Merry Christmas!

Love – Britta, Dan and Samwise the Cat
(and special thanks to Carrie for her photoshop skills) 

Banana cranberry chocolate chip muffins

As I’ve said before, I make muffins about once a week. We try to only eat one a day so the batch lasts the work week, but sometimes that doesn’t happen. Like these delectable treats. I ate three in one day! These muffins are now among my favorites – I just couldn’t resist their soft [...]

Friday Catbloging

A winter’s afternoon birdwatch

Diabetic Shock Chocoloate Chip Cookies

These cookies have gone by several names since I received this recipe from a friend.  I’ve since re-named them “Diabetic Shock Chocolate Chip Cookies” since that’s what will happen to you. You are forewarned.
Preheat to 325 degrees

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 Tablespoon vanilla

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 cups flour

1/2 [...]

Clothes and Hair

I got a new suit in October. With my work duties, I find I’m in a suit once a week during September- November. It’s quite difficult to find a petite suit that doesn’t make me look like I’m 50 AND costs under $100.  This one is it. It’s comfy, will probably still fit [...]

Oatmeal-Craisin Cookies

Just about to go into the oven.
These are my grandma’s favorite, and I like to make a batch for her every few months. I think they hold up well in the mail (no one’s ever complained). The key to success is plumping the crasins up a bit before mixing, which helps create [...]

Clean Sweep

We’re cleaning the house top to bottom today in anticipation of our good friends arrival tomorrow.  I never thought we’d be on the way to anywhere, but apparently Wyoming is west of us
I probably won’t be back online until Tuesday, so have a great extended weekend!

Friday Catbloging

Because I took a day of vacation today to write my term paper, I have a glimpse into the hard life of Samwise Gamgee. It appears to consist of sleeping in soft & comfy spots, an hour or so of window watching, a half hour of play time, and an hour of grooming.
The grooming only [...]

Cuts Like a Knife

Near the back of my father-in-law’s Tennessee property is an old barb wire fence. How old? I’m not sure. How long do you think it took to grow into this tree like a cheese slicer? Nature always amazes me.

Little Christmas

I love the German tradition of waiting to decorate the Christmas tree until Christmas Eve, but this year, we had our little tree up on December 1. We like to keep decorations to a minimum, and this year it seems cozy and comfortable as usual. The mini-nativity is just to the left of this photo. [...]