Since you liked the snowy shots that were completely devoid of sunshine which, for me, are dreary, I figured you deserved to see it in a prettier light, i.e. the next day.

Somehow this first big hit of winter has prompted me to do more cooking than normal. Wednesday I followed a recipe stolen from Tara that, don?t freak, is for turnip soup.

I know, I know?I probably just lost you all, didn?t I? Honestly. Why do vegetables get such a bad rap? I just don?t understand it. Not at all. When I see books like that Jessica Seinfeld crap about how to hide vegetables from kids because they won?t eat them if they know what they are, I just want to throw tomatoes. Of course developing a palate is a sophisticated thing, much like civilizing a small child not to hit or spit or whatever it is we teach children in order for them to become part of our adult population.

Why is food so different? Why would we want to raise a generation of kids who is only capable of eating chicken fingers and French fries?

A couple years ago, we were down in Florida visiting T?s brother. For me, being out of the hinterlands means going out to a restaurant that is not going to serve some variation on meat and potatoes. I was excited to go out for Indian or Vietnamese or French or basically anything, as long as it was different from what I could normally get around here. Unfortunately, my brother-in-law?s boyfriend did not feel the same. I will never forget staring at him in awe as he sat, cross-legged, on the floor and to every suggestion we made he?d shake his head and whine, ?I don?t LIKE that kind of food.? The kicker? He wouldn?t even eat Mexican food! ?They mix all the beans with the rice and the?I don?t LIKE that kind of food.?

That?s when I lost it. Are you serious? How can anyone not like Mexican food?

Where did we end up that night? FUH-REEK-ING Outback.

Wow?I believe the above is known as a digression. I guess I have very strong feelings about food. I do. I believe food (and wine) are part of the magic and art of daily life. And it pains me?PAINS me, to be living in a culture that could not be more opposite.

So, anyway, I was making turnip soup because Tara made it for me last time I was at her house with fresh turnips from Truro (which are their own kind of perfection) and it was delicious. T, as you might recall, is mighty fond of turnips and so I was making this soup for him.

However, although I was taking photos to share this culinary adventure with you, I only got so far because T called to say he had a work dinner and wouldn?t be coming home. So I made the soup, put it in the fridge and we had it last night but we had guests over and there?s no way I?m going to pull out the camera to photograph food as I?m serving it. But, for the two (one?) of you still reading along?here?s the recipe.

Put two tablespoons of butter in the bottom of a sauce pan and add one sliced onion. Cook over low heat till onions are soft. Add two medium turnips-- peeled and chopped, two tablespoons fresh thyme, 1 russet potato-- peeled and chopped, six cups chicken stock. Salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and then simmer.

Meanwhile, cook up 4 slices of bacon.

When turnips and potato are soft, puree. Put back into the pot with a quarter cup of cream and two tablespoons of maple syrup.

Serve with a sprinkle of bacon and pine nuts.

While I was cooking, my faithful helper was ever underfoot at my side. But, look at that face, she has been wounded, yet again.

See the cut on the inside of her left eye? Gosh. How do you think that got there?

Could it be her attacking Ollie?

I tell you?all I want for Christmas is a video camera because if I could get these dogs on film oh, the Youtubes I could share with you?she is keeRAYzee that dog of mine.

DAISY: No, don't look at me. I'm hideous.

And, this has gone on way too long so I?ll stop here. A la prochaine?

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