Pumpkin tassies just came out of the oven.
House smells yummy.

Mixture smelled so good while I was making them that I made some extra up with the leftover pumpking (and no nuts). Dumped these into those little ramikins that I have and topped them with leftover pie crust. I'm hoping that they'll be a little like pumpkin pie without a lot of crust. I don't think the coolwhip is any good... But hey - I do have that leftover heavy whipping cream...

krysturtle was supposed to go to work today.
But due to the snow was unable to get out of the driveway and onto the road.

even if she had gotten out of the driveway - the lovely man with the suv yesterday that drove up and down the road - flattening the snow - has created to very slick, very icy lines down the road.
Hopefully the sun will help melt some stuff and get her out of the driveway tomorrow...

Eventually they'll plow. But the joy of being on the culdesac means they love us last.

We're going to go ahead and say 12". The ruler says about 11.5" right now - but the ice coming down is compacting the snow.

Our neighbor just shoveled our front porch so that we could open our door all the way - He's cool. I gave him dog cookies that I had baked, they have 3 jack russell type doggies. I tried to give him hot cocoa - but he passed on that.

I got up at 7:30 to see if I had to go to work. My boss called at the same time and said - enjoy your snow day. So I'm kicking back today.
I think it's going to be Krys's day to bake. I'll work on my dad's present (picture collage).
I have a few people left on my list that I just don't know what to do for them. Christmas is going to be small and inexpensive for me this year - that's just the way it has to be. If nothing speaks to me for these people - it may be that Christmas comes calling for them in the spring!

I call my mom when it snows. I don't remember how many years (decades?) ago this started.
I called her around 6, she was just leaving a restaurant and said - oh, its starting here...

Guessing the depth based on porch railing we're at about 2".
4-12" is the prediction for my area between now and Saturday night. If it keeps going the way it is - I can see that no problem.

We'll see what things look like in the morning. I'm supposed to work tomorrow. I'm also the closest one to the store. Thing is, the main roads will probably be fine, it's getting out of the neighborhood. Why worry about it right now...

I've baked today. Lemon squares, caramel, 2 types of truffles.
I've started to wrap presents. I'm afraid to put them under the tree. Lately if it rains hard/long something leaks in the vicinity of the fireplace (out from under the brickwork.)
Landlord knows - hasn't shown to look at it yet. I just don't want anything ruined. I might have a way to get around this... Gotta love rubbermaid lids and boxes... I'm using the purple wrapping paper again. I have one unopened roll and one that I'm working on finishing. If I finish the open roll I may change paper to something else. There's something nice though, about a pile of presents under the tree in just one or two wrapping paper colors.

Today is a day for lonely kitchen implements. We all have them. Those items that sometimes only have one job in the kitchen and don't always get to come out and play on a regular basis.

Microplaner, citrus squisher, pastry cutter, candy thermometer.
Later joining the show will be the candy dipping forks.

On Today's cooking agenda:
Lunch - spicy orange chicken and rice. (it was tasty)

Rolling and dipping the raspberry truffles. (rolled, chilling, ready to dip in about 15 minutes.)
Mixing, rolling, and dipping the Cran-Marnier truffles (Mixed, ready to roll any time now...)
Homemade caramel - cooling. Do I dip in chocolate or not...?
Lemon Bars (I'm blaming this on Ferball for asking about a recipe earlier.) I'm using the 2nd recipe I posted... The crust didn't seem to come together like they said - I needed a bit more water and I almost wonder if it didn't need more butter. We'll see how that turns out.

I'm thinking that there could be homemade oatmeal cookie pies in my future... we'll see.

honey ginger bites done.
tasty. Must put in freezer or I'll have to make another batch!
I'm thinking I'll make ginger snaps and start at least one type of truffle today.

Need to remember I'm supposed to go to the Olive Garden for work related stuff tonight. Free dinner. Go us.

What was said: Go Go Gadget Thumbs
What was heard: Go Go Gadget Thong

What followed:
What?
Did you say Go go Gadget thong?
No, I said Thumb. Go Go Gadget thong is what he wears at the beach.

I woke up earlier than normal today.
Went to walmart - bought stuff. (forgot the ziploc bags)
Came home.
Did a load of laundry (It counts as done even if I haven't folded it, right?)
Toasted coconut.
Rolled, Dipped and sprinkled toasted coconut on the Coconut BonBons that I started yesterday. (they are done)
Made the dough for the Honey Ginger Bites.
Made and baked the dog cookies. (It's supposed to make 36. I got 32 and a leftover blob.)
Made a list of the dogs and cats to recieve treats... thinking I forgot some out there...

Figured out that my purple embossing powder is Puffy embossing powder - that was a surprise - I was going for sleek and shiny. Oops.

put together the filling for the coconut bonbons - has to vacation in the fridge for at least 4 hours (around 5 I can start rolling centers.)

Made lime coconut cookies. These smell fantastic. I might have to try them with lemon instead of lime and without the coconut - they might be what I've been looking for to replace Lemon Coolers that the sunshine bakery used to make.

Currently have spicy chocolate shortbread trees baking. These will get a choco-spice drizzle later. (the spice is Cayenne powder - I lacked the Chipolte powder- but I'm thinking this might work...)

There will be caramels, truffles (raspberry and cran-marnier, I know) and I have some other new things to try out this year...

Last night I was talking on the phone with mom after I left the library on my way to the grocery store. I park the car at the Kroger and I'm trying to get my stuff together while I'm talking with her. Coupons. Grocery bags, purse, keys. Got all that. Go to make sure that my phone got put back in my purse when I came out of the library. Ack! can't find the phone. Look in the seat, the floor, the purse, that place between where the seat and the console meet! no phone! Starting to get worried.
Switch phone to other hand while still talking with mom. Figuring I might have more luck if I search with my right hand - easier to check under the seats with.... Duh! Phone is in hand - in use even.
Mom laughs hysterically. Even I find this funny.
Had to share.
I've had other moments like this - they normally involve my glasses or keys though.
I only hope I'm not the only one out there this happens to.

If I came with a warning label, what would it say?

(After you comment post this on your own journal if you'd like to play along.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5S_TsCZzGU&feature=related

If I came with a warning label, what would it say?

(After you comment post this on your own journal if you'd like to play along.)