Peter's Ski Race at Black Mountain of Maine

The Giant Slalom course was set on the steep trail at Black Mountain of Maine for the annual Mountain Valley Invitational Alpine Race. 

This photo is of Peter after his second run of Giant Slalom at the Mountain Valley Invitational ski race. He improved his time by 3 seconds in this second run. The afternoon race is a slalom--gates are set closer together. As you'll see, we had a brilliant day for this race---temperatures in the 20s with a deep blue sky overhead. Peter's ski racing ability is improving with each race he enters. And the snow this year has been perfect. 

Peter flying over the headwall at Black Mountain of Maine

Peter at mid-course. 

Tucking to the finish gate....

Inauguration Day 2009

Apprentice Bakery Chefs

Christian Bennett is a master bakery apprentice to his mom, Kathy. He's helping Alex learn the various Bennett Secret Techniques to bread baking. 

Where's Peter? We received about a foot of soft, light powder in the day's storm, and he was NOT, no how, leaving that powder on Black Mountain! However, he did enjoy gorging himself on the pumpkin and blueberry bread. 

Kathy Bennett 

Our Bakery Chef & Teacher

Mom of four great kids, Kathy trucked a basket load of baking materials to our home in the midst of a huge winter storm and taught us her secret healthy baking techniques for four hours. 

Thanks, Kathy! You're the best!  Oh, and we have to give a big nod to Kathy's husband Jim: he gave great directions ;-) and worked hard on clean up! 

Alex's Blueberry & Pumpkin Bread

We have eight loafs of bread frozen in the freezer. Judging by yesterday's eating efforts, those eight loafs will last until Wednesday. 

Alex, time to heat up the oven!

New 2008-2009 Record 

This morning, we hit an 08-09 winter low record: 

–22.6 degrees F (–30 degrees C).  

"Jesum Crowbars!" as Daniel Szeps would say. 

Butt Warmer

OK, so there's no graceful way to write this. Peter and Alex have discovered that our new pellet stove is a great place to warm up their back sides. 

Math Help from Rich

For their midterm mathematics examination, the boys are allowed to have a two-sided help sheet (or what we used to call a "cheat sheet"). Rich added a bit of his expertise to Alex's help sheet. We're sure this will allow Alex max out his grade.

Peter braves the elements to get to Black Mountain for fresh powder!

Jammin' on a Saturday afternoon in January 

Paul, Alex, and Zach start practicing for a May concert for the school and, perhaps, a song or two at the Last Assembly for seniors. 

The small pleasures of shoveling in Maine... leaving one's mark. 

Dinner at Anne & Betty Wood's 

(click photos to enlarge)

On Friday evening, we had a celebration dinner at the Wood's home. Long time friends of Rich's, Betty and Anne are town favorites in Rumford. A former teacher of 38 years, Anne now runs her own editorial business with clients over the country. She has edited all of Rich's books and articles for over 25 years! Betty works VERY hard with a large group of friends at a local shop. Filled with delectable food, wide-ranging conversations, songs by Alex, numerous nuzzles & chatty barks by Clancey, and chocolate cake, the evening will be a warm memory for these new friends....  

Queen Betty & the Boys!

Rumford's 

Community Ski Area 

Eight miles from Alex and Peter's home. 

(click on photos to enlarge)

"Let me get to the slopes!"

Alex preparing to hit the slopes. 

Happy New Year from Center Hill in Weld!

Byron Notch & 

Tumbledown Mountain 

from

Center Hill, Weld 

Rich, still smiling, after his ascent. 

On New Year's Day the temperatures hovered at O degrees F (-17C) with a brisk wind.