Notable Looks from the 2026 Winter Olympics

We've seen some classy looks, some funny looks. some weird looks, and some fabulous looks at the Olympics this winter - and not only on the athletes, but also on the commentators and the fans. Here are some of the most notable that I came across!

The Norwegian Curlers' Pants

The Norwegian curling team has become somewhat infamous over the years for their outrageous pants, so when they showed up wearing boring solid colored pants this year, there was a bit of a flap. But never fear, they wore red-white-and-blue harlequin pants to their match against Sweden as a tribute to the late Thomas Ulsrud, a former team member who had been on the Olympic teams that wore the more memorable pants. 

The Hand-Painted Haitian Team Uniforms

Haiti may have only sent two athletes to the Games, but they dressed them in style in hand-painted outfits by Haitian-Italian designer Stella Novarino, inspired by the work of artist Edouard Duval-Carrié. 

Evan Bates and Madison Chock's Matador Costumes

For their routine set to an arrangement of "Paint It Black," Bates wore a black outfit with silver streaks down the sleeves, and Chock wore black leggings and a semi-sheer black top with lines of beading in the shape of a matador's bolero jacket, topped with a black and red skirt representing his cape. 


Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier's "Starry Night" Costumes

Gilles' dress and Poirier's shirt were the same vivid blue as the sky in Van Gogh's famous painting, and Gilles' dress was intricately beaded in blue and gold to form the swirling design of the painting. Simply stunning. 

Snoop's Houndstooth Jacket

Glimpses of Snoop's Olympic wear were always fun, but my favorite was the gorgeous red-and-black wool houndstooth jacket that he wore during the Opening Ceremonies, accessorized with a white fur hat, a large silver snowflake pendant, black leather gloves, and of course, dark glasses. 

Myles Garrett's "Girlfriend Jacket"

Snowboarder Chloe Kim's boyfriend, defensive end for the Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett, showed his support for Kim by wearing a jacket emblazoned with her photograph on the front and a list of her career highlights on the back. Adorable!

Everything Stanley Tucci Wore

Tucci was an unconventional pick for an Olympic commentator, but his knowledge of all things Italy plus his general charisma and affability made him a delightful addition to the team. Plus, he always looked stylish yet comfortable in everything from his black jacket and pants with an ivory turtleneck sweater on the red carpet to the succession of scarves he paired with his impeccably cut suits. 


Johnny Weir's Vyshyvanka

Johnny Weir showed his support for Ukraine by wearing a traditional garment called a vyshyvanka. It made me miss his and Tara Lipinski's super-coordinated outfits from 2022 a little less. (They still looked fantastic, just a little less matchy this time around.)

All The Female Ice Skaters in Pants

 

I'm old enough to remember the scandal when Debi Thomas competed in pants at the 1988 Calgary Winter Games, and also to have seen the rise of athleticism in addition to grace in figure skating, so I loved how many of the women wore pants during their routines.  

Ilia Malinin's Outfits

Malinin's outfits had just the right amount of sparkle and pizzazz without being so over-the-top as to distract from his skating skills. They were fantastic looks from designer Ito Satomi. 

Anastasiia Gubanova's "Ghost" Costume

Gubanova skated to music from the movie "Ghost," and the back of her outfit bore the silhouettes of a man and woman facing each other outlined in black cording. 


Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson's Tartan Outfits

Fear and Gibson opened their free to dance to the song "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" in a nod to both The Proclaimers' and Gibson's Scottish heritage by wearing coordinating tartan outfits. [Note: My very unscientific research says this tartan is the Princess Elizabeth tartan. It's definitely not the Gibson tartan.]

The Curling Stone Hats

Fans sported several styles of curling stone hats, including painted foam versions and "Crocheted by Nana" versions. 

Aggressive Patriotism from All Nations

Fans of Team USA showed up as Uncle Sam and American eagles, but Team Canada responded with maple leaf gloves and Mountie uniforms, and everybody from Finland to Norway to Italy had flags on their faces and clothing. 


The Olympians' Children

There's nothing quite as delightful as seeing Olympians celebrate with their small children, especially when the kids are wearing fabulous sweaters and cozy winter gear - in team colors, of course. 


Jordan Cowan's White Suit

You may not recognize Jordan Cowan's name, but I bet you've seen him in his white suit: He's the figure skater-turned cameraman who's catching that amazing on-ice footage by skating alongside the Olympians with a self-designed camera rig. He manages to be both barely noticeable and impossible not to watch. 


But don't forget to watch the Closing Ceremony on Sunday evening - there's such to be more noteworthy fashion moments!

Another Week of Recipes

When I go grocery shopping, I often have a general idea of what I'd like to cook for the week. But since it's my kids' school vacation week, I dropped my son off on Monday morning at 8am right near the grocery store, and I decided on the spur of the moment to go shopping before I went home. I sat in the parking lot and checked out the sales, particularly proteins, and bought whatever I could get a good deal on, with the thought of figuring out specific menus later. Here's what I came up with! (Disclaimer: Again, a friend brought us dinner one night, so I jumped a day ahead to get a full week of recipes.) 

What I Bought

Ham steaks (fantastic sale)
Salmon filets (on sale)
Steak tips (on sale)
Frozen chicken nuggets (on sale)
Baby carrots (on sale)
Refrigerated biscuits
Strawberries (on sale)
Celery
Potatoes

What I Had in My Pantry

Long grain rice
Italian seasoning
Smoked paprika
Rosemary
Thyme
Marjoram
Garlic powder
Bay leaf
Salt and pepper
Chicken bouillon
Worcestershire sauce
Soy sauce
Chicken gravy mix
Instant potato flakes
Tomato paste
Red wine
Beef broth
Worcestershire sauce
Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce (I had stocked up when it was on sale a few weeks ago)
Vegetable oil
Cornstarch
Brown sugar
Flour
Sugar
Yeast

What I Had in My Fridge and Freezer

Butter
Milk
Eggs
Carrots
Fresh parsley
Shredded cheese
Minced garlic
Orange marmalade
Frozen diced onion
Frozen peas
Frozen corn
Chicken breast (left over from last week's sale package and frozen)
Frozen pizza (bought on sale a while ago)

What I Cooked

Monday: Oven Baked Salmon with Rice and Peas (or Carrots)

1 (2-pound) whole salmon fillet, skin-on preferred
3 Tbsp melted butter
2 tsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp smoked (or regular) paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
¾ tsp salt
black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°F. Place a large piece of foil on rimmed baking sheet, place salmon fillet on top (skin side down). Crimp edges of foil around salmon to make a little "boat".

Combine melted butter and minced garlic and brush half of mixture over salmon. Combine remaining ingredients in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over salmon. Drizzle with remaining garlic butter.

Bake for 15-22 minutes, basting with juices halfway through baking, if desired. Remove from oven and rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve over rice. 

I served with a side of green peas for myself and my son, and some raw baby carrots for my daughter, who is not a fan of peas (or cooked carrots). She dipped them in blue cheese dressing. 

Tuesday: Ham and Egg Gravy Over Biscuits

Refrigerated biscuit dough
2 cups cooked ham, diced
1 cup diced onion
6 Tbsp butter
1 cube chicken bouillon
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp pepper
6 Tsbp flour
3 1/2 cups milk
6 hard-boiled eggs*, chopped
2 Tbsp minced fresh parsley 

* If you have an Instant Pot, place a rack or trivet in the pot and arrange the eggs on it. Add 1 cup water and pressure cook for 5 minutes, then allow to release naturally for 5 minutes. Immediately place eggs in a large bowl of ice and cold water deep enough to cover the eggs and let stand for 5 minutes. Peel immediately or refrigerate for later use. [For my Instant Pot, I cook for 4 minutes to avoid a ring of green around the yolks.]

Bake biscuits according to package directions. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat, then saute ham and onion for 3-4 minutes, until onions are tender. Stir in bouillon, Worcestershire sauce and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and milk until smooth; gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Gently stir in the eggs and parsley. Split biscuits horizontally and spoon gravy over biscuit halves. 

Adding a side of vegetables seemed weird, so we had an appetizer of strawberries and apple slices in lieu of veggies. 

Wednesday: Copycat KFC Chicken Bowls

2-1/4 cups instant potato flakes
2-1/4 cups water
2 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup milk
1/2 bag (4 servings) frozen chicken nuggets
2 cups frozen corn
1 pkg chicken gravy mix (or jarred)
Shredded cheese (optional)

Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to package directions (six servings) and set aside. Cook chicken nuggets according to package directions (microwave or oven) then cut into bite-sized pieces. Place frozen corn in a microwave-safe bowl, sprinkle lightly with salt, add a few tablespoons of water, and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and allow to sit in microwave. If using gravy mix, prepare according to package directions. When ready to serve, layer the following in single serving bowls: potatoes, corn, chicken, gravy, and cheese (if using). 

Thursday: Beef Stew in Bread Bowls

Seasoning Mix:

1 ½ tsp sea salt
1 tsp rosemary
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp marjoram
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper

Stew:

2 Tbsp vegetable oil, plus additional as needed
2 pounds beef stew meat (or steak tips), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup diced onion
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
3 Tbsp tomato paste
1 cup red wine (can substitute additional beef broth plus a splash of red wine vinegar)
2 cups beef broth
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 bay leaf
1 pound potatoes, cut into bite-sized chunks
3 -4 carrots, peeled and sliced (can use baby carrots)
1 cup frozen peas
¼ cup fresh parsley
¼ cup water
2 Tbsp cornstarch

* See this site for slow cooker instructions. 

Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. 

Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add about half of the meat to the pan, or as much as you can without overcrowding the pan. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the spice mixture over the meat and sauté the beef until nicely browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a dish and set aside. Repeat with the remaining beef, adding additional oil if needed, and seasoning with 2 more teaspoons of the spice mixture. Reserve remaining spice mixture for later.

Add additional oil to pan if needed and add the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the tomato paste and stir until well combined. Add the red wine and increase the heat under the pot to bring the mixture to a boil. Add the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, remaining spice mix and bay leaf. Add the beef and all the juices that have accumulated back to pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 ½ hours, or until the beef is fork tender. (If using steak tips, simmer broth and vegetables for 1 hour before adding beef to pot for remaining 30 minutes.)

Add the potatoes and carrots and bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for another 30 to 40 minutes until the vegetables are fork tender. Stir in the frozen peas and parsley. Whisk the cornstarch into the water and stir into stew. Continue cooking, uncovered, until thickened. Discard the bay leaf before serving.

Bread Bowls

1 1/4 cups warm water

1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

1 Tbsp sugar

3 cups flour

1 1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 egg white

1 Tbsp water

In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, yeast, and sugar and let sit for 10 minutes. Using a hand mixer with a dough hook, slowly add in the flour and salt. Add the olive oil and keep mixing until the dough comes together in a ball. Place dough in a large greased bowl. Cover and let rise for one hour, or until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Roll each piece until it is a smooth ball. Pull part of the top of the bread down on all sides and bring it together at the bottom so the ball is smooth. Place each ball onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and cover. Let rise for 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix together the egg white and water and brush each ball of dough with the egg wash mixture. Bake for about 25 minutes.

Once cool, use a knife to cut a conical piece from the top, then press the dough with your fingers to form a firm bowl. Fill with stew and enjoy!

  

Friday: Ham Fried Rice

1 egg
1 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup diced onion, chopped
1 cup frozen peas
2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced or chopped
2 cups cooked white rice, cold
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tsp pepper
1 cup cooked ham, diced

In a small bowl, beat egg with water. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium low heat. Add egg and leave flat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from skillet and cut into shreds. Heat oil in same skillet; add onion and carrots and saute until softened. Add frozen peas, rice, soy sauce, pepper and ham. Stir fry together for about 5 minutes, until heated through, then stir in egg. 

Saturday: Orange Chicken and Broccoli over Rice 

3-4 frozen (or fresh) chicken breasts
Salt and pepper
¾ cup Sweet Baby Ray's barbecue sauce
2 Tbsp soy sauce
¾ cup orange marmalade
2 tsp cornstarch
Cooked rice

If using frozen chicken breasts, place in a large pot and just cover with water. Sprinkle in a little salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn off heat and allow to sit, covered, until cooled. Remove chicken from water (it's okay if it's not completely cooked) and cut into bite-sized pieces. If using fresh chicken, just cut into bite-sized pieces.  

In Instant Pot, add in chicken pieces, barbecue sauce, and soy sauce. Pressure cook for 4 minutes, then release steam. Put ¼ cup of the liquid from the pot into a small bowl and whisk in the cornstarch. Add mixture back into pot. Stir in orange marmalade and mix well. Set pot to to sauté (high) and sauté for 6 min or until sauce thickens. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving. Serve over rice with a side of steamed broccoli (or stir broccoli into sauce).

Sunday: Mom's Night Off! Menu is either leftovers or frozen pizza. 

A Week of Recipes

I've been on a cooking roll this past week, and I've been doing especially well with buying items in bulk or on sale and finding multiple recipes that use a perishable ingredient. Here's my grocery list, and my lineup of recipes. (Disclaimer: A friend brought us dinner one day, so I added in an earlier day's meal.) Happy cooking!

What I Bought

Bulk pack of chicken breasts (on sale)
Sweet Italian sausage (buy one pack, get one free)
Heavy cream
Sour cream (on sale)
Fresh parsley
Fresh broccoli
Shredded mozzarella, shredded Mexican cheese (buy one pack, get one free)
Bean sprouts
Bell peppers (3-pack)
Fresh ginger
Caesar salad mix
Canned enchilada sauce

What I Had in My Pantry

Long grain rice
Canned diced tomatoes
Canned kidney beans
Canned black beans
Canned tomato sauce
Canned tomato paste
Chicken broth
Farfalle
Rice Noodles
Salted peanuts
Flour
Sugar
Yeast
Olive oil
Vegetable oil
Nonstick cooking spray
Peanut butter
Flour tortillas
Salsa
Soy sauce
Fish sauce
Honey
Rice vinegar
Italian seasoning
Smoked paprika
Chili powder
Cumin
Turmeric
Garam masala
Salt and pepper

What I Had in My Fridge and Freezer

Frozen diced onion
Frozen shrimp
Frozen corn
Grated Parmesan
Eggs
Milk
Butter
Bacon
Lime juice
Minced garlic
Fresh carrots

What I Cooked

Monday: Pad Thai

1 tsp plus 2 Tbsp olive oil
2 c frozen cooked shrimp (thawed; optional)
2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 
6 oz rice noodles
3 medium carrots, cut into matchsticks
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
½ cup diced onion
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 cup fresh bean sprouts
3 eggs

Sauce:
¼ c soy sauce
2 Tbsp fish sauce
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp peanut butter
2 Tbsp rice vinegar

Garnish (optional): 1/3 c chopped peanuts

In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook for several minutes, until warmed through. Remove from pan using a slotted spoon and set aside in a very large bowl. Drain moisture, then add 2 Tbsp oil. Heat until hot, then add the cubed chicken to the pan. Cook over medium high heat for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until completely browned on all sides and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, whisk together soy sauce, fish sauce, honey, lime juice, peanut butter and rice vinegar until well combined and set aside.

Once the chicken has cooked, remove from the pan and add to the bowl of shrimp. Add more oil if needed, then add the carrots, peppers, onion and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables start to soften, then add bean sprouts. Stir together and cook for an additional 2 minutes. While the vegetables are cooking, prepare noodles as directed on package (use lowest recommended time). Drain when done and set aside. 

Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and crack the eggs directly into the hot pan. Scramble until cooked, approximately 2 minutes. Stir eggs and vegetables together, then add to the bowl of shrimp and chicken. Add the sauce to the empty pan and increase heat to high. Bring to a rolling boil and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened. Add the noodles to the sauce and toss, then add contents of the large bowl. Toss until thoroughly coated in the sauce. Serve garnished with chopped peanuts. 

Tuesday: White Pizza with Shrimp and Bacon

For the sauce:

2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
1-1/4 cup whole milk
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
3 tsps minced garlic
¼ cup grated parmesan

For the pizza:

Pizza crust, homemade (see recipe below) or store bought
8 oz shredded mozzarella
½ cup sauce (above)
¼ cup grated parmesan
½ tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp olive oil
4 slices bacon
Several handfuls frozen shrimp, thawed 

Fry bacon until crisp. Place on a paper towel to cool, then crumble and set aside. 

In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour. Continue whisking for about 2 minutes (do not brown). Slowly whisk in milk. Cook for 3-5 minutes, whisking continuously, until smooth, thick, and bubbly. Whisk in salt, pepper, and garlic. Add parmesan and whisk just until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool. (Can also be made ahead and refrigerated, tightly covered, for several days before using.)

Preheat oven to 450. Roll out the dough on a jelly roll pan lined with parchment paper. Brush crust with olive oil and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Spread with sauce. Add mozzarella, parmesan, crumbled bacon, and shrimp. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheeses are melty. Cool slightly before cutting with a rotary cutter. 

Pizza Dough:

2 1/2 cups warm water
1/4 cup sugar
3 teaspoons yeast
1/4 cup vegetable oil (or olive oil)
6 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt

In a large mixing bowl, combine the water, sugar and yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes until frothy. Add in the vegetable oil and salt. Stir in the flour, a little at a time, using a hand mixer with dough hooks when mixture begins to become stiff. When dough forms a ball and pulls away from the sides of the bowl (but is still somewhat sticky), turn onto a lightly floured board and knead for several minutes until smooth and elastic. Wash the mixing bowl, spray with non-stick cooking spray, and place the dough ball in the bowl, flipping to coat with oil. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour). 

Turn the dough out onto the floured board. Pull the dough around to the bottom, stretching it to create a smooth ball. Cut the dough into 3 equal portions using a sharp knife. Each ball will be approximately 1 pound of dough. Use immediately or refrigerate until needed (but not more than about 24-36 hours). 

We added a fruit appetizer instead of vegetables to balance out the meal!

Wednesday: Smothered Baked Chicken Burritos

3 cups cooked chicken*, shredded
1 cup cooked rice
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn kernels, frozen or canned
1 cup salsa
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
6 large flour tortillas
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend for topping

* You can use a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, or cook 2-3 chicken breasts one of two ways: 1) Place in a pot, cover with water, add a little salt and pepper, bring to a boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes, then allow to cool in the pot. Remove from liquid and shred with two forks. 2) If you have an Instant Pot, place 2-3 chicken breasts in the pot, season with salt and pepper, then add 3/4 cup chicken broth. Pressure cook for 14 minutes (18 if chicken is frozen), followed by natural release. Drain liquid then shred chicken with two forks. 

Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. In a large bowl, stir together chicken, rice, beans, corn, salsa, and spices. Lay out tortillas; place several spoonfuls of filling and a handful of shredded cheese on each; roll, folding over and tucking in ends to seal. Arrange in prepared baking dish. 

Whisk together enchilada sauce and sour cream and pour over burritos in dish. Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

Thursday: Red Beans and Rice with Sausage

12 oz. ground sausage (peel casing off links and pull meat into chunks)
1/2 cup diced onion
1 (28-oz) can petite diced tomatoes
2 (15-oz) cans red beans
1 to 1-1/2 cups cooked rice
Cumin and smoked paprika to taste, optional
1/2 cup chicken broth, optional

In pot over medium heat, brown the sausage and onion and drain fat. Add beans and tomato (both undrained) to pot. Stir in spices to taste, if using. Stir in cooked rice (or omit and serve dish over rice). If you like a saucier dish, add chicken broth. Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Friday: Butter Chicken, Steamed Broccoli, Naan, Jasmine Rice 

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter. divided
2 pounds chicken breasts, diced into bite-size pieces
5 tsps minced garlic
2 inch fresh ginger, grated
1 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons garam masala
½ teaspoon chili powder optional
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon salt
1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce
½ cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Cooked rice

In a frying pan, heat vegetable oil and 1 Tbsp butter. Brown the diced chicken breast until golden. Move the chicken to one side, and add the rest of the butter. Add the garlic and ginger, and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Add all of the spices and the salt, stir and cook for a minute, then add the tomato sauce. Stir well, then cover and simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes. Stir in the cream, then allow the sauce to reduce a little. Serve warm over rice, garnished with chopped parsley, with a side of steamed broccoli and naan (recipe below).

Naan

1 package (2-1/4 tsp) yeast
1 cup warm water
1/4 cup white sugar
2 tsp salt
1 egg, beaten
3 tbsp milk
4+ cups flour
1/4 cup butter, melted

In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water and allow to sit for 10 minutes. Add sugar, salt, egg, and milk and blend well. Gradually add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead for 6-8 minutes on a lightly floured board (or in the mixing bowl) until smooth and elastic, adding flour if needed. Turn dough out into an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down dough, then pinch off golfball-sized handfuls of dough and form into smooth balls. Place balls on a cookie sheet lined with non-stick foil. Cover with a towel and allow to rise an additional 30 minutes.

Spray a griddle with oil and preheat to high heat. Flatten each dough ball into a thin circle with rolling pin or hands. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until lightly browned and puffy. Brush the uncooked side with butter and flip with tongs or a spatula. Cook the second side for an additional 2-3 minutes, until browned, and remove from griddle.

Saturday: Creamy Sausage and Pasta with Caesar Salad

16 ounces hearty pasta (rigatoni or farfalle work well) 
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup onion chopped
1 pound Italian sausage (remove from casing and pull into pieces)
3-4 tsp minced garlic 
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 6 oz. can tomato paste
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish
Fresh chopped parsley

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet (or Dutch oven) over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the sausage. Cook, breaking into small pieces, until no longer pink. Drain grease if desired. Add garlic, red pepper and tomato paste and cook a few minutes more. Stir in the broth and simmer until liquid is reduced by half. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Gradually add pasta water until sauce reaches desired consistency (I used about 1/2 cup). Stir in 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Stir in pasta and toss to coat well. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh parsley and more Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serve with a side of Caesar salad. 

Sunday: Mom's Night Off! Leftovers from the rest of the week. Feel free to call it "Smorgasbord Dinner" if you're feeling fancy. 

Wishing you all happy cooking, and even happier eating!

Interesting Stuff About the 2026 Winter Olympics That You Might Not Know

I love watching the Olympics, but one of my favorite parts isn't watching the competitions, it's hearing all the interesting tidbits and backstories that you learn in between events. And in our modern world of technology, there are all kinds of stories and videos online that tell us even more that we might otherwise miss. Here are some of the most interesting (and sometimes the funniest) stories and facts I've learned about the Olympics this year!

SkiMo

There is a new event this year called "Ski Mountaineering," or "SkiMo," for short. One commentator described it as "skiing, but without a ski lift." In other words, the skiers ski UP the mountain before skiing DOWN the mountain, plus an additional ski-less climbing section in the middle. Here's how it works:

Competitors begin by "skinning" uphill: they put special covers ("skins") on their skis which help them to not slide backwards, and they climb up a curving path. 

The hill then becomes steeper and they remove their skis, carrying them on their backs, and climb to the top of the course. 

At the top, they remove the "skins" from the skits, put the skis back on, and ski down a slalom course to the finish line. 

Events include men's and women's sprints, which follow the course as described above, plus a mixed relay, in which a male and female duo alternate a total of four laps of the course (the woman racing the first and third and the man the second and fourth lap), with each lap taking roughly 7-9 minutes. 

There are also a few interesting rules, such as that ski poles must be flat on the ground while removing skins and donning skis, the skins must be tucked inside the racer's bodysuit when not on the skis, and each racer must carry a survival backpack containing a Missing Avalanche Victim Detector (DVA). Racers/teams can receive time penalties for a number of violations, including missing or improper equipment (e.g., no batteries in the DVA, crampons not clipped to ankles, helmet not worn properly, etc.), missing a gate or checkpoint, "disrespecting the environment", pushing/shoving a competitor, or failing to assist a person in distress or danger. 

Not surprisingly, the teams favored to medal are all from countries near the Alps: France, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. 

Helmet Controversies

Great Britain's Skeleton team had developed a new, supposedly more aerodynamic crash helmet, but just days before the start of competition, the sport's ruling body, the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), deemed it illegal due to its shape. The Brits disagreed and filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration, but the ruling was upheld. Fortunately, the team had brought their old helmets with them to Italy, and will compete in those helmets. 

Another Skeleton Olympian was barred from wearing his preferred helmet, although for a completely different reason. Ukrainian Vladyslav Heraskevych emblazoned his helmet (top photo, above) with images of Ukrainian athletes and coaches who were killed in the conflict with Russia, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned it, citing regulations which state, "no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." Similarly, Ukrainian freestyle skier Kateryna Kotsar was banned from wearing a helmet that stated, "BE BRAVE LIKE UKRAINIANS" (lower photo, above). 

Gender Parity

The 2024 Summer Olympics was the first Olympic Games with full gender parity on the field, and the 2026 Winter Olympics is set to be the most gender equal Winter Games so far. 47% of athletes are women, which is a 1.6% increase from Beijing in 2022. On the executive side, 50% of the positions on IOC commissions are held by women, and 47% of the IOC's Executive Board members are women, including its president.

In addition, the distances for all twelve cross-country skiing events are now the same for male and female competitions for the first time. 
 

The Mascots

You may know that the official mascots of the 2026 Winter Olympics are a pair of stoats named Milo and Tina (they're brother and sister), and you might even know - or have guessed from their names - that they represent that two host cities of Milano and Cortina, but did you know that Milo was born without one of his paws, and therefore also represents the Paralympic Games? 

Brothers and Sisters

Speaking of brothers and sisters, there are a number of sibling pairs competing in these games, including (but no doubt not limited to) Slovenian ski jumpers Nika and Domen Prevc (in photo above, winning gold in the mixed team event; their brother Peter won Olympic gold in the mixed team event in 2022), Swedish curlers Isabella and Rasmus Wranå (who won gold in mixed doubles), Italian freestyle skiers Miro and Flora Tabanelli, Danish biathletes Sondre and Ukaleq Slettemark, American ice dancers Maia and Alex Shibutani, American hockey players Matthew and Brady Tkachuk (whose father, Keith, is a four-time Olympian in the sport), and American hockey players Quinn and Jack Hughes. 

In addition to all the pairs, there is also a trio of skiing sisters on Team USA: Alpine skier Lauren Macuga, mogul skier Alli Macuga, and ski jumper Sam Macuga. And keep your eye on their family in the future, because they have a younger brother, Daniel, who is an Alpine skier with Olympic dreams.

The Name Game

Some of the best names spotted on the rosters:

• Saulius Ambrulevicius, Figure Skating (Lithuania)
• Daniel Barefoot, Skeleton (USA)
• Vinzenz Buff, Skeleton (Switzerland)
• Florian Chakiachvili, Ice Hockey (France)
• Vili Crv, XC Skiing (Slovenia)
• Jenning de Boo, Speed Skating (Netherlands)
• Bing Dong, Ski Jumping (China)
• Ariuntungalag Enkhbayar, XC Skiing (Mongolia)
• Mac Forehand, Freestyle Skiing (USA)
• Minerva Fabienne Hase, Figure Skating (Germany)
• Breezy Johnson, Alpine Skiing (USA)
• Cheyenne Loch, Snowboard (Germany)
• Emerance Maschmeyer, Women's Ice Hockey (Canada)
• AA Papathoma Paraskevaidou (Azerbaijan)
• River Radamus, Men's Alpine Skiing (USA)
• Maia Schwinghammer, Freestyle Skiing (Canada)
• Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold, Biathlon (Norway)
• Louis Philip Vito III, Snowboard (Italy)
• Vid Vrohovnik, Nordic Combined (Slovenia)
• Kira Weidle-Winkelmann, Alpine Skiing (Germany)

(And yes, I read the name of every single Olympian on the roster, from Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk all the way to Damien Zurek. You're welcome.)

Firsts

The Milano-Cortino Games mark not only the first time that two cities serve as official hosts, but also the first time the Parade of Athletes in the Opening Ceremonies was celebrated at multiple venues. The distances between the venues were too far for some of the already-competing athletes to travel to the Olympic Stadium in Milano, so organizers set up a large gold Olympic ring at each of four different venues for the athletes to march through, and coordinated the timing so each country's athletes would march together. 

This Olympics marks the debut of six new events: Ski Mountaineering, Women's Doubles Luge, Mixed-team Skeleton, Dual Moguls, Alpine Skiing Combined, and Women's Large Hill Ski Jumping. With 116 total medal events across 16 disciplines, this will be the largest Winter Games ever.

Three nations are making their Winter Olympic debut this year: Benin, Guinea-Bissau, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). Benin's team consists of Alpine Skier Nathan Tchibozo; Guinea-Bissau is represented by Alpine Skier Winston Tang; and UAE has two Alpine Skiers, Alexander Astridge and Piera Hudson.

Ester Ledecka (above, women’s parallel giant slalom), Anna Gasser (women’s big air) and Chloe Kim (women’s halfpipe) all have a chance to become the first snowboarder to win gold in the same event at three straight Winter Olympics.

Random Fun Facts

The Winter Olympics were previously held in Cortina d'Ampezzo in 1956 - exactly 70 years ago! The sliding center, Eugenio Monte, is in the same location as the 1956 venue (although heavily refurbished). The ice stadium, Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, originally used for figure skating and ice hockey, will host curling and wheelchair curling, as well as the Paralympic closing ceremony. 

Austria’s Olympic snowboard team includes two Gen Xers (above, top photo): Claudia Riegler (52) and Andreas Prommegger (45). They both raced in the Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom, but were eliminated before the finals. Riegler is the oldest female athlete to ever compete in the Winter Olympics. Other "oldies but goodies" include 46-year-old Edson Bindilatti, a bobsledder for Team Brazil; Nick Baumgartner, a 46-year-old snowboarder for Team USA competing in his fifth Olympics; and Rich Ruohonen, a 54-year-old alternate for the USA curling team, and a first-time Olympian. If Ruohonen competes, he will be the oldest Team USA athlete in Olympic history. At age 40, Benjamin Karr became the oldest individual gold medalist ever in the Winter Games when he won the Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Snowboard competition for Team Austria. Following his win, Karr tore off his shirt and flexed in an homage to fellow Austrian Hermann Maier, who had once done the same (above, lower photo).

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the youngest competitors include 15-year-old freestyle skiers Abby Winterberger (USA) and Indra Brown (Australia; above) and 16-year-old snowboarders Choi Gaon (South Korea) and Lily Dhawornvej (USA). 

The Olympic medals are two joined halves, representing the two host cities, the partnership of athlete and team, and the union of Olympics and Paralympics. The medals are produced by the Italian State Mint using recycled materials and renewable energy, signifying sustainability and ecological awareness.  

Five Fast Facts about the Winter Olympics

#1) All the events take place on a surface of either ice or snow. At the 1964 Innsbruck Games, there wasn't enough natural snow, so the Austrian army carted more than 38,200 cubic meters of snow and 20,000 blocks of ice from the nearby mountains to the venues. 

#2) Animals have participated in the Winter Games: The 1928 Games included a demonstration sport called skijoring, in which athletes were towed on skis behind riderless horses; and the 1932 Games included a dog-sledding demonstration event.  

#3) Until 1948, the only Winter Olympic sport that allowed female competitors was figure skating. 

#4) The Opening Ceremonies of the 1960 Squaw Valley Games were coordinated by Walt Disney, and included 700 musicians, 2,000 doves, and more than 30,000 balloons.

#5) To date, only one person has won a gold medal in both the Summer and the Winter Olympics:  American Eddie Eagan won a gold medal for boxing at the 1920 Summer Games in Antwerp, and more than a decade later, was part of the gold medal-winning bobsled team at the 1932 Winter Games in Lake Placid.