Non dorky cycling gifts from enlightened people

[RoadRaven]

I've had the most wonderful holiday weekend, full of simple comforts. DH and I were all on our own this weekend- all 3 grown children were off being busy elsewhere for this xmas.
So we decided to just do whatever we felt like this year. Didn't bother putting up any tree or lights...coffee in bed at dawn, ate apple pie with ice cream for our main Christmas dinner this afternoon(!), then pork loin leftovers this evening!
A continuous fire in the fireplace. A 3 hour ride yesterday (xmas eve) and a 2 hour ride this morning, on xmas day. (we were very lucky with having weather in the 40's)
Snuggling on the couch with our cool bike-related reading material we had gotten for each other, and a big ol' box of chocolate covered cherries. A nap "apres pie", phoning the kids... all good things that warm the heart, the mind, and the tummy.

This sounds just delightful... as much as I adore my children (4 teenagers and an 11 year old) I would love to have some of this kind of time with my man. Neither of us are into the christmas hype, and endeavour to downplay it for the kids without them losing what they perceive many others to be having. Small bought gifts or home-made gifts are the order of the day, and a quiet meal with each of the grandparents. We get together with the siblings/inlaws and the childrens cousins a few days after Christmas for a "sports day" where we eat leftovers, play a few games and end up down at the river if its hot. A family time without the pressure of a christmas meal or pressies for a thousand people.

But Lisa... your day is the kind I look forward to. A few phone calls to children/parents maybe, but essentially just me and him, and a bike ride.
A dream.

[pyxichick]

What great stories!

My mom gave me a pair of smartwool cycling socks, and on Dec. 24th, even though she had too much cooking and wrapping to do to come with me, told me to take her Subaru over to the U.P. and go xc skiing (she even paid for my trail pass.)

It's great to have family members who support our passions.

Happy Christmas, Solstice, Hannukah, New Year, etc. everyone!

love,
kate

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

But Lisa... your day is the kind I look forward to. A few phone calls to children/parents maybe, but essentially just me and him, and a bike ride.
A dream.

RoadRaven- don't worry- the day will come! And it sneaks up on by surprise...one day you realize that your kids are grown and on their own and you and your mate can frolic and do whatever you damn well please! (not that I don't adore my kids, mind you)
DH and I have a big wooden bed that the manufacturer called it's "Sumatra" line. This inspired us to think of ourselves as a pair of monkeys sleeping up in our nest of leaves high up in the Sumatran jungle canopy. From our leavy nest we can be bad and throw fruit pits (and other things!) down on the unsuspecting passersby on the jungle trails far below... all while having our morning coffee in bed of course...