Holiday/Christmas Party at Home Depot

Tonight is the big store party at HD. I'm entered into two different culinary categories: best dessert and best side dish. The prize is a $20 gift card to the new Applebee's that opened across from the HD, but since neither of us are Applebee's fans, Pooky thinks he can sell them to coworkers if I win. And I hope I'm a contender even though this is a small town ruled more by who you know than what you know.

The first of three carrot cake rounds is baking. My oven is too small to fit more than one pan—technically I can fit two of the pans, but then they don't cook properly.

My side dish will be a seven layer dip. It fills up a 1½quart casserole dish. So there should be enough to feed many people. It's a really good recipe and easy to make.

There's also going to be other prizes awarded, and the goal is to send everyone home with some kind of gift, even if it is just a $5 gift card for the store.

I'm looking forward to meeting Pooky's coworkers, etc. I've met a couple of them, and so far everyone seems pleasant.

We awoke to it being 15°, and we watched the local news to see when this cold spell will end. It has gone on far too long for my bloodstream. I have perpetually cold hands and feet, and in my head I keep hearing the "I'm Mister Freeze Mister" lyrics.