bits of my weekend, according to instagram: march 19th, 2012

Every year in late March for the past three years, we have had a group ski vacation of sorts; a weekend set aside for all of the New Yorkers in the group to skip town on a flight out West to spend a few days in Vail skiing in powder and catching up with good friends.  This year was no different than those past – no different aside from the fact that this year, James and I have suddenly found ourselves on the other side of that continental fence, ready and eagerly waiting to join up with the others  on the left side of our country.

The group has mainly stayed the same, with a few additional ski bums coming and going each year, all of whom have added to the dynamic absolutely wonderfully.  Over the years there have been boyfriends and girlfriends who have morphed into husbands and wives, and this year was particularly exciting, as we had two insanely adorable brand new little peanut additions who kept everyone’s fingers occupied pinching their cheeks, and kept us constantly entertained their adorable miniature versions of everything.  (Baby Minnetonka moccasins, be still my fluttering heart!)

Although the snow was, to put it in the most kind manner, less than stellar (with temps soaring into the 50’s I arrived at the mountain wearing a t-shirt and flip flops), it made for the most incredible sun-bathing at the top of the mountain, and the cold beers that were stashed in backpacks were refreshing and perfect.  We soaked up the sun, soaked in the hot tub, and crowned each evening off with  huge homecooked buffet style dinners for all fourteen cabin dwellers – the finest way I can think of to wind down some of the days I know will become favorite memories.

Here are a few snaps from the weekend:

{a thursday evening libation at centro}

{that included all of my favorite things}

{spring is really giving it a good effort round these parts}

{a friday afternoon mani, in a color that reminded me of those eager flowers}

{bluebird days on chair 4}

{quite literally, tapping the rockies}

{from the looks of it, i can’t get enough tropically turquoise this spring}

{chicken & fish taco lineup on saturday night}

{i wonder who stole the straw out of my iced tea?}

{zucchini bread twins, ready to be breakfast on the mountain}

{hear you loud & clear, at alfalfa’s}

{a tradition to stop in…}

{and indulge in their amazing mud slides post-ski sessions}

{great company….and a bloody elbow!}

{nothing is better than returning home to some good sunday reading in the mailbox}

{short rib and cabbage wontons at sushi tora make a perfect sunday night starter}

{followed by a favorite white hot roll, the perfect end to the weekend}