The Great Escape - Not!

When my hands are full of mail 
and packages, I open the door and 
Fred escapes...... across the hall. 
He doesn't want to leave home, just 
play chase and dodge.

Told him over and over,
its not allowed.
He doesn't care.
Cats just wanna have fun. =^..^=

Our Turn

Finally, it snowed in Philadelphia too.

About a foot in the city. 

Enjoyed a delightful catch up lunch with

old friend, colleague and marvelous painter, 

Leslie Baker ( http://lbaker.com/ ), back in 

town to install her daughter at University, 

Afterwards,  on the way home,  I passed the 

Magnolia trees in St Mark's churchyard.

                                           (click on image to enlarge to see birds)

The branches were full of Robin Red Breasts dining on 

the buds as well as some brown berries on 

sidewalk trees.

I'll never understand how birds can stand the

freezing cold on their little naked birdie feet.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Time To Bake The Cookies, Part II

Been making biscotti.
Biscotti means "twice baked".
First bake the dough into
loaves. 

Then, after they've  cooled a bit, 

slice them on the diagonal. 

Bake the slices for 10 minutes

or so. 

Easy and fun to make. 

I've collected many biscotti

recipes and sometimes change

the add ins and flavorings.

This time, Chocolate Mocha 

Walnut, Orange Cranberry 

Pistachio, and my Italian

teacher Teresa's Chocolate 

Chip Hazelnut.

Most will be holiday gifts.

One size fits all and no one

ever returns them.

Personally, I prefer Whisker Lickins crunchy tuna snacks.

PS
I'll be happy to share recipes, should anyone want one. 
Or, just Google your favorite flavors followed by the word "biscotti"
and find more than you want to know.

The Cat Boys and I wish everyone a joyful holiday!  =^..^=

Time To Bake The Cookies

(click on images to enlarge)

Started my biscotti baking.

I like to alter recipes as I go.

Today, chocolate mocha with

walnuts and mini chocolate chips.

Tomorrow, stay tuned. I'll see 

what I feel like making. 

Christina making Christmas treats in my book THE LITTLE SNOWGIRL

Always delightful to see a foreign edition.

Want to guess the language of this one?

Along with the book, my splendid designer Gunta Alexander, 

included this note that someone had posted in the xerox room 

at Putnam. Click on it to share the amusing commentary. ;-)

In The Cards

Finished my holiday card, done completely on 
the computer, Good practice.

Only when I finally printed it out did I realize the color 

scheme bore a strong resemblance to a product always 

on hand around here.  

=^..^= =^..^=

Image from the Purina/ Tidy Cat website
http://www.tidycats.com/

Happy Birthday Mom!

The Birthday Girl herself

                                               

  Wishing Mom a very Happy Birthday!

    with huge hugs and all my love, C

                31.1 Celsius**   

Mom as a tot on her Dad's shoulder

Here's Mom at age  -15 Celsius. ;-)

**a wink to George Carlin

Happy Hanukkah!

My illustration from HOORAY FOR HANUKKAH, by Fran Manushkin, Random House