Happy Holidays
Tomorrow is the beginning of the New Year and the end of the holiday season. I have to admit, I feel as much anticipation and excitement at the conclusion of the holidays as I do waiting for Santa Clause to arrive. Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas. I love the baking, the cooking, the drinking, the visiting, the partying, the vacationing, the daytime skiis and even the $10 organic egg nog; but I also love when it all comes to an end and life gets back to normal. 
This Christmas was an exceptionally excellent holiday. Tony and I welcomed 20 people to our house for a traditional Norwegian New Year's that included everyone's favorite delicacy - lutifisk. This year's lutifisk was especially delicious because it almost didn't make it. I had ordered my fish from the Wharf, but it never made it to my table - I'm trying to be understanding about the incident - I'm sure they were just shocked that another person would actually pay for lye-soaked cod. In the end a desparate phone call to Edmonton and an insanely kind Christmas favour ended with Kristin driving 2 packages of lutifisk to the airport to be couriered aboard Air North. I'm sure my guests weren't nearly as thrilled as I was about it's safe arrival, but Christmas without lutifisk is like Easter without chocolate.
The lutifisk wasn't the only near disaster - Akvavit was nowhere to be found in the Yukon, but Tracy hooked us up with her Prairie connections and the bottle was quickly enjoyed (or at least consumed), by all our Christmas guests. In the end, despite the slight hiccups we had a fabulous dinner and an excellent "re-gift" exchange. In theory, the re-gifting worked very well, although Tony and I were stuck with some interesting items in our house that must have been "forgotten" in all the excitement.
On Christmas morning Santa Clause arrived and got everyone something special for their stocking. I'm still trying to figure out if the broom I received was a subtle hint by Mr. Clause about the state of my living room. Even Starbuck got a stocking full of treats, although his favorite present came care of Auntie Alexis and Uncle Antonio -
Yes, that's a stick wrapped in paper. Starbuck was quick to forget all of the other gifts that had been bought, and spent the rest of the morning dismantling his present. After watching the joy with which he unwrapped his present, I don't think I'll ever purchase another Made in China stuffed plaything for him. Although next year I may get him a stick, and a rock...just to keep him on edge.
Boxing Day was spent enjoying a sunset ski (aka 3:00 pm ski) out at Mt. McIntyre. A whole crew of us went up to Harvey's Hut for a fire, hot chocolate and cookies. It was a great first ski for many, and even though I've been out many times this season, there was something special about watching Alexis ram into Ben at full speed going down a hill. Between that and Alexis sprawled face first in the snow uttering "It's okay, I didn't die", makes me wonder if this could become a new holiday tradition.
The rest of the holidays was spent on skis and in hot-tubs and my calves are in an odd state of soreness and complete relaxation. After some consideration, I have established my New Year's resolutions and am writing them for the entire internet world to read and judge. I suspect my fear of not following through on a commitment will be enough to get me through them. You will note that they are all physical fitness related, this is because I gave up on resolving to be more organized, cleaner or less obnoxious. I'm only trying to do this that seem achievable:
- 1. Practice yoga at least 3 times a week and set up a yoga space in the house.
- 2. Run a marathon in 4:15 or under.
- 3. Finish an Olympic triathlon in under 3 hours.
- 4. Bike the Kluane Chilkat as a solo.
- 5. Register for an Ironman (note: this is the registration, the actual Ironman resolution will be kept for next year).
Sierra posted this on Dec 31, 2007 from the livingroom | | permanent link
