Last Day of 2011

The last couple days of the year brought the first snow to the mountains. Not enough to open the ski area but that did not stop the Jr. Ski Patrol, SPYteam, from getting out of town. We were able to get a lot of the training covered. When Dave and I started the SPYteam 10 years ago, the kids took on the preparation of the sleds as their own responsibility. This year's group too learned the ins and outs of making up the sled packs and getting the sleds ready for transport up the slope. After learning where everything in the aid room is; how to put regulators on O2 tanks to check the pressure; how to tie boo fencing and getting checked off on radio communication, it was time for some fun. The kids learned to mush. Everyone got a turn on the runners. Willy, Cedar and Koyuk made 16 - 1/4 mile trips. McKenzie ran along until she tired then just cheered the kids as they flew past.I do owe the ski area owner a big one. Not only did he groom a trail for us to use, he caught a run-away sled after one of the kids fell off. Great guy!After a hearty lunch, the kids got certified in CPR and using the defibrillator. While they were pumping Anne, I took the dogs on another run. To my surprise they ran over 1/2 mile up a ski run and wanted to keep going. It took a lot of manual persuasion to turn them around. Poor Koyuk became hopelessly tangled in the process. With the sled claw brake set, I unclipped her to free her legs from the tug lines and her inside-out harness. She bolted ahead before I could hook her back up. Willy and Cedar gave chase. The sled dragging the useless claw brake, went by me so fast I couldn't jump on. These guys really need a lesson on "STOP!". At least I was running downhill after them.

All agreed that learning how to apply splints and use the backboard could wait. After a few last snowballs were thrown, the day ended with sleeping kids and dogs in the backseat on the drive back to the fogged in town.

I can't think of a much better way to close 2011. The ball has dropped in NY. Happy New Year!

Student of the Month

One of our SPYteam members, was her high school student of the month. WAY TO GO Alysha!Now all we need is some snow so she can shine on the ski slope too.

Christmas Day

Ho-Ho-Ho no snow but Santa did bring us much needed rain for Christmas.
Ever curious Koyuk helping Dave open a present.surely there is something under the tree for ussilly Willysweet Cedarmatriarch McKenziefestive Koyukkisses for Santashucksthe BrownStone pack wishes you and yours the merriest of Christmas'...and Peace on Earth

BrownStone Holiday Greetings

WinterSpringSummerFallWe wish

Happy Holidays

and

a Joyous New Year to All.

Kay Lee, Dave, McKenzie, Koyuk, Cedar & Willy

Twas Two Nights Before Christmas

Twas two nights before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even David my spouse.
The stockings and undies were hung by the chimney with care
in hopes that the fire would dry them with warm air

The Chinooks were nestled all snug on their beds
while visions of dog sledding danced in their heads
where across snowy fields the Chinooks they flew,

with the sleigh full of treats and Kay Lee too.When off the counter there arose such a clatter,
all sprang from their beds to see what was the matter.
Away to the kitchen all flew like a flash.
Counter surfing Kitty had caused the cookie plate to crash.

With noses so keen, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment all crumbs and glass they would lick.
More rapid than eagles, rooing they came,
I whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

"Now Koyuk! now, Willy! now, McKenzie and Cedar!”
(At times like this, I was the leader).
"To the top of your beds next to the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Got Snow?

I used to take pride in my chosen breed of sled dog by saying: "if you fall off a sled, powered by Siberians or Alaskans, the dogs will delight in the lighter drag, pick-up speed, and take off for the horizon (been there-done that). Chinooks however, will come back and give you kisses as you try to get up and dust off. You may end up with a huge tangle of harnesses and lines but you still have your sled."

I am not so sure that is still true with Team Nookies.

The PNW is almost a month into very cold, foggy but otherwise dry weather. In preparation for the day when we finally get snow in the mountains, I have been daily running the dogs with the rig. Our drive is 1/2 mile with three steep hills. Today was the first time I did not have to assist the dogs on the hills. Today was also the first time the dogs have taken off without me. I had left them in a stand-stay and the rig brake locked on when I went across the road to the mail box. Before I could get back, they had the rig turned 180 degrees and were running back down the hill. Fortunately the brake held good enough to keep the rig from overtaking them. Paper in one hand and mail in the other, I ran a 100 yard dash after them yelling "whoa!" "stop!" Only when they were part way up the next hill did they pause long enough for me to jump on.

No pictures. We were going too fast and I was trying to keep the rig upright.

Weary of week after week of cold fog and bare ground, I went in search of snow rituals.

Snow Ritual #1: Wearing Your PJs Inside Out
And backwards. This snow ritual encourages everyone in the household to spend an evening in their favorite PJs and turn them inside out. This is meant to confuse the snow gods in some strange, very strange way and prompt them to deliver a blanket of snow for the participants.

Snow Ritual #2: Leaving a Spoon Under the Pillow
Putting a spoon under the pillow is a longstanding superstition that dates back to the days of the Pilgrims. It's a superstition that still lingers in the Midwest and Eastern states, and many people follow it religiously each winter season.

Snow Ritual #3: Flushing Ice Cubes Down the Toilet
This snow ritual is meant to signify a 'cold front' to the snow gods. Apparently they'll get the message through the sewer system and (hopefully) take action immediately.

Snow Ritual #4: Running Around the Table Five Times
It's difficult to determine if you need to do this clockwise or counterclockwise, but five seems to be the magic number for the snow gods to pay attention. Four times just won't cut it, and six may be far too many (you might encourage a tsunami instead). Just be careful that you don't knock your knees on the table's edge while doing this.

Snow Ritual #5: Repeating a Snow Chant
There is limited information on what this magical snow chant may be, but it's likely a variation of the classic 'Let It Snow!' song of the season. Snow lovers in Michigan get busy singing the 'Heikki Lunta' song, a tribute to the snow god Hank Snow.

Make It Snow
By Derrell Syria
Make it snow, make it snow.
Come on, Heikki Lunta, do a little dance in the ten below.
Miss La Niña, let the cold wind blow.
Together with Heikki Lunta, lay down a blanket white with snow.
Make it snow, Heikki Lunta.

You may develop your own snow chant and just keep repeating it until you see those flurries-or the neighbors make a formal complaint.

Snow Ritual #6: Throwing Ice Cubes Into the Tree
Grab a few bowls of shaved ice and sprinkle them on trees and bushes around the yard. This ritual is meant to encourage a big freeze, and send a 'cold message' to the snow gods as a prompt.

Snow Ritual #7: Hop and Scatter
Go outside and hop around a tree three times on one foot and then scatter ice cubes sprinkled with cocoa powder at the trunk. - Sacrifice chocolate?

Ready to play snow conjurer?
Try any or all of these rituals. We are in dire need of the white stuff . Just don't try them all at once, or you might really confuse the snow gods for good.

Brown-Terrell Christmas

There are a lot of Brown's in the family when both you and your sister marry a Brown. Our second Brown Christmas was at Dave sister's beautiful Portland home. I didn't get any pictures of the house and it's decorations so you will just have to believe me - it was spectacular. Susan even had my favorite treat: Oak Grove Bakery, mini ,custard filled, cream puffs coated in chocolate - yumm! I was afraid she had forgotten to order them. We always pick them up at the bakery but alas, I always make a sizable dent in the mouth melting heaven before we get them to her house. This year she had them delivered and hid them until after lunch.
The great room was full of dads, uncles, nephews, great-nephews, moms, aunts, nieces, great nieces, wives and girlfriends.

nephew Brian and niece Molly - all grown upbig brother Davelittle brother Johnbaby sister Susan The dogs had created their own White Christmas while we were gone. It is amazing how much stuffing there is in a crate bed.

Lee-Brown Family Christmas 2011

Tradition has that the Lee-Brown Christmas celebration is held at my house. When my 5 nieces were younger, they could count on adventure, the Cookie Monster (Uncle Dave in costume) and going home wearing one on my tees as a night gown. My sister could not make it this year but three of the nieces, now grown, brought my Dad, Iris, boyfriends and a babysitting charge.

For adventure, the dogs took Quinn on a very fast, one mile, rig ride. So fast that I did not have time to take a picture as I sped along ahead of them on the quad.

Vanessa and Fera waiting for Quinn to fly by

Everyone experienced the joys of skidding stones on the frozen pond. The day was above freezing. The ice was quite thin but instead of the fun being diminished another element came into play - air bubbles under the ice created when a stone broke through. With a little skill the bubbles could be moved about.

In past years, dinner needed two even three tables. This year, without my sister, her husband, two my nieces and their families, we all fit in elbow-to-elbow fellowship around one.

The guests of honor: my Dad and IrisFera was the present elfKoyuk helping FeraVanessaLife is good when your nieces bring home their boyfriendsEmilyAndrewNataliePrincess BeatriceQuinnEnd of a wonderful day.Cookie Monster will again make an appearance when the great neices and nephew join us next year. As for the tees - unlike all those years of sleeping in the back seat, this year the girls were driving.

Joys of Pond Ice

Lupin's family came over for a five Chinook, four girl play date. Last night the temperature warmed and we got our first precipitation for the month - unfortunately rain. I was not sure if the large pond was still frozen so we loaded up with rocks and tested it. Yup frozen. The layer of rain water on top of the ice added a wonderful new tone.

Anna is tossing a huge block of ice from the dog water bowl.Shattered chunks of ice scattering on the surface was the best sound yetBirthday dogs: Lupin and WillyClara, too short to throw her rocks over the cattails, got a boost from mom. Oh the joys of simply throwing stones on a frozen pond.Ultimate test of ice thickness - Koyuk The other side didn't hold up. How about the far side? - Nope. Before we had to do a dog through ice rescue, we moved onto other joys - tree climbing. Fearless Anna Clara found her joy in picking up pine cones... mom's affection and...dog kisses.