Like it or not, the holiday time is upon us. Tis the time to make gifts. This year in addition to a charitable donation my loved ones can expect a handmade something from me. What is that going to be? I have no idea. I am running out of time to decide though. Luckily there are many many links to help me figure something out. And if I am on your list this year, consider a donation to your favorite charity or making me a little something.
Cup Cake
Sometimes you just really want dessert. Tonight was one of those nights and we didn’t have anything. Or so we thought. I saw this recipe for chocolate cake in 10 minutes and figured, what the heck. It was delicious. Chocolaty and quick. Yum yum. Mine didn’t turn out quite as nice as this one, but I think it is because we didn’t give it the full set time.
Who Needs a Gym Membership?
Not me! These past few days, despite the chill in the air, I have been walking to a further subway stop to get home. The walk home for me would be about 2 hours and while it might be nice in Manhattan and over the Brooklyn Bridge, after that, it would get not so nice. Maybe once the weather is nicer and we have more daylight. For now, I compromise. I have been walking with a friend part of the way and then listening to tunes for the rest of the way. It is much nicer than hopping directly on the subway to fight my way home. I am finding I a lot more energy to get things done when I get home. Last night I prepared dinner for last night and tonight! So tonight I made some chai tea to take with me to work tomorrow. If this keeps up who knows what I might accomplish!
Chai
Winter is upon us here in the Big Apple. Winds are whipping through the canyons making the walk to and from the protection of indoors unpleasant and making a hot beverage all the more necessary. I drink coffee, but sometimes I am looking for something a little different to help warm me. Tea is ok but add a few spices and some milk and now you are talking! I found this wonderful recipe for chai tea on The Omnomicon. The pictures will walk you through all the steps. I am going to skip the part where you put it on ice, but the biscuits sound like a good idea.
Apples
We are at the tale end of apple season. M&I bought way more honey crisps than we could eat before they got soft so I spent last weekend cooking apples. Roasted applesauce, apple with fennel, and a few baked apple slices with cinnamon and sugar for oatmeal. Phew! Unless it is a honey crisp or a granny smith, I don’t really know what kind of apples are good for eating, baking or saucing. Real Simple made a chart just for people like me. Now if they would just make a wallet size version…
Crockpotting
Winter is here and that means comfort food. One of the best way to make a warm meal without a lot of fuss is in a crockpot. I have one. I don’t use it all that often, mostly because a lot of recipes I find and like involve cooking things before you put them in the crockpot… doesn’t that defeat the purpose? Aren’t you supposed to be able to throw in the ingredients in the morning and come home to the yummy smell stew? Stephanie over at A Year of Crockpotting has vowed to make something in her crockpot everyday in 2008. On the downside we are almost at the end of 2008. On the upside since I am finding her site at recipe 319, I can now browse through all the recipes! We are spending Thanksgiving with a friend which means I will have to make a turkey dinner to make sure we have leftovers. Luckily I can make the turkey in my crockpot! Thanks Stephanie!
Bare Feet
I love to go barefoot. If I could I wouldn’t wear shoes all summer. Unfortunately I have to protect my feel from the dirty streets of NY and the poison ivy of upstate. I am not sure how I feel about the look of these shoes, but I love the idea of feeling like I am going barefoot all year long.
Drool Worthy
If you love felt as much as I do, or even half as much as I do then you will be interested to know that you can now get 100% wool felt (as if there is any other kind that is worth drooling over) from Germany by the yard from FilzFelt. The colors are fabulous! I think I am going to get a sample set just to have a little bit of each. Mmmmmmm. Felt.
Ornament Swap
This year I have decided to participate in the 3rd Annual Holiday Ornament Swap hosted by cake & pie and freshlyblended. M&I make ornaments every year as gifts for family. This is a tradition I started when I didn’t have much money to give gifts to my large extended family but still wanted to give something. Since we always choose something that is fairly easy to “mass produce” by our four hands, what is 8-10 more? And we will get 8-10 handmade ornaments in return. Pretty neat. Today is the last day to sign up so don’t miss out if you are interested.
Jury Duty
Today I have been called for jury duty. This is my very first time. Unlike Liz Lemon, I am actually kind of excited. I have my laptop to keep me busy and to get some work done while I wait, the room is actually quite comfortable and I get to watch Ed Bradley and Diane Sawyer tell me when I am here today. I wonder if I will get chosen…
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