Baking and cats. Two big winter pastimes with me! Today we had snow in the afternoon. It was too nasty to take my afternoon walk, so I baked a cake instead. A marble pound cake. I think it's the type to improve as it ages. Over the weekend I baked this number below. I had 3 over ripe bananas so what else could I do. I didn't use chocolate chips, so it was almost healthy.

On Saturday, I did a shrinky workshop and that got me inspired to make this bracelet.

It's a pattern, during these cold grey days, I find pleasure baking. This week I made a peanut butter, banana chocolate snack cake and almond mango scones. I guess it could be worse. I could be drinking or online gambling. Mr. Bubbs had to photo-bomb these shots. He is now neutered and fully recovered. He went under the knife on Monday. Everyone was very fond of him at the Vet's. When I picked him up, the Vet said Bubbe had followed him out to his car at lunch and he was keeping him. Being gullible, I thought at first, how'd he get outside? Any hoo. Tomorrow I have a workshop at NAM. It will keep me from my mixing bowl for a few hours.

This afternoon I had two friends over for lunch. I finally got all my Christmas stuff down and out. It is always so good to have folks over. It was the motivation to finally wash the kitchen floor.

The pie is a baked "sweet chocolate" and it was good! The kitties are staking their claim to certain territories in the house. I had a big lump in my throat as I watched the Obamas wave goodbye and and enter the chopper. I'm not political and this blog is proof of that! Oh, but what does the future hold? Today in the mail I got a card from Denmark. A Christmas one that was sent on Dec. 19th, but that's another story. In it, Hanne, quoted a line from my previous X-mas card (Finky's guide to Life) "Hate less, love more and all good things will be yours." A good message to channel during these new and unknown days.

Hello dear Reader. Winter is here and I've been exploring via my sofa. I 'travel' with Rick Steves on PBS and I've been looking at decorating books. I've discovered Selina Lake and got the itch to go thrifting. Luck was on my side when I visited 2 local shops. The prices were so crazy low, I couldn't leave these finds behind. This vase was originally $9, but then it was 75% off! I put an amaryllis in it, which was also on clearance. 

This sweet table cloth had never been used. Saved for who knows when or too good for everyday use. I'm enjoying it and it's $3 price. Below is one of the Selina Lake books I've been enjoying!

Changing up the mantel. I was in need of some flowers for my favorite vase. This faux bunch was only $4 and to my eyes pretty nice for fake flowers.

Gold doodads, $2 for the pair, how could I leave them behind? Not sure what to do with them yet.

And this sweet painting to join my gallery wall, $4 and it was framed. Too bad it's a blurry shot. I think I need to stay away from more bargains, as my house probably can't absorb any more junk/treasures! I can see buying things and trying to resell them in the future maybe.

It does for me at least. We had over a foot of snow from Friday and Saturday's snowstorms. What goes better with snowy weather than cinnamon buns? I chatted with my sis and she had made some as well. Must be in the blood. I also had some ripe bananas and made this yummy banana cake. I've been taking and requesting many decorating and baking books from the library. Yesteday, after work I had a thrifting itch and went to the Johnny Cake center. The place was hopping and I found some excellent buys. One being a Valenting cake stand -for a dollar! Bubbe found it to be great for perching. Of course I'll need to bake something to display on this 'new to me' stand. 

I did sit at my desk and make this cutting. I have a bunch of Saturday workshops at the Newport Art Museum coming up. I was inspired by the illustrations on this tin:

Hello dear Reader. Happy New Year. I rang it in with my folks. It was relaxing and delicious (of course). I haven't made any resolutions. After being away for the long weekend, I noticed how nice it was to be unplugged. I think I'll try and not be so focused on social media. Not looking at every new post on Instagram and Facebook made me so happy. Also there's so much more that could be done with that time. Like baking! This is a sour cream coffee cake, with a struesel filling. Fi said it had a good crumb. I brought some to work so that we can share the calories.