Kelly Holland

Bozeman’s Alliance Francaise hosted it’s first wine tasting event last night, hosted by the famous wine guru himself, David Andreani. It was a night of pinot noir at Bozeman’s newest flower shop, Labellum.

Dav took front stage and taught the crowd a thing or about the night’s pinot noirs.

The attendees ponder the first wine and go over their score cards.

Fred and Remy…looking sharp after a long week of work to open the shop. Owners and creators of Labellum, this duo is seeping with creativity.

While I was not drinking last night due to an upset ulcer, Bruno’s lamb and Blackbird’s bread made me a happy camper.

Remy’s beautiful creation.

My lovely mother sipping away…rosy and cute on glass one.

Me and mum.

Bozeman’s Frenchmen….Fred, Bruno, Dav, and Wlady.

Fred, Dav, and Remy…

Rachel and Shannon…thinking hard on their wine scores.

Mom taking down another glass…she’s a lush at heart…hee hee.

Brigitte, Pascale, and Fred…bonjour Frenchies.

Rabia and Genevive…pretty darn cute.

Pretty flowers…

…good wine….

…and delicious food with tres (e with an accent of course) cool people.

Last week I had a few moments to throw together some Valentine flowers. The week before I made a cameo at Langohr’s Flowerland to help with Valentine production. We cranked out some serious arrangements…my hands were numb! These arrangements were my fun outlet and a fun opportunity to design something on my own that wasn’t flower shop production.

Bridger received 14 inches of new snow overnight, and with a wake up call from my father this a.m., I was ready to rally. It took a little nudging to get Dav going, but we joined forces with Rosanna and her Greek. To my delight, the sun came out by my second run and I slowly dissolved my Vit D deficiency that I’m certain has haunted me this winter (fully self diagnosed), between working nights and missing every sunny day when I’ve been off….I honestly think this was my first sunny ski day of the winter….seriously! It was a foot of light fluff that I literally choked upon under blue skies and sun…finally! It was so good that I was able to put my crowd and Ridge-line bitterness to the side…and that’s hard to do.

Bridger’s base…here they come!

Rosanna, followed by Kyle as the Ridge line winds to the top.

Oh weird, a non-stop line to the Ridge…that never happens.

This is the basic view for me and the other 5,000 of my closest friends as we marched up the Ridge…oh, how I love the Ridge hike on a crowded powder day.

…and the line continues.

Almost to the Nose with the sun trying to peak out…first run.

Rosanna and Kyle…ski date.

Rosanna (the one buckle wonder), Kyle, me, and Dav

Almost to the top of the Ridge hike…and the sun is out!

The Gallatin Valley below…backside of the Ridge.

Self portrait…scary.

Dav going big down Steady Eddie off the Ridge…best run of the day!

Rosanna and her roommate Teresa…bottom of Bridger Lift.

It has been puking since yesterday and it’s amazing how many people came out of the wood works…you’d think it would be untracked pow all day, but not even close. The Schlasman’s line was packed and the runs were hit hard. I should have taken Pop’s advice and hiked the Ridge instead. Rosanna and I made it up early this morning and spent most of our half-day in a line…lame. A slow moving line, but a few fresh turns in some rather wet-for-Bridger snow. I suppose just one turn in untouched pow is worth it…maybe.

Rosanna kept us warm in line with her chamomile tea…or is it shamomile?

We waiting, and waiting, and waiting…..

Mom and I up Bozeman Creek…x-country ski day!

Side kick Nanuq…half-way mark.

Pearl was able to sit still for .2 seconds, just long enough for a quick snap of the shutter…barely. Energetic is an understatement for this dog.

Mom and Nanuq

Mom in motion…action shot.

Mom in classic motion with Pearl at side…I could barely keep up on my skate skis.

I got up for a day at Big Sky Thursday…my Scott skis made a cameo. It was gray and dark, but the snow was soft and fun…good times with mom and dad!

David and Nanuq…while flailing the entire way, I did manage to make it to mile three on my skate skis! I have some serious work to do when it comes to nordic skate skiing.

Nanuq kept an eye out for me the whole way….when Dav was light years ahead of me, Nanuq would wait to see if I was coming. Now that’s a good dog!

Free ride!

A nice little Tuesday…skate skiing!

The Ridge, Bridger Bowl, MT.

Me, my zit, and Rachel….we found Rach and Colter @ lunch…just in time for one last Ridge run.

Dad played photog.

I snapped a shot of Rachel off of the Northwest Passage.

The sun came out at the end of the day…me and Rach on the Ridge.

Dav and Colter on the Ridge.

Me and Pops before dropping in off the Ridge…north side.

Dad walking the Ridge…yes, my father is carrying my skis. What shame.

The Ridge, looking North.

Me and the Scotts.

Dav found the powder…bottom of the Nose in the morning…

Dad found it too.

Not bad for a 60-year-old….almost 61!

More pow off the Nose for Dad.

Me and Dad before dropping into the Nose…after hiking North.

Dav and I…Bridger’s Ridge in the back.

Scott…what’s up!

Hiking the Ridge…at least it keeps you warm. Oh yeah, and the snow’s pretty good too.

My new Scott skis…super fun!!!

Wade could taste the powder.

Wade’s buddy Adam was digging it too…ooh so good.

Deep breaths Wade….don’t choke on the cold smoke.

Adam slashing it.

Nice Wade.

Pretty.

More powder for Wade….

David won biggest air today.

Deep powder for Wade.

Adam also went big today…nice.

Wade…always with a smile.

Wade throwing up an arm…just in case he was buried in the deep snow?

Goal!…David shot through the trees.

Adam made the first goal of the day.

First turns of the day on Schlashman’s.

Even prettier…and sparkles.

Adam, Wade (no, my brother is not a gangster), and David

Self portrait…

David and Wade at the end of the day…thank you Dad for the truck. Dav’s toes were frozen by then. It was chilly, but nothing like a few days ago…yikes!

Les trois amis…Adam, David, and Wade….cute. Crazy Mountains vaguely visible in the background. The photo just doesn’t given them justice.

Wade on the Ridge…first season back after his big femur break. It was his anniversary of the accident and break to the day…nothing like getting back on the horse, or Ridge.

It was -9 degrees Fahrenheit when we arrived Wednesday morning at the base of Bridger Bowl. It may have warmed up a few degrees that day, but it never crossed the zero mark….burr!!! Hiking kept you warm, but not for long.

The ridge…Wade backing up the line.

Dad and Wade….freezing. I think Wade’s face froze in that position.

Moi….shivering and ready to ski down. Can you see the icicles?

X-mas florals

Our pretty Christmas tree with Nanuq

Christmas Eve dinner

Shannon and Wlady’s beautiful Bouche Noel for dessert….yum!

Christmas day at Mom and Dad’s….oh so cozy! Nanuq was happy with a big grin.

Wade’s going to look posh in his new garbs.

Ah….the infamous Play Station. Dav’s dreams have come true.

Dad’s annual Christmas organ playing…”I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” just sounds so good on the organ!

The “Pickle”….a Holland holiday tradition. I won!