Our Weekend

via pictures...
**WARNING** picture overload ahead **

I was in the mood to take pictures this weekend.  We didn't do anything super special, but I snapped lots of pics anyway.

Lillian sitting in her daddy's lap at Another Broken Egg.

They were watching us do yard work.

I took a pic when he wasn't looking.

Sweet Charley hanging out with Lillian

I put my sun hat on to weed the flower bed.

Annabelle was following me everywhere and loving the outdoors!

Jon marinated some steaks that he grilled on Sunday night

Lillian played while her daddy grilled

I made a salad with some of our goods from the Farmer's Market.

We ended our weekend with this beautiful rainbow.

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  Ours was not very eventful but it was filled with quality time spent together and you can't beat that!

No Farms No Food

The Shreveport Farmer's Market started yesterday. It's always one of my favorite things this time of the year. It is held on Saturday morning from 7-12 and Tuesday evening from 3-6. This past Saturday we got up and about early and headed downtown to see what we could find. Lillian got to experience her first Shreveport Farmer's Market! It was very crowded and already hot outside. We were wanting squash and strawberries. We did find 2 eight ball squash/zucchini so we snatched those up. I had never heard of them before last year when we found them at the market. We did not see any strawberries that looked good to us, but we did end up with some other goodies. A booth out there called Comfort Food was selling pre-made meals and mixes, so we bought cinnamon rolls from them that sounded delicious. Can't wait to try them! We also came across a dairy farmer's booth who was selling fresh milk, heavy cream, and butter. We were intrigued and decided to buy a half gallon of their chocolate milk. It should go good with a cinnamon roll! We will have to go earlier in the morning next time because a lot of the booths were sold out of things we would have bought. I'm glad Shreveport offers a farmer's market! It is a good thing for people to do with their families, it helps the farmers, and it introduces people to new foods and experiences!

Memorial Day Weekend

This past 4 day weekend was great! It started off Friday when I got to sleep in because I was off work! I spent the day with my sweet baby and then Jon, Lillian, and I joined my in- laws for dinner. After dinner Jon and I took Lillian to Rhino Coffee Shop and listened to a bluegrass band called Foley's Van. My sister came in town late that night so we all slept in on Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon we did a little shopping and then ate lunch on the patio at Oyster Bar. Saturday night we attempted to hang out at the Mudbug Madness festival but it didn't last long. Lillian was not a happy camper as soon as she heard the super loud music and was bombarded by unfamiliar faces. About 15 minutes after we were there a huge black cloud covered the sky and we saw lightening in the distance. That was our cue to leave. Maybe next year we will have better success. Sunday we all got up and went to Rhino for breakfast before our trip to the park. Candace, Jon, and Brady ran while Lillian and I walked. It was crazy hot out because the humidity was so bad. Sunday evening Jon made dinner and his parents came over. It was a nice relaxing evening. Monday, Memorial Day, was uneventful and so nice. I am thankful for all of the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to keep this country free. This weekend was full of family time, and I am so thankful for that too! I'm glad my sister was able to come visit!

LSU vs Miss St

Every year the ENO crew gets together for a LSU game.  I was never able to go because I was working, until this year.   Jon and I planned on going as soon as we knew the date.  I was really looking forward to it.  I had never watched a game from inside the stadium! (I was in Baton Rouge quite a few times in college for games, but never made it in to the stadium for the game) Then Jon got hurt, and we had no idea how we were going to tailgate and make it to the game with him on crutches.  Then he got a wheelchair and decided to call the ticket office to see if they could accommodate.  We ended up being able to sit in the handicapped/wheelchair section with an awesome view!
The morning of the game we got up with the sun (or maybe before) and got ready and headed to the campus.  Fortunately we were following Nathan, Kelli, and Terry's lead because Jon and I were rookie tailgaters.  We found our spot and got things set up.  A little before lunch the rest of the crew made it out.  Terry and Nathan whipped up some wonderful jambalaya in a cast iron pot that is at least a century old!  It was probably some of the best jambalaya I've ever eaten!  We took a walk to pick up our tickets from will call and to see Mike the tiger in his cage.  We went back to our tailgating spot and hung out until game time.  Of course we then made our way to the stadium to watch the tigers defeat the bulldogs.  It was a really great time and I'm so glad we were able to go this year!

Terry & Nathan aka The Cooks

Kelli & me

tailgating with the hubby

view from our seats

LSU vs Miss St game

Four Seasons

We have four seasons we recognize around our house...winter, spring, summer, and football.  We are definitely in football season now.  Our LSU flag is flying and our new LSU wreath (from my sweet friend, Adrianne) is on the door.  Jon is constantly "researching" so that he can make the right decisions and play the right players each week in his fantasy football teams. (Yes, I said teams...he has three!)  I am a fan of college football over NFL, but I sit and watch most all of the games with him.   I think one of my favorite things of football season is the get togethers.  You all know I love to entertain and have people over.  I also enjoy getting together with our friends at their houses too!  We've been hanging out with some friends on Sundays for Saints games (although Jon is a Cowboys fan).   We went to our friends, Billy & Jennifer's, this past weekend to watch the LSU vs Idaho game.  I was in the mood to bake and decided to make something to bring over to their house.  After browsing Pinterest, I came up with a tiger striped cake!  The picture was super cute and the instructions seemed easy enough, plus I had all the ingredients on hand.  I made the cake mix, halved it, and dyed each half.

Then I alternated each color cake mix in the pan.

I baked the cakes according to the directions.  I iced the cakes with a chocolate marshmallow icing.

Then I decorated the top for the tigers.  I definitely need to take a cake decorating class, or at least, start practicing a lot more.  I have a ways to go on the look of the cake.  I also learned a valuable lesson.  I iced the cake on the cake carrier since I knew we were taking it somewhere.  Well, it didn't like the ride very much, because by the time we were at their house the top layer had slid halfway off the bottom layer.  From now on I will be putting toothpicks in to hold the two layers together.  Needless to say, cutting the cake was a disaster, but it still tasted delicious!!

GEAUX TIGERS!

birthday, babies, and pickles...

This past weekend we took a quick trip to Forth Worth to visit Adrianne and Ruben and celebrate their baby, Julian's, 1st birthday.  Adrianne went all out planning for this celebration under the "Big Top."  Here are a few pictures from the party...

some of the goodies

Adrianne made this!!

I can't believe Julian is already a year old!  He is such a happy kid! We always enjoy visiting with them and wish that we could make it over to Fort Worth more often.

While we were over there we stopped at a few stores that we don't have here in the Port City.  One of those being Buy Buy Baby.  If you are not familiar with this store, it is owned by the same company as Bed Bath & Beyond and basically is just the same but all baby things.  I walked in the store (it was my first time) and told Jon that I thought it was awesome and overwhelming!  They have everything you could ever want and/or need and them some!  We saw quite a few things that we feel would be unnecessary but other things that we definitely needed.  Surprisingly we didn't buy anything.  I think mainly because we are waiting to see if Tiny Cox will be a boy or a girl.
Another place we stopped at was Central Market, which is one of my favorite places ever!  I stocked up on some fruity candy and we picked up a few other things, including lobster tails and mussels.  Jon cooked the lobster and mussels last night for dinner, along with twice backed potatoes and salad...talk about delicious!! (I didn't indulge in the mussels)  While we were at the store I spotted this pregnant girl's best friend...

A pickle bar! They had all sorts of different flavored pickles!  I played it safe and bought a few of the New York Super Sour Pickles.  They are super sour and super good at that!
We have and OB appointment this week, which is always something we look forward to these days.  Unfortunately they are not planning on doing an ultrasound this time, so we will have to wait a few weeks to find out what gender Tiny Cox may be.  The anticipation is starting to wear on me!!  I'm still pretty certain it is a girl, soon enough we will see.

Happy Birthday FIL!

This past Saturday Jon and I had the opportunity to have his side of the family over to our house to celebrate his father's 70th birthday.  We invited Jon's two sisters and their families and also Jon's dad's brother and his wife.  Everyone was able to make it and we were very excited about that.  We really enjoyed being able to see everyone and spend time with them.  I know that Jon's dad also had a wonderful time and that it meant the world to him for everyone to be there in his honor.  I was in charge of appetizers so I went to researching some new things that I could make and I came up with the following: Spicy Sausage Dip served with Ritz crackers and pita chips, Crack Dip served with pita chips, Drunk Dogs, and Pizza Bites. (I'll post recipes later.)  They were all a big hit!  Jon's brother in law, Bill, was in charge of the gumbo and rice and it was delicious!   How could I forget to mention that we watched the LSU Tigers beat the Georgia Bulldogs!! Now the Tigers are headed to the National Championship to whoop up on the Bama Crimson Tide again! :)    Overall, it was a really great time and a moment that I know that the FIL (Father-In-Law) will cherish for years to come!

[Jeff, Regina, and Ron (the FIL)]

[Jon with his sister Cindy and her hubby Bill]

[Happy Birthday to you!!]

[Jon's dad with his pretty and yummy cake- doesn't he make 70 look good!]

[Jon's sister Regina with her daughter, Anna Leigh, and Cindy's daughter, Abby]

[me and the MIL]

[the dad with his children!]

Jon's dad is one the kindest men I have ever met.  He has a big heart of gold and is always looking out for what's best for Jon and me.  He is a great man of God and a wonderful role-model.  He even plays tennis multiple times a week! :)

We turn not older with years, but newer every day.  ~Emily Dickinson

Tuxedo Cake

On Saturday afternoon Jon and I were sitting around having a typical conversation that goes something like this...

Danielle "What do you want for dinner?"
Jon "I don't know, what do you want?"
Danielle "I don't know.  Want me to cook something?"
Jon "If you want.  What would you cook?"
Danielle "I don't know.  Do you want to go out to eat?"
Jon "It really doesn't matter to me."

Except this time Jon mentioned the idea of grilling steaks and of course I agreed!  He does a wonderful job of grilling and steaks are delish!  So I decided I would be in charge of the side dishes and dessert.  I already had what we needed for sides, but what was I going to make for dessert?  I wanted something different. I am tired of the same ol cupcakes and cake balls.  I decided I wanted something chocolate and how about in the form of a real cake!  I went to my trusty Annie's Eats and came across this recipe for a Tuxedo Cake.  It was chocolate, three layers, and I had most of the ingredients already- SOLD!  It also reminded me a lot of Jon's grooms cake.  I made my list for the few items I did need and off to the store we went.   I came home and set out all my ingredients and was so excited!  I love baking!!

{all the ingredients for the cake- minus the 2 c. water}

{ingredients for the icing- I know...it's just whipped cream!}

{ingredients for the chocolate glaze or ganache}

{the 3 layered chocolate cake iced...I need practice on making the icing smooth}

{with chocolate glaze}

{TaDa}

It may not be the prettiest cake ever, but it sure was delicious!  It was a lot of fun to make too! Baking is the best therapy! :)