Lake Placid Toboggan Chute

One of my all time favorite activities in the winter is tobogganing down the chute onto Mirror Lake. This is always a hit or miss activity because it is so weather dependent. February is usually the best time to go when the lake has been frozen for a few months.

A couple years ago in March, my friend Emilie and I stumbled upon the Lions Club race that had been delayed due to weather conditions. We had so much fun, but got completely soaked because the top layer of Mirror Lake was turning to slush. Strangely, we received second place for women and walked away with a Genesee Beer trophy that now resides in my garage.

That trophy really means something to me because as a child my sister and I were in a sledding accident and we ended up with one black eye and a swollen jaw. Surprisingly, we took a chance at the Toboggan Chute together a few years back and the only mishap was a pair of torn snow pants.

This is not an activity for the faint of heart. There is a large warning sign before you climb the structure discouraging expectant mothers and others with heart conditions. They also let you know they are not responsible for damaged clothing that might get torn from extreme friction.

My husband had never been down the Toboggan Chute and so after grocery shopping we went for a few rides. I think the following videos will show that I have gotten over my fear of sledding.

I love it when you spin on the ice at the end!

How can something be so scary and fun at the same time?

If you've never been tobogganing, this could be your week. The conditions are fast and this Saturday, Rock 105 will be hosting the Adirondack International Toboggan Championships where there are lots of prizes and the funds raised go to the USA Luge Team. I'm sorry to say there won't be any beer trophies handed out at this event, that was last weekend and I missed out on the event. So, for another year, our beautiful beer trophy will be the only one on the tool shelf.

Gargoyle Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

Black Diamond Burrito Bar

Whiteface Mountain added the Black Diamond Burrito Bar this year and let me tell you this is a huge step up from the usual cafeteria offerings. I ordered up a Vegetarian Burrito that came with cilantro lime rice, black beans, and all the fixings you want including guacamole.

This was way better than frozen chicken tenders and fries. Way to go Centerplate for making my belly very happy!

Invasion of the Gnomes

Have you noticed the new look to the blog and how all of a sudden a gnome appeared? It's strange that this is happening in the Winter, but it seems as if I am being invaded by gnomes!

This morning, a gnome hung from our tree offering black seed oil to the birds. I thought it was so kind that the little gnome was handing out energy to the cold birds on this below zero morning.

Two different gnomes must have thought it was too cold to be outside and they found warmth in our home. One lounged around reading books all morning.

The other found comfort in his usual environment and decided to hide out in a house plant we are trying to take care of for a friend. I hope the gnome can use his magic powers and make the plant a little bit healthier.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hang with my gnomies all day and had to go to work. I was greeted by a little gnome on my desk and was thrilled to have the company.

After having a day filled with gnomes, it looks as if a few might have slipped under our comforter and will be joining me at bedtime too.

I like having company in our little gnome sweet gnome. I just hope they'll stick around so in a few months they can help me in the garden.

Jay Knitting Group

I first learned how to knit during the ice storm of 1998 when I was a sophomore in college. With no electricity and little to do once the wood was chopped, my mother pulled out her yarn supply and got me knitting my first hat. We sat around knitting in front of the fireplace and listened to the radio for days and when the power came back on, the hat was complete.

After finding out several friends are having babies in the spring, I got started on another hat. My mother was there to help me. A couple projects later, I began perfecting the art of the scarf. I received help from a gal on you tube. She was patient and never got upset when I'd have her show me how to cast off over and over and over again.

My current project is another hat and I'm still having problems working with different colors.

When I heard that a knitting group was starting in Jay, I got really excited that other ladies would be there to help me. No longer would I have to keep relying on visits from my mother and utilize the you tube lady.

The knitting group meets at the Alpaca Shoppe in Jay and knits in the waiting area of the Chiropractor's office. A woman I sat next to went to the knitting group last year with no knitting background and tonight, just one year later, showed up with a a nearly finished sweater. Seeing all these women knitting together was very inspiring and I couldn't believe that most of them were juggling a few different projects at the same time.

With 20% off on knitters night, the soft alpaca yarn was hard to resist.

After receiving some help on my hat, I caved and bought some more yarn and started the project presented that night, an Alpaca Boucle Scarf.

So there in the waiting room of the Chiropractor's office, I learned a new way of casting on and said good bye to the you tube lady and her sad looking dorm room.

Flood Warning

Driving home last night along the river, I could tell that water levels were high and ice flow was fast. With temperatures in the 40s and heavy rain falling all day, I knew I'd come home to a basement with water. Two inches of water in an unfinished basement does not stress me out nearly as much as those living directly on the river.

However, I am embarrassed to admit that some stress was experienced when The Bachelor was interrupted due to a Flood Warning. I know, I am an awful person and should probably delete my previous sentence.

Believe me I understand the look of devastation on the women's faces that did not receive a rose does not compare to the natural devastations that are happening around the world.

I never take for granted the comforts of our little home above the river and I count my blessings every day that I am not seeking love on the Bachelor.

Indoor Yard Sale

This morning I was looking through one of my favorite sites for home inspiration and said to Drew, "I wish we had real Saturdays off so we could go yard sale hunting." Looking at the home tour online, I desperately wanted to find something as wonderful as a phone booth for our house.

On this Tuesday morning in the middle of January, I settled for an indoor yard sale. The Treasure Hunt Shop is having a going out of business sale and is no longer Russuz, just an indoor yard sale.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I spotted the same old advertisement for Calumet Baking Powder that I wanted back in March.

This was a sign! Calumet Baking Powder finally made it's way into our kitchen along with a few vintage postcards from the 30s. The first person to leave a comment below will receive one, I promise!

Now I just need to figure out where the advertisement will go, because I don't think Mr. Clock wants to hang onto it forever. Maybe it will go in the stairwell once it's finished and painted?

Oh, and if you win a postcard, I'll be putting your name in the drawing "Win a trip Along the Au Sable to Help Paint."