Elle's Kitchen!

Oh, what fun we had. It was very serious competition!  The food entries were so delicious, some very creative and artistically presented! The Food Network should've been here! Erick (Wendy's husband) took first place in the appetizer category with his tasty and beautifully plated "Cheese in it" Crab Cheesecake. Maddie took second place with her Sun dried tomato Canapes. Third was Mackenzies Grits Toast and Creamy Mushrooms. 

In the dessert category Haley took first place with Pecan Cheesecake Bars, Uncle Mike took second with an interesting Texas themed entry of  "Remember the A la Mode" (Homemade vanilla ice cream with chunks of pecan pie in it, topped with a yummy caramel pecan sauce!!!!!) Third place was Sheila's Fantastic Brownies.

It was so good to gather together. Love the picture of Momo joyce with the 5 little grandbabies. Wish Michael and Kristen's new baby Mick would've been here too! Bryan, Kristin and Evie made it too! New moms nowadays are amazing. They are moving right along! 

I have included our families recipe entries. These are all great for your entertaining pleasure. This is the most fun I've had in a long while! It all seemed like good old NORMAL fun! 

Wish I could blink and radiation would be over... what will normal be like? Almost there!!! 

SunDried Tomato Canapes

 3 packs Phyllo Pastry Shells (in freezer section)

3/4 cup mayo

3/4 cup chopped  sun dried tomatoes

1/2 cup chopped vidalia onion

1/2 cup shredded mozarella

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Tony seasoning to taste

 Top with Crumbled bacon (ready to serve) 

Mix all together and put a teaspoon of mixture in each shell, top with a sprinkle of crumbled bacon  and bake at 350 till cooked and melted. This was delicious!!! 

Pecan Cheesecake Bars

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar (divided)

1/2 cup softened  butter 

2 cups finely chopped pecans, divided

2 8 ounce cream cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/3 cup butter melted

3 large eggs

preheat oven 350. In medium bowl, mix flour and 3/4 cup brown sugar. Using a pastry cutter or fork cut in butter, then stir in 1/2 cup pecans. Press mixture evenly into a 13x9 pan and bake for 10 minutes. 

In a medium bowl combine cream cheese and white sugar, beat until smooth. Add milk and vanilla, beating until well combined. Pour over cooled crust. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for 10 minutes. 

In a medium bowl mix 3/4 cup brown, corn syrup, melted butter, and eggs. Stir in 1 1/2 cups pecans. Pour mixture over cream cheese mixture. Bake 40 minutes... until center is set. Yummy 

Layni wanted me to include her recipe too, although it wasn't a finalist it was certainly a WINNER!

Sesame Seed  Drummettes

About 20-25 drummettes

Tony Seasoning

Lemon Pepper

1 bottle VERY VERY TERIYAKI

Sesame Seeds

1/4 jar Sweet and sour sauce

 Season drumettes lightly with Tony's and Lemon Pepper. In a bowl mix the bottle of terryaki, and sweet and sour sauce. Pour over the drumettes and let marinate 30 minutes. Place a large piece of heavy duty foil on the grill and wipe with olive  oil or spray with Pam. Place drumettes on the foil and cook for 45 minutes turning drumettes every 15 minutes. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Finger looking GOOD!! 

We dedicate today in loving memory of Elle Ava Boudreaux!

In Honor of Elle!

Today, in Elle's memory, our family participated in the MARCH FOR BABIES in Lafayette. Elle was Kristin and Bryan's first baby girl, who was born prematurely, who's brief little life was so precious to all of us. It was a beautiful day and Bryan and Kristin even showed up with 3 day old Evie (Elle's little sister)!! Everyone was so glad to see the new little family! Tonight we will continue the fun with our COOK-OFF called Elle's Kitchen! Everyone is so competitive, it should be interesting, especially if Mike enters something like his "ARMADILLO TERDS" like last year!! This is like our own little Faulk family reunion... 'cept we're missing Billy and Michael this time:(

Will post the cook off results later!!

Here She Is!

What a beautiful baby!!! (of course) We went to the hospital late last night to get a quick peek at Evie (pronounced like Eve -ee) She looks just like Kristin and her family. (All beautiful people, too, of course!) Check out her gorgeous hair!!!  I have never seen Bryan smile so big in all my life!!!  They deserve all this happiness!! It's been a long road and blessings abound us all!!! Amen, Thank you Lord for this precious new gift. We will love her endlessly!

Evangelene Ava Boudreaux has arrived!

It was a long day....Labor started at about 3 a.m. so then Dr. Hardey agreed to let mother nature give it a go! Progress remained slow all day. So late this evening Evangelene arrived by c-section. Haven't spoken with Bryan yet. We received this info via texting. I 'm sure when things get settled he will call. So far all we know is 8lbs. 2oz. and lots of black hair! Will post more tomorrow. Am glad she's here safe and sound!

8 lbs. 2oz.

We get to see Evie tomorrow!

Little Evie has been a little shy about her arrival, so tomorrow (Wednesday), around noon, she will be delivered by c-section. Although Kristin was a little disappointed about having a section, she is, like the rest of us, just so ready to meet little miss Evie Boudreaux! We are praying for a safe delivery for both mom and baby! Will certainly post pictures tomorrow night! 

Today I couldn't take it anymore.... I colored my 1/4 inch long hair! The gray was just too much for me to handle. For a few weeks I kept thinking I would keep it gray for a while, cuz I had "earned" it, but after a good long conversation with Father Buddy this week, I realized that God loves me all the same, whether I am vain or not!!! So I mixed up some 506 and 6RB Socolor and PRESTO CHANGE-O.... No more gray!! 

Each added day of radiation, brings a little more tenderness and "sunburn" to the radiation site, which goes from the middle of my chest, and across my breast, to underneath my armpit, like the shape of a big rectangle. Today I experienced a lot of fatigue and some days, I get chills in the afternoon, (like when you get a sunburn and then when the sun goes down and you feel the burn a little more.) All in all, it is tolerable, and will soon be over. Meanwhile, we will relish in the celebration of a new precious life that will bring us all much joy, starting tomorrow! God is so very good!