Back from a dark ski through the woods...

So glad I went! We skied in the dark (using my cave-exploring head lamp) to a small cabin in the woods. It was full of people -- strangers. Many had candles to light their tables. We only had the head lamp. We sipped tea and ate my mom's cannelé after we'd warmed them in tinfoil on the fireplace. My friend brought the tin foil to toast some scones, which were also delicious.

Then I slipped up the hill to the public outhouse and slipped down again (the iciest area we encountered) and we packed up and skied out with only the moon and the pink haze of light pollution from Gatineau to guide our way.

Such a lovely Canadian thing to do. If the French people ever come to visit in winter, I'm taking them there.

Mom and cannelé de Bordeaux

My mom is going to her gourmet dinner group tonight. It's a bunch of women who have been making food for each other once a month since I was two years old. They're in their 31st year and they're still going!!

Tonight, she's bringing cannelé de Bordeaux, which she made with a mold the Professor gave her for Christmas. I brought them back from Florida two days ago. The first attempt was a bit funny, but she's far more patient than me and has done an amazing job with the rest. Moms are great.


Here are all of the attempts.