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!

Christmas Tree

First, Brad's snowman!Okay, on to the tree. One of my favorite parts of Christmas is unpacking my ornaments. Seeing them always brings back memories of when I bought the ornaments, or in some cases, who gave them to me. It makes me quite sappy and sentimental. So, with that said, here are some of my favorites:

This is probably the oldest one I have. My best friend, Erika (of the past 23 years) gave this to me in high school. I would guess it's about 19 or 20 years old!
Here's another one from high school, given to me by another good friend. I still keep in touch with him as well through the internet.
This one was made by Jackson's teacher the year he was in daycare.
This one is for Brad.
This, too, is for Brad, since he'll always remember his Oilers. Luv 'ya Blue!
Here's the new family at Petsmart when Jackson was an infant. I need to haul everyone back out there to take a new picture, but I've been afraid.
This one is for me, well, just because.
And what Christmas tree couldn't use a fighter jet?
I started buying personalized ornaments with the kids' names on them each year. I've got one with Noah's name on it as well.
This one is Noah's favorite...
and this one is Jackson's.
Hmm, maybe I should take a picture of the entire tree!

Parade of Lights

Beginning to look like Christmas

Finally got the lights up! It doesn't look too impressive in this photo, but I like it. I never bother with the roof lights anymore. Brad did them once. A few years ago. But we have a peaked roof on one side of the house, and it's really steep. And tall. Brad had to climb onto the roof and hang over the edge. Way scary. I'm content with my nets. Much easier.Here's a close-up of the bushes. Like the candy canes? Pay absolutely no attention to all the leaves.
And the front door. Notice the absence of pumpkins! Again, forget the leaves. They don't really exist outside of your mind.
And Christmas tree shopping! One of my favorite things to do. I love how excited the kids get running around the mini-forest.
That's Doggy, by the way. He's become a very important part of our family. Very important.
So many trees! Which one to choose?