January 03rd, 2018

This is the thermometer that sits outside the window that is over the kitchen sink.  The most important thing to know about this thermometer is that, It Lies!  It said the exact same thing yesterday and on my walk to Pilates class yesterday my phone reported 43 degrees but the "feel like" was 36.   Yesterday in addition to the cooler than normal temperatures it was also very windy and cloudy.  Today it's a tiny bit less windy but raining. And while I'm willing to conceded that it may be a little warmer than yesterday, it ain't no 50 degrees out!  In Northern Florida today they are expecting some snow, freezing rain and ice!!  Crazy!

​And while our current weather is nothing compared to what other parts of the country are experiencing right now, Yes, I'm talking about you, Eastern Seaboard, it's unusual for us.  Personally, I'm enjoying the change of pace.  I have little concern about snow or even ice here on the Island. But I feel badly for any tourists who came here on vacation this week expecting to be frolicking on the beach in swimwear.  I'll wander over to the beach later and see if there are any die-hards in the water, well other than surfers of course. I already know they are a little crazy.

​Maybe the thermometer is on strike or it's acting out in a rebellious sort of way.  Or maybe 50 is as low as it is prepared to go.  Whatever the case, I've learned to ignore that particular thermometer. As a measuring tool goes, it is less than stellar.  It came with the house, we didn't buy it. Perhaps we should replace it. But most likely, it will continue to sit there, inaccurately reporting the temperature until the end of time. And I will periodically look at it and then shake my head in disgust at it's poor performance.

​And I will enjoy our unusually cold, wet, windy, gloomy day. I will do fussy housey things and drink my  endless cups of hot water from my bright yellow mug and eat too many cinnamon rolls and probably have soup at some point during the day.

​Oh! Cinnamon Rolls, that reminds me.  Funny thing.  After all that blah de blah that I did about making cinnamon rolls for New Year's Day and thereby christening my  new pastry board...guess what the first thing I made was?  Hint:  Not cinnamon rolls.  Biscuits!  I made ordinary baking powder biscuits.   I just crack myself up.  Sometimes I am just ridiculous.  Why I felt it was so important to take my new pastry board on it's maiden voyage with something special like cinnamon rolls is beyond me.  Ordinary baking powder biscuits is more who I am anyway.  Not fancy schmancy cinnamon rolls.  Silly girl.

​I actually did make the cinnamon rolls. However it was ON New Year's Day instead of FOR New Year's Day.  Best intentions and all that.  They came out great though.  (At least as good as the biscuits!)  Cinnamon rolls are so pretty all the way through the process.  Before they are baked.  When they first come out of the oven and then when I pour that caramel pecan topping over them...prettiest of all.  Oh you don't have to take my word for it. Decide for yourself:

The house smelled so good all day!  Nothing quite like the fragrance of yeast dough rising and baking. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon filled the air as I bustled around rolling and kneading and in general making one heck of a mess. It was a sweet beginning to a new year.  Not a bad thing at all.

​Now, if you don't mind, on this chilly wet day, I'm going to read the newspaper and relax a few minutes over my hot cuppa and a cinnamon roll.  I wish you each an equally lovely beginning to your day. Everyone stay warm and dry today please, wherever you are!