Poor Frozen Little Toad

This picture was taken in November, right before the first snow. It was very cold that day and as I was cleaning the basement I could see something out of the corner of my eye. I look up to see this little toad hanging on to dear life to the window. She looked so cold and sad looking. So hubby did the only right thing to do and braved out there and dug her a hole with leaves so she would be all nice and cosy for the winter :-) Stay tuned for Teddy the Toad returning in the spring. (click on the picture to see all the details, pretty amazing). L.

My Favorite X-Mas gifts

This year, I must say, everyone surpassed themselves! I must be very "special" lol. My stepdaugther presented me with a beautiful picture of us together at her aunts wedding. It was very touching and heart warming to receive such a gift. My other step daugther and son (yes, there are 3!) must have been snooping in my wine cellar to find this info. If not, BRAVO! They both gave us 2 bottles that I simply love. Wolfblass "Grey" and the Errazuriz. I also got something very unexpected from my in-laws, a gift certificate from Sephora!! Heaven!! From my hubby, the best gift has to be the book "My Last Supper". A true work of art. I'm a total foodie and I enjoyed browsing through this book so much. The photos are amazing. I will do a complete review later to give it the full justice it deserves.

Winter Bug Buster

Tangy Leek and Ginger Soup

The perfect soup on a cold winter day!

-2 medium leeks, washed and sliced
-2 Tbsp of butter, or Ghee or good olive oil
-2 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
-2 potatoes, peeled and diced
-1 container of chicken stock, or vegetable stock
-1 Tbsp grated ginger and it's juice
-1/2 cup of cream, or to taste
-White wine to deglaze (optional)
-Salt & pepper

Melt the butter and gently saute the leeks until soft, add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds. Deglaze your pot with some white wine and let it evaporate by more the half (optional, if you have not wine, skip this part). Add the potato and stock. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Remove from stove and add ginger plus the juice, then the cream. Puree through blender, food processor or hand held blender (the best). Reheat gently without boiling and add salt or pepper to taste.

MMMMmmmmm Christmas Baking

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SUPER DUPER SPECIAL DONUTS!!

My favorite part of Christmas is all the baking and eating of course. And coming into a new family usually means new recipes :-) This one is a keeper! Apparently this is a "secret family recipe" and should not be shared at all cost.. Well, as my mom would say (she was a marvelous cook); "recipes are meant to be shared". In my book, someone asking for your "secret" recipe, is the best form of flattery there is.

SOOOOOO, my friends, if you have a few hours to kill and you love donuts, email me and I will be glad to give you the instructions heeheehee.

FYI; they freeze well, however are best eaten right out of the Fryer!

Fountain of youth....

This is one of the occasions where Friskie's cuteness comes out. He has been doing this trick for years now. Not sure how he learned....He somehow prefers fresh water from the tap as opposed to his own bowl. He will sit patiently in the tub, focusing all his mental abilities on willing that water to flow out.When the tap is turned on its like he is amazed that he has this mind over matter power. He will carefully position himself a few inches from the trickle of water and lick it until his tank is full. Keep in mind, he has been doing this for about 14 years, but every time seems like a miracle to him...

Christmas Kitty

Guess who's gettin' some Sephora for X-mas????

Snow...more Snow

Well, here we go again... I have to admit that it is pretty and does put me in the Christmas mood. Note the evil cat in the window, laughing at the stupid freezing people shoveling outside.... I want to be a cat in my next life.