MISCONCEPTION

 What you think Arizona looks like:

What it really looks like:

The view outside my window after a brief midnight snowfall moved through the area.

GETTING LIT

Sometimes I just can't wait til Friday.

 

THE DECORATOR

 At least someone (SWMBO) in our home has a wee bit of the Christmas spirit.

Me: "Yingle Bells, Yingle Bells, Yingling all der vay . . ."

She: "Oh, shut up!"

BRUCIE'S BAKERY

 When we woke to a chilly house yesterday and our maintenance request was met by a report from a backed up heating company that they could probably come by Monday afternoon we panicked a bit.

(It's 21 degrees outside as I am writing this!)

A second call to our rental management company got a visit from the nice lady who handles things with a couple of electric space heaters.

We already had our small fireplace going and the oven was on in the kitchen.

But a short time later a second call from the heating company told us they'd had a cancellation and a guy could be coming by within the hour.

Elation!

He came, he climbed to the roof, he fiddled and tested, he came down and said the circuit board was failing but he had managed to jerry-rig (or jury rig) it and the furnace was once again throwing out heat.

A new circuit board apparently is in our future.

There is still heat this morning so we can wake up smiling.

Now there's an even bigger smile on the face of this story.

I made about 5-1/2 dozen Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies yesterday!

They come from an old recipe found in SWMBO's recipe box, which includes dry oats to give them body, raisins to make them chewy, chocolate chips to give them their name and a combination of brown and white sugars and a slash of vanilla to make them . . well, you know, to make your dentists as happy as you'll be eating them.

SWMBO, who usually prefers a shortbread version of the classic cookie, has declared these the best ever.

And praise from that master of the kitchen is well-received by this rookie.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 So how's every little thing this morning/afternoon/evening where you live?

Not too bad here except, as every year at about this time, our furnace seems to be acting erratically.

Not good when the cold weather is upon us like a shroud.

But there is one thing good about today.

Oh, and of course there are "The Holidays".

That's it for this week, Gentle Readers.

Now try to keep your holiday angst at large and enjoy a snow-white weekend.

And always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .

(er, kitty-kitty-kitty . . .)

HOLIDAY BAKING

 Okay, so we've been baking.

Today I attempted some Thumbprint Cookies.

As I was lining up a shot, Judy snarled, "You didn't TAKE any pictures of my Pinwheel Cookies."

So I did.

They're actually Date Pecan Pinwheel Cookies.

And while neither of the batches would win any awards for beauty, I can tell you that they're all delicious.

This is the one part of The Holidays that I like.

DECEMBER BLUES

 Blast!

It's that time of year again.

I seem to remember a time when I liked December.

Many, many, many years ago.

Now I'm overcome with ennui, facing the Xmas onslaught.

I made a batch of cookies about a week ago.

SWMBO has made a batch of different cookies today.

It doesn't do anything for me.

Yesterday, or was it the day before, I found a message on my telephone answering service, noting that I hadn't blogged recently and wondering if I was okay.

I didn't even have the energy to call my inquirer back.

I emailed a brief note, indicating that all was well.

That's a lie: the weather has turned cold.

(For Arizona. High temperatures in the 50's.)

The past two days the mail delivery has revealed a few Christmas cards.

I've been saying it for years but I think this year I really mean it: I'm not going to send cards this year.

I suppose some people will be offended though I'm not sure anyone will even notice.

I read a few blogs this evening but couldn't think of anything to say in the comments so I didn't.

Perhaps the most likely response that comes to mind is a famous or infamous one: BAH! HUMBUG!