Wanna Be a Winner?

This weekend is The VooDoo Experience, here in New Orleans. One thing about south Louisiana, we have great music and great music festivals. This one is no exception. One of the bands playing this weekend is the Benjy Davis Project. They are from Baton Rouge, just up the road from here. The band is offering a autographed CD and poster to one of readers of the Handmade Louisiana blog. To enter, head on over to Handmade Louisiana and check out the steps for entering the drawing. It's easy and you might win some great music from a great Louisiana band.

Where Have I Been

I am still around. I am in a knitting frenzy. About 10 months ago, I started knitting again and the knitting bug has bitten me hard. I love everything about it, from the buying of the yarn, to browsing patterns on Ravelry, to binding off my finished work. I have not done much of anything else in my spare time other than knit. It brings me joy and joy is a good thing. I love making hats for cancer patients and scarves for troops overseas and for battered women. It is fun to knit prayer squares to send to Melfort Orphanage in Zimbabwe. I get on the computer and instead of coming here to post, I go to Ravelry to check out the patterns or look at the goodies on the online yarn stores. I completely forget to post. I apologize for not holding my end up on the blog. I will do better, but you might get tired of hearing about my knitting :)

Wordless Wednesday- Moo

Handmade Louisiana Give Away- October

Handmade Louisiana is hosting a give away for the month of October. What can you win, you ask? It is a yummy leaf shaped soap by Mamas Little Monkeys. The winner will get to choose from one of three options and each one smells heavenly. To get in on the action, check out the Handmade Louisiana blog and follow the directions for entries.

Good luck everyone!

Monday's Menu- Stacy's Chocolate Chip Cake

Yesterday was Chocolate Cupcake Day. Since I was slow in posting this week's calendar, I gave everyone the permission to celebrate this day any day this week. I wanted to find a new chocolate cake recipe I could use for cupcakes and here it is. It sounds really yummy and it has that special ingredient you know I love, chocolate!

Stacy's Chocolate Chip Cake

Last Monday's Menu recipe: Patti LaBelle's Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese

I so love this mac and cheese recipe. It is full of cheesy yumminess. I forgot to use ANY of the butter and it still tasted great. I think I will continue to forget the butter the next time I make this recipe. Did anyone else give it a try?

Things to Celebrate

October 18 - 24
This week is National Chemistry Week. Chemistry was not one of my strengths in school, but I am happy to celebrate it and all of the wonderful benefits it has brought.

October 18- National Chocolate Cupcake Day (Since I was late in posting this, you all have the opportunity to celebrate this day anytime this week. Merry says it is OK.)
October 19- Evaluate Your Life Day
October 20- National Fruit Day
October 21- Caramel Apple Day
October 22- Used Car Day
October 23- IPod Day
October 24- National Bologna Day (OK, gather round, I will tell a story from my childhood...I was a flower girl for my uncle's wedding. At the rehearsal dinner, they served filet mignon.. I asked the server if I could have a bologna sandwich instead. I was six at the time. I assure you that I would choose the filet over the bologna sandwich now (although a good bologna sandwich is a heavenly thing.)

Monday's Menu- Mac and Cheese

In honor of Moldy Cheese Day (October 9), I want to make my favorite mac and cheese recipe. I saw it made years ago on Oprah (when I still watched it). It is yummy. The only adaptation I make to the recipe is I use Velveeta slices instead of cubing the Velveeta. I think it spreads the yummy taste of the Velveeta around a lot better. Get your forks ready. This one is good.

Patti LaBelle's Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese

Last week's recipe: Double Peanut Butter Cheesecake Swirled Brownies

These were good, but not a great as I had hoped. They were a lot of work. When you got a bite with the Reese's Cup on it, then it was heaven. If not, then it was just ok.

Things to Celebrate

October 4 - 10

This week is World Space Week. Whether it is the great blue yonder or the area between your ears, celebrate the space in your life this week.

October 4- National Golf Day
October 5- Long Walk Day (Take a long walk today, but watch out for the piers)
October 6- Mad Hatter Day (Take every opportunity to think about Johnny Depp today since he is playing the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland)
October 7- Bald and Free Day
October 8- National Fluffernutter Day
October 9- Moldy Cheese Day
October 10- Tuxedo Day

Amazing Artisans- Handmade Louisiana

Handmade Louisiana is a group of wonderful artisans who have joined together to offer advice, support and information its members. We currently have a "Craft A Long" contest running. The theme is Education. Check out our blog and contest at Handmade Louisiana. Be sure to click on the tab at the top called "Where to Buy". There you can get a glimpse of many of the things our members have to offer. I am so proud to be a part of this group.

Thoughtful Thursday- Cara

After watching "Glee" last night, Cara asked...

Cara: Who sang the song "Somebody to Love?"
Cara: Was it Prince?
Mom: No baby, it was Queen.
Cara: I was close. They are both royal.

She is right :)