A QUICKY

 Judy took over the reins of the self-quarantine bakery yesterday inspired by a Dorie Greenspan recipe for a fig and goat cheese quick bread.

She made some alterations, based on what we had in the refrigerator.

She subbed feta for the goat cheese, green onions and celery leaves for the fresh rosemary and thyme.

It came out great!

It might have been a little crumblier with the goat cheese but it was still delicious.

You can find the recipe on-line by Googling "Goat Cheese and Fig Quick Bread".

SNOWFLAKES

 

Today the sky is clear and Mother Sun has returned.

The snow we've accumulated will begin to melt.

These images on my window formed a couple of days ago as snow struck it, froze, melted and froze again.

It was a constantly changing panorama as the flakes slid down the window, colliding and coalescing with others.

Most of the area was shut down yesterday except for plows and emergency vehicles.

I was surprised in mid-afternoon to find my driveway thoroughly shoveled and learned that it was my Young Marine angel from across the street that had done it.

Even in a nasty storm there are some who feel a call of duty.

Thank you, C.

IT'S STILL SNOWING

 It looks like it snowed most of the night and it's continuing this morning.

MO' SNOW - PART TWO

 The BRD, who lives in Prescott at a somewhat higher elevation than where we live, sent me a couple of pictures from her home this morning.

MO' SNOW

 Remember that snow we had yesterday?

It all melted away by evening.

But then it snowed again in the night and it's been snowing more heavily all morning.

And now, much to the chagrin of the Blue Cat, it's piling up.

Winter has come to Arizona.

IS THIS REALLY ARIZONA?

 The traditional view of Arizona is desert, cacti, rattlesnakes, sand, and the like.

Not this.

But Arizona is a land of many contrasts, from vast cities hovering at 900 feet above sea level where the temperature climbs into the 100's for summer days on end, to the largest Ponderosa Pine forest in the United States and mountains topping out at nearly 13,000 feet.

And yes here in the higher parts of the state we do get snow.

Where my neighbor's car sits encrusted with snow there's a nice contrast to his still-hanging Christmas lights.

And across the street is that little pine tree another neighbor planted many years ago, now all grown up.

(And up and up and up.)

The boughs seem to be sagging a bit under the weight of what a disc jockey I once knew used to call "celestial dandruff".

Here's a close-up to show you how wet and thus heavy that snow came to us.

We here in the Central Highlands are predicted to get more snow in the next day or two and then the temperatures will rise and it will begin melting off, gone away once again.

THE FRIDAY FUNNIES

 It is Friday once again after a somewhat difficult but ultimately satisfying week.

Time once again for the old Catalyst to try to ease your frowns and install smile lines instead.

So here goes.

So that's all I have today.

Have a fantastic weekend, everybody, and always remember to keep laughing!

Here, kitty-kitty . . .