PAMPERED AND SPOILED

Well, my Blogging Buddies. Clearly I have just been ignoring you. I truly apologize for that!! It has not been intentional. Things have been a little busy lately with the onset of Spring and I have fallen behind in my "administrative duties!"

However... one can always make time for friends and food, right?!?!?!? I had that opportunity recently, thanks to Jo B. as well as Tom & Terri T. Here is how it worked. Tom & Terri donated their time & energy to offer a gourmet meal for six to the high bidder at a silent auction held at one of the local churches. The monies received went to support of the church's youth group (I believe that is accurate) and to support of the Beauregard Agape Community Clinic which I have posted about previously. My friend, Jo B., was the high bidder for the fabulous, gourmet meal for six!!! She decided it should be a "girls night out" event and invited four friends to join her. I was fortunate enough to be one of those friends! (THANK YOU, JO!)

We were delighted to be greeted at the door by the "butlah", something we were not expecting! He was a very personable fellow and allowed me to pose with him to get my "snooty-tooty" shot for posterity. :)


There were marvelous hors d'oeuvres served with a refreshing spritzer of choice. The "butlah" (I just can't say enough about him!) was at the ready... pouring, spritzing, serving, and lavishing attention on all the ladies.

Upon finishing our cocktails and chatting, we were ushered to the table for dining. It was an absolutely lovely tablescape (I didn't know that word until I saw Sandra Lee on Food Network!) and perfect for a pre-Easter event. We were missing one of our five but knew she would be joining us a little later.

We had invited our hostess, Terri, as well as our "butlah", Tom, to join us for dinner. After all, they had clearly worked VERY hard to make this a memorable evening! Terri accepted our invitation but our "butlah" did not. He was, however, at hand for water and wine pouring throughout the meal! (Did I mention what a fabulous "butlah" we had?)

(My apologies right now to Terri for anything I misspeak while describing the incredible dinner she slaved over preparing for us! I am typing from memory when all I can really remember is the excellence of everything she prepared!) We sat down to a terrific salad with what appeared to be baby field greens, nuts of some type, dried fruit (perhaps?), and an incredible salad dressing. (Did I mention I am asking for ALL recipes?) After devouring yet savoring that course, our "butlah" cleared our plates and began serving the entree. There was the most delectable pork loin, "dirty" wild rice (look it up non-Southerners!), asparagus, and a tangy-sweet barbecue sauce on each plate. The "butlah" offered up browned, warm French bread with basil pesto spread on it. The presentation was nothing short of what I have encountered in "foo-foo" restaurants while traveling with my aunt!! Here! Take a look for yourself!!

It was a lovely meal and there was even dessert in the works!! Italian Cream Cake with a whole strawberry garnish and a smidgeon of whipped cream for show. YUMMMMMMM!!! I gained five pound just looking at it!

Oh! Was everyone happy about the dinner? You tell me.
(L to R) Susan S., Your Blogger, Terri T. (our much-esteemed gourmet chef!), Jo B. (our new best friend for winning this bid!), and Charlotte B. (Missing from photo Martha O. who did finally make it!)

My thanks to every single person for a wonderful, memory-lane-filled evening. It was most enjoyable and something very different and fun!! Hats off to Jo, Terri, and Tom for bringing us all together and allowing us to revel in the pampered and spoiled category... even if for just one night. :)

Until next time...

LOOK OUT! I'M WHINING AGAIN!!

Hello again, Blogging Buddies! Good to see you.

Alright. The whining begins immediately. If you have cheese where you are now, I highly recommend you go get some. I begin with a rich, red Cabernet Sauvignon. (I know... I'm doing this backward. Always start light and end with the heavier wine.)

A friend of mine used one of the nationally-franchised tax services last year (2009) to file 2008 taxes. I am warning you about those services in the event you are using or considering the use of one. My friend had started a job in September of 2008 requiring my friend to be an Independent Contractor. My friend clearly stated to the tax preparer that the income from that job was only for a 4-month period but that in 2009, it was expected to be a 12-month income. The preparer provided my friend with an amount to pay quarterly as estimated tax payments. It's a good thing my friend and I had chatted about this and my friend decided to set back a specific amount from each paycheck for future taxes... not just for the quarterly payments. Why, you ask? Because the tax preparer figured the estimated quarterly payments based on the 4-month income from 2008, leaving my friend about $13,000 shy in tax payments for that year. Now that my friend has returned to the same franchise, it has become clear that last year's preparer was not truly qualified to provide tax assistance or advice. PLEASE!!! If you plan to use one of these firms, understand that you will need to RESEARCH their advice yourself. These people are rarely trained to do more than to punch in the numbers you provide when they ask you a question. They are rarely prepared to think ahead or outside of the "box" that is the franchise methodology. If at all possible, I highly recommend using a CPA for your tax filing.

Okay. Now I'm just going to throw a nice little Chardonnay at you.

When did the courtesy and manners that used to be inherent in business come to an end? I would like to think they may have begun the downward spiral when the internet became such a job-seeker's friend. I'm whining as I have now had first-hand experience with the lack of simple courtesy from the majority of firms with which I have applied for employment. This also applies to some "hand-delivered" or "snail-mail" applications so I can't look solely to the internet as the culprit.
1) If you receive an application/resume' from me, regardless of how it reached you, please have the courtesy to confirm your receipt of same!! I don't know if the black hole of cyberspace swallowed up what I submitted when I hit "Send" nor do I know if the postal carrier used had a vehicle accident that left my paperwork in a ditch somewhere. It doesn't have to be fancy. Just confirm you got it, please?
2) If you have decided to not even talk to me, for whatever reason, please just let me know that. Again... an email, a postcard... send me a carrier pigeon for crying out loud! How long should I hold onto the copy of what I sent to you? A month? Six months? Forever?
3) If you have actually talked to me but decided on another candidate, please just let me know that. (See #2 above for additional instruction here.) It won't send me over the edge. Really. My self-image is not really fragile. In fact, I will simply chuckle at your error in selecting someone less qualified and/or capable!! :) Your rejection is not going to send me into a black depression. Really.
There are a lot of us out here seeking employment. Most of us are trying to do our best to provide you with our best foot forward. It would be exceptionally kind of you to do the same.

Stepping down from my soapbox now. Hope you enjoyed your cheese. :)

Until next time, faithful readers...

SPRING? HAS IT SPRUNG?

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!! My sincerest apology for the length of time between posts. I wish I had some fabulous tale to tell you that would explain my lack of communication... but I don't. Sigh. I only ask your forgiveness.

Now then... we are still a good 16 days away from the end of winter and the first day of spring. I know that. I'm also aware that Punxsutawney Phil proclaimed six more weeks of winter on February 2nd and we are not yet out of that. BUT!!! Never let it be said that the fine folks of Louisiana simply sit and wait for the weather to change. Oh no. That does not happen. This is a planning kind of state, my friends!

So, on Saturday, February 20th, my friend, Jo B., and I got up EARLY (it WAS a weekend day!) and prepared ourselves for a day of gardening information and festivities. Yes... it was the long-awaited BEAUREGARD PARISH SPRING GARDEN FORUM... and silent auction. :)

We arrived right at 8:00 a.m. and there were already some folks there, signed in, and raring to go. We got our "goodie bag" and began checking out the offerings and displays. The festivities (actually, the speakers) were scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m.

We found a booth filled with VERY enthusiastic Junior Master Gardeners! I particularly liked this booth as there were swords and fishing poles and lots of fun Huckleberry Finn kinda' stuff there!! (Maybe I should consider becoming a Junior Master Gardener?)

There were 3 speakers scheduled for the morning. Each had a specific field of expertise (note the "field" reference... it's subtle... but it's garden-related!). A young lady spoke about tomato plants and some of the concerns that can arise with them. A gentleman discussed specific issues that can cause problems with plants. Another gentleman was a soil expert (as are all young children... but most of us lose that as we age!) and provided information on keeping the soil healthy and productive. All were very informative and enjoyable. They allowed time for questions, which many of us really appreciated!

There were a number of booths surrounding a seating area with a screen for the presentations. There was plenty to look at and a lot of information to be gathered!
I ran across a gentleman who is one of the artists participating at RealArt DeRidder. He does wood carvings... and some very lovely ones, I might add. Apparently nature is his thing. He and his wife had a booth with blueberry plants, jams, jellies... all good stuff... available for us roving gardeners. They are the owners of Gulf Coast Blueberries right here in DeRidder, Louisiana! I very much look forward to his crop coming in!!
If you enjoy gardening and want to have a "little something extra" in your garden, how about a Butterfly House? After all... if you are doing a good job, you should have a lot of winged friends hanging around. And in this part of the state, you invite your friends to "sit and talk for a spell." (I'm not sure how much conversation you will get from a butterfly... but does it really matter?)
These photos are just the beginning of the fun-filled day we enjoyed. There was a lot more but I generally don't take photos of individuals without their permission so you aren't going to get to visually meet:

Keith H. - My new best friend. :) He is an Extension Agent (think County Agent in Texas) at the local LSU AgCenter Research and Extension office here in DeRidder. He is a hoot and did a fine job emceeing the event all day. There were door prizes, speaker introductions, timekeeping... he did it all. I have dropped by the local office here to obtain soil sample boxes and was glad to find him there and with a little time to chat with me. My gardening experience in Central Texas is with rocky, alkaline soil. It is a far cry from the very acidic and totally diggable (is that a word?) soil here in southwest Louisiana. I have a lot of larnin' to do!!

Dr. Charles A. - One of the mini-lectures I attended was facilitated by this gentleman. Absolutely fascinating. Visit his web site at http://www.nativeventures.net/ to get more information. He is an expert on edible plants and has co-authored several books on the subject. (The spousal-unit immediately ordered one of them when I returned with information on this gentleman!) Since we were a small group, he not only showed us the plants that were edible, he passed them around and allowed those of us who wished to do so to nibble on them!!! (Those of you who know me know I nibbled on everything that came by!) What great fun!

The Tomato Lady - You can read about Sara D. here... and I urge you to read the article. It was written last year which was the first year I bought her tomatoes. I am salivating now just thinking about crawfish-stuffed tomatoes with basil pesto!!! (If you want the recipe, email me. It is incredible!) I attended her mini-lecture on tomatoes... and learned a LOT in a very short time.

So... while you might not think you can pack a LOT of stuff into an 8a-3p day, I assure you it is possible. Oh... and I bought a couple of plants, too. Surprised? You shouldn't be. :)

My goodness. I have run long again. I just can't seem to keep these posts at a reasonably short length. My apology to my pal, Joe, in Austin who got me blogging back in my real estate days and made it clear I should be careful to not be too lengthy. :) He probably knew I was a lost cause there.

I do hope you are all happy, healthy, and looking forward to spring. I assure you I am doing just that!!

Until next post...

SOME STUFF DONE RECENTLY

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Buddies!! Thanks for stopping by!

Well, nothing exciting here. Thought I would just catch you up on a few things I've done recently.

First of all, my aunt's fabulous next-door neighbor, Susan L., showed up with one of the rescue dogs that will be up for adoption after it successfully finishes its heartworm treatment. She's a cutie!! She was very much a lover and content to sit in one's lap as long as there was petting involved. Here is Halle, happily situated in my aunt's lap!!

If you aren't aware of the difference between dogs and cats, let me point out that Halle was all about the affection. Looking for love. Wanting to be held. My cat, Dude, on the other hand... well, I think the look says it pretty well. "Leave me alone. This is MY basket and you better not try to move it or me!"

Okay. Those were close-to-home events. The spousal-unit and I decided to take a little day trip up to Fort Polk, specifically to the Kisatchie National Forest area, where there are some interesting places he had discovered on some of his previous trips there. Understand the entire park covers about 604,000 acres!! The area we visited is the Vernon Unit of the Calcasieu Ranger District which is about a 25-minute drive from home. The weather was cool but sunny with a little breeze and it was a great day to just "road trip" a little ways. We started out at the Blue Hole Recreation Area. It was a very lovely area with lots of trees, a very tiny pond and a rather substantial pond, a bird-watching area with a gazebo, and just a very nice ambiance. Here are a couple of shots.
The interesting things about traveling to this area are the signs one sees along the road.

Top: Endangered Species Site
Left: Do Not Disturb
Right: Restricted Activity
Bottom: Red-Cockaded Woodpecker

"Wildlife Management Area"
"No Guns, Dogs, or Trapping Allowed Without Permission"

My Personal Favorite below:

Remember... we ARE adjacent to an Army Base... and they DO use the property there. :)

Let's keep going. We went to the Fullerton Lake Campground. My aunt was particularly interested in this as she was actually born in Fullerton!! Technically, not much remains in the town... maybe a few homes... but it was a thriving community when she arrived! If you have time, the link will provide you with some VERY detailed and VERY interesting information on the town's beginning and end. It began in 1907. It ended in 1927.


Did I mention it was a little COOL that day? The shot above was after we had begun the 1.5 mile hike around the Lake and were headed to the area where the old mill and other buildings had stood. We were about 2/3 of the way through the hike when this is what we saw as our only option to continue: No, honey. I don't need to have DRY TENNIS SHOES AND SOCKS ON to continue this hike!! Of course I love you. Why do you ask? We sloshed through about three areas like this before regaining dry ground. Sigh. Honestly. Oh well... it's the adventure, right? :)

Near the end of the hike around the Lake and after marveling at all of the remaining concrete from the structures that had once proudly stood, we came upon this lovely sight.

Looking back...

A final shot before we head home... It was a lovely day and very interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. It's one of the things one can do here in southwest Louisiana... and it's free! :)

I will post again soon about the Garden Forum but this has already run too long!

Until next post...

NOT AGAIN!!!! MAKE IT STOP!!!!

Heidy-Ho, Blogging Pals. I apologize for my tirade in the Title today. I just don't know what else to do!

So, you'll recall our little snowfall back on December 4, 2009. It was unusual enough I felt the need to inform you about it. Then there was our multiple day hard freeze back on January 8th & 9th, I believe. Again, it was unusual and I chose to chastise Al about it. Okay. Either of those would have qualified to allow for an "unusual winter" down here in southwest Louisiana. Combined, well they pretty much were the topic of conversation for a month... each! Apparently we ran out of things to talk about and so... it is happening again. I awoke this morning, 2/12/2010, to this:

... and it is STILL snowing! The temperature is only 32 degrees so the ground is clearly not frozen and there is no accumulation of anything but wetness on the streets... but I am OVER THIS!!! C'Mon!!!

There are at least six male Cardinals and an equal number of females vying for position at my safflower feeder. There are a plethora of little finches darting in and out amongst them going for whatever they can get their little beaks on! There are birds on the feeder, on the ground, and in the branches of the large shrub where the feeder hangs. I have another feeder I will be placing out as soon as the snow stops so at least they will have plenty of food if they are smart enough to hang out in my backyard! :) The birdbath is full, also.

So, Big Al... while you hide from the media these days, unwilling to answer the hard questions about WHY we are having such cold & snowy weather throughout the U.S., know that you will eventually have to come out and face us. Like Punxsutawney Phil, you will eventually be dragged from the darkness into the light and called upon to 'splain this!!!

I am a born-and-bred Southerner. This is NOT funny. The only saving grace here is that I know there will be garden seedlings available at every little nursery next month. You can't get THAT north of the Mason-Dixon line, now can you? LOL!!

In fact... I have pre-registered for the Beauregard Parish Garden Forum slated for Saturday, February 20th, 2010. Yep! I am going to immerse myself in the gardening nuances of this area. It is completely different from anything I know (acid soil, LOTS of rain) so I have some "larnin" to do. I am ready to "larn." I will have information and, hopefully, photos to share!

Until the next (and hopefully WARMER!) time...