Hogmanay

There had been plans for tonight that required Jean & I to dress ourselves in things other than our pajamas, but poor Aaron! He was bitten by a dog in Mexico last week and came down with the flu enroute to the doctor for the requisite rabies shot. So the lamb tagine and short films we'd planned with the Rivleys will take place next week, maybe. In the meantime we are wearing our pajamas and having apartment time, which isn't so sad considering the wintry-mix I see taking place outside. Plus we have a bottle of champagne and a bottle of cassis to mix with it for Kir Royale if we wish.



We've quite soberly made a list of things we should do in 2006, which includes much architecture license exam-studying; architecture license exam-taking. Jean and I had this plan for our nine exams--we would tackle the nine exams in pairs between the two of us (w/ one left over, I suppose) and after sitting for two different tests, we could quickly debrief each other for post-exam impressions of the untaken test. Today, though, we found an online chat room resource on the subject of the ARE exam which is basically thousands of citizens doing exactly this--thank you Internet!

We are also making truffles!



There are many steps to this particular recipe, each punctuated by a couple hours of letting the chocolate cool in the refrigerator, so it'll be late tonight before they're finished. But the ganache filling is already delicious, that I can say! It's basically cream, steeped in allspice, cloves, and ginger; and dark chocolate, all melted together and then chilled till hard. Then I use a melon-baller (bought specially) to make tiny boules of truffle, which I'll dip into melted very dark (70% cacao) and white (no cacao!) chocolate.

Happy new year!

Strike 1! Strike 2! ...

(picture courtesy of unklemunki)

I like a walk across the Brklyn Bridge as much as the next person, but still! For full disclosure, I haven't actually walked any bridges in the past two days, but after an excruciating one-hour bridge traverse last night in a car, I might be ready to try it tonight. As we inched along last night I could see the stream of pedestrians far outpacing us. This morning I'm equipped with a great pair of thick-soled, quilted winter boots, some of those skilift-type handwarmers, woolly trousers.

I observed that the streets seem even more congested this morning than yesterday. Maybe because people can postpone responsibilities (like jobs! & holiday shopping!) for one day, with the idea that this strike is a one-day affair, but now feel no certainty that it will end soon??

Manzanita Thanksgiving

While some were enjoying turkey and red velvet cake in the east, others were on the Pacific coast in Manzanita, Oregon. We had turkey, too (of course!), but also enjoyed a wine tasting while we were waiting for the turkey to be done, local crab the day after Thanksgiving, many games (Settlers, Cranium, Clue, poker) and walks on the lovely beach. Here are Jeremy, Cynthia, Erica and Bill. Click on them to see more pictures!

Christkindlmarkt

U.S. German Christmas markets ring in the holiday season

The Christkindlmarket in Chicago is the largest and most renowned Christmas market in the United States, attracting more than 1.3 million visitors from around the Chicagoland area, from both coasts and from around the world. The tenth annual market also celebrates the city's friendship with its German sister city Nuremburg, home to one of Germany's most famous traditional Christmas markets.

Bethlehem, PA (December 1-4, 8-11, 15-18)
This Christkindlmarket, located in Bethlehem's historic downtown district, is a heartwarming holiday event for the whole family featuring live holiday music, great food, children's rides and old St. Nicholas. It features an amazing array of exquisite gifts and fine arts and crafts, from jewelry to hand-made quilts.

Tulsa, OK (December 2-4)
The Tulsa Christkindl Market, sponsored by the German-American Society of Tulsa, comes again to the Gast Center. Visit the many seasonal booths while enjoying traditional German food, beverage and music.

From "The Week in Germany"