I Can't Keep Up

I've shoveled 4 times already today. Once this afternoon,

then this evening I went out and shoveled a couple more inches and by the time I got done, there was another inch on the ground. So I shoveled that. Then when I got done with that, did the neighbor's sidewalk. Then there was another 1/2" or so on the ground so I shoveled THAT. And I have another idiosyncrasy to share ... when I shovel, I like it cleared all the way to very edge of the driveway or sidewalk ... right up to the grass. And now it looks like there might be 2 more inches so I'll probably go out one more time before I go to bed. It's starting to blow now, too. School is already cancelled. The Y is closed until Thursday. Blizzard warning. Travel at your own risk. But I can still run, can't I?? Just kidding!! Maybe I'll get my skis out tomorrow...

Didn't go to Beetles this evening. One reason, the weather. Just not great driving. Another reason was that supper wasn't ready until about 6:30. I made minestrone soup from the latest issue of Cook's Illustrated. It's delicious, I have to say.

You start with 3 oz. of pancetta. The package I got was REALLY lean. It hardly rendered any fat at all. You've got to pick through them ... some were about 95% fat.

Then you add onion, celery, carrot and zucchini.

And then garlic, cabbage, salt and red pepper flakes.

Then you cook the cannellini beans in chicken broth and water (with a parmesan rind thrown in) for an hour, add the vegetables back in, and when it's done, add fresh basil. I didn't want to spend the $3 for fresh basil and contemplated using dried. I'm really glad I got the fresh. It adds a really nice finish to the soup.

I started some Christmas cookie baking today as well. 107 cookies and I haven't eaten one yet. :-) A batch of the Neiman Marcus recipe using a couple different kinds of m&ms and chocolate chips. I make them all the time. Know the recipe by heart. It's a good one. Then I made Candy Cane Blossoms. They're colorful. Rolled in red sugar. And tasty, if you like peppermint kisses.

Candy Cane Blossoms
Ingredients:
48 HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Candy Cane Mint Candies
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons milk
Red or green sugar crystals, granulated sugar or powdered sugar

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove wrappers from candies.

2. Beat butter, granulated sugar, egg and vanilla in large bowl until well blended. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; add alternately with milk to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

3. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in red sugar, granulated sugar, powdered sugar or a combination of any of the sugars. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and cookie is set. Remove from oven; cool 2 to 3 minutes. Press a candy piece into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 4 dozen cookies.

Thank you Shaun and Sue Palmer for getting the bidding going on the holiday cookie auction on the RTC website. :-)

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of all the sales flyers in the paper and emails in my inbox advertising "biggest sale of the year", "lowest prices of the season", 2-day only sale, 20% off everything/free shipping, ... yadda, yadda, yadda. I can't even make myself wade through them any more. Bah humbug!!

I emailed the New York City marathon folks. It looks like I could run it next year on (marathon) time. I'll have to decide in February or whenever the registration time is. Chicago would be a fun one to run sometime too. I've never run it and grew up in the suburbs. So many marathons ... so little time.

RTC members celebrating birthdays in December include: Dick Allen, Dale Amy, Betsy Baartman, Tom Barrett (milestone), Dick Bhend, Marie Boyd (milestone), Paul Christian (milestone), Steve DeBoer, Dan Diedrich, Dave Edwards, Duane Finn, Margo Fitzgerald, Tammy Friedrich, Steve Gastfield, Lisa Glynn, Greg Hagen, Shaun Hamburgen, Marilee Hardyman, Lisa Heins, Tom Jacobson, Dawn Johnson, Jodi Kaseno, Chris Kujath, Jim Li (milestone), Jim Martinson, Mario Minelli, Jay Mitchell, Katherine Moore, Sharon Mulvagh, Carole Pasternak (milestone), Julie Reiland, Sabrena Resman, Noah Retka, Drew Sciacca, Kevin Torgerson, Bruce Walk, Melissa Walk (they're spouses and they have the same birthday ... 2 years apart!), Terry Wangen. Gosh, that's a lot for one month. Nevertheless, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Off-Season Striders will run at Dunn Bros. / Elton Hills on Saturday at 7:30 for 7-10 miles, including the lovely UPHILL to Century High School. Gotta love them hills!!

Well, I guess I'll head outside for yet another go-round with my trusty shovel. Stay warm. Stay safe. Stay home. :-)

Toodles.