The cat has burrowed into the pile of blankets that need to be washed. I'm trying to work up the heartlessness required to evict him.

I hope it's a long week - it's the first one I've had off since early June.

Seeing it was 25° F during my morning walk made me feel much less wimpy about breaking out the gloves. The poor alley cats had a block of ice in their water dish.

It's very cold here in DC. But fun, because I'm with my bestie! And last night we had her bachelor party and it was fun--very HIMYM Barney--we suited up, played laser tag, had steak, and then went to a strip club. Which was both awesome and hilarious. The strip club was....something else. In Hyattsville (for those who know the DC area), in the middle of nowhere, and apparently without a liquor license...so it's BYOB, as long as you bring it in a plastic bottle. So we went college style, and bought bottles of coke beforehand, drank a few sips, and poured in rum...Mostly it was just fun because my friend has a very expressive face, and every time something interesting happened she'd turn around to look at us with a look of amazement or whatever on her face all "Did you see that???"

Last I checked, the same can be said of every other medication, and most food. Toxicity is measured by dosage and application, not chemical components.

If there were a toxic level of potatoes Teppy or I surely would have hit it by now.

Pouring a proper gin and tonic was most definitely part of our upbringing.

Right? Heh.

11 degrees here.

That clear blue sky is taunting us. I really wish I didn't need groceries.

Last night I pulled out my favorite grey wool sweater only to discover the front of it full of holes. I guess it's an at-home sweater now.

I haven't left the house yet today (and, man, I'm just so amazingly lucky to have my husband who volunteered to walk the dog this morning at 7 AND just took her for her midday walk). I did make a half batch practice run of the cookie swap cookies I'm hoping to make. I ALWAYS say I'm going to practice and NEVER do so I feel like I've gotten a ton done today! I haven't actually baked and eaten the cookies, though, so who knows if they'll actually work! They're Thomas Keller's always delicious chocolate chip cookie recipe with added olives. I'm basing it on a truly amazing olive/chocolate dessert we had a restaurant in Chicago in May (Balena). I'm hoping it will be tasty plus interesting enough to be worthy of cookie swap!

If there were a toxic level of potatoes

(hand up) Man, I miss potatoes. Baked, garlic mashed, twice baked, tots...sigh. 'Taters, man.

That sounds awesome, meara. Also those cookies, lisah! Also non-drafty windows, Jess.

I feel like a talk about it all the time, but HGTV really is the most diverse channel on TV: I assume these two guys are a couple (I just turned it on) and they are middle-aged and nerdy, and an interracial couple. They would literally never be on any scripted entertainment.

Oh, the other thing I'm doing is figuring out some things to do in San Juan when we're there next weekend! Hoping it's sunny enough that we will mostly be hanging out at the beach but I want some rainy day backup plan.