Socks!

Ok, as Skierdude prepares to depart for Jindabyne tomorrow, we are busily packing clothes, ski, boots, helmets, poles, padlocks, ski wax, textbooks, paper, pens, sheets, towels, gloves, hats, comforters and socks. Who knew one person could need so many socks? Socks for the school uniform (grey), socks for skiing, socks for tennis shoes(thick athletic), and wool socks for his snow boots. Since when did footwear get so specialized? And how, exactly, do you label socks with a child's name? To go with those socks, is all the footwear to go with it...black school shoes, ugg boots to wear in the dorm, snow boots for walking between the buildings and tennis shoes for the gym. Oh, I forgot the 10 pound ski boots.

With 40 kids attending Winter School, I cannot imagine the luggage that will need to be loaded onto the buses. Matthew is clocking in at 4 large carry bags, one crate for textbooks, ski boots, a school backpack and skis/poles. Multiply that by 40 people...over 200 pieces of luggage. It should be a sight.

So, as my 12-year old heads off to a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, I pause to think of all the socks that have entered my life since his birth. The soft booties he wore as an infant, the stretchy ones with rubbery-tread on the soles as he learned to walk, soccer socks of every color, muddy socks from the neighbors trampoline, wool socks for scout campouts, dress socks for church, and the many lonely socks that have lost their mates "...somewhere Mom, I don't know."

I am sure some of the care packages I send to Jindabyne will include a pair or two of replacement socks. He is living with 20 boys after all...but it will be a pleasure to tuck a pair in among the poptarts, granola bars and throat lozenges. After all, those feet have taken us all to many wonderful places.

Pray for lots of powder on Thredbo mountain...

My Newest Love

I love many things in my life. My family, my ugg boots, the new Laura Ashley duvet, Jesus, skim cappucinos and many other lovely things. My current love is found in the CBD (central business district) of Sydney. The love affair started in December of 2007, when I first stepped into the beautiful, chrome and glass David Jones Food Hall in search of a hostess gift on my first trip to Sydney. David Jones in the CBD is the premier department store of Sydney. One building (6 floors) holds only women's clothing, shoes and handbags. (One floor is dedicated to children's wear and toys, but the rest is high fashion). Across the street, another six storey building houses David Jones' bedding, electronics, menswear, and kitchen-ware. The two buildings are connected by a tunnel underground.

My true love is located in the basement of this building. The David Jones foodhall...how do I describe it. Imagine a giant city market made of marble, granite, brass and glass. In the far corner is the wine room. Packed with wonderful French, Italian, New Zealand and Australian wines, you go here for the wine merchant's advice. Next to the wine corner is the florist. Lillies, sunflowers, roses, dahlias, orchids....every type of bloom imagineable. Then....the chocolate stall. Beautiful boxes and cellophane packages filled with every flavor from all over the world. I can buy Ghiradelli chocolate here for a taste of home. Want a romantic night with your sweetheart?...this is the corner for you. Flowers, chocolate and wine.

Jams, crackers, teas, Italian tunas, capers....any exotic pantry items can be had easily. Shortbread from Fortnum Mason, honey from Israel, and even chocolate chip Pop-Tarts show the variety in the dry goods section.

Now, cheese....mountains of it. Soft, hard, blue, smooth, sharp, stinky...the only thing between me an heaven is the thick, curved glass display case. Fresh pastas are piled high, along with ready-made sauces and soups. The fish's eyes are clear, the sausages are plumb and the lamb chops are thick and red. The produce is beautiful as well. Next to the fruit section is a busy young lady making smoothies.

The hall is packed at lunchtime. Among the display cases are small "bars" with high bar stools where you can grab a quick bite. There is the Noodle Bar, Grill Bar, Espresso Bar, Juice Bar and Pasta Bar. I have never sampled this fare. The line is long and constant.

As you exit the food hall you are "forced" to walk through the chocolatier and patesserie. Shiny breads, pastries and meat pies call out for purchase as you walk by. As you look to your right, truffles shaped like snowmen, christmas ornaments, rabbits, piggies, leafed in gold, dusted in cocoa... The only thing that keeps me in check in such a place are the exorbitant prices. Thank goodness for that. You also cannot buy too much if you live, like we do, on the North Shore of Sydney. Schlepping canvas shopping bags through the very fashionable downtown area of Sydney, hopping on a train and then grabbing a ferry is tres gauche.

When you come to visit, we will walk to the ferry, cross the harbor, squeeze on a train, and enter those glorious glass doors of David Jones. We will sip skim cappucino's, crunch on a shiny, perfectly shaped croissant and spend an hour or so absorbing the best of the best in foods from all over the world. Love...thy name is David Jones.