It's home brew time!

Ned enjoyed his first home brew today after work. It was the best moment of his life, besides finding me, of course.

Small improvements

Ned and I have been doing a lot of work on the house--paint, curtains, new furniture. But nothing is as great as my new spice rack. I can now cook without the inevitable salt avalanche and subsequent stream of foul language. Not pictured: all the Penzey's spices are twirled to the back. Poor photo planning.

Happy birthday, Brian!

Happy birthday from your Mississippi in-laws!

Guidroz Food Center

I was on the road to the Lafayette area last week to interview folks who make boudin. Meet my favorite father-son team, Al and Joseph Guidroz. Joseph opened his store 57 years ago, and now Al runs it. They know all their customers by name. And I hope they remember me when I return.

A Facebook Tutorial

A new political age

Ned found this on my dresser and thought it was a political message--
subtle campaigning, if you will. I'll keep it for the next four years,
if it'll bring more political luck.

Not sure what goes on here...

but you have to show and ID to prove that you're a "grown folk" before entering, per the sign on the front door.

Dinner in Lafayette with the Bonaventures

One of the perks from this trip is that I was able to fit in good visits with family friends. Tonight I went to dinner with the Bonaventures. Danny's been one of Mama's best friends since they were both in Baton Rouge. He was his same, hilarious self. And his daughter, Annie, is beautiful! I think the last time I saw her she was maybe three years old?

A Happy Reunion

While in Opelousas today, I had the pleasure of catching up with Charles Chenier. I befriended Mr. Chenier when I was an AmeriCorps volunteer at St. Joseph's School. Trivia fact: he was one of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Opelousas antiques

I'm in Louisiana to do interviews for SFA. Before my first
appointment, I've found an antique shop that sells gumbo. And grease
tins. I'm sure to leave with a souvenir.

Busy Day

Today's bloggable moment was Ned grilling a pork loin, but MB forgot to take a photo of the action.  So here's a flashback photo from our trip to NOLA last week.  Somewhere, behind our big heads, is the bench where Ned proposed...we think.  We're pretty sure that's the spot. Neither of us can really remember.

Batch #2

While the first batch carbonates in bottles, we're starting our second
batch.

Our first batch of beer

Pasta tonight

with cilantro pesto.

The Abita Brewery Tour, A Recap

Here we are, happy with all-you-can-drink free Abita last Saturday at 11 a.m. It was a great brewery tour, given by the brewery custodian. He walked everybody around the tanks, pointed out "here's where we ferment/here's where we cool/here's where we bottle." And whenever anyone asked a serious beer question, he'd say, "I don't know. I'm just the janitor giving a tour." It was hysterical.

A Family Friendly Reminder to Daddy

Where was this sign six years ago?

What Ned and I did NOT have for dinner tonight

Thanks to Shelley for the link.

Ned loves birthday presents!

And he unwrapped two yesterday. Thanks to the givers!

He killed it.

Happy birthday, Ned!

Who needs cake?