Black and White Wednesday on skates

Wednesday, February 17, 2010 |


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What's better than a fresh blanket of white, a pair of skates and a sled? As a child, who grew up in Michigan, this is what dreams were made of!
I loved {and still do} to ice skate. My father took me for my first lesson when I was just a small little lady. He was an amazing skater. I loved to sit and watch him as he glided, and jumped. We went to the "old rink" at MSU. I bobbled, wobbled and fell many times until I got the hang of trying to stay upright and glide on two sharp blades. As I perfected the art of staying upright, my parents enrolled me in skating lessons. I finally reached the stage where I could compete and with that came my first skating dress ~ it was absolutely beautiful! At least that's how I remember it from so many years ago. It was kelly green and inside the box was also a pair of skating nylons {just like my mom's} I was thrilled to have my complete skating outfit and made sure to model it for all to see ~ endlessly.
My brother and I were also lucky enough to have our very own rink in our backyard. Each winter my father would ice a section of the yard. The neighborhood children would come over for hours. My mom would treat us to cookies and coca once our cheeks began to freeze. We looked forward to this every winter!

My family still ice skates although it's reserved for local rinks, lakes and ponds. There is just something so magical about skating followed up with a piping hot mug of hot coca!

Join Lisa for more beautiful Black and White Wednesday photos.


Leave A Comment

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great photo in B & W! Hope that all is well with you. I am finally back to school after 11 days off...never thought I would be so ready!!

Blessings, Ashley

Sarah Andrews said...

Oh yes. Skates and sleds were a big part of my growing up too. Thanks for the reminder of such fun innocent times.

carolinagirl said...

what wonderful memories. and i love your photo!!!!

i gave up chocolate for Lent, and reading about your hot cocoa is making my mouth water...i may be in trouble! :)

Wanda said...

Hmmm....I love the feel of this picture. So old world and nostalgic.
:)

Southern Living: Preppy Style said...

What a great story, I love hearing stories like these, heart warming.

My Heart said...

Oh I LOVE this picture! LOVE! IT!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Love it!

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

What great memories! I live in Texas so I forget about activities such as ice skating being a fun family affair!

Here's to many more years of figure eights!

Blessings~
Lisa

Donna said...

Very artfully composed! I seem to always take photos of people instead of objects. I need to work on changing that!

We love to ice skate. I think there may be some ice hockey in my daughter's future. ;)

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Gail said...

Beautiful black and white and so timely. I have many fond memories of ice skating on ponds in the Midwest.

Happy Wednesday!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Beautiful photo...but even better is the story behind it:) I have never skated, but always wanted to try it out. You are right....even the thought of ice skating while snow is falling around you is magical!!

Thanks for participating....and for your kind words.

Lisa

Anonymous said...

What a simple yet stunning photo. Makes me want to get out on the ice. {well between this pic and the Olympics ;) }

Henley on the Horn said...

I love this! I couldn't ice skate if I tried. I'm impressed.

Anonymous said...

Ok...now you have me wanting to know where Brimfield is and is it a show? Sounds good~

Screaming Meme said...

Black and White are my fav combo...I love Black & White Weds!
I'd love to invite you over to my blog, Screaming Meme...it is a decorating blog...

I have a new hilarious blog, This Family's Gone Crackers...It is about a so called "normal" family, Insanely going gluten free...

Hope to see you there! Meme

Lisa said...

What a great post. I love your photo and your memories.

annechovie said...

Great memories, Jo! My dad iced part of our yard when I was growing up in MI, too. Have a cozy weekend. xx

bevy said...

Great story! I wish I was able to ice skate. Every time I try, my arches hurt so much. I'm able to skate. I'm just in so much pain! Crazy!

How fun that your father made a rink in your backyard every year! I'm sure your home was THE place to be...

Robin said...

What GREAT memories these skate hold for you! Beautiful B&W picture. I want to go over to parents backyard :)

Melissa Miller said...

That sounds wonderful Jo! I tried it once and my ankles were so weak I could barely do it. It is so pretty to watch.

Have a wonderful weekend.
~Melissa :)

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Jo,

Lovely post reminiscing about the days of your childhood of skating and sledding. Loved the thought of the hot cocoa to warm up after.
We used to go to a iceskating rink and I loved doing that and roller skating too.

Have a happy weekend.
Hugs
Carolyn

Sibi said...

Love that picture! Hope you all are staying warm up there! I would love to have our phone date :) Whenever you are feeling up to it! I am here - so please, anytime. I would absolutely love it! Do you still have the number? Let me know.

And I am so sorry for the delay in getting back to you with your getting back to me!!!

BIG hug,

Sibi

JMW said...

How fun to have had a rink in your own backyard! It's been years since I ice skated. At some point, we'll need to get the kids to the local rink.

Mc Allen said...

what great memories! it made me want to go ice skating on a pond. you two were bery blessed to have that as children! & love your blog. xxoo LA

Eloise said...

What an enchanting memory! I love the visual of the backyard rink, neighborhood friends and hot chocolate. And I can just imagine how beautiful you felt in your first skating costume!

Lovely picture, too. Thanks for sharing.

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