March Desktop Calendar

It's going to be March in about 3 minutes! Here's a desktop calendar:

To download a 1280 x 800 version, click here.   To download a 1680 x 1050 version, click here. 


Cedric thinks he'd be a great patron saint. 

Snow, and Joe, and Toast, and Tea, and Bon Iver, and an Angry Bird

So this was happening when we woke up this morning! Now I'm drinking tea, eating toast and listening to the appropriate snowy weather music.

Joe doesn't know what to think.

 And our bird friend made another visit (even if it's not the same one, I'm pretending). Any name suggestions?

He really doesn't seem very happy this morning. 

And, in case you forgot what I look like, here's an update. 

Tonight we are using our gift certificate for a free wine tasting! Six different merlots from around the world. AND cheese. Oh yes.

Enjoy your weekend!

I Spy...

I bought a watch! I missed having one and was sick of pulling out my cell phone to check the time.

Earl Grey Tea Cookies

 

What's that? I'm obsessed with Earl Grey? That could be. But I was going to a tea party today, and Earl Grey cookies seemed like an appropriate choice. Plus a friend gave me this fabulous loose leaf tea this summer. Look at those pretty purple flowers!

I started with a recipe from my new cookbook (fifty cents at Goodwill!). The recipe was for Vanilla Hearts. 

I don't have any cookie cutters, so I got crafty and made my own by cutting up a ginger ale can. So easy! I was hesitant at first, thinking about losing my 10-cent can deposit, and then I realized I wasn't in Michigan anymore. No can deposits in Spokane.

I added two tablespoons of ground loose-leaf Earl Grey tea.  And while I was adding the vanilla, I figured I'd throw in some lemon extract too. Earl Grey loves citrus. He told me.

They're not the sweetest cookies, so throw some sugar on top, or, if that's not good enough, ice 'em! 

Click here for the original recipe. I only changed 3 small things:

• added 2 tablespoons loose-leaf tea, finely ground in a food processor 
• added 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 
• topped with icing: combined 1 cup powdered sugar, 3/4 tablespoon soft butter, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1 to 2 tablespoons milk) 

Oh, and my dough was way too crumbly at first, so I added a little extra butter and about a tablespoon of water.

You should probably go have a tea party now.

Beer Boquets and--What's That?--the Sun

As I was getting something for dinner last night (usually it's something easy since Joe has night class), I decided to get Joe a little something for valentine's day, a bouquet of beer.

I picked out six different IPAs to make him a little sampler.

And I wrote him a valentine on a post-it note. I know. I'm a really romantic wife. But we usually agree to do nothing, so this is an improvement.

And what happened today, February 15?

Colorful Morning

I wasn't feeling very motivated this weekend, so today I'm playing catch-up. 

Before that happens, I'm enjoying the morning with an earl grey tea latte.

Click here for directions

Cedric Hits the Books

 We've been staying pretty busy with schoolwork around here.

Sorry, Cedric. Go back to your book. 

What else has been going on? 

Ceddy's February Desktop Calendar

A few days late...

For a larger version you can save to your desktop, click here.

Lake Coeur d'Alene and a New Bird

When I first got to campus this morning, fog and gray skies were telling me it might not be the prettiest day to finally drive down the road next to Lake Coeur d'Alene.

But then the sun came out.

Lemon Poppy Seed Cookies

Ever since I ate my first lemon poppy seed cookie at the Rocket Bakery, I've been craving more.

And because I had a lot of grading to do, today was clearly the perfect day to bake them.

The yellow frosting reminds me of when I went to Spain with my high school Spanish class. One of our hosts served chocolate cake that had words written in yellow icing on top. I was afraid to eat it because I thought they had covered it in Cheese Whiz!