It's finally getting cold around here! It was 31 out an hour ago when I shoved Jackson in the car for school. We only live 3 blocks away, and he always wants to walk, but we were running late, and did I mention, it was cold!!!

But I'm not complaining. Texas weather is so weird. It was in the 70's just the other day. It was up in the 80's last weekend. It will probably do that again .

But, what I wanted to write about was food! Those of you who know me well know I love to eat. And when it finally gets chilly, I actually love to get in the kitchen and cook. Cold-weather foods are my favorites.

In the past couple of weeks, I've made turkey noodle soup, beef stew, coq au vin, ribollita con verdure, and chicken pot pie. Brad made a tasty oyster stew on Sunday. The best part of all these dishes are the leftovers. Stews and soups always taste better the second or even third day around.

And I've fixed myself more cups of Earl Grey tea than I can possibly count. I've got a pot brewing in the kitchen as I type. Ooh, and cocoa! I'm a bit of a cocoa snob. No boring powder mixes for me. I made my first cocoa of the season Sunday night. Dutch-process cocoa mixed with milk, half-and-half, heavy cream, and vanilla. Man, it was sinfully rich and delicious! Not something to drink every night since I'd be as big as a house.

Now I'm thinking of making something gingerbready and something pepperminty.

But with all that said, I have to tell you about Brad. He just got a big promotion at work. According to office law, he's required to bring in donuts for everyone. Well, the big man decided to go all out and made this:A chocolate cheesecake! All by himself. He went shopping for the ingredients and even cleaned the kitchen afterwards! I only had to lie on the couch and tell him where to find everything in the kitchen. Of course, I don't get to eat any of it! Not one single, fricking bite. Life is so unfair!