezes and melts then it gets hard to break up and even more difficult to shovel. It's like cutting grass in the south, you have to do it all the time or you will be bailing hay:)

I also got to nordic ski another new trail today with one of my friends here in town! 2 hrs and I was done! The drive out and back was pretty interesting, lots of snow and people really nervous because it was so hard to see. We witnessed a car drive right off the side of the road, they weren't driving to fast so they didn't get too stuck but still-that sucks.....

On the way to go skiing, no yellow lines, no white lines...just winging it....
One of the piles at the end of the road....
This is right out the front door, I actually couldn't see the steps and we had to walk through 3ft deep snow to get to the road, it is so much fun here....

Side notes:

• I added another blog to my blogroll-Johnny Kilster. It's nordic skiing stuff but also just pretty funny reads....
• Miller got a bone for Christmas
• After checking my mail, I called mom to confirm that she ROCKS because she sent me a subscription to Everyday FOOD-I love magazines.....

Happy New Year!

More Christmas fun

Well I'm trying to upload photos but Internet is a bit slow, so for now just words.

Ever since the last post, I've been hanging out with the family, eating LOTS of great home cooking and riding my bike. It was really cold yesterday, as the storm that is pounding the east coast, has brought cold, freezing temps to the south but I shall keep moving! Yesterday was the coldest with the wind chill of 30(it's colder feeling in the south b/c of the humid air) but it still wasn't impossible, you just have to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best and find routes that keep you in the sun, out of the wind or some combo like that.

Yesterday's clothing:

Long sleeve underwear thermal top

Long sleeve, fleece lined jersey

Wind breaker vest

Wind breaker jacket

Warmest gloves I have

2 pair of bib shorts

Knee warmers

Leg warmers on top of knee warmers

Warm but not thick socks

Wind breaker shoe covers

Wind breaker hat

Ear covers

Plus, helmet, shoes, food, phone, spare stuff....and I was fine. The first 10min are always painful just b/c of the cold but once you get going, life is good and you get lots of stares but you know you are doing something productive and good for yourself. I also think that March is right around the corner-I'm ready for a good year this year.....

I have another ride today, longer but it is a touch warmer today so a small change in the clothing from yesterday. Some of the guys said it was too cold, seriously??! Wimps:) Anywho, I fly back to Colorado tomorrow, then hopefully a couple of days of snow skiing then time to head south for some warm weather training.

I wonder if mom would buy Miller a plane ticket next time?

Family recipe

Part of my blogging is 'adventures' and being with family is always an adventure right?! I love my family and I love our adventures.....today was the family recipe of Nutcake...

We made about 40 small nutcakes and by the end we had the process smooth. Lots of laughs, lots of messes and lots of love and we had the house smellin good. Here are some pictures from the day.

I was asked not to name all these lovely ladies but I'm related to em all;)....
As you can see by the cake pans.....we were on a mission...
After doing this for a while, I soon asked for the food processor and then my job became a lot more fun.
Sis-in-law measuring it up...
That mixer was worth every penny today.
The crew and the product.
Tomorrow is riding and helping in the yard...gotta rake some leaves, cut down some bushes, pick up sticks.....

This is strictly a Vicksburg visit, as I'm leaving on Tuesday. I won't get to see many folks at all:(

Merry Christmas everyone!

New hobby

Check out my new hobby:)

This is a synthetic ribbon that was a bit harder to work with but turned out pretty cool-just for looks really-not much comfort or warmth...
Most of these are Christmas presents:) The one on the far left was my very first full length scarf, it seemed to take forever! My favorite is the blue scarf, the material feels SO good.....

I've become a knittin fool! I learned how to knit about 2 months ago and now all my spare time and for most of my Christmas presents, I've been knitting a BUNCH of scarves:) It has been interesting to see the progression in skills and I've been known to knock out a scarf in one sitting. I haven't learned how to pearl or to do turns or anything like that yet, I was waiting till after Christmas to learn something new, so only scarves for now, no hats or gloves but hopefully those will be next:)

By looking at all my colors, I would guess that I'm mostly 'earthly' kind of gal. I'm not big on being too flashy, so my work reflects this I assume. I've knitted alpaca wool, that was pretty cool except it shed worse that Miller! I like nice, soft fabric that feels good when wrapped around your neck but I have tried a more synthetic fabric just for looks. I'm not very partial to it but it is a gift so I don't have to wear it....hope they like it! hahah!

It has saved me a lot of $$$ this Christmas, which is always nice.

Ok, back to work people....time for yoga:)

In other news

My track adventures makes the "big time"....

Blog

Check out the FedUp w/ school lunch blog about the PB&J! That was interesting!!! I know Rankin Co(my previous job) always served FOOD, even if it was just a sandwich, it was something that the ladies put together themselves. If our director put this on the menu as a lunch item, I'm pretty sure the parents would riot. Or the ladies would be dissappointed they couldn't show their culinary skills-a lot of those ladies are very proud of the things they can cook and the good ones CAN COOK! Of course they are usually limited by the federal gov't. so most things are by the rules but sometimes, they 'slip' something good on ya and you are in school cafeteria heaven:)!!!

I love those ladies, I miss em and if anyone is reading this blog, I hope they are all having a wonderful holiday season.

For Sale

If anyone is looking for some good deals on some stuff barely used, you are in the right blog:) E-mail me(laurenthall17@gmail.com) if you are interested and I will ship em to ya. I also have some other things if anyone is interested(helmets, gloves, sunglasses, more skin suits), just drop me a line on what you need and I'll see what I've got. Merry Christmas!

Pearl Izumi fleece lined arm warmers

Size: Small

$25

Bellweather Vest

Size: Medium

$20

Women's Pearl Izumi vest

Size: Small

$25

Louis Garneau rain jacket

Size: Small

$40

Pearl Izumi wind jacket

Size: Medium

$45

Adidas wind jacket

Size: SMALL

$20

2x

Long sleeve skin suit from the Hudz-Subaru Cyclocross 2009 Team

Size: Medium

$25

The shorts are shorter than normal but the chamois are comfy.
2x

Short sleeve skin suit from the Hudz-Subaru Cyclocross 2009 Team

Size: Medium

$20

Santa baby

Hurry down the chimney for me, hahaha! For all those out there with your lists and checkin em twice, have fun shopping during the holidays, I'll be riding my bike, hanging with friends/family and relaxing-I don't shop till after Christmas;)

BUT, if you are just dying to know what I would love from santa please let me amuse you with the following list:

Total Pillow

Wonder Hanger

Snuggie

Ok, I'm joking but I really get a kick out of those products for some reason...