This morning started at 5:45 am, as we woke up to witness another Canadian gold medal game against Sweden. When I was young, my brother Greg's hockey team hosted a Swedish hockey team on exchange. As a 15 year old, it was pretty cool to have these international kids show us their game. So while I love Sweden and have fond memories of Goran, Per-Olof and of course Pontus;) I am dressed in red, passionately waiting and hoping for another Canadian GOLD.
My love of this game runs deep - growing up watching in the era of Gretzky and the near-perfect Edmonton Oilers. That was some great hockey.
In 2010, I could hardly stand the excitement as we won Gold in Vancouver. I still remember my chili recipe - with red beans, white beans, frozen red peppers, white onion and a healthy splash of maple syrup. That overtime period was extraordinary.
This week, Canadian Women have done us so proud. Coming back from 2-0?? What an insane way to win the gold.
I've been cooking a lot of gold this week, hoping for this moment. Butternut squash muffins with lemon, butternut squash in a chili. Mango smoothies - lemon water.
This morning was too early for chili, so we have enjoyed breakfast with fresh baguette, and beautiful maple butter, or homemade cashew cheese, spread with Niagara ice wine jelly. Tracy's, out of Niagara on the Lake makes an extraordinary ice wine jelly.
Intense. Sweet. Unique.
Over the creaminess of a cashew cheese, it's sublime. This is the first time I've made cashew cheese with probiotics instead of soy yogurt. It took about two weeks, but that sour, salty cheesiness develops, and matures. It's not a young easy cheese. It takes time, and patience. Every simple ingredient contributes to the whole beauty of the recipe.
Like the Canadian men's team. Patient. Measured. Each guy is there to do his job.
And then suddenly there was one of those moments, over the blue line and a breakaway. With our golden gold guy - Crosby - graceful, skilled, perfect.
When you realize you are watching and then witnessing - literally WITNESSING - another gorgeous Sidney Crosby goal, I just think that there is nothing better than this.
There were 20 minutes left when I began this blog.
This game is like a master class of what's so great about hockey. Chris Kunitz scores a beautiful unassisted goal from about 14 feet out!! Go #14 for 2014.
With the taste of victory so close, accompanied by the best of Canada - maple and ice wine.
Drew Doughty called it this morning. When you taste greatness, it only makes you hungry for more.
Go. Canada. With 24 seconds left, it's gonna happen. Canada Gold Again!!!!!!
Thank you to the men and women of the Canadian Olympic team for making us so proud!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
