Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday Funnies ~~ Seven Degrees of Coonass, A Blonde & A Lawyer



 Here's one last Cajun joke squeezed in before the end of the year. May we all have a little more laughter and joy in 2011!!!

Love y'all. XXO  :)

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SEVEN DEGREES OF COONASS



FIRST DEGREE
Boudreaux and his wife were asleep when the phone rang at two in the morning.


Boudreaux picked up the phone, listened a moment and said, "How should I know? Dat's  200 miles from here!" and hung up.


The wife said, "Mais, Boo, who was dat?"


Boudreaux answered, "I don't know, some man wanting to know if da coast is clear."

SECOND DEGREE
Two Cajuns are walking down the street. One notices a compact on the sidewalk and leans down to pick it up. He opens it, looks in the mirror and says, "Hmm, dis person looks familiar." The second Cajun says, "Here, lemme see!" So the first Cajun hands him the compact. The second one looks in the mirror and says, "You dummy, it's me!"

THIRD DEGREE
Boudreaux suspects his wife of cheating on him, so he goes out and buys a gun. He goes to his house unexpectedly and when he opens the door he finds her in the arms of another man. Well, Boudreaux is really angry. He pulls out the gun, and as he does so, he is overcome with grief. He takes the gun and puts it to his head. His wife yells, "No, honey, don't do it!!!"


Boudreaux replies, "Shut up, you're next!"


FOURTH DEGREE
Boudreaux was bragging about his knowledge of state capitals. He proudly says, "Go ahead, and axe (ask) me, I know all dem  capitals." Thibodaux says, "OK, what's da capital of Wisconsin?"

Boudreaux replies, "Oh, dat's a easy one! It's W." 


FIFTH DEGREE
What did the Cajun girl ask her doctor when he told her she was pregnant?


"Is it mine?"


SIXTH DEGREE
Boudreaux, a Cajun in his fourth year as an LSU Freshman, sat in his US Government class. The professor asked Boudreaux if he knew what Roe vs. Wade was about. Boudreaux pondered the question then finally said, "Dat was da decision George Washington had to make before he crossed da Delaware "


SEVENTH DEGREE
Returning home from work, Boudreaux was shocked to find his house ransacked and burglarized. He telephoned the police at once and reported the crime. The police dispatcher broadcast the call on the radio, and a K-9 unit patrolling nearby was the first to respond. As the K-9 officer approached the house with his dog on a leash, Boudreaux ran out on the porch, shuddered at the sight of the cop and his dog, then sat down on the steps. Putting his face in his hands, Boudreaux moaned, "Oh yai yai. Me, I come home to find all my possessions stolen. I call da police for help, and what y'all do? Y'all send me a BLIND officer!"
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Now, just for good measure, I'm throwing in a blonde joke and a lawyer joke so I can be an equal opportunity insulter! :D
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A blonde was weed-eating her yard and accidentally cut off the tail of her cat which was hiding in the grass.

She rushed her cat, along with the tail, over to Walmart! 

Why Walmart? 

HELLOOOOOOOOO! Walmart's the largest re-tailer in the world!!!
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A lawyer boards a plane in New Orleans...with a box of frozen crabs under his arm. He asks a blonde stewardess to take care of them for him.

She takes the box and promises to put it in the crew's refrigerator.

He advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for them staying frozen, mentioning in a very haughty manner that he's a lawyer, and proceeds to rant at her about what will happen if she lets them thaw out.
Needless to say, she is annoyed by his behavior. 

Shortly before landing in New York, she uses the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, "Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans please raise your hand?"

Not one hand went up, so she takes the crabs home and eats them. 

Two lessons here:

1. Lawyers aren't as smart as they think they are.
2. Blondes aren't always as dumb as most folks think.  



Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Writerly Wednesday ~~ Darrelyn's Pitch Fest Debacle


If you haven't met my friend Darrelyn Saloom, you really need to! She's a home girl Who Dat citizen, but better than that, she's a great writer and person.

Read all about her travels and terrors at a big conference agent pitch fest in a three-part guest blog series on Writer's Digest Jane Friedman's, THERE ARE NO RULES column here. [Scroll down at the site for parts 1 and 2.] You'll find great what-not-to-do tips to guide you on your own future pitch session.




A HAPPY NEW YEAR FULL OF MET WRITING GOALS TO ALL!!!!!!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Howdy!!!

Just flying by [yes, I keep my Halloween broom handy] to say "hey and love ya" to all! I've missed my blog buds, and *promise* to be a better post-er and visitor in the new year. :)

I hope you're all in the full swing of holiday preps, and are enjoying the good things life has to offer. I've been mega busy with family stuff and getting the winter issue of Rose & Thorn Journal ready for January 15th. (Don't forget to sign up for the free quarterly newsletters, k?) We've got a great menu of prose, poetry & art lined up for our readers' enjoyment.

<3's & huggage, and a VERY Merry Christmas too.

Lurve, Angie (Gumbo Writer)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Writerly Wednesday ~~ LOBO Blog Contest!!



Hidy, writerly friends! Got a great little contest for you today with fab prizes!!!!!

We're all excited about Kat Magendie's THIRD book, SWEETIE's release! Here's a little taste from an early review...

Five stars. FIVE STARS to this book. I'm out of breath from being totally blown away by this beautiful coming-of-age story. Parts of this book reminded me of an old favorite book, The Shepherd of the Hills by Harold Bell Wright. Kathryn Magendie has captured some magic in her descriptions of the Smoky Mountains and has created a character in Sweetie that will live on in my memory.

I had a sneaking suspicion after reading the first chapter that I would like this book, but I did not expect it to flat out floor me. The development of the story, the characters, the way Magendie manipulates her readers emotions threw me for a loop and had me laughing and crying .. sometimes loudly. This is the perfect book for you folks who love a good coming-of-age story with a touch of magic in it. I cannot wait to get my greedy hands on a physical copy as soon as I can (as I received this via Netgalley).

Read the entire review here at The Lost Entwife. And another great one here: Library Thing.

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Now, about that contest........


This is a LOBO (Leave One, Bring One) event that's easier than it sounds. LOL. You simply leave a comment, and bring a friend to leave a comment too. Comment about what, you ask? Tell us what you love most about Kat and her writing or blog. Easy!


EXAMPLE:  "I love Kat's mountain hick voice. John T." Then your friend comes by and leaves his/her comment. "I think Kat is a beautiful person." Suzy Q (friend of John T.)


Contest Rules:


1.) Leave a comment on what you love best about Kat or her writing.


2.) Have a friend do the same, AND SIGN HIS/HER COMMENT WITH, "FRIEND OF (YOUR NAME)." You can comment as a friend for someone else only once, and also enter yourself by bringing another friend once.


3.) This isn't a requirement, just a favor -- please spread the word about this contest. SWEETIE and KAT deserve oodles of publicity. I know y'all love to Tweet and Facebook cool stuff, so how's about sharing the love? Thanks!


4.) Contest runs through Sunday midnight, December 5, Central Time. Use your imagination and writing skills. Creativity counts!


5.) PRIZE PACKAGE: Winner will receive a copy of SWEETIE, hot off the presses, signed by our friend and author, Kat Magendie; a lovely matching book cover necklace that says, "Hold out Hope" (you can see it looped over the cover in the photo below); some cool gel writing pens; and an Amazon or B&N gift certificate (winner's choice) for $20.00. As I'm prone to do, I may throw some other goodies in the pretty red gift bag too!

SO, GET BUSY, SPREAD THE WORD, AND GOOD LUCK TO ENTRANTS!!!



Get Sweetie at Amazon in paperback or for your Kindle!




Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tasty Tuesday Trifecta


Since I've been so lax and have skipped a few Tuesdays of posting yummylicious recipes, I've got a three-fer for y'all today. Enjoy! AND COME BY TOMORROW FOR A VERY COOL WRITERLY WEDNESDAY CONTEST!!!

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BEEF STROGANOFF

Saute 1 lb. lean ground beef or turkey with 1/2 yellow onion, diced in a large pan. Drain off grease. Add 2 cans cream of mushroom soup, 1 soup can of milk, 2 cups of sour cream, salt, pepper and garlic to taste. Stir well and simmer on low.

Cook 1 lb. box of small pasta shells according to package directions. Drain water and add shells to pan. Continue simmering with lid on, stirring every now and then, until ready to serve. [If stroganoff becomes too thick, thin it out with milk.] 

Now, wasn't that easy? And it makes for great leftovers to reheat! 

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 Coffee Cake Bread Pudding Muffins

Another quick and easy recipe you won't believe how good it is! (Thanks to Jessica for the addition to our Thanksgiving food stock.) :)

1/2 can (7 oz) can condensed milk
4 eggs, beaten
3/4 c. golden raisins
1 prepared bakery cinnamon coffee cake with pecans
pinch of salt
1 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350. Whisk in large bowl all ingredients except coffee cake. Tear coffee cake into bite-sized chunks, and add to bowl. Toss until cake has absorbed as much of the liquid as possible. Spray muffin tins with non-stick spray. Pour in mixture. Bake for one hour, or until golden brown. (If you like your bread pudding more spongy, decrease cooking time.)

Glaze muffins with canned icing, or confectioners' sugar + water you've made yourself. Mmmm mm good!

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Green Bean and Fingerling Potato Salad with Shrimp 



1 lb fingerling potatoes (small Yukon Gold work well, too), halved lengthwise
1/2 lb fresh thin green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
2 tsp Dijon Mustard
2 1/2 Tbsp cider vinegar (apple cider vinegar works as well)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, divided (I only used 2 Tbsp total…depend on how "dilly" you want it to taste)
3/4 lb medium shrimp, cooked, peeled, and deveined. (I get the Target "Market Pantry" frozen shrimp in a bag…thaw, season with Paul Prudhomme's Seafood Magic and then cook up on the Foreman Grill)
3 Tbsp pecan halves, toasted


1. Place potatoes in saucepan; cover with water to 3 inches above potatoes. Bring to a boil; simmer potatoes just until tender (about 8 minutes). Add string beans; simmer until beans are crisp and tender (about 3 minutes). Drain.
 2. While potatoes cook, combine Dijon, vinegar, oil, salt, pepper, and 1 Tbsp dill; stir with a whisk. Set dressing aside.

3. Place shrimp and potatoes-and-bean mixture on platter; drizzle with dressing (mix if desired) and top with roasted pecans.

***Thanks to Cynthia for lending me her recipe. This is a delicious full-meal-in-a-casserole!

Y'ALL LEMME KNOW IF YOU WANT A RECIPE FOR A CERTAIN THING, AND I'LL DO MY BEST!





Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What's Up?


Hello! I've missed y'all and my time at the computer lately. Things have been so crazy here, I've not had time to play in Blogaritaville much! Here's a taste of what's been up with me...and I hope you'll leave a note telling me what you've been doing. And after all your Turkey Day doings are over and you've digested your food, come back by this weekend for a great contest with wonderful prizes. If you're a reader or a writer, you'll wanna enter! [No more hints for now. Aren't I mean? Mmwahahahaha!]


To say it was fun being an extra in the HBO series TREME would be an understatement. That's what I did at the beginning of the week. Got to be in on the filming for an episode at Commander's Palace in New Orleans for a Thanksgiving 2006 scene. If you're not familiar with this fabulous post-Katrina saga, you need to be. Cool cast, director, plot line! I think they said the second season will begin airing in April, so I'll let ya know if I "make the cut."


Now, how are your Thanksgiving preps coming along? Mine are just flying into place...because we're eating at Cracker Barrel this year! LOL. Family and friends are all spread out, plus it's *insert dark piano chords here* [bom, bom, bom...] hunting season, which means all the hunter men and women want to scoot out for the woods as soon as the last fork full of food is consumed. Yep, eating out is a great alternative to the "full bird spread" and all that cooking/cleaning involved in loading down the banquet table, y'all!


Besides, who can cook/clean/prepare with a whole like this in their kitchen ceiling? Yep, this is what happens in Gumbo Writer's world when we decided to have the attic insulated to save on utility costs for the Ledbetter clan. After a whole day of blowing insulation into the attic, a workman went to inspect the job and...well, you get the picture. So now, as we "speak," another workman is on his way back for the fifth time to work on patching/painting the large area that had to be re-sheet rocked. Soooo, no, Nana is not cooking this year in all that mess. But she is excited that her stepdaughter family will be arriving shortly. Hope they don't mind a few construction obstacles! Jessica and kidlets' visit reminds me to mention we'd all appreciate your prayers for her hubby who's serving a year in Afghanistan. The holidays are hard for them all. GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!


Now, just to keep things really interesting, I've got an ethnography job (where you collect data for a research company) on Black Friday shopping and crowds. UG! But the money is good. LOL. Sooooo....I'll be out from 2:00 am til 7:00 am observing the insanity that is post-Turkey Day shopping. Oh boy.


So, no, I haven't gotten a lick of anything writing related done! How 'bout you?

Now...what've YOU been up to lately????

HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING TO ALL YOU WHO CELEBRATE IT, AND A WONDERFUL WEEKEND AS WELL! XXO


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Writerly Wednesday ~~ Mega Mongo Giveaway!


Hey writerly folks, there's a big big big contest going on at the blog home of writer & sweetheart Jenni James today through November 30.

Here's what Jenni says:



How would you like to get all of your Christmas shopping done at once? In honour of my great friend and amazing writer: MM Bennetts, and her new book-- Of Honest Fame
I'm hosting  A Ginormous Christmas Gift Giveaway!


A group of authors from all over the world, have come to celebrate the release of MM's book with her. And they have each contributed a book or gift of some kind to be included in the giveaway. One LUCKY READER will have the chance at winning all 20 books listed--including Of Honest Fame posters signed--a Portrait Painting (by me), a pencil drawing (Elizabeth Mueller), Christmas booklets, and many more fun prizes!


An estimated $500 Value!

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Get on over to Jenni's and enter to win. And good luck! When you get through at Jenni's, drop by Kat's and check out the neat linkage she's got up today. Great reading. Yay/!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Friday Funnies ~~ Boudreaux, the Romantic


As we say here, "Y'all pass a good weekend, ya hear?!" A little bit 'a Boo & Thib to get ya started~~~~~


Thibodaux is passing by Boudreaux's hay barn one day when, through a gap in the door, he sees Boo doing a slow and sensual striptease in front of his old green John Deere.
Hiney clenched, Boudreaux performs a slow pirouette and gently slides off first the right strap of his overalls, followed by the left. He then hunches his shoulders forward and in a classic striptease move, lets his overalls fall down to his hips revealing a torn and frayed plaid shirt.

Grabbing both sides of his shirt, he rips it apart to reveal his stained tee shirt underneath. With a final flourish, Boo tears the tee shirt from his body and hurls his baseball cap onto a pile of hay.

Having seen enough, Thib rushes in and says, "Mais, what da heck you doin', Boo?!"

"Jeez, Thibodaux, you done scart (scared) da snot outta me!" exclaims Boo. Then, obviously embarrassed, he says, "Me and mah old lady, we been havin' da troubles lately in da bedroom department, so da terapist (therapist), he done tole (told) me I should do someting sexy to a tractor."






Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Tasty Tuesday + Writerly Wednesday Game

 










Hey, y'all! I've been AWOL for a while from the computer, getting caught up on family stuff and chores that have been dragging. Hope you've been well, and that life's treating you right. There's a recipe and a short little writing game below. Enjoy!

Sidebar: Kudos to all you who got out to VOTE yesterday, remembering the supreme privilege it is to exercise the freedom others have died to protect. I'm proud to say our local citizens battled rain and long lines to make their choices count, and also slogged through 10 amendments' legalese as well. 

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SOUR CREAM CHEESY CORNBREAD

1 C. self-rising corn meal 
1/2 C. self-rising flour
1/2 C. butter (I use Smart Balance)
2 large eggs
1 can cream corn
1 carton sour cream (8 oz.)
1 C. cheddar cheese (garlic cheese & sliced bacon cheddar are great)
1/2 C. milk
1 tsp. minced garlic
1/4 tsp. black pepper

Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl with the corn. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Next, add melted butter, then garlic and pepper.

Pour into greased cast iron skillet. Bake at 425 for 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Wonderful with chili, gumbo, soup, or as a meal. Serves 8-10.


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Now, let's have some writerly fun! Leave comments that represent a "best of" or "worst of" aspect of your writing routine. The first person starts with the letter A, and we'll follow alphabetically. [Ex -- ALWAYS planning a scene; BARELY enough sleep; CAN'T stop thinking about my WiP plot, etc.] Go!



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tasty Tuesday ~~ Superrific Soup and Salad Duo


I'm real thankful for my friends who share their "goodest" recipes with me. 'Preciate the good eats, Cynthia!

Here's a new favorite soup & salad combo I think you'll really like. It's great all year round, and you can substitue asparagus or broccoli for the zucchini. Experiment!

Enjoy...

Zucchini Soup
(aka ToupsSoup by way of Southern Living

1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 lb. zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 (16oz.) can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Garnish: Heaping amount of crumbled feta cheese (a must)

Sauté chopped celery and onion in hot olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat for eight minutes or until tender.

Add zucchini and next four ingredients. Bring to boil over medium heat; reduce heat to low. Simmer 10 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Remove from heat. Let stand 20 mins.

Process soup, in batches, in a blender or food processor 30 seconds or until smooth. Return soup to Dutch oven, and cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish.




Strawberry & Arugula Salad with Prosciutto
(a regular Spring Mix works just as well)

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 cups strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 cup sliced red onion
Olive oil cooking spray
4 thin slices prosciutto (about 2 oz)
6 cups baby arugula (about 5 oz)
2 oz goat cheese or feta, crumbled


Whisk together first 5 ingredients (through black pepper) in a large serving bowl. Add berries and red onion; let stand 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, lightly coat a seasoned cast-iron skillet or nonstick pan with cooking spray, and heat over moderately high heat. Add prosciutto in one layer, and cook, turning, about 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Transfer to a plate to cool; crumble and reserve.

Place the baby arugula in a large serving bowl with cheese; add the strawberries, red onions, and balsamic dressing, and toss gently until just coated. Divide the salad among 4 serving plates, and top evenly with cooked prosciutto.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Friday Funday ~~ Bad Bad BAD Boo & Thib

 








Thanks to Daddy for forwarding another Boudreaux & Thibodaux joke for us all to enjoy. And thank Y'ALL for all the well wishes and prayers concerning "Big Hairy" (18-y.o. "Court Jester" of my old Ledbetter Lunacy cartoons) and his getting well. His mono symptoms and fever are much better and we got home from the hospital to sleep in our own beds last night. That's all the TGIF I need to have a great weekend!

Hoping same for each and every one of y'all! Now, here's a new chapter in the life of those bad bad Cajun boys, right after a reminder that our fall issue of Rose and Thorn Journal went live today! Go take a browse, add us to Twitter/Facebook, and sign up for the newsletter!!!!! And we lurve feedback. :D

Now, dem boys...

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One day, Boudreaux's walking down Main Street when he sees his buddy Thibodaux driving a brand new pickup.
Boudreaux pulls up to him with a wide grin.


"Hey, Thib, where you got dat truck?"

"Mais, Tammy Lou gave dat to me. Ain't it sumpin (something)?" Thib beams with pride.
 Boo replies, "Hooo-boyyy, she juss gave it to ya? Mais, I know'd she was kinda sweet on ya, but a new truck?''

"Well, Boudreaux, me too, I was kinda shock, but lemme tole you what happen when she give it to me. We just drivin' out on County Road 6, in da middle of nowhare. All of a sudden, Tammy, she pull off da road, put da truck in 4-wheel drive, and head into da woods. She park dis (this) truck, gets down (term used for "out"), trew (threw) off all her clothes and say, 'Thibodaux, take whatever you want.'"

"So, me, I took da truck!"

"Mais, Boudreaux, you a smart man, yeah! Dem clothes woulda never fit you nohow!"



Wednesday, October 13, 2010

At the Hospital



Sorry no recipe or writerly stuff this week. My "baby" (18, almost 6-ft. tall, and real hairy) has been trying to shake off a case of mono for over a month. Long story short, he had a relapse with a vengence. High fever, aches, an almost-closed throat from swollen glands, and feeling just horrible all over, and like his head was on fire. He needed more help than a fever reducer and a steroid were giving him.

Being at the hospital in the pediatric ward has been nice. The IV of fluids and meds has brought his burning fever down, so he's finally feeling human again. As a bonus (and so no one will steal him or give him to the wrong mom...LOL), we have matching paper ID bracelets! 

So, I'll see y'all next week. Until then, have a great weekend. Do something nice for someone in need...and also for yourself. :D  *hugs*

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