Come one! Come y'all!
Poster created by artist James Michalopolous
That was last year's motto for the Jazz and Music Heritage Festival in New Orleans, and if I could, I would be there in a heartbeat. There are several times during the year that I want to be home, but there are other times when it feels like a necessity. Mardi Gras is one of those times, Christmas is another. But Jazz Fest? Though I haven't been in years, it is a rollicking good time and one I remember fondly.
Rules to properly enjoy your time at Jazz Fest: dress comfortably, bring a wide-brimmed hat, a folding chair, and a little money, wear plenty of sunscreen, and drink a ton of water. Then prepare to enjoy some of the best music you have ever heard! The company of people from all over the country only adds flavor to this zesty time.
Every year the line-up becomes more and more impressive. There will be the small, homegrown bands, musicians and choirs from nearby universities and high schools. There are gospel choirs. You'll hear some well-known local artists like Jason Marsalis, Kermit Ruffins, Dr. John, The Nevilles. But then you'll also get to see some pretty big names as well. This year Dave Mathhews, Billy Joel, Maroon 5, Frank Ocean, Fleetwood Mac, and Preservation Hall Band are particiapting. There's even a rumor that Hall & Oates are going to show up. You know...for you Hall & Oates fans.
I would go for Dr. John and Marc Broussard alone. I would endure the heat, the dirt, the people with lack of personal hygiene, and dance the days away happily for the joy of simply being present. It's completely worth it. So if you're in the New Orleans area, or nearby, I highly suggest you head to the Fair Grounds off of Gentilly. It's only minutes from the Quarter, and if you don't stay for the food or various artisans, you will definitely stay for the music!
To all my friends at home enjoying yourselves this weekend and next, have a little extra fun for me.
We'll be tuning into Jazz Fest live on WWOZ.org, and so can you!
Not too long ago my dear friend, Maria, invited me to her house for coffee. Always a well-heeled hostess, she had her finest china out, Cafe du Monde brewing, lively Italian tunes playing, and from the kitchen came the most amazing smells. It may be important for me to tell you that Maria is an amazing cook. There isn't anything she can't do and do well.
After a lovely morning of enjoying each other's company and delicious food, she gave me a big smile, excused herself, and returned with the most beautiful looking coconut cake I'd ever seen. She had mentioned she was making one, but I'll confess: while I love the flavor of coconut, I'm not such a big fan of the flakes. But when she set this beautiful, fluffy cake in front of me it was all I could do to not dive in face first. Because that would have been attractive, right? Right.
I can't describe the smell other than being incredibly tropical. It reminded me of lying on the beaches in Hawaii. And every bite was incredibly moist and delicious! The secret, Maria revealed, was the coconut milk. It prevented the cake from drying out, and as we discovered with our leftovers, continued to make the depth of flavor more and more intense.
So are you ready to bake?
It's a very simple recipe, and though a little time intensive, is worth every. Single. Bite...I mean moment.
Triple-Layer Coconut Cake
~1 package Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Classic White Cake Mix
~1 1/2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
~4 large egg whites
~2 cans Duncan Hines Creamy Home Style Coconut Supreme Frosting (or if it's unavailable purchase white frosting and add coconut extract until you reach the deisred flavor)
~1 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour 3 8-inch-round baking pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, blend the cake mix, coconut milk and egg whites. Beat with mixer. Pour batter evenly among the 3 pans and bake for 18-21 minutes.
3. Cool layers in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Turn out of pan to cool completely before frosting.
4. Place one layer on a serving plate. Spread a thin layer of coconut frosting on top and sprinkle with 1/4 cup of coconut. Repeat with second layer. Top with the third layer and frost top and sides of cake with remaining frosting. Sprinkle remaining coconut on top and sides of cake.
Remember how mentioned how I wasn't the biggest fan of coconut flakes? Friends, if you're in the same boat as I was, then prepared to become a convert. This cake was so good it lasted less than three days~and this is no small, single layer cake. In fact, this was the cake my ever loayl red-velvet cake loving daughter requested for her 13th birthday. Still not convinced? Make it just once!
You'll be glad you did.
Hello friends, I hope you're doing well. I've been absent lately as my mother was in town and...my darling daughter turned 13! Oh, my heart. I can still hardly believe it.
I've been fending off questions as to why I didnt post anything about such a momentous event, or my mother's visit, and my answer is a pretty simple one: I just didn't want to miss a moment. Every time I sat down to write something, someone in the other room would laugh, or games would be played, and where was I? Away and separated from the people I love most.
I don't blog for a living; everything documented here is done for fun. I love sharing with you all, I do, but as I looked at my now 13 year old asleep on the night of her birthday, it really sank in how time is no longer creeping by. It's racing.
So if you're looking, you'll find me here. Perhaps not with as much frequency, but always with the same care and love that I've always given this little slice of my family's life.
Come back this Friday and I'll also serve you up a slice of something guaranteed to make you think of tropical islands and the loveliest days of summer: my daughter's homemade triple-layer coconut cake. It's simple and best of all, delicious.
I hope you see you then!
I hope you all had a lovely Easter. Ours was very nice, but truth be told I was really focused on a single fact: as of this morning, we are on a big countdown.
April 1st may be April Fools Day to y'all, but to us it means that in 11 days we'll have a teenager in the house!
This is a little like my reaction, too. Husband is in denial (just a bit), Eldest is pretty stoic about it, but I'm actually pretty excited.
This is one special girl. Really, she is. I am thrilled as each year passes to see how much more she has grown. Sweet, gentle-hearted, smart, vibrant, and precious...she is all of these things to me. I can't wait to celebrate her thirteen magnificent years this April the 12th.
Happy Almost Birthday, darling girl! Let the countdown begin.
With the recent break from school, our time has been surprisingly occupied. Normally once we're out we lie low and cruise on down to easy street. Not this Easter! We've been at the homes of friends, and yesterday, hosted a few with an informal tea in our living room. Soothing Irish Breakfast, classical music, and the gift of good comapny and conversation lasted from afternoon until evening. It was a wonderful treat.
Cheers to you all on this lovely, blessed Easter weekend.
This Saturday my daughter participated in a 5K in Agoura Hills called "The Great Race". Established in 1986 by parents trying to raise money for their children's elementary schools, it has become a very large, professionally produced event. As it's been voted the Best Half-Marathon in the U.S. in the past, this race clearly speaks to the importance of providing children with the best education possible.
I was really happy to see Eldest and her girlfriends running for their school, and for others as well.
And I loved her cheeky humor. I wonder how many people laughed when they were behind her? I'm hoping quite a few!
At the end of the race~which lasted about an hour or so~I'm proud to say that Eldest came in in the top third of all participating! Out of almost 1500 ruunners, she came in 474th at 29 minutes. Now I'm not a runner, and this was my daughter's first 5K, but to me it sounded great and we couldn't be happier for her.
It was a beautiful morning, a beautiful cause, and looking at these pictures, it was an event filled by people with beautiful hearts. Cheers to all Great Racers running everywhere!
