Brrrrr-tacular!

It's been a brrrrrrrr-ific few days, but I think it bottomed out this morning:

The "official" report is that Fairbanks hit -40 for the first time this year. we didn't hit -40 where we live, but I do think we did back in November or sometime last fall? Anyway, brrrrr! The girls got into huskyballs after breakfast:

But this is how they watch me prep their breakfast. They stare very intently.

Miss Thistle still wanted to go for a morning run! Ayah! I could not believe it!

We went for a short one, then turned around and came home. She seemed content with that.

The sun has returned! Time to bust out the shades! I'm so cool, I look like a Chinese grandma!

I'm sexy and I know it!

Cool and Sunny

Our favorite weather! The recent snowfall, long anticipated, was nicely preserved. And the sun is warm enough to feel on your skin.

This is a sacred spot. Everyone who travels these trails knows it.

Look! They are capable of traveling at a Reasonable Speed!

That horrible overflow on our creek crossing is covered; we can just zip over it now!

This is the spur that connects from the trail system to the back of our property. No one uses it but our one neighbor and us, so we maintain this trail section ourselves! The blurriness in this photo is due to steam rising from my hand! It's warm!

Thistle selfie! She lets me squeeze her now, but out of Respect for her Royal Highness, I limit myself to 5-6 a day. Or sometimes 7. Or maybe 8.

Cricket LOVES hugs. No limits there!

Look how happy she is in her post-cuddle glow. :D

Happy Year of the Ox!

Red is an auspicious color, so today I put on... THIS!:

(LOL I have been partying it up in New Year attire since September!)

Since our New Year Feast is a party of two, I divided it into several days. Day one was nian-gao:

On actual New Year's Day, I made jiao-zis:

And kale for veggies:

A very edited New Year "feast":

But I made 136 in total, so we are having more tonight, and there are more in the freezer!

I wish you and yours a happy and healthy Year of the Ox!

Daily Afternoon Apple Companion

When I am 100, my memories of the pandemic will include my daily apple and Thistle's immediate appearance within the first crackling sound of my incisors initiating the first bite.

One last hit of bbbbrrrrrrr

Well we never hit the -40s, but it's been pretty chilly.

Miss Thistle is comfy. I think she's finally adjusted to living with us.

Cricket squeezie selfie!

In the interest of Supporting Our Local Food Security, I bought a bunch of Delta Junction-grown barley products (in addition to the barley flour, which I have long been using).

Cream of barley cereal is very good!

And when I eat it instead of instant oatmeal, I don't need a second breakfast! Cream of barley is good fuel!

In December and January, butt-ass cold (that is a Technical Meteorological term) brings ice fog, which looks like cotton candy as it hovers in the orangey-pink low sun. In February, butt-ass cold brings bluebird skies! The sun rises high enough to turn yellow, and it's just not possible to remain at -40 for a week. Happy Diurnal Changes Week!

This morning, for only the second time in a year, we did a shortened morning run. Because Brrrrrrrr!!!

And we are eating rich foods, like this lasagne!

I made it with a tube of Delta Junction Sausage, plus a large bunch of kale, a large bunch of collards, and four kinds of cheese!

Happy return of daylight!

Oh my heckin' heck!

Right now, this graphic is on the front page of the Minor News:

Wind chill? In Fairbanks? Why, I never! The NOAA report reads as follows:

Brrrrrr-tacular! Here is a photo of the Queenly Miss Thistle, Pondering the Fire like Hestia. She is the Keeper of Wisdom.

Baby, I knead your lovin'!

And now you have a pizza my heart!

This sandwich is wholly guacamole:

A tamal pie

Served with collard greens:

Tues morning update: It is 9 a.m., and that forecast from last night did not come to pass. Look! Only a relatively balmy -20F! We did our normal morning run, no change in schedule.

They look pretty content, don't you think? I sure hope they are comfy.

Them paws though. :)

Mmmmmmm fritos!