On the first day of Winter

I put the snow thrower through its paces… only 2 1/2 inches of new snow, but I wanted to see if I could flatten out the ruts of frozen slush. I was partly successful – the driveway is better than it was and both the thrower and I survived the experience.

Then, a morning walk in brilliant sunshine…

On the first day of Winter.

Adventures with Christmas cookies

I had some fun yesterday! Two recipes I’ve not made before…

The little cookies are Sparkling Ginger Chip Cookies from 101 Cookbooks via a link on Paper Route Designs. Very gingery molasses with cocoa chunks rolled in turbinado sugar – little cookies with a big taste…an adult taste – not sure the kiddos would go for the ginger.

The cannoli looking things are Brandy Snaps from Pioneer Woman’s Tasty Kitchen. These were so much fun to make and not just because there was brandy involved :)!

The fun was both the ease and the transformation…

From caramel like glops…

To bubbly glops…

To cannoli-like shells! Pioneer Woman did a step-by-step on her site (Brandy Snaps Step-by-Step), but I’d never made anything like these so there is that sense of cooking adventure in trying something new and wondering if it will all end up a goopy mess that necessitates throwing away pans and spatulas and wooden spoons…

It did NOT :) !!! – Adventures with Christmas Cookies.

Sunshine on the water looks so lovely

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy
Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry
Sunshine on the water looks so lovely
Sunshine almost always makes me high

John Denver “Sunshine on my shoulders”

Photo taken 12/18/2010, Wayfarer’s Park, Bigfork, MT. The morning and afternoon were gloriously sunny, although COLD at 10-16F. No one at the park but Karl and I. We meandered along the lake shore and the cliff area behind the campsites.

Sometimes, the plans, they go awry

It was a TGIF Day x 10 this Friday. We were all glad for it to be bedtime!

Three vet visits this week – 2 for Bob and 1 for Karl. Karl’s was a check up but some anomalies so we are waiting his results…Rats! But he is in good spirits and our routine has not been disrupted. The check up stuff is non-invasive and quick, but still stressful and we are both a bit exhausted when it’s over.

Bob has diabetes – I suspected based on his drinking and resulting output. It was confirmed from a Tuesday visit and yesterday we picked up insulin and I got a training session. I’ve given the “under the skin” shots before and the pen system they have for small doses of insulin is easy. Bob doesn’t even act like he feels anything and the results were obvious in several hours. I am not sure that he equates feeling better with 2 trips to the vet which involve two 70 mile round trips in the Jeep, but thankfully he didn’t hold a grudge.

My plan to keep on track and take the weekend completely off….hmmm….derailed. BUT, I am so grateful that I have a “job” that gives me the flexibility to take care of things and that there IS work…enough that I can work as much as I’d like, mostly when I’d like. AND, I enjoy the work and my work group and my work environment. So although not what I planned for the weekend, I will enjoy the work, a smaller amount of baking (gotta have some cookies!!), a walk with Karl through Bigfork and at least a little time in front of the fire even if it includes the computer :)!

Saturday morning as I write this… It is the week before Christmas: Christmas carols are playing, the house smells of cinnamon and cloves, the fire is popping, there is still some snow on the ground, Karl and Bob are feeling well and so am I.