Nope. Not a typo. My kids have discovered a new sport and are actively training for the Winter Olympics. I figure at the rate they are going, they should be ready to conquer the world by 2046 LOL!
We’ve been ice skating before, I grew up on skates, but usually we go to the “tourist” rinks set-up for special events at the Christmas Markets or the local furniture store (don’t ask me, but they do this). This time we went to the local rink where the real skaters train… and OMG! There were some amazing skaters there. I captured some of their moves in the video below, but I was too shy to outright film them as they showed off on the ice. I’m positive we had at least one world-class hockey player and ice dancer there. What a treat for the eyes!
I am a winter bug. I love all things snow & ice. Except maybe ice fishing. That’s just too cold. I really love ice skating, and for my age & extra pounds, I’m still surprisingly graceful. However. I can’t even get soft, sheepskin-lined clogs on my feet, my broken toe/foot is keeping me from all sorts of fun. And warmth. The kids had to do without me and it hurt to see both Dane & Tess hit the ice over & over. Both were soaked through by the end of the night. I’m sure if I could’ve gone out on the ice with them, I could’ve played catch and saved them some bumps and bruises.
It’s two days later, and both are still limping through the house, bruises visible on arms & legs, and asking:
“When are we going ice skating again?” I am so proud.
As we were leaving, having made friends with everyone there (because, there aren’t really any Americans, or Dutch, people in our small village, we get noticed everywhere we go), the owner just had to ask:
“So, what do you wear in summer when it’s 90° out?” and me, smart-mouth that I am, answered:
“Fur-lined boots.” and I walked out in my flipflops to 20°.
I have no good segue here, but every year I’m asked. What are those? And how do you make them?
Oliebollen
They are Oliebollen (“oil balls” or deep-fried donuts). We Dutch traditionally eat them on New Years Eve, but you can get them year round. I usually make plain (recipe below) and apple (just add in tiny chunks of apple to your batter before frying):
Ingredients (makes about 30):
2 cups plain flour (NOT self-rising)
1/2 tsp salt
1 T sugar
2 large eggs
2 packets dry yeast
2 cup warm beer (I like dark beer)
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
To serve: powdered sugar
Method:
- Mix flour and salt in a large bowl, make a well in the middle, add the eggs.
- Mix the yeast together with a little beer (I usually microwave a bit to almost hot, so my yeast can “bubble”) add to the bowl along with the remaining beer.
- Cover the bowl (I use a clean, cotton, kitchen towel) and leave the batter to rise in a warm place for about an hour.
- Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan (test with bread, if bread sizzles when dropped in, oil is ready. Careful! Do not let oil get too hot. Don’t use the highest setting).
- Using 2 greased tablespoons, form into balls and drop into the hot oil.
- Fry until the bottoms are golden brown (3-5 minutes), then turn them and do the same.
- Remove the oliebollen from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Dust with (sifted) powdered sugar.
- EAT!
And the promised video of my skating champions! Thank you Youtube for stitching all my snippets together ❤
LOVED the video … I broke my ankle during my figure skating lessons as a child. My mom was furious … I had just finished 5 years of ballet and was had finally built up the skill to begin pointe. Unfortunately, the broken ankle nix that … permanently.