Day 6 and snow on the way?

For Day 6 (of the self-imposed 12 Days of Cookies) I made these chocolate crackles, a Martha Stewart recipe. I've made these before with a little dash of instant espresso for a little jolt of coffee and they are outstanding. Pretty, no?

One thing I've noticed with any chocolate cookie or brownie recipe that calls for dutch process cocoa is this: the quality of the cocoa will have a noticeable impact on the outcome. Because of this fact, I like to go 'big' on the cocoa powder and use Valrhona Dutch Process 100% Cocoa, which I get at this place. Anything chocolate made with this magical powder will be outstanding! It is definitely worth the splurge. (And if you like to bake, treat yourself to a visit to NY Cake & Baking Supply - you will not be dissapointed!)

On a subject un-related to cookies or baking....here on the East coast we have a prediction for a potentially huge snowstorm - which is really rare for the Jersey Shore so early in the season. If we are lucky we get a dusting or an ice storm, but nothing like what they are predicting for this weekend. I noticed this morning the sky near the sun rise was red/pink. (and you know what the sailors say about a 'red sky by morn') So, despite wavering weather reports, I feel confident that some kind of significant weather event is on the way.

While it will definitley put the kabosh on my visit with Catherine on Sunday, and potentially delay my long-overdue hair appointment on Saturday (yikes!) I have to say I'm a little psyched. Nothing like being snowed in at Christmas time. It will free up time for me to make all this into my "12 Days of Cookies Album:"

....and work on this stuff for the Scrapper's Cove:

....and maybe even dive into this pile (Disney 08), which I've been in denial over for at least 12 months. The photo only shows about a third of the photos that need to be dealt with. (Mind you, another Disney trip has happened since this pile was formed, so now there are actually 2 piles like this.)

...and most importantly, these people will be over-the-moon beyond happy!

Yes, a big pile of snow this weekend would be most excellent - I say, bring it on!!