London!

DC Penguin Girl is off to London…but not alone! Little One seems to have found his way into my carry-on bag.


And rumor has it that some of the penguins have chartered a jet to join in on the fun...

Peppy

It wasn’t just wine and cheese that Cuddlekins picked up in Culpeper. While waddling down East Davis Street he noticed the Purple Parrot’s festive window display, and amidst numerous birds of the flying variety, whom did he spot but Peppy!

Peppy couldn’t believe his luck. Not only did he get adopted by DC’s finest penguin clan, but his first outing was to CJ’s for ice cream! He had trouble deciding, but ultimately opted for the peanut butter sundae, which he most enjoyed. He hears Dairy Queen makes a fine peanut butter sundae, and can’t wait for his first trip there.

Cuddlekins

Cuddlekins, like Kooky, is a fan of weekend getaways. He likes to check out sleepy historic towns and eat his way through them. Cuddlekins’s adventures recently took him to Culpeper, where he began his visit with some enchiladas at El Nopal. He enjoyed his generous meal, but was not too impressed with the rather confused waitress who forgot to bring him his horchata.

After his meal Cuddlekins hit the local shops. He loved The Frenchman’s Corner, where he sampled a tasty Austrian wine made from the Zierfandler grape, a variety he had not yet discovered (who knew a day out could be so educational). Thinking it the perfect wine for a lazy summer evening, he picked up a few bottles of Stadlmann Zierfandler Classic 2007, as well as some Rembrandt Gouda (delicious), to enjoy later in the day.


All that shopping was hard work so Cuddlekins decided to take a break and watch people pass by. With his feet rested and his lunch properly digested, Cuddlekins was ready for his favorite hot weather treat, ice cream. He headed out to CJ’s Soft Serve, where he enjoyed a chocolate and vanilla twist in a sugar cone.

Kooky

A long weekend means time to escape the city! Kooky is a fan of road trips, and likes to visit his grandparents at their home in Spotsylvania. During the journey he enjoys watching the cars and changing scenery, but his favorite part of the trip is stopping at the en route Sonic. Kooky loves their Jr. Candy Sundaes (just the right size!), especially with Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. He also likes the Sonic Zoo Tots – his favorite, of course, is the penguin!

Rosie

As the weather gets warmer the penguins’ thoughts often turn to ice cream. While it may not be fanciest ice cream available, Rosie loves the frozen concoctions at Dairy Queen. Unfortunately there is no DQ in the District, so she must brave the suburbs for treats. Her favorite local Dairy Queen is located in Bailey’s Crossroads, where she often meets nearby friends for ice cream dates. Rosie is a member of the Blizzard Fan Club and loves the banana split blizzard, the Oreo blizzard (with chocolate ice cream) and the peppermint chip blizzard (sadly only available in December). She is also a big fan of the peanut butter sundae.

Frenchie and Wayne

While the penguins are all the best of friends, some of them have gone one step further and become lovebirds. Frenchie (r) and Wayne (l) prove that opposites really do attract - it was love at first sight for the glamorous Parisian and All-American boy from Detroit.

Frenchie maintains that waddling along the Potomac is not as inspiring as waddling along the Seine; however she finds exploring the National Gallery of Art much more enjoyable than trips to the Louvre. When she’s feeling homesick she heads to Café du Parc for some coffee and macarons (pistachio is her favorite flavor), and attends programs at the Alliance Française. Otherwise she enjoys cuddling with Wayne, who may not be as sophisticated as Frenchie, but is a perfect gentleman and adores her to no end. He is always up for trying new things, and has become, much to Frenchie’s delight, quite the champagne and sparkling wine connoisseur.

Charley

The penguins are a talented bunch, and have picked up various hobbies over the years. Charley is the master baker, which not surprisingly makes him very popular. He owns quite a collection of cookbooks, and is constantly experimenting with new recipes. Above all he loves baking cookies, especially those inspired by his fellow penguins. The Betty Crocker website has proved a valuable resource for penguin inspired treats, including these perky penguins.


Charley also likes using his collection of penguin cookie cutters to make sugar cookies, and has decided to share his family recipe – nobody knows who Mrs. Flinter is, but her cookies are tasty!


Mrs. Flinter’s Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 ½ cups flour
½ tsp cream of tartar
½ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl stir together the flour, cream of tartar, soda and salt.In a large mixing bowl, at medium speed, beat together the butter and sugar until blended and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined. Beat the flower mixture into the butter mixture until smooth. Cover the dough and refrigerate until cold and slightly firm (at least half an hour).

Roll the dough on a floured surface to desired thickness. Using (penguin) cookie cutters, cut out cookies. With a spatula transfer them to an ungreased baking sheet, about 1 ½ inches apart. Roll dough scraps and continue cutting out cookies.

Bake for 7-9 minutes, or until lightly colored on top and slightly darker at the edges. Let stand until cookies firm up slightly, and then transfer to wire racks to cool.

Charley likes to decorate and ice the cookies, although they are good plain too!

Rupert

The penguins are social creatures, and Rupert is perhaps the biggest party animal of them all. Whether enjoying a long boozy dinner with friends, attending a gala or dancing the night away at the hottest club, he can usually be found out on the town. Rupert is always up on the latest in DC nightlife, and has never met an open bar he doesn’t like (although he prefers those with bubbly).

This Sunday, however, Rupert is looking forward to a lazy day in bed. He knows that beauty sleep is an essential part of a busy social calendar, and is resting after an evening that began at the Smithsonian Young Benefactors Gala and ended with dancing at the Warehouse Theater.

Kolschi

After a long week many of the penguins enjoy an adult beverage. Kolschi, adopted on a trip to Cologne, is a fan of beer. A bit of a drunk he misses German beer, which he deems much better than American beer (mostly he misses the higher alcohol content). That said, he is slowly finding some microbrews that meet his exacting tastes, and has been known to end a good meal with cognac.

When Kolschi misses home he heads to Old Europe, where he orders the vegetarian platter. He is especially fond of the red cabbage and spätzle, and if he’s not too full he indulges in the apple strudel. He was also happy to discover that his favorite German chain Vapiano has opened multiple locations in the DC area, and heads there when he is craving pizza.

Plumpee

Piccolina is not the only chocolate aficionado; Plumpee is quite the fan and has been known to search the apartment high and low for any hidden treats. He knows dark chocolate is fashionable and the healthier choice, but his preference is milk chocolate (Trader Joe’s pound plus Belgian milk chocolate bars might just account for his less than svelte figure). When he’s in the mood for something more special he opts for the wonderful handmade chocolates from Chocolaterie Wanders and the aforementioned Locolat. He also likes Penguin chocolate biscuits, which he begs me to pick up for him on my trips to England.

Empy and Piccolina

Penguins come in all shapes and sizes. Two of the smallest members of the clan are Empy and Piccolina.



Empy hails from Penguin Place, a fabulous site for all things penguin. While she knows the importance of eating her vegetables and enjoys a good arugula salad, Empy is known among her friends for her sweet tooth, and can often be found at local bakeries and cafés. Empy’s favorite is Locolat, her friendly local Belgian coffee/chocolate/treats of all sorts shop.


Piccolina hails from Milan and loves all things chocolate. Her favorite café in Milan is cioccolati italiani, where she has trouble deciding between the gelato and pastries. Piccolina is adjusting well to life in Washington, DC, although she misses the more laid back Italian lifestyle.

Little One

Papa may be the patriarch; Little One is the founding member of the clan. Although he has maintained his youthful demeanor his Made in Western Germany tag reveals that he has a few years on his siblings. Little One is a global nomad, having lived in Germany, Mexico, England and the United States. He is also a frequent traveler, most recently jet-setting to Milan.

Little One is a vegetarian (like all of his brothers and sisters) and has developed quite a fondness for peanut butter. He likes it so much that he attempted to take residence in the peanut butter aisle during a recent trip to Whole Foods. Peanut Butter and Co.’s Mighty Maple is his current favorite (although he is also fond of Trader Joe’s Organic Crunchy).

Papa Penguin

While various penguins had found their way into my life over the years, Christmas 2005 marks the beginning of their takeover. I was holiday shopping at Paper Source in Georgetown when I came upon a fabulous penguin standing just over two feet tall. It was love at first sight and the penguin immediately rose to the top of my Christmas wish list. A few days later my sister, armed with my parents’ credit card, purchased the penguin and carried him home (Not an easy journey - across Key Bridge and onto the metro. I am eternally grateful).

Christmas morning Papa, now the patriarch of the brood, was mine. Today he proudly watches over our growing family. A bit of a diva, he sports an array of beads acquired at the National Gallery of Art Mardi Gras festivities.

The Penguin Palace

Some girls like diamonds, others like shoes. I like penguins. What started as a passing fancy has become a passion that has led to a slow invasion of an already cramped Washington, DC apartment by all things penguin. Luckily my other half is not only understanding of my acquisitions, but seems to have grown rather fond of our ever growing family.

As our apartment slowly turns into a small museum I decided to begin cataloging my collection (and perhaps detail a few of my adventures and other likes along the way). Welcome to the Penguin Palace!