Hockey Words of Wisdom

Posted on 9 May 2012 by Carrie Cahill Mulligan

Lots of you know that I’m a hockey addict. For 2/3 of the year, you can find me at the local rink nearly every day of the week (I rest on Saturdays).

How is that possible? Well, there’s learn-to-play class twice a week. There’s open stick (pick-up) hockey 3 days a week. And don’t forget game night for the Campion Hockey League on Sunday nights.

Carrie Cahill Mulligan skates hard after the puck in a Campion Hockey League game, Lebanon, New Hampshire, 2011.

In hot pursuit of the puck during a Campion Hockey League Game, 2011.

So, that’s 6 days of hockey each and every week… during the regular season.

During the final weeks of the season, much like a bear gearing up for hibernation, I consume as much ice time as my body (and marriage) can withstand.

Winning the face-off during a women’s hockey tournament in Stowe, Vermont, 2012.

This year, I played in both the women’s and the men’s Spring Mud League, and had 3 separate tournaments scheduled (2 women’s tourneys plus my first co-ed one).

Women's ice hockey team, Stateline White, after their last game of the 2012 season.

About 2/3 of my 2012 women’s Mud League hockey team, Stateline White.

The 2012 men’s Mud League expansion hockey team, the Pirates.

Turns out though, I ended up missing the final tournament due to my husband’s bicycle accident and clavicle surgery.

Don’t get me wrong. I hold no grudge against my Sweet Man, who has been nothing but supportive of my crazy hockey habit.

Being home to care for him in his need was something I was happy to do. I’m grateful to be his bride, and to be the one to nurse him.

Carrie & Andy Mulligan with Cinder-Dog, April 2012

Happy together, in sickness and in health.

Still, I did feel a twinge of regret that I couldn’t be in 2 places at once. I wrote my team captain, Kara, explaining the situation, and couldn’t resist adding a sort of hockey pep-talk, in lieu of being part of the tournament team.

Imagine my delight when Kara sent the team this note, along with the fantastic motivational hockey poster she made from my advice:

“Carrie needs to bow out of the tourney, but she sent me some thoughts to
channel the “Carrie Mental Edge” over the other teams…so she’ll be with us in spirit.
And if we really want to outlast our opponents, don’t forget your chocolate milk!”

(All of this I learned from my coach, Dick Dodds, arguably one of the best hockey coaches New Hampshire has ever seen.)

So much love! I couldn’t have been more pleased to remain a part of my tournament team, if only in spirit.

And my team? They WON their division… in quadruple overtime!

Louisa’s Embroidered Felt Hat

Posted on 20 March 2012 by Carrie Cahill Mulligan

One of my hockey buddies, Louisa, visited my booth at the League of New Hampshire Craftmen’s Annual Fair two summers ago.

My felt hat booth in Tent 7 at the 2011 League of NH Craftsmen's Fair at Mt. Sunapee.

She’s been so supportive of me at the rink, and was equally enthusiastic about my work.

Louisa immediately fell in love with the absolute fanciest hat in the booth, and when she tried it on, it fit perfectly!

However, for most folks, my hats are not impulse purchases.

Louisa's chose mossy-green & rust with full embroidery for her custom felt hat.

It took nearly 2 years of thinking about it before Louisa decided to treat herself.

We found a hat that fit her just right, and she gave me license to embroider it as I chose.

She definitely wanted the works, though: all-around freehand embroidery with hand-cut antler buttons.

My husband, Andy, hand-cuts all the antler buttons I use in my embroidery designs.

I asked Louisa what she would tell others considering a hat. She replied without hesitation:

“My hat is beautiful, warm, comfortable & practical. It’s a work of art. Best of all, it makes me smile every time I put it on! How many things do you own that make you that happy? My hat is just ‘so me.’ I love it!”

Thank you, Louisa, for all your encouragement, and for helping support my hockey habit!

17 Days of Green – Frozen Fenway

Posted on 9 March 2012 by Carrie Cahill Mulligan

Andy & I started watching Dartmouth Women’s Hockey shortly after moving to the Upper Valley in 2004. We’re season ticket holders, and rarely miss a game at Thompson Arena.

The Big Red of Cornell v. the Big Green of Dartmouth, Thompson Arena, January 5, 2008.

Although their names are not on the back of their jerseys (because “Dartmouth” on the front is the name that matters most), we know every player by sight.