It's not football weather, it's cooking weather

A small miracle has happened here in the south. I am afraid I will jinx it just by announcing it.

The weather has turned fall-like . . . in September! The humidity has dropped, there is a nice breeze wafting through. I've turned off the air conditioner and have thrown open the windows.

And, I am now interested in turning on the stove. Tomorrow night I'm making a new gingerbread recipe . . . it has buttermilk, molasses, and pears in it.

I have a friend coming for dinner in a couple of weeks . . . well, a new friend . . . she's new in town, single, and has a consuming job. I'm thinking of sauteing chicken breasts and having an autumn spinach salad with hot pepper jelly vinaigrette. If the gingerbread works, I'll make that for her too. OOOOOH . . . cinnamon whipped cream!!! Sweetened with molasses! yum.

But, the real fun is coming in November when the Chickie and I are going to a football game and I'll host a tail gate. I'm working up a NOLA theme . . . although my idea for "jambalaya on a stick" may prove to be too much. Maybe muffaluttas instead. And hurricanes!

Fall makes me so very happy . . . . just because it means I can return to baking. Nothing makes me happier than a warmed kitchen.