Finis

Thus endeth my blog-a-day year.

Stuffed Chicken

Chicken stuffed with spinach, feta, and garlic by Fresh Seasons Market. Mashed potatoes by Kimmijo.

K. Was Here

Saturday.

Yummy Yarn

Delicious purple merino wool yarn with a gold thread - got the last three skeins of this color on sale at Flying Sheep on Friday.

Good Little Traveler

Under the Tree

Christmas Eve

A Note to Travelers on Eastbound I-80 Near Youngstown

Despite the sign, New York City is not, in fact, right around the corner here. You have about 400 miles worth of Pennsylvania to go yet. Enjoy your trip.

Holiday Break

The furry purry one and I will be traveling today. Posting will resume Wednesday or Thursday.

Green Christmas?

Warmer temperatures and rain have melted most of the snow.

Solstice

A New Visitor This Morning

More Gifts

The loot just keeps rolling in here.

All Wrapped Up

Gift

Pencils made from wrapped Chinese newspapers.

Remembrance of Things Past

Yard Stick

Baking

Snow is flying.



A good night for cookies.

Friday Beer Blogging

Sam Adams Winter Lager.

Miniature lights not included with six pack.

Car Horns

What do Chinese sweatshop laborers think while they're molding these novelty antlers for American cars?

Seriously. Someone paid money for car antlers.

Don't Look

Sylvie likes to sit on the fake snow around the Christmas tree, because it's squooshier than the hardwood flooring. But I can't get her to look at me when I have the camera.

Happy Birthday

I spent my entire day working on the final project for a class: a magazine redesign. Okay, I wasn't working on it for the two hours I was at Paesano's being fed pheasant and bigoli pasta and a big juicy glass of wine. For the redesign, I've been working on WildBird because a) it needs it and b) I like birds. (I especially like them in a ragu with bigoli.)

The project really came together this evening, and I keep looking at how...now, this might sound silly...but how real it looks. Like, this could actually be on a shelf in a bookstore:



Like, holy shit, I finally feel like I'm good at something.
Like I'm finally real.
It only took 34 years.

Australia to Ann Arbor

In five days.

Watch my Christmas cards take two weeks to get to oHIo.

Hand-Crafted Journals

Thanks to a free tutorial that came to me via Photojojo, I've learned how to make little notebooks. The 4" by 6" photo prints are held to the inside sheets like a perfect-bound book with white glue and I use cut magazine covers for the spines.

Super Quick Scallop Soup

Start with the ingredients so many good things start with: olive oil and garlic. When the garlic is softened, add two cups broth, grated carrot, and sliced leek. Bring to boil, then reduce and skim. Add fresh pepper, parsley, and half a pound of bay scallops. Simmer until scallops are opaque, about five minutes. Makes enough for two or some for tomorrow.

Home Early on a Friday

Time to uncork it!

Fraser Gets Dressed

I <3 my new doctor

Image: Mollie Taylor

I gotta love a woman who explains how to knit a cable stitch while administering a breast exam.

Winter White

Scarf knit in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. I have no idea what size needle I'm using (13?) and this second glass of Leelanau riesling means I can't be fussed to check.

World Snuggling Championship Held Today

Wee Tree

Hi, I'm Fraser, and I'll be your Christmas tree for the season. Today's specials are the gold spray-painted pine cones and the plastic icicles. I'll give you a minute to look over the ornament list and I'll be back to take your order.