Getting ready for the Olympic Games!

The Olympic Games volunteer accreditation process got underway this month.  As with everything Olympic, there is a strict process to follow.  After our initial volunteering to volunteer we each had to be confirmed by the VANOC team, and then confirm our confirmation.  We attended a volunteer orientation a year ago, then continued to confirm our commitments through the VANOC website.  A month prior to our first day on the job we then booked a time to complete the accreditation process and pick up our uniforms.

In Whistler the accreditation team has taken over the tennis club, turning the tennis courts into numerous spaces separated by blue curtains, and staffing it with dozens of smiling volunteers wearing Olympic blue uniforms. 

Here is the VANOC volunteer team jacket with my accreditation card which indicates all the restricted areas I can access during my work shifts. 

Soon a sea of this colour blue will be seen all over Whistler and Vancouver!

Farewell to the Festive Season!

After a most wonderful festive season it is time to clean up all the decorations and remove the sapin de Noel. 

This tree, which we found under the power lines,  was probably our best ever, and is still fresh-looking after being on display indoors for over a week. 

So, we moved it out to the deck where we continue to enjoy seeing it!

Epiphany Dinner

The most amazing Epiphany Dinner chez Brooks/Devine took place again this year. 

As usual, we spent the evening tasting an incredible variety of reserve wines! 

This photo just shows some of them.


As the evening progresses we feast on course after course after course delicious, creative and unique gourmet items, all lovingly created in the home kitchen.

To the right is my first course.  Did I select the correct wine to accompany it?

Sous-chef Charlotte generally arrives around noon to help prepare this feast, but the meal has already been in production for days. 

Here is sous-chef Charlotte with chef Don.  I think they are already plotting about how to impress us next year!

New Year starts with Slalom for Toria

Toria started 2010 at Val St Come in Quebec where she raced in NorAm slalom events. 

If you take West Jet during the month of January you will see this photo on the seat back! 

Welcome 2010!

Happy New Year! 

 

Here is our mountain view through frosted glass, an exiting way to start the new year. 

It's only month until the Olympic Games and we are enjoying great skiing on uncrowded runs.  Our holiday house guests have departed and we have a few weeks of quieter times before the Games get underway here in early February.  Now we are seeing more obvious preparations around the village, with temporary structures popping up in parking lots, more signage, and more traffic diversions.  There is also a heightened excitement in the air!