wintertime adventure to the capitol

Today, I awoke with an empty day. No work, no plans. excellent. So my friends and I decided to do a random car trip to Madison to shop for some New Years Eve apparel. I didn't buy anything, and mostly just went to try out my new camera. I love the snow in the pictures. Unfortunately, we were in a bit of a hurry to return home, so I had to walk and shoot, causing the blurriness above. (We also had a yummy dinner right on State Street at Queso)

Song of the Day: KIDS by MGMT

non snow day

Today, spirits were down because the much anticipated and rumored first snow day of the year didn't occur and we were subjected to boring lectures and non-important classes yet again. But, in an attempt to start my day off the best way possible, considering the terrible blizzard still ongoing, I decided to make myself a Swedish Breakfast of Swedish pancakes, applesauce, and coffee. It was delicious.

I also have had a relapse in my Starbucks addiction. I thought I had outgrown the cravings when I quite drinking coffee there cold-turkey this fall. I spent way too much of my time and mostly my dollars there last year so I did myself a favor and broke off the addiction. However, on Monday night, my mom and I were out to dinner and we stopped in for some dessert. I ordered a Peppermint Mocha Twist- big mistake. It was possibly the best thing I have ever tasted and since Monday, I've been there twice.

(Photos by me!)

Mer de Glace

I had to post this gorgeous photo- taken in my favorite place (so far) in the world, Chamonix.

Today, the snow fell, and finally stuck. The beginning of what will be a very long and frigid winter has arrived and it's time to break out the wooly socks and oversized sweaters. I sure wish I could be back in the French Alps right about now, curled up in a mountain cabin with some Jane Austin novel and sipping an espresso.... Ahh..... always dreaming.

(Photo by Ben Martinez and cwbuecher from flickr)

italian hot chocolate

I was looking through some travel guides (what else is new) and I read something about how Italian hot chocolate is different from the American, very liquid, hot chocolate. It is supposedly a lot thicker and richer. This made me curious, and I happened upon a recipe via Lucullian delights for "dense hot chocolate" I think I may try come some frigid day...

DENSE HOT CHOCOLATE
2 rather big cups
4 tblsp high quality cocoa powder
3-4 tblsp sugar
4 tblsp corn starch
400 ml/1,7 cup milkspices or some other desired flavour

- Mix cocoa, sugar and corn starch very well.
- Pour milk into a pan and then add the dry ingredients while you whisk.
- Bring to the boil under constant stirring until it has reached the desired density.
- Drink and enjoy!

Probably horrid for your health, but what can I say, I have a sweet tooth!
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