use real butter

NaBloWriMo day 28.

We had our first few inches of snow on the last day of summer this year. Remember that? It made for some nice fall colors dusted in snow. The weather forecasts were warning of a huge winter storm to strike Colorado’s front range and mountains on Tuesday night. I flew home from California to an overcast Denver International Airport. Friends like Manisha tweeted me to be home before midnight when the snow was to arrive. My RTD bus snaked its way from Denver to Boulder, hitting rain on the way. As Jeremy drove me home up the canyon, we left a steady downpour on the flats and encountered the worst white out conditions we’ve seen in 4.5 years.

by morning

Shovels at the ready, we spent 2 hours clearing our driveway and the communal driveway this morning. There was a good 14 inches of super fluffy snow on the ground. By the time we had made our way to the road and walked back to the garage, another 4 inches had fallen. I scooped snow from our deck into a 1000 ml vessel and let it melt, winding up with just under 50 ml of water. That’s our Rocky Mountain powder – 1:20 water to snow ratio. That’s why it’s so good to ski! And ski it, we did.

wintry aspens

jeremy breaks trail

The roads around the state were in pretty miserable condition so we didn’t even consider hitting the ski resorts (although it would have been decidedly awesome). Reports of jack-knifed trucks and closures on I-70 convinced us to get a little cross country skiing in right out our back yard.

following jeremy down the hill

In total we’ve got about 26 inches on the ground now with 9-13 more predicted overnight. Then some more for good measure tomorrow. Just like the start of every winter season, 20°F felt just a tad chilly. I know by spring time, 20°F will feel HOT to me :) Yay winter!!

Recipe: green tea adzuki macarons

NaBloWriMo day 27.

World colliding: NaBloWriMo meets the Daring Bakers meets use real butter. Oy.

the daring bakers get stabby

The official line: The 2009 October Daring Bakers’ challenge was brought to us by Ami S. She chose macarons from Claudia Fleming’s The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern as the challenge recipe.

The unofficial line: I went with a tried and true recipe from Helen, my macaron expert. Sorry – I didn’t have time for screwing around with an unknown this month. I had a few hours before my flight to California, but I wanted to make some macs to take to my grandma for her birthday. Helen’s recipes never let me down. Never.

i like the matcha very mucha

blend the matcha green tea powder with the confectioner’s sugar

**Jump for more butter**

Rest in peace, Grandma Darling. We love you. We will miss you and your sweet smile.

jeremy and his grandma