Cold and Frosty

We started the new year by house/dog-sitting for Kevin, Janet, and Kaidyn, who had gone to Holland to visit friends. Liv enjoyed laying on top of the two large dogs and it was fun to live like gypsies for a week. I was disappointed to find that the grocery stores did not carry collard greens, which - as all good Southerns know - should be eaten on January 1. I did find black-eyed peas, and all of us had at least 1 pea, so we will have good luck for 2009. That is nice.

The weather has been hovering right around freezing, which with the wetness in the air, leaves frost trimming the trees, bushes, and grass. It is somewhat of a winter wonderland, especially before the college students returned to campus. See the picture of Liv just behind our cottage.

On Friday, Rachelle and I dropped off the kids and headed to Castle Combe for lunch and a hike. It was cold but gorgeous out, and our hike along a river and through the forest was great. We did manage to get lost once, but a fellow hiker pointed us back to the trail. We lunched at the Castle Inn, a gorgeous stone inn that dates back to the 12th century. See the pictures of a tree, Castle Combe village, and Rachelle in the pub.

Krish, a Latvian family friend who is attending a boarding prep high school nearby came to dinner on Saturday. Krish is a very mature 17-year-old and delighted us with stories about Latvia, England, his travels, and his mom, who was instrumental in Latvia gaining independence.

Today, Sunday, January 11, was a relaxing day for Liv and me who snuggled in bed reading until noon (my football match was canceled because the field was frozen). Rachelle is hiking with the Ramblers and Noah is at a friend's following a slumber birthday party.