HO, HO, HO, It's Soooo Cold!

Our winter break started Friday and as much as I’d like to blow off the next couple of weeks and just ski, I’ve forced myself to stay somewhat focused and not neglect my customers. I photographed several pieces that are still available at Katie’s Gallery and have been answering e-mails and doing Facebook postings, helping customers with their artful shopping. This is not to say I’ve been all work and no play but the -5 degree temps have for sure kept Gus and I off the Mountain. And what do Gus and I do when it’s too cold to ski? Dress up the dogs of course! Since Daddy-O is firmly against any humiliation of our pets we had to do this while he was skiing yesterday. Armed with a handful of Yummy Chummie dog treats

(their favorite), Gus baited while I shot. The weird thing was Nimbus (our Giant Schnauzer on the left) didn’t even move or try and take off his antlers –it’s his first season with us and Tauzer knew better, she held out for more treats before she held still!

We went to the crazy, fun Alyeska Ski School (now called the Mountain Learning Center) employee party last night at the Silvertip Bar and Grill. There was a silly hat contest that Derek and Gus got a lot of votes for, but Derek's friend Steve won with his authentic trapper style hat. I think people have been thinking "warmth!"

Steve is on the right with Derek. Of course there was a runway style “hats-off” applause vote between the other guy wearing a furry hat but Steve won! The other guy’s hat was so funny because it was a one-piece knitted brown pullover hat complete with mustache and wrap around beard. What a great pattern!!

Yesterday Gus and I skipped skiing and went to the warm library for books and movies instead. On the way I couldn’t help but walk the path to Glacier Creek and take a few pictures of the incredible quiet scenery. The sun barely peaks over Max’s Mountain this time of year and casts a peachy alpine glow on the northern range. The cold temps gave the valley a surreal look in blues and frosty whites. There were all kinds of animal tracks in the snow leading to the water –which kind of spooked me. It was hard to capture the real colors with my little digital camera but I just had to share with you our little corner of the world!