Boot Blues

I'm breaking in a pair of new (to me) tall English riding boots, and the going is painful. Like any personal garb made of quality leather, it takes awhile to soften and conform to your unique shape. Though the world seems to think riding boots are the height of fashion, they are one of the most painful, cumbersome, and expensive pieces of gear in an equestrian's collection. If it weren't for the great positioning and protection they offer, I would go back to my short paddock boots in a heartbeat!

Jeff has some tricks for breaking in baseball gloves, but if anyone has leather footwear tips, please pass them on! I've read of a whole host of ideas such as baby oil, steam, urine (apparently the cavalry of WWI and WWII did this!), hot water in the boot, and lots of commercial creams and other store-bought products.

Country Club

We were invited by a colleague of Jeff's at the university to a special dinner at the country club last Saturday. It was an interesting (and slightly macabre) theme, the last dinner aboard the Titanic! The original meal was an eleven-course feast that would leave most modern diners gasping for air. The reproduction was a "modest" nine courses only. It comprised:

Consomme Olga
Asparagus Salad with Champagne-Saffron Vinaigrette
Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce
Chicken Lyonnaise
Filets Mignons Lili
Lamb with Mint Sauce
Punch Romaine
Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly
French Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Petite Fours

In order to serve such fine meals three times daily to so many passengers, the Titanic had separate refrigerators for each type of perishable; meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, eggs, and dairy; and separate cold storage for vintage wine and spirits. From mundane supplies such as cereals (10,000 pounds) and sugar (5 tons), to more exotic items such as asparagus (800 bundles), the Titanic was full to overflowing with the best fresh food.

“We dined the last night in the Ritz restaurant. It was the last word in luxury. The tables were gay with pink roses and white daisies, the women in their beautiful shimmering gowns of satin and silk, the men immaculate and well-groomed, the stringed orchestra playing music from Puccini and Tchaikovsky. The food was superb: caviar, lobster, quail, plover’s eggs and hothouse grapes and fresh peaches. The night was cold and clear, the sea like glass.”

- First class passenger Mrs Walter Douglas

Tennis Time

Tennis courts at night

In addition to ballroom dancing (for us) and equestrian pursuits (for me), Jeff and I have been eager to get just a little more physical activity into our lives. With the beautiful fall weather making outdoor pursuits enjoyable instead of onerous, we have taken up tennis once again.

Jeff was instrumental in forming his high school tennis team 'back in the day' and we've been playing off and on since we were married. He's a natural athlete (and a true boy at heart) and loves any game with a ball. My only "ball" sport as a youth was soccer, preferring gymnastics, dance, horseback riding, and track to hitting, throwing, or shooting balls. But I always thought I might like tennis, and thanks to my husband's coaching I've had the opportunity to prove the merit of that belief.

I really enjoy the bursts of running juxtaposed with the tense moments of anticipation. There are fresh starts at every turn, a new chance to turn the tide if need be. And equally so, never a moment when you can rest on your laurels for a good serve or a picture-perfect return. It makes for a stimulating method to burn some calories and have some together time!

Canada, eh?

View over the Bella Vista region of Vernon, BC

We had a fabulous time in Vernon, BC! British Columbia is a gorgeous province, and Canadians are so very nice and friendly. The weather couldn't have been better and the setting was very picturesque with lots of family-friendly activities and sites.

We enjoyed a day at the Historic O'Keefe Ranch, a property just outside of town that was one of the first settled in the Okanagan Valley. It has been preserved as a historic site with the original main house and many out-buildings, plus a great steak restaurant, petting zoo, antique farm equipment, and other assorted attractions.

Family Day was held at the Davison Orchard, a family owned farm on 60 acres with produce of all kinds grown and sold locally. We had a brown bag lunch, apple cart ride around the orchard, and plenty of down time on the green grass for football, dominos, checkers, browsing in the gift shop for local artisan products, and just plain basking in the sun.

Vernon is a fairly small town, but it's very well taken care of. We enjoyed a walk downtown through a few of the many large murals painted on building sides. Polson Park was a small green haven when we needed to relax after a busy week. We ventured outside of Vernon for a trip south to the Gray Monk winery, as well as a day spent in Kelowna, the nearest city of significant size.

All in all, it was a beautiful trip to our North American neighbors. I definitely recommend the region to anyone who has a chance to visit!

Vernon Slideshow