Christmas time and back to Colorado

And just like that, all the planning, all the recipes, all the cooking, smiles and worn out evenings - Christmas is over:( poo.  It went by so fast! I didn't get to see near enough of my friends but I had a wonderful time with the family, my brother, sis-in-law, my sweet, sweet niece and all of my uncles and aunts.  It was wonderful!

I enjoyed cooking for the family and I'm pretty sure mom and dad were very thankful too.  We ate GOODDDDDD:)!

I was able to ride my bike every day that I needed to, walked in the park with dad a couple of times, caught the local group ride and had fun with all the heckling and before I knew it, I was back on a plane to Colorado.  But I was sure glad to be home, flying over the snow capped mountains, the high mountain air and all things I love - this is home.

Now it's go time, time to become a full bore cyclist again.  The season is approaching FAST and team e-mails have started, fitting bikes has started and camp organization has started.  I'm excited about the upcoming season, I'm always excited about bike racing.  So next up is a bit of skiing here before heading somewhere warm for lots of miles.  I'll update when I get somewhere and get settled into a routine(a week or so).  Until then, here are some pictures from home and traveling.....

 Headed to the airport before Christmas...

 Day before flying, first ski session of the year...

 One of the trails.

 The afternoon view after skiing....

 Not the best driving conditions but it's a lot better now...

 Good morning beautiful snow!

 Some cool pictures of Vicksburg back in the day! We knew panoramic shots were cool WAY before Apple's iphone did;)...

 A monument in the park, it was a great place to go as kids and look for ghosts!

 The Cairo boat in the military park....

 A food joint in Vicksburg...

 Lost and found cars at my grandfather's house, T3 has too many toys;)!!

 You know you are in the south when the menu has it's own FRIED FOOD section...

 Such a wonderful place!

 Dad's walking club crew!

 Christmas Day MEAT!

 Starting her young;)....USAC should be watching....

The full moon my last day in Vicksburg, dad and I walking through the park...

Reading: A Daring Life, A Biography of Eudora Welty by Carolyn J. Brown
Watching: it snow outside:)
Listening: Trouble in Mind, Pat Donohue
Eating: for dessert: grapefruit- pealed and segments pulled apart, sprinkle with sugar, place on parchment paper lined sheet pan.  Broil for 2-3 min.  While that is cooking, mix plain greek yogurt with honey, then place the grapefruit segments on top. YUM!
Website: http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/crosscountryskiing.htm

Riding and cooking

I have been in a cooking mood lately....

Roasted beets with feta and scallions
Palmiers
Acorn squash stuffed with mushrooms and rice
Sweet Potato-Sausage soup
All kinds of bread - thanks to the bread machine
Pistachio shortbread cookies
Butternut squash soup
Roasted potatoes with bacon and cheese - YUM - perfect for football:)
Biscuits and sausage gravy - all homemade
French toast
......

YUMMY!! I was gluten free for about a year and a half but I think it is time to get back to the gluten ways, I feel fuller longer with wheat but I try not to eat much gluten before I ride.  WARNING -Personal note here: wheat gives me bad gas once I start riding if I eat it right before(1hr) training.  Just sayin...if you are wondering if you should go gluten free or not.  I still eat lots of rice and potatoes, I think more out of habit.  I have pasta in the cabinet but haven't really chosen it over the rice/potatoes, maybe it's because I was spoiled in Italy.  I mean really, how can I top that pasta??? ANYWAY...

I'm flying to MS for Christmas for the holidays, to spend time with family, cook all the above and loads more of goodies and see my sweet niece, brother, sis-in-law, extended family and friends.   I'm taking my bike and plan on doing some rides with friends and seeing some folks I don't get to see to much.

In other news, Miller has a growth on his muzzle, right below his eye.  I thought it was his tooth, so off to the vet we went.  She put him to sleep to take x-rays, tooth is good, it's a growth, biopsy, send off to get analyzed.  Merry Christmas bud..... poor guy.  We should have results in the next day or so.:(

Training has been wonderful, a bit cold these last days(high of 26 degrees) but I've got the warm gear and I've been enjoying staying outside - fresh air, sunshine and my thoughts running through my head.

Today I was in Cortez, in between appointments, and I ran into 3 people in 1 coffee shop that I knew and felt so blessed and happy to have the local support of friends who are truly happy for my achievements.  And to know that I inspire these grown adults and that they enjoy reading of my travels and stories makes me smile.  A big ole thank you to YOU:)!!

 Migrating tarantula - no really.....

 Goooo Rudolf!!

 I saw this at the trailhead and thought it was funny.  I haven't checked to see if it is a real site, I'm sure it is....

 Walmart knows what the kids need right??

 Poor Miller and his little growth under his left eye...

 Staying warm!

Palmiers!

Alright time for dinner, nothing exciting tonight, just soup and quinoa....

Reading: Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky
Watching: Rules of Engagement - SO FUNNY
Eating: Roasted beets with feta, please try it!
Listening: Zedd - Spectrum
Website: Behind the Barriers

Hope to blog from home!

Been a while

Wow, it's been since the end of October since I blogged last - whoopsie...

I've been mostly unplugged from blogging, FB, e-mail and such, no particular reason, I've just been into other things.  I've been taking Miller for a walk or a swim(yes it's still warm enough here, nothing is frozen), making bread(smells SO GOOD), watching cyclocross races here in town, Cortez and Durango, making Christmas gifts, working on projects and playing with friends.

It's only snowed once so far but I know it's coming, I just can't believe it's so warm - well high 50's - this time of year.  I wanted to go skiing once this year, oh well, maybe after Christmas.

Alright time for some photos....

 This is a project I'm working on for Dad.....

 This is a bookstore in Durango....no really....it makes you a bit dizzy.

 The off season, it's so worth it...

 Homemade whole wheat bread....

 One of my favorite roads...

 Who knew that town was so close?

 Miller being sweet Miller....he likes to run errands with me.

 The town of Yellow Jacket, I love where my bike takes me some days...

 Beautiful views...

 LOVE it!

 More love....

 yes, yes it is...

 And let the fun begin!

Loaf #8 I think?  I've done whole wheat, high gluten, gluten free, cornbread and I'm going to try banana bread in a few days....my neighbors are enjoying some yum yums.

More tractors.....they are just cool looking....

Watching: Boardwalk Empire
Listening: The Ready Set - Give me your hand(it's pop and the video stinks but it's upbeat and good for motivating me to get out the door).
BUT ALSO....Money Money - Grateful Dead
Eating: Bread!
Reading: A couple of things... Mind Gym, An Athlete's Guide to Inner Excellence
Winter: Notes from Montana by Rick Bass


That's all for now....

Final bits of family time and back to Colorado

After North Carolina, mom, dad and I drove back to Vicskburg, MS for a couple of days before heading up to Olive Branch, MS to see my OTHER brother Tully, his wife Andrea and my sweet, sweet, rambunctious nephew Tully III or BUBBIE:)

We went up to visit and watch Bubbie's soccer game, plus dad wanted to go to a couple of record stores in Memphis, TN(where he grew up) and we needed to go to the cemetery to take pictures for my sister-in-law, she is working on the family history.

When we arrived Sunday night, Bubbie was bouncing off the walls!!! He was so excited!! You know the time, where you can't even concentrate on the conversation with his mother b/c he is everywhere and she can block it out like he is the TV in the background!  A skill all mothers can master but the rest of us do our best to just be present;)  Soon after we arrived, Andrea's family showed up and we were all having a great time, it felt like the holidays already.

The next day, dad, mom and I headed north to Memphis to the cemetery.  We visited the Tully plot and the Manogue plot(dad's mom's family).  Afterwards we headed to Shangri-La record store and picked up a couple of local singers: Eden Brent, a.k.a. Little Boogaloo and James Luther Dickinson, the father of a couple of the North MS Allstars band members and some others that I don't remember.  That afternoon was Bubbie's soccer game and all of those kids were so cute!!! 4-6year olds! I also ran into one of my teammates from Mississippi State! SMALL WORLD!

We headed home the next day and the rest of my time at home was filled with family time, helping around the house, running errands, cooking dinner and just spending time with mom and dad.  Mom and I spent a day shopping and I was able to visit one of my best friends.

I'm back in Colorado now.  I arrived on Monday night and Tuesday night there was a surprise party for me held at the Dolores Town Hall hosted by the town manager and organized by Michael! It was so much fun!!!  And yesterday, Michael and I headed to Dolores Elementary to motivate all 400+ folks that were there! haha!! It was so much fun, they were so excited and had loads of questions.

The kids thought:
I can ride 2,000 miles for my longest ride....
I've been on my bike for 12 hours....
The car can carry 30 bikes on the roof....

Enjoy the pictures....

 When traveling with dad.....Bar-B-Que is a given...

 One of his birdhouses;) It's a catfish head:)

 The view of the MS River from mom and dad's house...

 Bubbie's sweet dog - Boudreaux

 Family history...

 Our motto for the day....

 Mom and I on our day out...

 The Vicksburg courthouse....

 Record store...

 Before walking into Target, Bubbie was getting ANOTHER toy....

 OK, so maybe I wanted a toy too!

 Yes, we are those people in the store....

 Visiting some family friends of ours...

 An old teammate from State - yay Bennie!!!!

 Spiderman!!!

 Who do I look like the most?

 WORKIN....or rather taking a break from WORKIN...

 1cent game....

The screen porch.....

Thank you Dolores Ele!!!!

National Championship jersey....note the Mississippi State logo on the sleeves..:)


Reading: My Cave Life in Vicksburg by Mary Ann Loughborough
Watching: The world series
Eating: baked chicken and winter veggies
Listening to: Bo Diddley, Road Runner
Website: http://deccaus.com   My clothing sponsor who made my National Championship jersey...