Happy new year!

Everything is beautifully covered with SNOW, about 3 inches, and a bit chilly -- 37 degrees -- but I'll take that over 0 degrees any day. One deer showed up when I took the dogs out this morning (her name is Pig). She was just checking to see if we'd changed our minds and decided to share our breakfast with her. I wish I had lots of apples hanging around. She seems tired of dead grass, and it's only January 1. Yesterday George and I made Ree Drummonds Polenta with Goat Cheese (yes, with butter). So delicious served with a nice chunk of beef and a beautiful salad with blue cheese dressing. Our son called us three times last night to wish us a happy new year. The first call at 1:00, second 2:30, third 4:00 a.m. I need another cup of coffee. Seems like a great day to bake something with chocolate -- I'll go through the big 3-ring binders of recipes my mom organized for me and find something gooey. A snowy day -- simply perfect for baking.