You know, I mentioned to Hub Man that in all my big shopping the other day, and all the crowds of people including the LONG line that I stood in at Border's book store, I didn't have one meaningful conversation with anyone. When you don't know anybody, and don't have a friend with you, at the end of a day like that, you can feel kinda funny. Disconnected like.
I'm just sayin'....
***
I'm sitting here in the chilly house in the morning wearing my purple jacket that I wore last night to class at the synagogue. While we were studying with the Rabbi in the library, in the kitchen (our shul is mainly in an old house, except for the sanctuary which is a separate building)... our stalwart kitchen fairy was making potato kugel and what smelled like chicken soup for Saturday's kiddush luncheon. It was a heavenly smell. Well, I'm smelling it again this morning, as my purple jacket is infused with homey food smells.
***
Up until yesterday, I was taking care of six cats for people. But my neighbor came home at noon. Now I just have two. Cat sitting is not such a bad gig I have decided. Though I think I would be a better dog sitter. Cats are very nice. But I have more affinity with dogs.
***
Just to my left, I am every now and then glancing at this: Calendar. I have it turned to January. It's always good to be prepared. (Unless someone is giving you a surprise party, and then ignorance is the best policy.)
***
It's still dark outside. And cold. And clear. A little bit ago, I went out there in my nightgown and tennis shoes and plugged in a small string of LED lights that I bought half off at Michael's the other day. I strung them on the fence near my other plain old twinkle lights to see how they would look.
They looked odd.
I took them down and came inside.
I decided you should either have LED or regular lights. But not both.
***
In the cookie cookbook, I am stuck on Biscotti.
***
I'm not too fond of Biscotti actually. But then I also promised myself to try ALL the cookies in order. I haven't baked any cookies since December 4.
Let's try them together shall we? Maybe that will get me unstuck.
Chocolate and Vanilla Chip Biscotti
(From Pillsbury Best Cookies Cookbook)
2 1/2 cups flour
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter
3 eggs
1 cup white chocolate chips
So you mix that up.
Then shape it into three 7 inch rolls and put them 3 inches apart on a cookie sheet and flatten them out a bit. Bake them at 350 for 22 - 28 minutes. Take them out of the oven and let them cool on wire racks for 5 minutes.
Then cut them with a serrated knife into 1/2 inch slices. Bake them again for 6 to 8 minutes, turn them over and bake another 6 to 8 minutes on the other side.
FINALLY take them out and put them on racks to cool. Store in a tightly covered container.
No wonder you have to dunk them in coffee or tea to eat the things.
***
Now you understand why I am stuck on Biscotti.
And just to brighten up my day, I looked ahead in the book.
There are three more biscotti recipes after this one.
***
I just went outside again. It's still dark....and cold.
I decided to try my LED lights draped around my jade plant on the front porch.
MUCH better.
Looks exotic. Strange. Alien.
LED lights are weirdly fascinating.
***
Knitting socks is very..... rhythmic. First there are easy bits. Then there's a complicated bit, then some more easy bits. Then you turn the heel, that's the center of all absorption. The Zen part. Then there is a semi complicated part, then some easy bits and finally the toe decrease and kitchener stitch which is just off the center of all absorption.
Knitting a sock is my version of a roller coaster ride.
***
Speaking of Zen. As soon as I prune the peach tree, my back yard will be in total austere winter mode. The grass is turning brown, the plants are all pruned and mostly dormant. Except that Feverfew. That stuff is amazing. Lime green. Almost neon. I love it.
***
Well, that's about enough of this.
There are hungry cats in another town waiting for me to show up.
***
But it's still dark outside.
And cold.