feeling snuggled

In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.  

Albert Camus

Winter has finally arrived here, evidenced by minimal overnight snow flurries (teasers!) in the wheelbarrow outside the backdoor (used to haul firewood from the back of the yard).  The evidence is also abundant when I take the dog out, which is all too frequent (but that's another matter). 

However frigid the temperatures are outdoors, however, inside we are pretty much toasty. The glow of the Christmas tree lights is enough for me, but we have, additionally, the benefit of a fire in the fireplace. Ken loves his fires. And I have begun baking. 

This biscotti, while suffering from stunted growth, is nonetheless very tasty. Cherry almond, a la The Food Network. There are two miracles associated with this creation: the recipe called for tried cherries, which I actually had on hand; and turbinado sugar, which I also had in the cupboard. The turbinado has been languishing for longer than I'm sure it desires. I bought it some time ago in an effort to find a workable cooking/baking substitute for processed sugar, and then, bingo! a use for it!

I'm also eying a recipe in the catalog that came with Ethel: cheddar ale soup. Need I say more? I will be gone all day today, and tomorrow's schedule looks unpredictable, so I'm thinking that Tuesday might be the perfect occasion to concoct some of that. 

So although dear Monsieur Camus wasn't talking about warmth inside the house as his invincible summer (that's also a post for another time), warmth of this kind works for me these days. And it should only get better with the arrival of cards and letters, getting the tree decorated, and, well, some more time in the kitchen!

Sending you wishes for a lovely warm day. And week.