The ice coated my trees and fences and was on the metal trim of my sliding glass door this morning, but it wasn't on the roads so we had a work day like usual. I'm glad I took some photos since the ice didn't last long and the "silver thaw" of trees coated with ice was lovely.

After a weekend of baking I brought a couple of small loaves of bread into work today - I think the carrot bread is better after a day, the flavors meld more. I'll be making a variety of seasonal breads for friends this year - as affordable gifts for one thing.

My hands have broken out again (dry and cracked) - partly I think it is a contact thing (something I touch routinely with my right hand) and partly I think I simply need to avoid any of the cakes that people bring into campus for various events. Last week on Thursday I had a slice of what looked like a vanilla cake, but I'm willing to bet there was coconut in it. I'm so tired of this - I can go for weeks with my hands clear, and then something happens to set off the dermatitis and until it clears it is easy to re-trigger. I have resolved that if I can't read the ingredient list I won't eat it.

Despite grumbling about the cold I like this time of year - I can get out all of my great sweaters for a few months. Some I bought new last year at this time are larger sizes than I might buy now, but it doesn't matter so much if cardigan sweaters are a bit big. I will probably donate a couple of pullover tops that are hanging on me now, unless I can take them in a bit at the sides.

Everyone stay warm and cook up a storm this week!

SRS