Holiday time in the Fosdicks

Christmas and Boxing Day have arrived and been WELL celebrated here in
the Fosdick Mountains!! The holidays follow on a solid three weeks of
great geology field work in the Fosdick Mountains. More on that is to
come, when we have the possibility of posting suitably-sized photos!!
For now... really must highlight the Christmas day that involved
green-pea omelettes with salsa (Tim selected the green & red Christmas-y
color combination); enthusiastic opening of gifts from the Canadian Lady
Seals; exciting stream crossings on the Ochs Glacier en route to/from
Marujupu Peak and fabulous migmatites at that locality, and the
culmination of the day with a magnificent multi-course meal prepared by
Tim Burton, mountain guide- chef extraordinaire. The Christmas meal
started with asian-seasoned stir fry shrimp (Appetizer 1) and sauted
sirloin (second in sequence of appetizers). Cornish Game Hens were
roasting merrily away, all the while, in the cubic Coleman camp stove
ovens -- they, the MAIN course, served with roast-y potatoes, dressing,
mixed veg, and exquisite whole grain seed loaf BAKED by Tim in the same
Coleman ovens (so moist, hearty yet delicate, and delicious!!). Such a
feast! But the Main was not the end. A Cheese course with that
scrumptious bread (we had brie, compliments of Pam Hill and, by no
choice of their own, courtesy of I-464 in southern TAM, who couldn't be
sent their 'freshies' request at the right time)... then a break for
dishes/clean up so things could settle a bit before ANOTHER one of Tim's
specialities: steamed pudding with raspberries and blackberries!! Oh
my. Even now today it seems a dream of plenty and splendor.
The celebratory mood could not end with Christmas Day, however...
because today is my FIFTIETH birthday (Christine's). Imagine having
that decadal birthday in Antarctica while doing field work in
magnificent migmatites! Hard to beat -- especially considering the
number of birthdays in Antarctica by now (this is the tenth one),
including a prior decade b'dy here in the ever-loving Fosdicks a few
years back (30th!).

Happy Christmas, everybody!! And a good New Years to you in a few days'
time.

G097