The Persuasive Power of Pumpkin Cheesecake (and the joy of being snowed in!)

So January's culinary adventures culminated in an attempt at my first cheesecake.  All of you know that I am more of a cookist, not so much a bakist.  Still, I felt the draw towards this recipe for Pumpkin Cheesecake, and I simply gave myself to it.  I also have a couple of cans of pumpkin puree circa October '09, so I thought it would be good of me to use one of them.  I must say, dear readers, this cheesecake was FANTASTIC.  The crust was sweet, crumbly heaven, and the actual cheesecake was creamy and more on the fluffy side (not that so-hard-you-need-a-knife-to-cut-a-bite cheesecake).  As she promised, it was indeed rich (3 packages of cream cheese...and I didn't skimp on the fat, though I'm sure the neufschatel would do just fine).  I brought it to my small group on Monday, and it was a hit.  Just look at their satisfied faces!  As I reflect, I think Paula's recipes are better for apps and desserts, as I felt most success with this recipe and the black eye pea dip at the beginning of the month. Granted, I didn't make many things from her book, but what I did led me to this conclusion. 

As many of us living in the South experienced a wintry blast, allow me to share some pics of the snow from my apartment.  I've basically been in my apartment for the past 48 hours, and I've loved it.  Lots of relaxation and pajama wearing.  I was supposed to host a cooking club with friends from the Summit last night, and though I am sad we didn't (I had quite the menu planned), we'll reschedule and there will be plenty of pictures of our creations.  Of course, being a true Southerner, I immediately go the grocery store for the necessities, which translates to an excuse to make Giada's Tomato Soup with Pancetta (yes, again) and Hot Russian Tea.  I came home from Harris Teeter and began destroying the kitchen.  I even baked two loaves of the rosemary bread, taking one to Brannon and Adrienne for our game night.  I'm not kidding you people, this bread is awesome.  

Speaking of that delicious expression of carbohydrates, dare I say that I may have found a way to improve on my sister's Rosemary Bread?  Can you say garlic?  I have now baked six loaves successfully, and I can't help it: I am so proud of this last round and my new spin.  I have updated the link with the garlic-lover option; just scroll to the bottom.  Taking a picture of one of the loaves was the perfect opportunity to use my new platter from Target.  I've been stalking (a phrase my sister and I use for all the things we like at Target) it since summer, and finally it was on clearance.  I got it, four bowls, and six appetizer plates which are perfectly sized for olive oil dipping!  

As we are exactly one day away from February, I hereby announce my book of the month: Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics: Fabulous Flavor from Simple Ingredients.  I've watched Ina Garten's show many times on Food Network, and I anticipate some yummy results from her book.  I am just going to have to pretend to be cooking in a renovated barn kitchen in the Hamptons.