Endless Feast Louisiana

Tonight the rain is a steady slow rain, good for thoughts of new things to come, past memories and some little reflections of pain here and there. There are several things I have intended to blog about, but this week has been filled with lots of work and not a lot of time to gather my thoughts.

One of the things I did promise was a run down on Endless Feast 2009, the Louisiana Feast, which was held last Sunday in LeFete, Louisiana at the Victorian Inn. Here is a picture of the outside of the Inn.



I did not actually take pictures of the front of the end, because you really could not see it for the trees and it just was not a great view. We got a little turned around, as Google/Map Quest Directions are not always reliable but we made it.

The food was very different from the prior feasts. I am not sure exactly what these appetisers were, but they looked interesting.



After being seated at another beautiful table, we were served a wonderful pumpkin and crab soup with little roasted pumpkin seeds. Then a salad that had the best fried oysters, which were actually harvested not far from where we were at.



It was the main course that sort of threw this southern belle for a loop. For those who know me well, know the wildest food I eat is a Krystal Burger with extra mustard. To my shock they served a roasted goat dish and then shrimp with Rosetta. The Chef who prepared this feast is well known in New Orleans, actually has several restaurants that are somewhat famous.



This is not the best picture of the goat, but it is plated beautifully. Somehow I can hear Billy Goat Gruff calling from under that Bridge. . . . That's my brother! (Sorry)

The dessert was an interesting custard like dish with some tart orange/banana sauce served over it with two little almond cookies.



All in all it was a wonderful to be able to attend all three feasts and I look forward to seeing how it plays out on the television sometime in early 2010.

Here is a picture of Dr. Allen our President (Foundation for the Mid South), she is one of my favorite people,and for reasons I can not tell, she knows there is always going to be a story when she chooses to sit near me! Well that is actually true of anyone that sits next to me (SMILE). She has a most fab laugh and has richly blessed my life over the past several years!



and my bossman Chris Crothers is the Foundation's Communications Director and m(friend, mentor, teacher and bossman) - He was a happy camper this day, as they had one of his favorite beverages.



As we headed home, I wondered what we would do this coming Sunday, when there was no feast to be headed to? Dr. A will be traveling, Dr. C will be doing his daddy and husband gig and I will be headed to the Churchhouse, maybe a little nap or two and then ready to go on Monday for a fresh new week of work and of course stories to tell. . . . We will all feast on different foods at different places.

The Birthday Party

Over the past six years, I have watch my daughter put together some of the greatest parties. Everyone loves her parties. Tripp's Birthday parties have always been fun and always a big hit. This year was no exception. It was simple, just a few friends and just the right touch of whimsy.

Tripp chose five friends to go to the movies and then Pizza and Ice Cream Cake. Everyone seem to have such a good time, and the biggest hit were the gift bags filled with a simple activity book and crayons, some candy and a spiderman mask. After eating the kiddos stretched out on the floor in a huddle with their activity books and just had a great time hanging out with lots of laughter. It was so cool to watch. The moms, had a chance to relax and catch up with each other.

Here are a few shots taken with the Vintage Sony. . . .

Here is Tripp and his cousin Gavin. We headed early to the theater to purchase tickets and snack packs for everyone. . .


The party goers at the movies:


Just after the movies I got a quick snapshot before headed over for Pizza.



There they go with Charlie with the Party Goers:


Checking out the Gifts- Everyone is helping! What fun . . .


As promised, here is a look at the Birthday Trashy Happy Tower! I wrapped it in Red and Blue in honor of Spiderman! One of Tripp's favorite characters.

The items in this gift are inexpensive but fun. years ago Charlie's sister coined the term trashy happy about the gifts I give. Even though they are inexpensive, I try to make them fun and something the person would enjoy. This gift tower consisted of some small puzzles, assorted paint brushes, some paints, art book, some action character cars and a inexpensive digital camera. It was a big hit!

Coming up tomorrow - Endless Feast Louisiana. The final for 2009.

Also, I have a great story about my creative soul mate Joy and her "box"! You will not want to miss this one. It is so creative and it is so me! I may have to find me a box. . . . .

Grandparent's Dinner

Every year on my grandson Tripp's Birthday, my daughter Christina hosts a grandparents dinner. It is a lovely tradition that we have now celebrated for 6 years. I am sure that we will do the same for Vaiden as he approaches his 1st birthday this summer.

This year Tripp decided he wanted to eat at a Mexican restaurant that is not far from the high school his father coaches at. It was a very rainy day outside, but a very bright and happy celebration inside.

Below are some pictures from this celebration. I gave some of the pictures a little mat around the pictures since the room had so much yellow in it, it made us all look very yellow. (smile). These pictures were made with the vintage Sony, but I believe the room was too dark and the flash did not seem to work.

Here is Tripp with his mother and dad (Christina and Charlie)


This picture is of Tripp and his grandfather Papa Sid: I found some great brushes for the border! Makes the picture very festive.



Charlie's folks are known as Ronnie Pops and Mama Sig: They are having a good time here with Tripp. Again, I found some fun brushes to make this picture really enhance the celebration.


This picture is Tripp with Charlie's Grandmother Manna Russell. She is Sigrid's Mother: Looks as if she and Tripp are having a great time.

You would think the camera would be nice about my picture - As you can see, I am well in need of a new hairdo and more make-up!! And were is my lip goop!!! It's not being vain, it is the southern belle syndrome coming out!!!



This picture is priceless. The expression on Vaiden's face one can see he is not a happy camper. And who would be happy strapped into this contraption! And not be able to share in the Mexican goodies!

The waiter's came out and sang to Tripp. His face says it all. He did not want that hat on his head! and when they smeared the whipped cream on his face, I thought he was going to really have issues!

We all had a great time - Enjoyed being with Tripp - the Food was excellent.

Saturday we celebrated his birthday at the movie theater and Pizza Hut. I will post picture shortly. And a look at my Happy Birthday Trashy Happy Birthday Package Tower!!!

Sunday I traveled to LeFete Louisiana to the last of the Endless Feasts Dinners. I will be sharing that soon, and letting you know this Southern Belle does not eat Roasted Goat!

So stay tuned for more upcoming pictures and stories. . . . .

Moments of Child like Faith

One of my favorite times in the Churchhouse is when the children's choir sings. I never tire of listening to the voices of precious young children sing with their heart and with pricless antimation.

For years I have watched many children, now adults with children of their own, who are now apart of the children's choir at my Churchhouse. Many whom I have taught, prayed with and listened to their hearts, take their childlike faith into their everyday life as adults. Some continue to embrace their beliefs, some walk aaway allowing life's stesses turn their heads from what they learned as a child.

Tonight I gave a lot of thought about how much we as adults could learn about ourselves if we could grasp once again the faith and the we had as a child.

AddThis - The #1 Bookmarking & Sharing Service

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Random Altered Art by EE

<The Window



The Creekbank



The Tree

Tripp Time

There is no time like the time I have with my grandson Tripp. This past Friday and Saturday were no exception. I had the great privilege of picking Tripp up from school on Friday.

There are a couple of little things that have become "traditions" with us. I always go by the convenience store to get him a drink and a snack. We always find a place to go if a larger snack time is needed.

The past several times I have picked him up from school, I was able to find these really cool juice drinks that have an action character on the top, that he can take off and play with. He loves these. I just hope the convenience store keeps furnishing me different characters (smile).

This Friday, Tripp decided he wanted to go to Cups - a local coffee shop that also has great chocolate milk and muffins. They keep a stack of board games for those who want to just hang out in a great atmosphere. That is exactly what we did.

Here are a few cool pictures of Tripp at Cups.

Here Tripp is enjoying his chocolate milk.


We are enjoying a game of Shuts and Ladders.


Later we went by Blockbuster and got a couple of action packed cartoon adventure movies for him and one for his mom and me to watch later on.



After getting with his mom and little brother, Vaiden (4 months), we headed out to Pizza Hut, then to Dairy Queen to order his Birthday Cake (6 the end of the week), and of course we had to run through and get us a ice cream before heading home for an evening of movies and time to snuggle.

On Saturday Tripp took off with me on some errands and then back to my place to assist me in making a giant cake to take to the Endless Feast in North Mississippi. It was a full day on Saturday.

Here's the finish cake. All ready to go.



His dad cook us a great hamburger on the grill and mom made us a sweet potato!! Yummy Yummy - I just have eaten good a lot lately. . . . . . Then it was off to bed for Tripp and off to my home for me.

Time with Tripp - it is the best time in the world. I am looking forward to having Vaiden join us when he gets a little older.

These pictures were made with my cell phone camera.

The Endless Feast 2009

The Endless Feast travels the continent, bringing together local farmers and food artisans, food lovers and star chefs, as we explore the connection between the earth and the food we eat, one incredible feast at a time. Each episode introduces a different region and features a gorgeous feast staged in a stunning outdoor location, from farm fields to vineyards to urban community gardens, celebrating food at the source. The Foundation for the Mid South has underwritten the Endless Feast for Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. (Click here to know more about The Foundation for the Mid South)

For the past two Sundays, several of my colleagues and I have been traveling to participate in these feasts, and the third feast will be outside of New Orleans next Sunday.


Two Sunday's ago, we were in Tyronza Arkansas at the Whitton Farms owned by Jill and Keith Forresters. This past Sunday we traveled to North Mississippi to Dockery Farms in Ruleville, Mississippi.

Both of these trips were great. We met incredible people, ate wonderful food that were produced and prepared by folks in these two states and saw how good food is not just something you get in a restaurant. These folks have brought together the labor of their hands to the table for incredible dining experiences.

Here are some of the highlights from Arkansas and Mississippi.


This table was at Whitton Farms go to there website here.

This picture is of a little boy who sat across from me. He was with his grandmother and his uncle (his uncle furnished the sweet potatoes for the feast). You can tell he really enjoyed the chocolate muffin.


Here is a platter of appetizers - Spicy Dip with fresh radishes and green onions, they also had several other platters filled with crustinies topped with Bree, pear butter and roasted pecans.



The menu was filled with Pumpkin_Sweet potato soup, salad with greens from the Whitton Farm, and several other farms, as well as a local cattle farmer furnished brisket which was tender and ohhh sooo good. It was a five courses mouth watering experience. Yumm Yumm.

Below is a picture of the tables at Dockery Farms in Ruleville, Mississippi. Click here to view their website.


The day was great! Cool - blue sky and lots of food. A different state and a different menu, different people.

These two little girls were playing with their dolls underneath the prep table. I wanted to crawl under there with them and play.



Here are some of the wonderful picked relishes and vegetable tray we indulged in. The pottery was from a local potter, McCarty Pottery, which I had the delight of sitting across from, as well as the granddaughter of the Dockery's. It was like being at a large family gathering.




Now the appetizers here as Mississippi as one could find, as was the menu. Here is a picture of the Hot Tamales they served us.


Along with the tamales they served fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and duck and quail wrapped in bacon. This southern belle loves the fried green tomatoes and I had one too many but in all fairness I left the quail and duck to the others.

The menu included Molasses and Moonshine Brained Smoked Catfish - Pawns on Cheese Grits, Mustard and Turnip Greens - Sweet Potatoes. . . . Slim Fast this week, We left there with full bellies I assure you. . .

Next Sunday we go to a farm south of New Orleans, so stay tuned for more updates and pictures of our journey.

Keith Forrester from Arkansas says that if you know your farmer you know your food. Elizabeth Heiskell from Mississippi says that if you understand the land when you bring it to the table, you understand the importance of your farmer. But I especially embraced the statement Chef Mary Hoover from Mississippi made that in cooking you do it with lots of love. She is right.

As we drove back, the sun had set and the night was clear and quiet. I thought a lot about the past two weeks and the people we had met, a birds eye view of their everyday life, how those within a community came together to share with others.

For a few brief hours folks came together from all walks of life, professions, circumstances - we came together and enjoyed an afternoon of food, fellowship and each other. . . . . .

I think The Endless Feast 2009 will air sometime in April of 2010. I will keep you posted.

Painted Pumpkins

On Saturday, I had the great opportunity of spending some one on one time with my grandson Tripp.

Tripp and I always enjoy doing some type of creative art project together. Saturday was no exception. After reading about Messy Pumpkins by Alisa Burke - Redefine Creativity - I thought this would be a great new medium to work with.

So early Saturday morning we took off to McDonald's for breakfast of Pancakes and orange juice, then on to scout out some great pumpkins to paint.

We found a variety of sizes that was just what we wanted.



After returning home, we covered the table with brown paper and laid out our find.



Tripp was a great help in setting up the paints and markers. Don't you love his art apron - an ole shirt of mine, to keep the paint from his good clothes.





Here Tripp is deep in thought as he is painting one of the little pumpkins.





Below is a peek at one of the small pumpkins Tripp did and a medium pumpkin I had given a prep to.





Since all the pictures were taken with my cell phone camera, the completed pictures really did not do the pumpkins justice, and the large pumpkin is still in progress. I will try and take some better pictures of the completed group.





Tripp's pumpkins have a more monochromatic shine, where my medium looks almost too white. It was actually covered in all different shapes and colors and EE in Hot sparkly pink all over it.

The Big Pumpkin is incomplete and we will share it with you as soon as it is completed. Time ran out and so did the energy. . . . .

Reflective Memories

Thoughts trickle across my mind, of times past, of moments that are now just memories and reflections of lessons learned, some better than others. Voices from the past calling me to search out those profound events that stand forever - a branding point, that will forever keep me stable as I face realities of the present.

A phone call and a captured moment, when we both said I love you at the same time, the same moment! It was not that spoken by two lovers - it spoken by two spiritual creatures, who cherish the deep abiding shared love for the Love of their soul. . . . . Memories crashed into the very moment in time - both affixed on that divine intervention so many years ago. . . There is something so special - so holy - so healing. . . As I drove along the path to my destination . . . the anticipation of what the very close future would bring. . . . .

Then suddenly a new and wondrous moment was captured - the knowing - that deep knowing and understanding of when one's soul hits that realm of understanding in the spirit realm . . . . the unity of spirits join together in outrageous laughter . . . for Abba Father has filled his children with laughter and knowing of the moment experienced . . . that warm liquid honey that can only come from His manna poured out to sooth the soul of the inner being . . . . . He loves to see His children enjoy the pleasure of His company.

In the quiet last minutes of the night, I reflected on all the me mores of the day, I could feel His still small voice saying This is the day I have made for you - Rejoice for I love you my dear Elizabeth - for I called you by name and I formed you and knew you . . . . now you know Me.

Quick Updates

The week has started off with a lot of "work" work. (Sigh)

Although on Monday a lot of work was completed on the homework assignments and some new information was added to the updated pages for the Website update. Actually we went ahead and deleted the old pages so when you go to the website, you get nothing.

Tonight I was able to add new artwork and quotes to some new pages. One I am a little iffy about, but will let it go for the moment. I may go back and change the wording. There are some new jazzy photos that need to be taken and added, but that all depends on my good friend, mentor and bossman! His plate is pretty full at this moment.

I can not wait to get the new and improved website up and running. A few more tweaks and tucks and it should be up and running very soon.

Below is one of my favorite pieces of Word Art I did for my website over a year ago. It contains words that have been used to describe me - by friends and family over the years. As of yet it has not made it back into the website, but you never know. It just might find a home there somewhere.



Unitl next time. .. . . . .

The Almost Perfect Weekend

When it comes to The Perfect Weekend, I have come to look forward to the ones I spend with my grandsons. They are always filled with such fun! We have such a good time together. My oldest grandson, Tripp, as I have mentioned in a prior blog is my creative soul mate. We just have the best time together. We looked at a picture of him, trying to wear a pair of my glasses. So together we worked on a fun Altered Art piece. It is going to need some adjusting, but should have it ready to go later this week. We are also gong to add a great story to go with it.

Vaiden changes from day to day, but the pictures are getting to be really fun. This weekend, he began eating rice cereal from a spoon. So of course I had to take pictures of the event. I had problems with my vintage Sony last night, so I had to go back to my 35mm. You just can't take a chance on missing the moment. I will need to go have them developed and put on a disc. Bummer!!! I am so ready to share these with you.

Tripp and I also played with this picture. Instead of throwing it away, we Altered it to be used for a background of a journal page or scrapbook page.



Have researched some new websites and had a chance to review some new publications on adobe CS4. Have found some great hints for enhancing Altered Art.

This weekend, I also found out that most crafty stores that have a framing department will cut basic mats and back for the purchase of the mat boards. The one I went to was very helpful and the cost different in a pre-cut mat and a standard mat was amazing. $3.50 for pre-cut mat and $5.98 for a mat board, yielding 4 mats (8X10) opening. I also had them cut backings as well. If any one has a better deal, please let me know.

Last week, my good friend and boss came in with his Superman Lunch Box. I snapped the picture and then did this fast Altered Art piece for him. I have some other pieces in mind but wanted to share this with you.



If you will look very closely at his forehead, I actually put a image of Clark Kent changing into Superman. I still have not worked out the hues and saturation. But it was fun. I used a very parchment colored wash to give an old coloring book effect.

The weened was just about perfect - time with my grandsons, some altered art, some base pages added to the "My Connect The Dot Journal" and some homework on the Website finished. . . Hope your weekend was perfect as well.