No Place Like Home

     So we're back home, on the "Ice Coast." I have to say, that trip to Vail was one of the most fun vacations I've had in a long time. Everyone was in high spirits and having a good time. Good food, thanks to the wonderful Richard Brown, good snow (including my first ever powder day!), excellent guides (Kevin Shelton, Jeff Mathes, Dave Wilson, Dan Adams) and more family than you can shake a stick at, although I don't know why you would want to. Having so many people around is somewhat foreign to me, being that I grew up in a small nuclear family. But even though this vacation was crazy at times, I actually kind of miss everybody.

     The Marrow kids are some of the most remarkable people I've ever met. It's evident right away that they are well-educated - using latin root words to circumvent the rules of Taboo.....it's just not fair. But more than that, they are bright, sharp, quick-witted, and just plain smart. They are all so different, which in a family of 6 strong personalities is a feat unto itself. I've had the opportunity to spend a fair amount of time with Rebecca - she is unfailingly enthusiastic and gregarious, as well as determined and strong-willed (a necessity when you have 4 little brothers). She has said that she wants to be in the CIA, and Josh and I have a running joke that upon hire she would call everyone she's ever met to say, "Oh my god, guess what.....I just got these nuclear launch codes...." But who knows, maybe she has us all fooled.
     I am really grateful that this trip gave me a chance to get to know the boys better. I never knew how loving 3 teenage siblings could be! Of course there's plenty of teasing, tackling, and punching, but hardly in the same quantities as hugging and kissing. Honestly, Josh and I couldn't even begin to imagine having as many pet names for each other as these kids have.....I mean "snuggler's notch?" Really?(I know, I'm really embarrassing them, but it's part of the fun!) And, aside from typical sibling disputes, they all seem to respect each other's different interests and talents.
     Daniel is a skilled athlete and sharp humorist - he sees EVERYTHING and will not hesitate to tease you about ANYTHING. But what I appreciate most about him is that when he engages with you, you can be sure that he is listening, absorbing, and responding with true consideration.
     Benjamin is too intelligent for his own good.....that guy has more brain power than just about anyone I've ever come across. It's clear that he is always thinking, although it is less obvious what he's actually thinking about. He is definitely a bit of a mystery to me in that sense, but he is also very charming and sweet (a combination that is sure to drive the girls crazy, when he comes of mind to use it that way). Most of all, I love that he is constantly curious, interested and eager to learn.
    And Jonathan............well, he's probably having the most fun of anyone alive. Never have I met someone so un-self conscious! He is always laughing or smiling - he gets more pleasure out of an afternoon nap than most people get from a day on the beach. I am always joyful to be around him, because he emanates a feeling that whatever is happening is the best thing that has ever happened.

    So yeah, it was a great trip. And I had so much fun snowboarding, that I'm seriously considering trading in my cork wedge sandals for some double cork action in the superpipe.

That's not to say that snowsports ≠ style. Quite the contrary, actually.........

You can't really tell in this picture, but her lipstick matched her outfit perfectly.

I love the graphic jacket with neutral pants.....I think it helps that she has red hair and a cute dog.....

Jonathan showing me more of his slope style.

Me in my hot pink helmet!

What a great trip! I've no doubt that I'm going be be dreaming of rainbow rails tonight......

Snow Surfing

     Josh and I are back in Vail, CO!
We arrived in Denver Sunday afternoon. We made a quick stop for Eggs Marcos (an amazing dish of eggs scrambled with bacon, cheddar cheese and cream cheese, with a fluffy biscuit and side of fruit - I've been craving this since we were in Boulder last year!) at the Walnut Cafe with Carol. Then up the mountain to meet up with Josh's father, his wife and 4 siblings, on the ski vacation they so generously invited us to join them on.
     So far, we've been having a GREAT time. Growing up with just 1 sister, I didn't realize how much I enjoy having a lot of family around. And 3 teenage boys, plus a female college freshman (arguably as much energy as the boys combined), plus big brother Josh - if that's not a lot of family, I'm not sure what is!

The Marrow Boys! Daniel, Benjamin, Josh, and Jonathan

     And I've got some more slope style for you......

I love the bright colors and mix of patterns these snowboarders put together.

This guy had the whole thing going on (I'm guessing he's 8 or 9..?) - striped jacket, bright pants, patterned scarf, even a cool backpack. He looks like he means business - Wish I could have seen him ride!

Jonathan showing me his "slope style."

More to come!

Home Again!

So Josh and I just got back to the JC tonight. It was a wonderful trip, but I'm always glad to come home.

(Josh resting before the last run of the day)

I have a few more "Slope Style" pictures, but I have to admit, I really didn't get all of the ones I wanted to share with you all. I quickly discovered that you can't stop a snowboarder barreling down a mountain just to take a picture of her outfit. Bummer. I was stuck with whoever I came across in the lift lines or at the lodges. Next time, I'll try to get in at least one day dedicated entirely to just taking pictures of people!

Nevertheless, here are a few of my favorites:

I'm guessing this guy doesn't play around on the slopes - You have to be a great rider to pull something like this off.

Nothing like a neon orange jumpsuit! (The belt on this is embossed leather.)

This kid knows how to do it.

There wasn't as much to look at off the mountain, but I think this girl got it right - Comfortable but stylish, and I love the multicolored bag. This is the most attractive puffy jacket I've ever seen - maybe Josh can convince me to get one now!

Yesterday we spent the evening in Boulder, CO. It was a very fun night, tons of food. Josh took me to his favorite restaurant, Frasca. We had a few snacks to start the evening - the cole slaw, Frico Caldo, and we shared a pork belly entree. They also served us a lovely white wine, I wish I remembered the name of - it was bright, with a fruity nose (peaches, a bit of rosemary), but a dry finish.

The cole slaw was very tasty - well balanced with beet sugar, a nice light vinegar, and a great olive oil that really shined in the dish (it's not so often that olive oil really "speaks" to me, but this one added a subtle smoothness to the plate.)

How to describe the frico caldo???? Well, I'd say it's a beautiful, technically prepared dish that tastes like the best cheesy mashed potatoes your southern grandmother has ever made. A great savory flavor, without too much salt, all of its three ingredients really contribute - comforting potato, onion and cheese...what more can a girl ask for?! Josh tells me it takes the chef days to prepare this seemingly simple dish - but whatever they do to it, it's delicious.

The pork belly entree was subtle and beautifully balanced. The meat was fantastically tender, and the flavors of the dish quite varied - the plate was "accessorized" with a sweet cabbage (I think it was braised), as well as a cauliflower cream. Yum.

Yet, as much as I'm going on and on about Frasca, I have to say I wasn't knocked out by it. Maybe I wasn't in the right mood. It was all very fresh food and all expertly prepared. But for that same kind of theme, I prefer Blue Hill here in NYC. Next time in Boulder, I'll give it another go.

We ended up meeting with Josh's friends Carol and Aaron for a proper dinner at a FABULOUS place called Bombay Bistro. I'm not exactly sure everything we had (Josh always orders everything off the menu for me to try), but I'll give it a go.

I ordered a wonderfully spicy Vindaloo - tomato curry with potatoes and dark meat chicken. One of the standouts was a coconut and ginger crusted sea bass - perfectly cooked. A little but of crunch on the outside of the fish, a lovely sweetness to the sauce, without being sugary.

But my favorite dish on the table - the amazing short ribs. I can't even describe, you just have to taste it. I think there were raisins in the sauce or something....just very complex, spicy - the way great Indian food should taste.

We had a great experience there, not in small part to the incredible hospitality of the owner, Paul. He treated us like family, and one gets the impression that he feels that way about all of his guests at the restaurant. Bombay Bistro is definitely on my favorites list.

Anyway......

We're back in town now, and tomorrow is my birthday!

I'm sure there will be lots to talk about then....:)

Snow Bunnies

Today is our second day snowboarding at Vail, Colorado.

The weather has been gorgeous (aside from a near death experience driving up here Wednesday night), and I'm starting to get my feet back under me!

One of the most exciting things about coming out here, for me, is the outrageous boarder style (some skiers too :)). It's all about this carefully calculated "laid-back" look. Bright colors, crazy patterns, and baggy everything - although I personally couldn't avoid a more "tailored" jacket. It's a world of it's own, and I'm excited to be in it for this week.

We started out yesterday at Beaver Creek - just a half day to get warmed up.

Erin and Josh ready to hit the slopes! (We had to tease Erin about her preppy green and pink color combo - but the girl can ride, so who cares anyway??? At least she's easy to spot, as I'm falling my way down the mountain!).

The view from one of the lodges......those Icicles are about 8-9 feet long!

Super cool skier girls at the lodge - I love the jacket on the right with that Native American blanket style print. (Bare with me as I'm working on my iphone picture taking skills!)

Josh heading down at the end of the day. Josh is a really good boarder, but I'm getting faster - I'm going to beat him to the base one of these days!

*Sigh*........silly skiers.