Winter. What I've learned.

Oh yeah, check out the "feels like" on that picture.

So here we are over half way through (I hope!) this winter. We've reached the point at which I am whiny and irrationally angry about the cold. My skin itches, I haven't seen my arms or legs outside of a shower in months, and I'm craving warm sun. And sand. Even Mr. Snoop is getting sick of it all. We're both really ready to spend some time outside. This being my 4th (and possibly final) Great White North Winter, I've learned some things. About how to keep my wimpy butt marginally warm. Behold:

- Fleece-lined leggings and tights. An absolute necessity. Winter is impossible without them.

- Tall leather boots. In brown and black. I discovered that the more of your body that is covered up, the better.

- Layers upon layers upon layers. Seriously. I wear so many clothes that it is laughable. For example, a typical winter outfit for me involves pants or leggings, socks, tall boots on the bottom half. And then we get to the top. Oh boy. On top I wear a short sleeved tshirt (or tanktop if it is above freezing) as a base layer, one long sleeved base layer, and then one or two sweaters on top of that. And a scarf. No, I don't sweat in all that. I can't remember the last time I was warm enough to sweat.

- Hot beverages. Tea, hot chocolate, etc. I drink hot tea constantly, especially since I work in an old, drafty church. It does help keep a person warm. And hydrated.

- Flannel sheets.

- Do not go outside without a hat and gloves.

- Many people would say wool, but I'm allergic. Hence, layers.

Thanks to listening to me whine. 20 days til March 11th (Match/Unmatch). Fortunately, in the mean time, I just got a groupon for a southern food (I've been needing fried chicken lately) restaurant in the city and my brother is coming up to distract us.

Mid February Randoms

This is what I love about February. You blink and it's halfway though! Here's what we've had going on:

- One month from yesterday is Match/Unmatch Day. This is where we find out if Mr. Snoop got a residency position. I get nauseous just thinking about it or looking at that day on my calendar.

- Nemo! We got well over a foot of snow:

Mr. Snoop shoveled while I stayed inside and made a bright yellow polka-dot skirt for the summer, naturally. We only have one snow shovel, ok? Luckily, we did not lose power or anything like that.

- Now that interviews are over, Mr. Snoop is on a new rotation. Looking at his ID picture, you get the idea that he may be scraping out earwax and boogers or killing you in your sleep with an ax. I mean, 50/50. You decide.

- The first weekend in February we went to parties Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights. I'm still worn out. Here we are at one of them, James Bond themed. Where else do you get to carry a fake gun (sorry, I'm a Texan and therefore completely tacky about such things), rock cat eyes, AND a sequined, leopard-print dress? And drink martinis!

Happy Valentine's week, everyone! I hope your week is full of all things pink and sparkly.

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Mr. Snoop and I typically eat at home nearly every night. Thus I usually cook nearly every night. Good for the budget and the waistline, you see. So I tend to make pretty healthy meals. Except this one. Are you ready? Because this is ridiculous. And a total man-catcher. You can find the original version on the Food Network website, but I adjusted this for our budget and needs (ie, I always simplify and will not spend $5 on a thing of panko I'll use just for this). Here goes!

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese

Serves 3 to 4

Ingredients

3 T unsalted butter
8 oz elbow macaroni (we always do whole wheat)
One large onion, chopped
1 cup shredded chicken (more or less)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 C hot sauce (I used Franks's and we like things SPICY.. definitely halve or quarter if you do not)
1 T flour
2 t dry mustard
1 1/4 C half and half
4 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
6 - 8 oz cheddar, shredded
1/3 C light sour cream
1/4 C blue cheese, crumbled

How To
Preheat oven to 350. Spray a baking dish. Cook pasta til al dente, about 6-7 minutes.
Melt 2 T butter and saute onion until golden. Add garlic and chicken. Stir til fragrant. Then add 1/2 C hot sauce and simmer until thickened, about a minute.
Scoot the onion, garlic, chicken, and hot sauce mixture over to one side of your pan. Melt 1 T butter on the clear side. Stir in flour and mustard to create a roux. Mix your roux in with the onion mixture and then add the half and half and last 1/2 C of hot sauce. Stir until thickened.
Once the sauce is thickened, stir in the pepper jack, cheddar until they melt. Then add the sour cream. Do a taste test here to make sure you have enough hot sauce. If you are like me, dump another half a bottle in there.
Stir the pasta and sauce together in your prepared baking dish. Top with blue cheese. Bake for 35 minutes, until bubbly. Let rest 10 minutes after baking.
Enjoy!