snow survivor.

In my near seventeen years living this side of the Cascades, never have I seen this much snow. It's outrageous. I haven't really been able go beyond ten minutes of my home since Tuesday. These shots were taken just a few days ago to demonstrate just how much it has piled on, but has snowed even more since.

Yet, I'm surviving. How? The sugar-induced holiday baking highs, of course. Now that times are tight for all of us, there is no better or quicker (or more foolproof, when you lack the basic patience or talent for handcrafts as I do) homemade gift than baked goods. And that's no revelation - likely anyone who reads this has sent off their tins of shortbread and peppermint bark weeks ago. I personally love to bake plentiful batches of biscotti; characterized by being "better with age" they travel well when freshness is not as big an issue. Not to mention there's nothing I love more than dipping the leftovers in my morning coffee.

And the testing continues! Our latest mission from Hannah has been Persimmon Blondies. However, with the aforementioned terror that is our current icy road situation I haven't been able to search very far for the elusive fruit. One of Hannah's substitution suggestions was applesauce, though, which I happened to have plenty of on hand.

The verdict? INCREDIBILITY. Serious. Between the unusual spice addition, the fudginess, the inability to go wrong with a healthy dose of chocolate chips, these bars are blowing my freaking mind. Do I feel this way because attempt after attempt of homemade blondies have disappointed in the past? Could it be because I'll eat anything warm, stuffed with gooey chocolate, and sandwiched with ice cream? Whatever it may be, these hit a home run with me. I'd love to try these using the persimmons, but at the moment I don't believe I'm lacking any of its intended melodious, spicey, and fudgy outcome. Easy, came together well, baked well - beautiful.

Switching gears for a moment, I would like to leave you with the Feather. A very resourceful cat she may be, and I don't blame her for seeking out the warmest spot available even when she has more than one large and cushy cat bed lying about the house. But for readers of Fail Blog, I'd call the cable box an epic bed fail.

back from the whirlwind.

Whew; so. Excuses. I was honestly, truly, and terribly busy up until about a week ago. Sure, I could have gotten my lazy ass into a gear and posted this crap over the weekend, but even then I was busy and then just wanted to rest. So let me give you the wrap-up.

Bat Boy: The Musical (the segment starts on the video at about 2:40 left) closed last Saturday. I worked the show as assistant stage manager, so my life had revolved around it for the last couple months. Over the course of the run, I brought plenty sweets for the cast to share, but it didn't even cross my mind to snap any shots. ...I'm just glad it's done.

But let's get to the real meat (so to speak) of things. I'm incredibly fortunate enough to be one of Hannah's testers for her latest cookbook, and we've already been put to work on two recipes. The latest is a Cherry Macaroon Tart.

Oh, Cherry Macaroon Tart. It's not such a secret that I'm infatuated with you. I've made you twice already. How many eyes have seen me sneak into the kitchen time and time again to steal bites of you? Perhaps it's a bit much to presume, but I think that you feel the same way. After all, you come together so easily for me - how can we not make the perfect match?

Alright, enough lusting. But it's true - I've made this twice. Sort of. My first go was a bastarized version to bring to an Obama Day! Election Day party made with a modified crust. I red-white-and-blued it up by replacing most of the cherries with frozen blueberries and raspberries. This was mostly because upon receiving the recipe, I only had a few ounces of Trader Joe's cherries in the freezer and was dead-set on bringing this SUPREMELY QUICK AND EASY treat to the party. I made it a second time entirely against my will for the sole purpose of using Hannah's determined ingredients. It wasn't at all because those selfish Democratic bastards left me no leftovers to take home and eat later. No. Not at all.

I will note how versatile this recipe is. Both fillings - berry-variety and all cherries - firmed up beautifully.

Additionally - I finally got my hands on some matcha powder (thank god for Uwajimaya)! $10.99 for 1 oz. Eesh. Still, I didn't have to pay shipping and I could use the EBT card. And it goes a long way, right...?

Oh, I almost forgot: OBAMA!

AND PROP 2!

AND GREGOIRE!