Gotta get my nephew on board with these as soon as he's old enough!

In the fall, I had the opportunity to meet with Vice President Biden in my role as a board member of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel. This letter hangs on the wall in my office and serves as a reminder of my mission, my inspiration, my goals, and my professionalism. "You and your colleagues truly represent the best of our profession. I wish more Americans knew about the outstanding work you are doing." I will do my best, Joe. I look forward to reporting back this fall.

Sorry for the crickets around here. I haven't been hibernating per se (although today's frigid temps certainly make me want to), but I've certainly been laying low. Despite that fact, it seems that I'm battling the plague that has been making the rounds . . .

To keep you amused until I write more, please enjoy this animal video from the BBC.

  I adopted Moxie from Badass Brooklyn Animal Rescue a year ago today after thinking for years about whether or not I was ready to adopt a dog. In some ways I was and in some ways I wasn't, but we figured it out together. The first week I had her I was fostering-to-adopt; I hadn't committed to adopting her. Three days in she ate a roach motel while I was at work. As I was sobbing into the phone, talking to the ASPCA poison control hotline, I knew I was in for the long haul (she was ok).

We've had quite a year together. We went to obedience school, which was clearly as much for me as it was for her, we've spent hours snuggling on the couch, and we've walked miles around the city in all types of weather. Both of us have made friends at the dog run, and we've kept each other company when the other has been under the weather. 

I haven't regretted my choice for a moment. She's part of my family, and I'm looking forward to more of our adventures together in the future.

If my Schoolhouse Rock recollections are correct, I'm pretty sure they mean adverb.

I love spending wintry Sundays in the kitchen or reading the NYT while something delicious is simmering away on the stove. Yesterday's culinary focus wasn't on food for the week, or prepping something comforting for a dinner party, but making a batch of homemade dog food for little Miss Mox. A while back, I borrowed Feed Your Best Friend Better: Easy, Nutritious Meals and Treats for Dogs from the library and took note of a few recipes that used a slow cooker. I settled on a chicken and barley based "stew" with green beans, tomatoes & carrots, designed to be mixed in with her regular kibble to ensure she gets all the nutrients she needs. Economically, the enormous vat of food I made is definitely cheaper than the same amount of canned dog food, and she seems to like the taste, but I want to keep a close eye on her to see how she does on it. Stay tuned!

It's cold out there. Given weather like this, I tend to gravitate towards cocktails that are stirred and boozy -- at least I'll be warm on the inside. If you're looking for an alternative to an Old Fashioned, try the Vieux Carré, a classic cocktail from New Orleans.

Vieux Carré
.75 oz Rye whiskey
.75 oz Cognac
.75 oz Sweet Vermouth
1 tsp  Bénédictine
2 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Add all the ingredients to a rocks glass. Fill with ice and stir.