What are you doing New Years?

That song, What Are You Doing New Years Eve? is truly one of my favorite holiday songs.

Last year round 'bouts this time, I wrote a postlet (sort of like a piglet or naplet) about choosing a word for the year.  My 2011 word...well, it's chosen but I want to do a little more thinking before I say it out loud. 

My intent for the new year is harmony and balance, strengthening my strengths and not frantically spinning my wheels.  So, if you know of a word that encompasses those sentiments, shoot me a message.  If that stumps you, too, well...dammit!  I'll just have to keep thinking in the meantime.

If you're interested in choosing a word for the year rather than resolutions that fall through the cracks by the time January is even over, go to Susannah Conway's website and find out a little more about it (she's got a 2011 sheet but I can't seem to find the link and am getting bleary-eyed) and download the (free) worksheet right 'chere or try this one on Christine Kane's website for her (free) downloadable worksheet OR here's another one if you want to spring the $10 to try it out. 

Here's a cool end-of-the-year project you can participate in called Reverb10.  Seems really cool (if you're into that kind of thing)!

Husband always asks this question of his friends and family as the year comes to a close and I, in turn, will ask you: 

What are the top 5 memorable moments that happened in your life this year? 

Of course, there's going to be lots of things that qualify, but what hits the top of your list?

It's been a big year for me with lots of stellar moments to whittle down into 5 little spots but here goes (in no particular order):

#5:  Growing as a writer...

a songwriter 

(recording a demo, knocking out gigs from the top of the state to the coast)

a foodwriter

(the Mississippi Culinary Trail, a regular food & restaurant column) 

and as a storyteller through photography, video and blog.

#4:  Our 1st wedding anniversary. 

#3:  My trip to Horn Island over the summer

#2:  Attending a Barefoot Workshops session that taught me how to film & edit (and I finished the film my own darn self!)

#1: Starting my full-time position this month

with the Mississippi Development Authority, Division of Tourism!

I am a Special Projects Officer in the Bureau of Film, Music & Heritage. YAY!

Be safe, have lots of fun and I'll see you in 2011! 

~A

p.s. bear with me while I change the design of the blog (it's bugging the heck outta me) and get my banner back up at the top. I have been in and out of town so it has not afforded me time to tinker with the thing.  hopefully this weekend, i can sort it all out. 

Merry Christmas, Baby

Hey folks! 

Hope you are off from work, have your shopping done (and most of the cooking wrapped up) and have your rear end in something cushy and your feet propped up on something comfortable...basically, assume position for opening presents!

Both me and a few friends have been wanting to listen to something different this Christmas year and on Taza and Husband's blog, she recommends the Hey, It's Christmas compilation.  It's a different sort of sound for traditional Christmas songs and I absolutely dig it.  We stuck this on during our holiday ornament exchange at work last week (and then rocked out to some Motown Christmas after that).

If your town/city puts out a Christmas CD like Jackson does (Merry Christmas, Jackson - Volume 3), then I recommend that as another option to add to the shuffle.  It's been a lot of fun to listen to our fellow friends and musicians' take on classic Christmas songs.

Paste Magazine has 50+ Free Christmas mp3's which has a good variety of songs from indie bands and artists.  Love it!  They are easy to download and a great addition.

We're about to get on the road to Dallas and I can't wait to pop them in for an extended listen.  But we'll still have some standbys in tow, too!  (Harry Connick, Jr., Charlie Brown Christmas, Ray Charles and more)

No matter what or how you celebrate,

I hope you have the happiest (and safest) of holidays!! 

I heard you like bacon.

It's heartwarming to see bacon getting love from all sides these days.  There are so many ways to surprise your favorite baconphile this Holiday Season!  It's safe to say a gift like these will count for major brownie points and make up for most any transgression you may have committed over this past year.  There's always room for forgiveness when bacon is involved, right?


Try it for yourself:  bacon can be used in most every life scenario.  (Click on the pic for more info)

What better way to say thank you than sending your special note in a bacon-flavored envelope?

Give them the gift of security, knowing their money is in good hands.

Someone needs a hint...and there are so many ways to let them know it's time to do something about that vegetarian breath...

 Or better yet...

And here's the best movie night treat around!

For those of you who want to impress your friends with your mad gaming skills:

Say what?!  You got maimed?  Bacon to the rescue!!

The fun could go on for days, people.  Just search here or here or here and bacon dreams will come true for you and/or the one you love.  Talk about a match made in pork heaven.

This is currently out of stock, but here's some good bathtime fun:

I swear, what are they going to come up with next?!


Oh...this:

The element of surprise for your gift...bacon wrapping paper!

Have fun!

We All Scream For Ice Cream

Especially when it's still about 80 degrees outside in Mississippi (well, not at the moment but it was last week or so!). 

Since it's officially the holidays, and we are up to ears in Christmas lists and "what ifs" for gift ideas, I ran across the coolest necklace ever:

It's the Ice Cream Polaroid Necklace at ViviDot.  I ran across this site because there was a giveaway featuring ViviDot on a fun blog I love to read.  

The necklace brings to mind Southern drive-ins with their retro neon signs and some of the best ice cream around like my hometown favorite The Dip in Hernando, Edd's Drive-In in Pascagoula, Johnny's in Tupelo...fill in your fav here.

Happy Holidays!  I have lots of news, photos and such to share.  I've finished my short film, handed it off for the next phase of editing and I have no excuse whatsoever to be absent here.  It's good to be back. (p.s. I'm also playing with new blogger layouts and I'm being a little persnickety about it, so bear with, won't you please?)

Shame On Me! (and don't even mention the word chicken)

Oh, hello, there.

Remember me?

Yes, I know, it's probably a hazy memory but, hopefully it's not all lost!

Suffice it to say I've been burning the candle at both ends working on my film project, playing gigs and just general work and being worn out.  I thought about making a trailer for the film but how would I make a trailer for a 9 minute film without giving everything away?  So, the suspense is just going have to kill you in the meantime.  But I'll have another outtake up soon.

Haven't traveled as much lately as I would have liked but there are always in-between times that have to be endured so you can get to the good stuff, right?

First things first:  I still can't stomach chicken.  Period.  Don't want to think about it, don't want to look at it.  Can't eat it.  So don't even mention it!

Osyka is the last stop in Mississippi before you cross the Louisiana line.  It's a really cute little town and currently featured in Mississippi Magazine.  

The 1st annual Chicken-Fixin' Cook-Off kicked off during Osyka's Fall Festival that has been going now for about 25 years.  My friend Andi and I had a good drive down there and arrived around 10am.  We found the judging HQ and soon thereafter, chicken began arriving for judging.

Outside, the tents were buzzing with activity and the cookers were smoking.  Show time!  (Andi got to choose the best decorated tent.)

 

 

 

The smell filled the room and since it was around 11 at this point, our mouths began to water.   We judged on aroma, presentation/visual appeal, texture and taste.   

Here's the brain trust below, inspecting one of the entries.

 

 

Prepared, complete with chicken bib.  These were the nicest bunch of men!  And entertaining, as you can imagine.

Categories were Wings:  Amateur & Professional; Entrees: Amateur & Professional

 

 A close-up.  They were good!

One for tasting, one for looking.

 

The Osyka adventure was a lot of fun and the chicken judging went well up until a certain point.  Let me put it this way:  there were 5 of us judging (*and eating*) for 4 separate categories and each category had about 6 or 7 entries a piece.  Even if you have just a small bite or two to taste for flavor, it adds up.  And then sooner or later, it just all tastes like, well...chicken.

Once the judging was over and Andi worked on tallying the scores, I honestly thought it was going to be necessary at one point to just purge behind a bush or something.  I thought I was going to die!  It was the ultimate food baby...more like twins in this case.  UGH!  We were all pretty full, but the other judges had done it before and apparently had a 2nd stomach on retainer.  They did mention it would be good to have more people and split up the judging categories, so maybe next year, that will happen for the sake of future judges!

The official picture of the Osyka Chicken-Fixin' Judging Panel.

The Aftermath. 

Can you see the pain in my face??  

It was all I could do to smile...This is me (L) & Andi (R).

Overall, it was a really fun day.  We explored the fall festival.  There were so many good food vendors - not that I was in the market for more food - but we took a good bit home for later.  

Osyka was a railroad town and the tracks are still busy and run parallel to Main Street.  There's one going past as I took the photo of the pig cooker. 

 I bought some homemade pralines from a really nice man.  His wife made them and they were the best I've tasted!

At this tent below, they sold red beans and rice. 

 Look at how much they made in the cast iron pot!  It looked really good. 

And last but not least, there was a man and his family making fresh pork skins right then and there.  I got a little video of it, which I will post tomorrow.  It's fun to watch.  

Osyka was so much fun.  I love exploring new places.  Hope y'all are doing well!

The Chicken Strikes Back

Happy Saturday!

While you are probably sleeping in past the hour of 7 a.m. this morning, me and my friend Andi, will soon be on the road to the town of Osyka, Mississippi (pronounced O-sie-ka).

Where's that, you ask?

If you are traveling down I-55, you'll find it's just off Exit 1, right before you hit the Louisiana line.  The reason both Andi and I are so excited about this trip can be summed up in one word (ok, two and a half):  Chicken Cook-off!

Months ago, while I was in the midst of writing the Mississippi Culinary Trail, there was an email forwarded to me about this event that coincides with their Fall Festival and could I add it to the Trail?  I spoke to Kim with the Osyka Civic Club at length and she was was thrilled beyond measure about the festivities. She then asked me if I would be a food judge.  I didn't have to think twice about that.  Of course!  

Andi is getting roped into helping with some of the judging process and also helping pick the Best Decorated Kitchen set-up.  This experience is a no-brainer on so many levels...

The Chickin' Fixin' Competition teams have been meticulously preparing their dishes to present to me and three other judges who will be on hand to taste, smell and ultimately judge their chicken creations.

It's obvious to see why this is such an adventure for us.  Have you ever heard of Osyka?  Yeah, me neither really besides Culinary Trail entry.  Have you ever been?  Nope, me neither.  Small town Mississippi?  Yes, please!  

This is going to prove to be a fun day for sure!  Kim told us to fast for a couple of days because there would be so much food.  Whoa.

Osyka's Fall Festival is happening today from 8:00am to 5:30pm, with food and craft booths, free musical entertainment and kid-friendly activities.  And don't forget about the poultry extravaganza!

Another thing I'm excited to do when we visit Osyka is Nyla's Burger Basket.  It is a Culinary Trail entry, known for their burgers, hand-dipped onion rings and cajun fries.  I've never been before so the excitement is definitely building for me...(I'm hungry already)

Have a good weekend and I'll report back on Monday!  

Bok!

Dallas Eats, Part 2

We got a couple of recommendations for eats 

A good friend mentioned a taqueria right across the street from Bolsa's where she loves getting the barbacoa tacos.  

We ordered two barbacoa and one al pastor.  We found a spot to sit on the bench on the side of the building to enjoy the "appetizer" part of our meal.

I'd never had barbacoa before - and if you haven't either, it's beef head meat.  It's not bad, but was a little too fatty of a consistency for my taste.  

Now gimme some al pastor (pork).  Whatever that meat had been marinated in, is the stuff that makes angels sing.  You'll notice we didn't take a picture until after we'd nearly eaten all of it.  I don't feel bad about that at all - and neither would you if you were there.

A friend recommended Bolsa's which was right across the street but after looking at the menu, I was in the mood for something a little less urban gourmet chic.  We thought, hey, we can get pizza and pulled pork sandwiches just about anywhere.  I think it would have been a great meal but when you've got your heart set on spicy and exotic meaty things, well, it's hard to talk your stomach into anything else.  (At least, that's how my food cravings work.  There's absolutely no compromise.)

Bolsa is in a really cool old garage and it's a great-looking restaurant.  Upstairs is a millinery shop - wish I'd gone in! 

So we walked across to the other side of the street to Gloria's.  Gloria's has been in Dallas for close to 40 years and is known for its El Salvadorian cuisine.  This ain't Mexican.  This is Gloria's.  Get ready.

We got to the table and at first it felt like we'd gotten a table at just any Mexican cantina. Just forgive the writer her ignorance in advance...

Our waiter brought fresh chips and salsa to the table along with a little bowl of refried black beans.  Yummo.  We also asked for some fresh guacamole, too.  Notice how the light shone through the window from the heavens above to perfectly to accent the food.

W filled me in on how El Salvadorian was different from "Mexican" food - more tomato-based sauces and such.  You can see how much sunk in before I got completely sidetracked.  He ordered a flank steak something or other and I got the ceviche tostada.  Just because I can't remember the name doesn't mean it wasn't good - it was (insert adjective here)!!!  Words don't do it justice.  It came with tortillas to make a meat sandwich - or perhaps a steak taco...

I foolishly wondered if my ceviche tostada was going to live up to my expectations.  The scallops were marinated in lime juice, cointreau and tossed with herbs.

I couldn't get enough.  This was tart, decadent, fresh, flavorful, unforgettable.

I can't even begin to tell you a. how incredible this meal was b. how I can't stop dreaming about it c. and even a month later, I can still almost taste it.  It was fabulous.  


Don't even mention the fact that we'd already had a little sompn'-sompn' across the street mere minutes ago.  I don't want to hear it.  

So, after the gorge-fest unforgettable lunch experience, we rolled wandered back through the Bishop Arts District to another favorite stop during the trip:  The Soda Gallery.

For Jacksonians who remember the Fondren Beverage Emporium, the Soda Gallery is the same concept but I will say that the FBE had a much larger selection of both sodas and vintage candies. 

Of course the store was as kitschy cool as can be.  I could have recovered hung out in there for hours!

In the back part of the store, they had pop art!  And you've gotta check out the bathroom.

This was the funnest bathroom experience ever. Soda labels covered the walls and the floor was the brightly painted pattern - oh, I can't remember who designed it but it was also an Apples in Stereo album cover as well (one of my favorites).

They had lists on the wall of what was new and what flavors were being retired: RIP!

After exploring the store we made our selections and I was also excited to buy a bag of bottle caps they sold to add to my collection from FBE!

And challenged each other to a mean game of Chinese checkers.   

He beat me.