Saturday, December 29, 2012

The Christmas Keg






There are no words to describes this years keg... so here is a video for those who didnt make it and for those who made it and woke up a little foggy!  Thank you all for coming and a huge thank you to my mom and dad for making it possible... it was definitely one for the books!!!




Martha was busy....








I am heading back to Austria tomorrow and already miss everyone, but I am really excited to see Craig and my Austrian friends!!!   Its been an amazing trip home (huge blog to come), thank you all for being so supportive while I have been away.  I hope to have some new adventures to share with you in 2013!   Happy New Years!!!


Love,

Ash

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Happy Holidays




There's only one really tough thing for me about this sport and that is Christmas time.  Its hard to really complain seeing how his career has aloud me this amazing opportunity, but there are really only two choices when it comes down to the Holiday...stay or leave or like previous seasons leave or stay.  Out of all the Christmas's we have only been able to spend one with his family and one with mine.  The rest have been apart.  It makes it even more difficult this year because on one hand I am already here...on the other I am already here away from my family and friends.  So after about two weeks of discussion we decided that I should go home for Christmas because:

1. I am away from my Friends and Family... who I miss alot
2. If I dont spend next season with him...ill visit on Christmas
3. Christmas Keg
4. He has a crazy schedule until New Years...including practice on xmas
5. Aunt Janet and Uncle Dave are flying in from AK
6. My parents were kind enough to pay : )

Can you tell I'm trying to make myself feel better because I am hugely on the fence about leaving him here...even with only 24 hours till my flight takes off I am still unsure about going home.  The comforting thing about this year is that I know he wont be all alone for Christmas (thanks Meg!)  There is no prefect solution to the Holidays until we just have both our entire families fly to where we are : )  














So to all of you here in Innsbruck I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and that Christ Child brings you everything you want!  Thank you for all you have done for us this year...we are so grateful to have such wonderful families here!  Ill see you guys on NYE!


 Happy Holiday's to all the Switzer's  hopefully next year we can spend it together!!!


For everyone that I dont see back home...I hope you all have safe travels during the Holiday, a Merry Christmas, and Happy New Years!!!





SEE EVERYONE ELSE AT THE KEG!!!!







Monday, December 17, 2012

Lessons


Lesson #1 Skiing

Craig was finally able to try out his new ski equipment on this day off this week.  I think I was more nervous for him then he was for himself. The conditions weren't great for a first day out...we had been snowed on for 48 hours and the visibility was questionable at times but Craig was a trooper!    It was his first time skiing in about 15 years, so we did about 4 runs on the T-Bar, and then he was ready for the chairlift (after I asked him if he was sure about 100 times).  


 He could have stayed out there all day...I was the one that needed a hot chocolate break.  I havent really had much experience helping people learn how to ski and I probably confused him more then helped him but I couldnt believe how fast he learned and with each run how better he got.  By the end of the day he was going all the way from the top to the bottom, and let me tell you there is no easy terrain out here.  

Lession # 2 Ski Trolley

After 20 plus years of skiing there you would think that I would have seen it all, and that not much would surprise me until I saw the ski bus rollercoaster (not sure what its actually called).  It actually looks like a trolley and can carry over 150 people at a time up the entire mountain.  I was too scared to go on it alone...so Craig and I were able to take my/our first ride together!   
This thing hauls!



Lesson #3 No Lodges

What I also learned that day was there are no ski lodges, or at least at Axamer Lizum.  I usually put my ski boots on in the car and then just walk up to the lift.  But since it was Craig's first time and he needed a ticket I thought we could bring all our stuff up to the resort and put it on in the lodge like I have done back home thousands of times.  Wronggggggggggg.  There wasnt really a lodge more of a restaurant, and when I asked where we keep our shoes people looked at me like I had 10 heads.  So if you ever decide to ski here...the parking lot is your only option for changing into your boots.  



Lesson #5 Eat my dust and #6 check the din

During one of our last runs of the day Craig asked if I wanted to ski normal because I had just been watching him ski in front of me.   I did hesitate for a second, but he was doing so well that I  could rip a few turns then wait for him around the corner.  So I did and I waited and waited and waited.  And then I got that awful lump in your throat and my heart started to beat faster and I knew that something happened.  So I clicked off my skis and started to hike up, and there he was covered in snow trying to put his ski back on.  Thank god he was okay, but note to self let him go ahead and then you catch up, and also a 4 din set isnt going to keep a 200 pound person in their skis for long.  Woops!

Its hard to tell in this picture but that's straight down

Lesson #7 dress appropriately

Freezing at the xmas market
On Monday we went up to Seefeld with another couple for lunch and to walk around.  Like, I mentioned before it had been snowing here so the ground had about a foot of fresh snow, plus the temperatures have been single digits at night.  So what do I wear on my feet Hunter Rainboots, worst thing to wear in the snow ever.  I would have been better off with sneakers.  Even with ski socks on my feet froze in about 30 minutes of walking.


Then comes Friday...a couple of the girls decided to go to a Christmas market before the game.  I knew that this market was on top of a mountain but did I bring a jacket...of course not.  I wish these were the only occurrences but they arent. I am having a really tough time with dressing for the weather.  I mean I brought over $700 worth of luggage...I have plenty of winter clothes here!


Lesson #8 Directions 


I recently just signed up for Pintrest (i know get with the program) and I am obsessed.  Thats were I found this Carrot Ginger Detox Soup.  We had most of the ingredients, so I figured I would try it out.  It was really simple and the only tedious part was peeling and cutting two pounds of carrots...or so I thought. Everything was going well and all boiling together when I realized that it didnt really look like the picture I found on Pintrest.  And then I read the directions "Puree the soup with an immersion blender until very smooth"  We dont even have a microwave... So I was like S#@&, son of a B#$%& ...refusing to just have a broth with carrot chunks I stirred, whipped, and beat that soup with two hands for an hour until it pureed.    Never again will I not read the entire directions before starting to cook.  It did turn out well though...thank god.
Greek yogurt, honey, and thyme...you put a dollop of this into the soup


Top it off this toasted seeds 



I learned a lot this past week!  


Monday, December 10, 2012

Christkindlmarkt


Also known as the Christkindlesmarkt, Christkindlmarket, Weihnachtsmarkt, and the Christ Child Market.  It's a  huge market that occupies several streets in downtown Innsbruck.  It usually lasts through the four weeks of advent (yes, I am getting this off Wikipedia).  It's basically a giant Christmas craft fair with individual vendors that sell anything/everything related to Christmas and winter.   There is street entertainment, puppet plays, pony rides,  and even a petting zoo.  They also sell the delicious treats such as...cream horns, chestnuts, crepes, waffles covered in Nutella, schneebälle  candied almonds, and this fried dough thing thats out of this world.  For the adults there is the heaven sent Gluhwein  (ill be bringing some back for the xmas keg).



Streets were packed during the Christmas tree lighting



One of the street entertainers...she stands there on that pillar and doesnt move not even to blink.  That is a little dog in front of her.



















Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...
Schneeballe (snowball): pastry crust with powdered sugar
That dough thing with cranberry jam...tasted like a huge jelly doughnut


Glühwein- mulled red or white wine  long with various spices and served hot or warm
How it works is you borrow one of these cups with
a 2 euro deposit and you can keep refilling and then return when done!



All through town are 3D Children story characters...
this one reminded me of my mom because of the blonde afro

Here is the Christmas Market Video I made:





Martha: Last week we had our first holiday party my contribution was broccoli casserole.  It turned out alright but let me tell you these other ladies put my cooking to shame...the dinner was unbelievable!

Craig made some mash potatoes... 


One of my favorite meals so far...greek salad (minus feta) with garlic broccoli and chicken (all paleo)




AND I have been skiing and its amazing here...I also had someone join me on the slopes today (blog to follow)