Happy New Year!

Is it really the end of another year?!?  Each January, I wonder where the last year went and how I will survive the longest month of the year. Then, it's February and not long after that it's Thanksgiving again!

2012 will see the youngest Hinkelgruber graduate from college, and the oldest one (that would be me!) vowing to finish at least five sweaters I have begun.  (I bet you thought I would say something like lose 10 pounds or exercise more - hah! - if I were going to do that, I'd have started before now.)

To all of you, Happy New Year and here's to Mr. Hinkelgruber continuing to keep us well fed!

As one year comes to an end....

We survived Christmas (and I have a truly clean house!), 2012 approaches (think it really will be the end of the world?), and some things have been accomplished.

The mancave is complete and I'm thinking about the next project.  (It's not like there aren't enough to last through 2022!)  I'm thinking ceilings next....

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the neighborhood, although in the Hinkelgruber household, the decorating will have to wait until Wednesday.  In whose mind was I when I was asked if workers could measure our windows December 20 for inside storm windows? And I said yes?  I have to have an insanity gene.

So, from Wednesday until Saturday, we'll have a "blitz-decorating and planning" session for the holidays.  Monday will be occupied with cleaning so that the 'measurers' can get to the windows.  And, did you know that Goodwill accept old books?  I just learned that, and boy, have I made a dent in my book shelves and donated to a great non-profit!

Oh, in case you were wondering - yep - the "Mancave" is finished! WOOHOO!

Oldies, but goodies....

A quick look at this week's menu shows that Mr. Hinkelgruber went to the old family standby recipe book.  And, I couldn't be happier!

The man-cave is nearly complete (ahh, the smell of oil-base paint in the morning!) and the younger Hinkelgruber boy will be home from college at the end of the week.  Holidays are coming!

I've been sharing baking hints with the baker down the street (not to mention samples of each other's baked goods) and I can tell you from experience there's nothing like the smell of cookies and brownies baking to make you happy for winter!