minus 27 (minus 37 with the windchill)

But it's not the weather that's making Lexi and I feel grouchy. Nope. We're totally prepared for the weather. The problem is that Alpha Dog has mysteriously disappeared. Lexi figured out that there is a gaping hole in the hierarchy when he didn't return home two nights ago and we've been battling for top position ever since. It's making me a bit crazy. Hoping she figures out that I'm the new alpha soon. Because I am. Hmph.

fortune (?) cookies

Spent six bloody hours making fortune cookies today. Quel désastre! I put great faith in Martha's recipes but this one was baaaaad. The oven was too hot, the cookies too small.... Checked out some other recipes online and adjusted as I went along. In the end, I got enough good ones for tomorrow evening but I'm super grouchy now. And still have an evening of baking and cooking ahead. I see a glass of wine in my near future...

First attempt. Oven at 400 F as per recipe.
Lowered to 300 F after this mess. 

Second attempt. Damn thing wouldn't unstick from the pan.
Wasted quite a bit of batter this way, then borrowed a
non-stick pan from my next door neighbour.

Third attempt. Temperature is good. Pan is good.
Folding technique needs work. You have to work fast,
and the bottom of the cookie should be on the inside.

Finally!

Managed a dozen half-way decent cookies.
Recipe is supposed to make 3 1/2 dozen.
Ugh.

Thankfully my other baking turned out great
or I'd be hanging up my apron.

Our fourth year taking baking to our neighbours.
Was a good way to meet people the first year
and we've kept up the tradition.

beautiful day

Frost, fog and big, fluffy flakes. Of course, that also meant no sunshine but nice to have a break from the extreme cold.

martha stewart, eat your heart out

Ready to decorate.

Et voila!

Second annual Adam and Omar cookies.

Spent a lovely afternoon at Marilee's apartment eating cheese and crackers (and fudge and oranges and chips) and decorating cookies. This has become an annual tradition and one that I really enjoy. Marilee and Heather made the cookies and icing and I just had fun. Thanks to my previous blog post, no Christmas music was played, though Ayva did mention several times how quiet is was. What can I say.... we were concentrating!

december theme song

This is my December song for three reasons:

1. O is leaving on December 29th for Calgary and Edmonton. Not quite 2000 miles (more like 800?) but still..... it's very far.
2. Even though it has been 6 years since I've had to deal with customers, I still have a Christmas retail hangover and this is one of the few pop Christmas songs I can still stand. Along with that oddly endearing David and Bing duet, of course.
3. Have long loved Chrissie Hynde and have just cut my bangs. Again. My mom will be relieved that they aren't eye-skimmers this time so she won't have to spend the holidays saying "get your hair out of your eyes!"

Photo evidence circa 1987. Not the greatest picture but the only one with a top hat, which is part of a costume by the way. The sweater however.... I have no excuse.

you know it's cold out when...

Woke up to -34 with the windchill. Has since warmed up to a balmy -26. Quite the shock to my system after three weeks of beautiful weather in New York. I can no longer pretend that it is fall.

This was the scene in the house at 11 o'clock this morning. Very much wishing I was curled up with my tail over my nose as well.

Rufus in front of the heat vent. 

Cleo snoring. Literally.

Lexi in the smallest ball possible.