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!