Today I heard there might be afternoon "flurries," so I headed out bright and early to run my errands (mailing a camera, groceries, yada yada yada) because a) this winter "flurries" might mean 10 inches and b) tomorrow I won't have time for groceries because of all the basement remodel errands on the docket and c) I'm having some girlfriends over for the Oscars on Sunday and that day will be spent cleaning. So yeah, this was the best time.And then while at Trader Joe's I looked outside and saw the "flurries" that went on as seen above for about 2 hours. At least it's pretty!And then I got home to unload all my groceries and it stopped snowing (of course! since I wasn't on the road anymore!). But again, it's quite lovely and it's almost 10 degrees outside now, so consider my mood brightened.For your internet share: One of my favorite new blog finds this winter has been that of Deuce Cities. She's a hip young lass who has an impeccable eye for interior design and is fixing up her older Minneapolis home. I am truly inspired by her choices, not to mention the fact that she just recovered a sofa on her own (that, btw, is not on my bucket list -- sounds like pure hell). Anyway! Today she posted a recipe for a drink called the rusty iceberg that uses tequila and lemon and honey and man-oh-man does that sound yummy. So that's where I'm sending you off to today! Tequila for everyone!
Look at those pretty door knobs, eh? The photo studio portion of the big remodel is finished except for the new floor, and kids, it looks fantastic. So why am I not showing you more of it? Because the workers are using that space to house all their stuff (and as a work area) while they work on the *other* side of the basement. In other words, the walls and doors are up, finished and painted, but the rest of the room is a disaster. Be patient, you'll get to see it when it's all finished!Today there was more jack hammering and even some sawing through the exterior house walls to the interior to create a vent for the bathroom. Man was THAT loud. And I know all of this because when I woke up this morning the thermometer said it was -19, and I made the executive decision not to leave the house today. I would also like to point out that the day after tomorrow is MARCH, and some 20-degree temps would sure be welcome.For your internet share, I'm sending you to 
Not the most visually appealing when I show you photos of ads in the downtown skyway, eh? But this is cool because I took the photos used in these ads! And even though the art director didn't ask for a dog to be in the photos, I SNUCK ONE IN ANYWAY! Win. (Even if he is covered with letters.)I was downtown for an agency shoot today, and I realized these billboards would be up and I should go see how they turned out. And you know, while looking for them I happened to be walking by some shops so I bought some new pants. They have flowers on them. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME?!? This winter is making me crave spring so badly that I am buying floral clothing. Don't worry, I will wear them only with black.And speaking of flowers, I thought I would show you how pretty my bunch from yesterday are opening up in my office window. That was a *stellar* decision on my part, I tell you what.
For your internet share of the day, I'm sending you to something about children. I know! Floral pants AND children?!? My mother will be so pleased. Anyway, I know I don't post much about kids around these parts (because dogs are so much better), but 
The winter blues have finally got ahold of me good. It is too damn cold outside for any fresh air, and it's REALLY starting to get to me. Plus, many of both my shoots and my social engagements keep getting postponed due to massive amounts of snow, record cold weather or sickness -- so I'm ending up a hermit with cabin fever who is making conversations with her dogs and plants. Please send help, stat.Today, around 4 pm, I had finally had enough. I decided I was going to walk up to the flower store and treat myself to a little spring. But then I remembered that a 10 minute walk at 3 below zero might kill my newly purchased plants, so I DROVE FIVE BLOCKS. Ugh.But! Once I arrived at 
You bet she's got opinions. Opinions on this weather, that's for sure. While there is, apparently, great fun in hunting for (and gobbling up) rabbit turds in the snow, she misses her long walks and even longer trips to the dog park. She also misses digging in the dirt for burrowed chipmunks and being able to see the dogs being walked on the other side of the street (who are currently blocked by enormous snow banks).However, she also realizes that once it warms up, she'll have far fewer mittens and hats to steal from guests who innocently place them in pockets or on the radiator in the entry way. So yeah, she's not sure what she wants at this point.For your internet share, first I'm going to be 100% self-serving and ask that you 
Oh you guys, Steak au Poivre is one of my VERY favorites. I first had it at 
What you'll need:• A New York Strip steak (or any kind of your favorite steak -- that's just what I like)• 2 tbsp butter• fresh ground pepper (maybe 3-4 tbsp? Not sure -- you'll see the photo below)• 1/3 cup red wine• 1/3 cup beef broth• 1 pkg of your favorite mushrooms• 1 shallot• a pinch or so of garlic salt
First, preheat your oven to warm. Second, melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet. Next, you need to cover a plate in freshly cracked pepper and then place the meat in the pepper, covering both sides of the steak in it as seen above.
Place the steak in the melted butter and cook for 6 minutes on the first side, then 5 minutes on the other side. Oh! And that's if you like it medium to medium-well like me. Otherwise you may want to cut back a minute or two. Doesn't this smell amazing?? I wish I could make the blog scratch'n'sniff.While the steak is cooking, start chopping your shallot and mushrooms. And maybe have a sip of wine.
Check the time, and flip the steak. The pepper side may look burnt, but it's just a crispy crust. Do not fret.
When the steak is done on the second side, place it in the warm oven on a plate while you prepare the gravy.
Add the mushrooms and shallot to the pan with all the yummy steak fat and butter in it. Season this with garlic salt to your taste. Cook these veggies for 4-5 minutes.
Then add in the beef broth and the wine. Casually stir this mixture as the liquids boil off reducing it to a thicker mushroom sauce (that tastes like heaven).
Once the sauce is close to being done (about 5 more minutes -- which means the mushrooms and shallots cooked about 10 minutes total), remove the steak from the oven.
See that delicious juice that settled on the plate? Poor that into the gravy. Yum.
I slice the steak up and then spoon the mushroom gravy on top like so. This dish is amazingly good with mashed potatoes or french fries or green beans. Or by itself.Because Jamie and I are big on the side dishes (oh don't worry, those recipes will come later), we only eat about 1/3 of the steak each and one lucky soul gets the leftovers. That makes this about 264 calories. If you eat the entire steak (which is not hard) with all the sauce, it would be 793 calories. Whoa.For your internet share of the day, I'm sending you to a 
Tonight, after the