I consider myself very lucky… not only do I get to work with some of the best folks around… I also get to work with one of my best friends from time to time.  This morning, Mark had the day off so I filled in for him and Kaitlyn filled in for traffic.  (Kaitlyn and I regularly joke about taking over the world, so I guess this is a start haha)

The Morning News recently asked our viewers to send in some pet photos… here are some samples of the uber cute photos received in our email inbox…

This is Num Nums (Tina and Wayne from Campbell River)

Here’s Lucy helping to unwrap presents! (Arlene from Richmond)

This one is of Nik the Christmas dog Fay Cranidge from Chilliwack)

Here is 9 month old Ethan and Yellow Lab Phoebe (Shook family from Victoria)

This is Svend the St. Bernard Svendin in Canmore, Alberta (Brian & Bernie from Quesnel)

This is Gertie with Santa (Debbie from Vancouver)

and finally…. here is our Christmas family photo from this year… we get holiday photos every year to support one of the animal charities in Metro Vancouver.  This year we supported Vorka at PetSmart in North Vancouver.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!!! xoxoxoxoxxo

Wesla and family

Sophie, Steve, Mark and I have been busy in the kitchen (that doesn’t mean we are talented in the kitchen by any means!).  Thanks again to Fabio Cornale @ Bella Cakes in New West, and Quang Dang @ Diva at the Met for helping us out and putting up with our inabilities in the kitchen!

Fortune Cookies Recipe
Ingredients
3 egg whites
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons water
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper. Have fortunes ready to go on small strips of paper.
In a large glass or metal bowl, whip egg whites and sugar on high speed of an electric mixer until frothy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low, and stir in melted butter, vanilla, almond extract, water, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour one at a time, mixing well after each. Consistency should resemble pancake batter. Spoon the batter into 3 inch circles on the prepared baking sheets. Leave room between for spreading.
Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the edges begin to brown slightly. Quickly remove one at a time, place a message in the center, and fold in half. Fold the ends of the half together into a horse shoe shape. If they spring open, place them in a muffin tin to cool until set.

Egg Nog Recipe 

Ingredients:
3 eggs
4 tbsp sugar
2 ounces rum
1 cup brandy
2 cups cream
2 cups milk
ground nutmeg
Separate eggs.  Beat yolks.  Add sugar to yolks and beat mixture together.  Add rum and brandy and beat mixture.  In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until fluffy.  Fold egg whites into yolk mixture.  Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve.

Chocolate Charm

granulated sugar ……………….. 200 g
egg yolks ……………………… 2
whole eggs …………………….. 2

SOFT butter ……………………. 140 g
cocoa powder …………………… 160 g
crushed cookies ………………… 325 g

crushed roasted hazelnuts ……….. 100 g

Amaretto Liquor ………………… 15 ml
–Using a Mixer, beat together Eggs, Egg Yolks and Sugar.
–Add sifted Cocoa , SOFT butter and cream together.
–Add Hazelnuts,Cookie Crumbs and Amaretto
–Roll out mixture and place on parchment paper and form into a log shape.
–Refrigerate minimum 8 hours.
–Dust top with icing sugar then slice into desired size.

Butter Tarts
A. SOFT Butter ……………….. 60 g

Brown Sugar ………………… 200 g

B. Corn Syrup ………………….. 125 g

Eggs ……………………………. 2

Vanilla ………………………… 1 tsp.

Salt …………………………….. ½ tsp.

C. Raisins ………………………… 200 g

Walnuts ……………………….. 200 g
D. 3” Sweet Tart Shells (approx. 24 tarts )

*Pan out the tart shells onto a cookie sheet
– Using a mixer, Cream together “A”.
– Add “B”. And blend together till smooth.
– In a separate bowl combine “C”. Place an equal amont
of nut/raisin mix int each tart shell. Do not overfill.
– Pour the mixture ito each tart shell
– Let set, then bake at 350 degrees. Approx. 15-20 min.