Update:


In case you haven't noticed, there is an additional child in our family photo. I would like you all to meet the newest member of our family. She is the pretty little 7 year old in the purple dress. "Eloise" now has a little sister. We have decided to call her, "Amelia Bedelia".

Sunday, November 30, 2008

A look backwards......

It sometimes(quite often) happens that several events pile up on me at once. I snap a gazillion photos with the intentions of telling you all about it. This month has been like that. I snapped away as Hubby built wooden stands for the booths at our daughter's school's Fall Fest. Our youth department had a couple of really fun fundraisers which I participated in and photographed. They also took the annual trip to Celebration In The Oaks. I unfortunately was unable to attend due to several things the biggest of which being the fact that my Finals are next week. But enough of that. On with some pics I never showed you.....




The pics above are of Fall Fest.


Below, I have posted pics of our Youth Goody Auction. This time I made two batches of Scottish Shortbread and packaged them in gift bags. I added fall stickers and a little bow to make them festive. Let the bidding begin!......



















Last, but definitely not least, I have included pictures from our Youth "Slave Auction." I purchased a dear sweet girl from her mother(Beppi) to help me clean my house and prepare for my dinner guests who purchased me for my cooking services and my cousin for her babysitting services. I hope Eric and Jennifer enjoyed their dinner as much as I enjoyed serving them.





The lovely baker to the left was my slave for the evening. She was most gracious and helpful. This sweet young lady can also be seen on my side bar holding my darling Eloise when she was a toddler. It seems shes always there to lend a helping hand. Thanks Beppi for raising such a beautiful person.
P.S. I also took pics of my first attempt at making stuffed mirlitons. I will post about that later.
Now I must be off to work on my holiday homework assignments. I promise when I am a teacher I will never assign homework over the holidays! ....humbug

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Tidbits

Eloise makes her first pie.


My Sissy Scooping up some Crab Stuffed Mirliton.

Carmacita and her beautiful deviled, organic eggs from Plain Old Kristi's Place.



My brother in law (the chef) posing with his son an two of his creations.

Carmacita and Eloise working so hard to prepare our feast.



My Hubby and his Big Sis.






Three cousins sittin on the porch.




Our guests are all gone. The kitchen is clean. Our bellies are full.....

WE HOPE YOUR THANKSGIVING WAS AS BLESSED AS OURS.

Saturday, November 22, 2008

It's Finally Here......

Our long awaited cookbook is finally available to the public. For more info click on the "Cooking Up a Storm" thumbnail on my side bar. It truly is a beautiful statement of who we are. Sure there are recipes, but there is so much more in this book. If you decide to order one I know you will enjoy reading the testimonies of some of our people and some people we met durring our Hurricane Katrina adventure. Even if you don't cook a lot this book and disc will encourage you. Check out the blog order a book and tell them Miss Riya sent you!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

WHERE I LIVE......

ELOISE MARIE LONGSTOCKING!!!!!!!!!!!!!.............


"YES MY MOMMY"



PICK UP THIS MESS THIS INSTANT!



"BUT..."



NO BUTS MISSY....



I DON'T WANT TO STEP ON YOUR JUNK EVERY TIME I WALK THROUGH THE HOUSE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!?



"YES MAM"



SHE PLODS AWAY WITH ALL OF HER STUFF...

SIGH..... I'M REALLY GONNA MISS THIS ONE DAY .

I THINK I'LL GO GIVE HER A HUG.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Weekend Update....








BY THE WAY......OUR LITTLE DARLING WOKE UP SHAKING HER HEAD WITH A HUGE GRIN ON HER LITTLE FACE. SHE KEPT SAYING, "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT...I CAN'T BELIEVE IT." "YOU CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT?" I ASKED. SHE REPLIED IN AN AMAZED VOICE, "I CAN'T BELIEVE I GOT THE HOLY GHOST LAST NIGHT." WE ARE SO EXCITED. WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THIS ONE FOR A WHILE! NOW WE'LL HAVE TO WORK TWICE AS HARD POLISHING HER HALO! LOL ;-)

Friday, November 7, 2008

A PRESENT FOR NEEKEE...

I'm not sure what went wrong, but I can assure you that everyone was singing their hearts out.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR NEEKEE....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Beppi said to ask you, "How does it feel to be the same age as your mother?"

We Love Ya!

We Miss You!

Can't wait till Christmas...

See Ya Then!

Saturday, November 1, 2008