Bayou Living Magazine Winter 2016-17

Steve Riley What Makes Him Smile?

Remembering Buckwheat Zydeco Crabbing — A Louisiana Family Tradition Reclaiming Forgotten Treasures Recycling

A Cajun Treat Amber’s Journey DIY: Southern Belle Christmas Tree with Jade Harrington Recipes with Tiffany B. Casey Duck Poppers Wild Duck & Oyster Gumbo Crab Stew Crab & Shrimp Spaghetti When Life Gives You Lemons …

Introducing: Our Fashion Catalog Pages Hunting & Fishing | Well Being | Farm & Animal | Dining & Recipes | Art & Literature | Home & Garden | Wedding & Style

Strand Theatre Jennings

432 N Main St. Jennings | 337-821-5509

“It’s Movie Night in Jennings” is a project of A Block Off Broadway Community Theatre.

Tupper General Merchandise Museum 311 N. Main St. Jennings | 337-821-5532

Take a step back in time. Visit Tupper Museum with an authentic atmosphere that will treat you to a nostalgic journey back into yesteryear – A sentimental journey to small town life of day’s gone by.

Looking for the perfect rest stop along on I-10? Look no further than exit 64, home of the “Gator Chateau”, where you can hold rescued baby alligators and visit the Tourist Information Center next door for information on what to do in Jeff Davis Parish. Jeff Davis Parish is located on the I-10 corridor between Lake Charles and Lafayette.

The Tourist Information Center offers several group tours only found in our parish which includes crawfish farm tours (March – May), sustainable farm tours, Bayou Rum distillery tours and Gator Chateau, Hold a baby Gator, tour. Take a drive on the state’s newest scenic byway, the “Flyway Byway”, a 55 mile driving tour through farmland, small towns, and the Lacassine Wildlife Refuge (which includes over 80 miles of waterways to explore). The drive is perfect for birding and nature lovers.

If you are a music lover, Jeff Davis Parish offers a variety of ways to jam to local Cajun sounds, including the Squeezebox Shootout Cajun Accordion Competition (held on Saturday before Mardi Gras) and The Battle of the Bows Cajun Fiddle Competition, held in the fall. Both events are held at the Historic Strand Theatre in downtown Jennings. Join us every weekend for a Cajun music jam sessions where you can just listen or bring your own instrument and join in on the fun.

Stop in and join us for a fresh cup of Louisiana Community Coffee. Visit Jeff Davis Parish where you will find true Louisiana hospitality, unique food, culture, and Cajun music.

For information on all the events mentioned and to sign up for our quarterly e-newsletter, visit www.jeffdavis.org.

Jeff Davis Parish Tourist Commission

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1-800-264-5521

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www.jeffdavis.org

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A Note From the Publisher

…With the end of 2016 soon upon us, my mind is focused forward and ready to make new resolutions in 2017. With the life-changing and eye-opening year I’ve had for most of this past year, I was constantly reminded of my father’s words: warnings about how life can introduce us to the School of Hard Knocks and about the need to keep vigilant regarding the likelihood of Murphy’s Law. Even with those things firmly in-mind, I sometimes felt that Murphy had moved in to claim his presence as ‘everything that could go wrong’ did – and usually at the worst possible moment!

What would I like to make happen in 2017? Well, like most people, my resolutions will be to lose weight, eat healthier, and stick to an exercise routine. Secondly, I’d like to change our housing situation – so, that means working harder and being more determined – as I set goals along the way, one step at a time! As determined as I was to begin Bayou Living Magazine, I’d like to challenge myself to be even more driven in making it grow. This issue was a long time coming! With complications in my life and medical issues during my recent pregnancy, it was a long and complicated road to travel but now all of that is past – my health is returned and I have a new little boy in my life! William Levi has become another little blessing to add to many others.

Now, with new energy and inspiration – we have published this 80-page magazine for your enjoyment and have new ideas for the future. I genuinely appreciated all the calls, messages, and letters I received from fans of the magazine during our down time! It was an encouraging experience to know how many people enjoy holding our publication in their hands – a validating statement from so many that made me feel happy about what we do, and a bonus to know how many of our readers love our articles! All I ask from our readers is that you all support our local advertisers – the ones who make this magazine possible. Without our advertisers we couldn’t do what we do. Remember, we are always looking to hear from our readers – about any subject at any time! So, please drop us a line! Write us a letter or contact us by e-mail. You can also message us on Facebook and don’t forget to like us and share our posts. We will be giving stuff away in December so be sure to visit our Facebook page. We would love to have you follow us there! Until next issue, we hope everyone enjoys this one and may you all have a wonderful and meaningful holiday season!

Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley

Bayou Living Magazine

About The Cover … Our stunning cover showcases the natural beauty of bayou lowlands – a scene to set the stage for this introduction of our fashion-savvy catalog pages. Moss-draped Cypress trees and the meandering pools of dark water at Sam Houston Jones State Park near Moss Bluff, Louisiana provides the backdrop for this capture by Jason Carroll of Monsour’s Photography of Lake Charles. The beautiful young lady to become our first cover model is Madison Paige Langlinais, a senior at Midland High School. Known as Maddi by her family, she is 18 years old, loves spending time with her 11month old daughter – Paisley Rae – and enjoys horseback riding and doing things down on the farm. After graduation in May of 2017, her plans are to attend college at Louisiana State University at Eunice in the fall of 2017 as she begins her studies to become a registered nurse. Good luck, Madison!

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Credits & Acknowledgements Publisher …

Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley (337) 348-2958 dawn@bayoulivingmagazine.com Editor-In-Chief Dorothy Hughes dorothyhughes1951@gmail.com Graphic Designers…

Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Jessica Theresia Contributing Writers …

Dorothy Hughes Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Marilyn Pepper Brunt Tiffany B. Casey Bill Elliot Annie Barker Sabrina Dowies Joe Joslin Jennifer Brantley Contributing Photographers …

Dorothy Hughes Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley Heather Kate Hughes Marilyn Pepper Brunt Tiffany B. Casey Patrick Williams Jason Carroll Sales Supervisor …

Dawn Miranda Hughes-Daley (337) 348-2958 bayoulivingmagazinedmd@gmail.com Outside Sales Manager …

Heather Hughes 337-224-7721 heatherhughes808@gmail.com

Bayou Living Magazine, LLC 630 W. Prien Lake Rd. Suite B #301 Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601 www.bayoulivingmagazine.com Dawn Hughes-Daley (337) 348-2958 Bayou Living Magazine, LLC is published quarterly by Dawn Hughes-Daley each Summer, Fall, Winter, & Spring. Subscriptions will be available at $20.00 for full year. Please email bayoulivingmagazinedmd@gmail.com if you are interested in a subscription or mail checks to above address. We accept work and articles from freelance writers and photographers. All materials can be submitted at email address or sent to address above (if materials need to be returned please include a SASE).

No Part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. Bayou Living Magazine is a registered trademark. Bayou Living Magazine isn’t responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if an self addressed stamped envelope is included. The opinions expressed in Bayou Living Magazine, LLC do not necessarily express the opinions of Bayou Living Magazine, LLC, its authors and or the Owner.

‘Joie de vivre’

Contents …

Repurposing -- to Simplify a Cluttered World

Steve Riley ………………………..……… …

Remembering Buckwheat ……………… ….

The Bragging Rights Photos …………… .

Crabbing a Louisiana Family Tradition ….

Hunting Season & Duck Poppers …………..

How We The Cajun People Got Our Recipes & Accent …………………

Wild Duck & Oyster Gumbo ……………….

My Favorite Fishing Hole ………………..

Blackwater Gun Company …………………

Adopting Your Next Pet ……………………

Chiropractic Health …………………………

Dining Chart ………………………………….

A Cajun Treat ………………………………..

Cajun Tales ….………………………………..

A Roadside Peddler’s Dream …………….....

Rikenjaks, Beer, Food, & Music ……………

Crab & Shrimp Spaghetti …………………..

Crab Stew ……………………………………

Gardening The Family Way ……………….

Home Contracting Tips ……………………..

Get Ready, Get Set, Go ……………………..

Recycle, Renew, Reuse, Repurpose …………

Reclaiming Forgotten Treasures ……………

When Life Gives You Lemons ………………

Growing Up Cajun Memories Of Summer In Ardoin Cove …….

Southern Belle Christmas Tree ……………..

Introduction to The Fashion Pages ………..

Fa-La-La Fashion Tips & Ideas ……………

A Fashionable Interview ……………………

Amber’s Journey ……………………………

Photo Contest Winners Pages ……………...

Destination New Orleans ………………….

Rest & Relaxation …………………………

A Word From the Editor …...

Without knowing the origin of a trend, people find themselves attracted to an idea – for a number of reasons. Maybe that idea lends itself to personal creativity, a need for thriftiness, a connection to the past, or maybe because it just feels right. And if, at the same time, it appeals to our common sense – it can become a quiet movement. At some point and with a sudden awareness, a deeper consciousness creates an appeal to the world and becomes a driving force.

Look around you and you’ll notice ways in which a statement is being made. After decades of excess and wastefulness, there is a burgeoning movement – those who are joining-in are part of a cultural shift. Yes, it’s the sound of thoughtful change, building in beautiful ways. At the same time modern science is delivering new and improved ways to live our lives, this is also a time of awareness that the world is in need of reassessing its indiscriminate use of resources – a time to become more purposeful and to use itself more wisely, and it begins with our everyday lives. The beautiful part of this is watching people become creative in ways they hadn’t considered before.

In wondering what I’d write about all of this – the concept, the curiosity, the benefit – I found my thread to stitch it all together before daybreak one morning! With a switch of reality that was nothing more than a quiet little light inside my head, it involved my recent exposure to several flea markets, a brewery, a community project that involved saving a very old building, and a sculptor.

Cynthia Scott has an art gallery in New Orleans, Louisiana – making a statement with her exhibit of sculptures made from debris and/or discarded materials of everyday use and disposal. Recently, she brought her exhibit to the Zigler Art Museum in Jennings, Louisiana. On the surface, these sculpted suspensions may be seen quite simply as experimental art, serving as a display for visual consumption – instead, after hearing her informative and interactive talk, everyone comes away with an understanding of what we all know deep inside ourselves: that this continual push for newer, slicker, better is not always a fully-beneficial one. This was food for thought.

I found the same concept and creativity from an artist who was part of a summer children’s program at the Calcasieu Parish Central Library in Lake Charles, Louisiana – attending grand openings of two Lake Charles breweries that incorporated the use of recycled items and materials in unique ways at their establishments – and again, as I browsed through places like RE Market in my own hometown of Jennings which is a virtual testimony to the trend! And, on Main Street in that same town, as we watch the progress of a community project to preserve and repurpose a nostalgic icon – the historic, flatiron landmark known as the Heywood Building – the concept is the same. What is old can be made new!

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In this issue of Bayou Living Magazine, we’ve only scratched the surface of this pond of possibilities; but the depths of these waters are endless! Hopefully, each of us can benefit from taking time to reflect on the subject and to develop a sense of awareness. Being mindful in using resources wisely, calling up our creativity to surround ourselves with intelligent choices, and to give a secondary life to that which still has something to offer – those are intentions worthy of a purposeful direction. What an uplifting thought at an early morning hour!

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Dorothy Hughes

www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

“The impulse for much writing is homesickness. You are trying to get back home, and in your writing you are invoking that home, so you are assuaging the homesickness.” – Joan Didion Time has a wonderful way of showing us what matters, don’t you think? It is a keeper of what is meaningful; what is true. As a result, I have found that my love and appreciation for all that I hold dear to my heart deepens, including that of my love for anything and everything “Louisiana”. I believe that it is this incessant bond that has driven me to set forth on a personal journey of rediscovery, particularly that of my Cajun and Creole heritage, through the research, documentation, and photographing of all that encompasses my Louisiana culture – our Louisiana culture.

Born and raised in Lake Charles, I currently call the historical New Orleans neighborhood of the alluring French Quarter home. However romantic it may be, time has made it quite clear to me that my heart still remains planted somewhere amongst the fields of rice that gesture to me in the breeze upon my return and the grazing cattle which seemingly dot the horizon through the early morning fog. Or maybe it is seeded between the crawfish ponds which topple their levees ever so often after a hard rain and the cypress engulfed bayous which meander throughout this unique landscape of Southwest Louisiana we know as the Cajun prairie. A precise location may be unattainable but one thing is certain, the other side of the Atchafalaya is where I will forever call home.

I find tremendous satisfaction in creating art, no matter the form, which is why living and working as a private chef in the heart of the Vieux Carré is such a privilege. I do, however, maintain the peace of mind a Cajun girl (living through Mardi Gras – like festivities four days a week) requires through weekly visits to the Louisiana Gulf Coast, more specifically, Grand Isle, La. Along with being an avid fisherman, a practicing gardener, I am also a passionate collector and study of Louisiana cookery books and the creator behind There Once Was A Kitchen Table – a Facebook group I have dedicated to the preservation of classic Louisiana cuisine.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you on this culinary adventure through Louisiana’s kitchens with me so that we can fully acknowledge and celebrate what true bayou living is all about.

Venez donc, asseyez-vous avec moi à la table... on va charrer. (Please come sit down at the table... we will chat.)

Paige Vidrine is a blogger who specializes in discussing topics like anxiety, depression and motivation, while providing her readers with a multilevel plan to overcome whatever hinders their growth. Her work tends to be very romantic in nature and her passion is overwhelmingly obvious. On top of blogging and business, Paige does free lance work in her spare time. She's dedicated to using her gift of writing to add value to the world around her. You can check out her blog at paigevidrine.me

Marilyn Brunt enjoys photography and writing in her spare time. Photography of anything Louisiana is close and dear to her heart. Her accomplishments in life are numerous but most of all she enjoys sharing God’s creations thru her Lens and she will continue to make this her life-long ambition! She also enjoys being a parent and grandparent, as well as spending time relaxing at the beach that she jokingly calls her ‘Office’ where she sits and sips coffee with her feet propped up while writing.

Jade Harrington aka JaderBomb is a Southern DIY blogger and designer known for fearlessly conquering anything and everything do-it-yourself.

She aims to create unique designs by working through her thoughts, dreams, emotions, and tons of glitter! She believes in doing things that make her heart flutter and smile. Being on the Martha Stewart show with her DIY project is one of her proudest moments. Be sure to check out her DIY blog at www.jaderbomb.com and happy crafting to you all!

Interested in writing for Bayou Living Magazine?

Other Contributors Past & Present: Annie Barker, Glenetta Shuey, Dwayne Coots, Marc O’Brien, Joe Joslin, Jennifer Bakies, McNeese State University, Cory LaPoint, Melissa Dommert, Sabrina Dowies, Jason Machulski, Jennifer Brantley, Jason Carroll, Heather Hughes & Patrick Williams. Thank you all for your contributions to Bayou Living Magazine!

Bayou Living Magazine

Bill Elliott has an insatiable appetite to create, a need for excellence, an unbounded curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, a reverence for the written word. He enjoys reading and writing poetry and stories as well as solving a good problem.

He has a broad and proficient technical background in electronics and industrial instrumentation in addition to having an MBA, a degree in economics, and a minor in visual art.

He is a volunteer SCORE member for businesses & a master gardener.

We are looking for local writers who enjoy writing about Louisiana and our culture as well as our local area businesses!

Please drop us a line.

Email: bayoulivingmagazinedmd@gmail.com.

We are looking forward to working with you!

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Writer

PERSONAL INJURY CRIMINAL LAW

FAMILY LAW

Representing

Editor/Writer/Photographer

Calcasieu Parish for over a decade.

Give him a call today … tell him we referred you …

1131 Hodges Street | Lake Charles | 337-491-0570 9

www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

Keeping it Real … What Makes Steve Riley Smile?

Hard to keep up with this guy! On stage, with his charismatic presence, he easily communicates the love for his music with an easy attitude and always wearing that infectious little-boy smile that telegraphs his pleasure … with his music and with his life.

Whether playing a gig at a little community-park or jetting off to the west coast, recording at the famous Dockside Studio or playing a festival in Boston, and especially when he takes his place as the Mardi Gras icon he has become – this well-loved musician from the town of Mamou – Steve Riley has that smile!

Married to his sweetheart, Katie – father to three beautiful children – he recently took the stage in his most flattering role as the owner of that beautiful life. Like a celebration of who they are, the Riley family wowed a captivated crowd with a beachfront performance while on vacation in Florida. Each with their own part to play – with drums and accordion, with vocals and a triangle – the lovely Riley family stole the hearts of the audience in the sand. He speaks of this time as a much-needed vacation that was magical in many ways.

Keeping a fast-paced schedule with a steady line up of events, festivals, and the occasional engagement abroad is a familiar life for this cultural musician. I wasn’t surprised to learn that Steve Riley’s career is a life that began at a phenomenally early age – a predictable beginning for a musical artist of his caliber. I wanted to know more …more about what creates that smile.

He grew up in Mamou, Louisiana. In a family where focus on education was encouraged – his mother a teacher and principal and his father a doctor – there was still that definite love of Bayou Living Magazine

music on both sides. His father enjoyed playing classical music on the family piano and by the age of three, the young Steve Riley was singing. But it was Cajun music and the accordion that fascinated him. He speaks fondly and with great respect as he recalls the music being played at his grandfather’s house – how at five years old he was amazed by the accordion – eagerly watching and listening to his cousin, Marc Savoy. “That big man making that big sound,” he remembers. How at that early age they had put an accordion into the young boy’s hands. So, by the age of five, Steve Riley had begun the start of something that made him smile. Music would be his life.

By the age of 14, this kid from Mamou had become a familiar presence on the Cajun music scene, as he played alongside the musicians whose sounds he had taught himself to emulate – having his entire childhood surrounded by those Cajun artists of notoriety. Pioneers like fiddler, Dennis McGee – his cousin Marc Savoy who was busy reviving the ten-button accordion – and the legendary Balfa Bros. who were gaining national attention for the ‘regional roots’ style of Cajun music.

At age 15 he became the protégé of master-fiddler, Dewey Balfa. Touring all over the United States with Mr. Balfa gave the young man a taste of how far this representation of his culture could take him. Reflecting on this today, he will tell you that his music has taken him to places and enabled him to do things he could’ve never dreamed of – he calls it a real blessing and will tell you that Dewey Balfa is his hero.

By 1988, it led him to create his well-known band, The Mamou Playboys, at the age of 18. But at the same time, having been awarded a full academic scholarship to attend Louisiana State

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University, and with the strong influence of a family intent on continued education, Steve Riley became a full-time student at LSU. He vaguely remembers the studies he completed there as the pull toward his music was stronger than the tug from the academic world – and the music won out.

The family responded with ‘you’re on your own’ as he walked away from his studies at LSU, completely committed to his music, and in his own words “made it work”. Admittedly, he had to get very creative. But this love of music was in his heart and soul, and he says today, “Music for me – the playing of it and the listening to it – is nothing short of therapy.

For me, it’s magic! If I can make people feel half as good as I feel about music, I’m happy.”

Since the formation of his still-successful Mamou Playboys, Steve has expanded his playing repertoire to include other bands and projects. Since he has various masteries of many instruments – accordion, fiddle, piano, drums, banjo, mandolin, bass, and self-taught on guitar – he can be flexible in the styles of music he plays and enjoys with equal enthusiasm. Lil Band O’ Gold is what he calls ‘a big band’. With eight members, they play swamp-pop and R&B – complete with piano and a horn section. High-Performance is a wonderfully straight-up and high-powered Cajun dance hall band. Racines is a band that plays less often, but when they do, it is described as nothing less than a true Creole jam-band – some songs can last 15 minutes or more! Other times, a fortunate crowd might get to enjoy a lively performance of Steve Riley with Doug Kershaw and that’s always pretty special, too!

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But, the most well-known of his bands is the widely-famous Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys! This group has been together for 28 years and counting! The band has enjoyed a sustained popularity – successful at home in Louisiana and in many other areas of the United States. Serving as a musical communication from the Bayou State, they have toured to engagements in most European countries. They have traveled to play in Australia and at the US Embassy in Moscow. They were honored to be part of an epic project as they shared in the Smithsonian Festival – an ambitious representation of every type of American music, presented during a special event in Japan. With pride in the role they play, this talented group has happily enjoyed all the places they’ve been privileged to visit as ambassadors of Cajun music.

Their established success stems from their mutual respect and anyone who attends their performances can see it on stage.

As Steve Riley says, “I was always taught that music is freedom. Each of us holds that belief and we have respect for each other’s music.” The Mamou Playboys are cutting-edge performers of Cajun music and in his words, “We just really work well together.”

In 2015 he was part of a wonderful group of Grammy-winning musicians who worked on a project led by Jo-EL Sonnier to create the ‘Healing Song’. In his words “you don’t get many opportunities to work on something like that”.

Another of Steve Riley’s more-recent and well-documented projects was his involvement in the creation of a little assemblage called The Band Courtboullion. Contrived during a conversation in a bar with Wilson Savoy and Wayne Toups, this idea evolved into a beautiful down-home sound created by way of this traditional acoustic endeavor between these famous musicians.

Steve Riley describes Courtboullion as the easiest and loosest, most casual and gratifying project he’s ever had the pleasure to be part of. The initial plan was to have Steve on guitar, Wayne on accordion, and Wilson on the fiddle. They began by playing one gig together at Café des Amis in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Scheduled for 7pm to 9 o’clock that evening, this session played to a packed crowd in the special atmosphere of the well-known café and just didn’t stop – the men played until 11:30 that night and no one left until it was finished!

Next time the men were gathered in the studio, they began recording as they played all the songs they loved – really old songs that they didn’t get the opportunity to play very often – it was just that easy! As a result, in 2013 – this awesome group won the coveted Grammy award as Best Regional Roots Music for this self-titled CD released by Valcour Records in 2012: The Band Courtboullion.

Now, with his children embracing their father’s place in the music world, he has become more serious about his role as an educator – acknowledging another gift: the ability to teach what he knows. Life comes full circle, as he possesses the inheritance of this gift from his mother, the teacher – guiding other young people to love and play music in after-school music lessons has become an important part of his life. It has become a process he enjoys immensely as he realizes how deeply ingrained the naturalness exists inside him.

With his students, he loves being able to expose young minds to ‘the real deal’. At the same time, he “encourages an education about their culture while they learn what Cajun music is all about and how much it’s a part of how things are down here.” With his own children, the association with music happens “pretty organically”. His kids love listening to music by the Playboys and it’s become a large part of their world. Steve & Katie patiently allow them to test their own love of music in the Riley home. Drums! But, I’m sure there will be an evolution of an organic sort, and more will be explored.

I asked him to share more about this teaching that happens Continued on page 12 ...

www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

Continued from page 11 ...

regularly – as he conducts lessons each school day as six-week programs. He began by talking about the beauty of children exploring their way with music, their eager approach to something new and the innocence that lets nothing stand in the way. He spoke of the occasional glimpse he gets of kids with amazingly natural abilities and that’s when you see the twinkle in his eye and that smile – that’s when you hear the word ‘Fantastic!’ when he tells you how it makes him feel. Like he felt as a young boy in Mamou when he got his first accordion, or when the musicians on the Mardi Gras wagon would let him join them on the ride through the streets at the festival.

Like when he talks about the feeling he got during the Mardi Gras street dance with more than ten thousand people listening as he played – like a rock star – and THAT has to be a great feeling!

But aside from the popularity and the celebrity that comes with his musical success, Steve Riley expresses a humble grace when he speaks of his heroes, his life, and the thankfulness he feels for being part of something bigger than himself – a thankfulness that he is part of this musical voice for the Cajun & Creole culture, “the richest in the world in so many ways!”

There is a mention of tears welling up in his eyes when he listened to Dewey Balfa play. A sobering quietness when he talks about fans that have been loyal to the end. Stories of

moments that have left him speechless and adventures that were beyond his expectations. If I imagine being in that beachfront audience and watching the magic on the family-stage, I think I catch a glimpse of someone who has realized an understanding about what is real.

And that smile? I can’t help but think that it’s a result of the choices he’s made – choices he made as he followed his heart to live the life he loves. It seems time and determination has proven him right as he combines his creative gift with his ability to ‘make it work’ – awarding him with a special smile that says, “I love the life I live!”

Remembering Buckwheat Zydeco

Hot Band. It was an experience that made him rethink the Creole music of his father’s accordion and the zydeco sound. He had discovered the effects zydeco music had on audiences of all ages as he played for hours-on-end without tiring, and his relationship with Chenier led him to take up the accordion in 1978.

Stanley Joseph Dural, Jr. Nov. 14, 1947 - Sept. 24, 2016

In the world of music, there is a sad note struck when one of its own is no longer here. Those notes are even sadder when the musician was also a mentor, a friend, an inspiration and a gentleman. Stanley Joseph Dural, Jr. – better known by his stage name, Buckwheat Zydeco – was such a man.

Dural was born in Lafayette, Louisiana – the son of a farmer. The nickname ‘Buckwheat’ came early in his life with braids in his hair resembling those of a character in a popular TV show of the early 1950s, Little Rascals. One of 13 children, he helped his father by picking cotton when he was young and grew up listening to his dad playing traditional Creole music on the accordion at home, but decided to choose his own musical direction and learned to play the piano, keyboard, and the Hammond B3 organ – playing funk and rhythm & blues. Soon enough he was working the local clubs and dance halls and then joined guitarist Paul ‘Lil Buck’ Sinegal with the band Lil Buck & the Topcats. By 1971 he began his own 15-piece band playing funk and soul music, but five years later was invited to join the legendary Clifton Chenier as an organist for the zydeco group, Louisiana Red Bayou Living Magazine

In 1979 a new band made its debut – Buckwheat Zydeco was Dural’s own creation, performing with an individual style that would merit accolades and recognition around the world. Their album, Turning Point, was nominated for a Grammy award in 1983 and Waitin’ For My Ya Ya in 1985. The band signed with Island Records and became the first zydeco act on a major label, releasing yet another Grammynominated album, On a Night Like This. The signature-style of Buckwheat Zydeco was much in demand, generating a steady line-up of engagements throughout the United States and around the world. Dural took his expert talent to new heights: sharing stages and sometimes recording with names like Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Paul Simon, David Hidalgo, Robert Plant, Mavis Staple, Lyle Lovett, and Dwight Yoakam. In 1988, he toured with Eric Clapton. He shared a stage with U2 and performed with the Boston Pops. Dural was invited to bring his accordion and his band to perform for President Bill Clinton’s inaugurals, and he did – to both of them! Televised appearances have given evidence to the popularity of his Creole zydeco music, having appeared as musical guest on Late Night with David Letterman several times and on the Tonight Show. Amazingly, and before a worldwide audience of three-billion viewers, the band performed during closing ceremonies of the Summer Olympics of 1996.

After decades of playing, touring, writing, and re-styling music by adding his own blend of robust and soulful zydeco sounds, Buckwheat Zydeco had accumulated several Grammy nominations. In 2009, the album Lay Your Burden Down brought yet another Grammy nomination, featuring Dural playing his take on Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen songs. Again, doing it ‘his way’ paid off and the 2010 Grammy Award was his!

More recently, Dural returned to that Hammond B3 organ and toured with his group Ils Sont Partis … touted by the New York Times as “one of the best bands in America!” He toured relentlessly, but would come back home to play at festivals, theaters, and dance halls to people who knew and loved him. His showmanship and charisma could get a crowded theater audience on their feet, clapping along and dancing in the aisles. Always playing with an unmistakable enthusiasm and energy, he brought a unique display of celebration to his role as ‘cultural ambassador’. And, with a title appropriately bestowed on him by USA Today, Stanley ‘Buckwheat’ Dural will forever be remembered – for he truly was a “Zydeco Trailblazer!”

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To share your photo with us please email with Bragging Rights in subject line to: bayoulivingmagazinedmd@gmail.com

Katalina Daley from Lake Charles (12) surely has the bragging rights with her first deer, a 14-point buck, with a bow & arrow in Texas Hill Country. Way to go, Kat!

Kinsi Daley from Lake Charles (9) is Daddy’s little helper and proud to show this off this 8-point buck that was killed with bow & arrow out at Lake Conroe in Texas.

Guide Scott Turner of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Doing what guides do — watching for fowl.

Scott Turner’s dog Duke doing what he lives to do during 2016 teal season in Thornwell, Louisiana on the Hughes Farm.

Dr. Seth Billideaux of Lake Charles, Louisiana during the 2016 teal season in Thornwell, Louisiana out on the Hughes farm.

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Crabbing, A Louisiana Family Tradition …

Written & Photographed by: Tiffany B. Casey Straw hats. Pedal pushers. Spheres of cream colored string. Poultry parts. Dip nets. Ice chests. Sweat…let’s not forget lots and lots of sweat. The term ‘granny beads’ come to mind.

If these things conjure up memories of mid-summer days spent with family and friends along the scenic byways and beaches across the Gulf Coast, then chances are you ARE a Louisianian!

As an adult, the scorching hot summer months of July and August often remind me of weekends spent as a child with my family, usually roadside, usually somewhere along the Creole Nature Trail, and always with baited strings and long handled dip nets in tow. Nothing was off limits back then, not even for a young girl of 8 or 9. Under overpasses; near locks where cranes and herons stood watch like statues waiting for their next amuse-bouche; off to the side of the main highway as cars whizzed by sending clouds of dust throughout the thick summer air; even in the middle of a boat launch, intermediately, as boats attempted to depart and alligators begged liked puppies for one more bite – enough to hold them over until something more substantial came along. It didn’t matter where you setup shop it seemed because there were blue crabs to be had in Southwest Louisiana this time of year, by God, you just had to catch them!

If I were to ask you to close your eyes and to picture your past visits to the beaches along our Louisiana coast, whether as a small child or as an adult, it is likely that vivid remembrances of images and sounds would follow. Images of young and old alike standing waist deep, being jostled by the greenish tinged surf rolling in and out across the sandbars in a seemingly synchronized rhythm to that of the Gulf breezes.

Sunshine dances off the morning haze while a shrimp boat runs its trawls off in the distance and gulls call out for one another. An older gentleman is trying desperately to tiptoe along his trotlines, with one hand checking each pendulous offering while the other is clutched firmly around the wooden handle of a dip net, all in anticipation of a prize at the end of each one. Children put to task sprint to and fro between the waves with smaller dip nets of their very own, scooping up anything and everything in their wake. If I were to paint a picture of a Louisiana beach, this is how it would look.

I have tried to keep up with traditions such as these, makBayou Living Magazine

ing it a point to spend days on the beach with family and friends, chancing what the salty coastal waters are willing to offer us. As an adult, I have figured out that at certain times of the year along our gulf shores, specifically July into August, all I really need is nothing more than a long-handled dip net to pluck the crabs from their almost seemingly coma -like state on the sandy bottoms of the tidal waves that roll across our beaches. A good, sturdy bucket to carry them home in assures one that he or she does not become ravenous given the ease of it all. No poultry required. No huge ice chests. That’s it…just me, my net, and my bucket.

“And how can this be?”, you may ask… Why is crabbing along our Louisiana coast so phenomenal? Well, allow me….

A brief look into the lifecycle of the Louisiana Blue Crab or the Callinectes sapidus (from the Greek calli- = "beautiful", nectes = "swimmer", and Latin sapidus = "savory"), the blue crab, Atlantic blue crab, or as we refer to it, the Louisiana blue crab, is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Each year the female blue crab makes her pilgrimage back to the sandy shores of the Gulf of Mexico to spawn, while her male counterpart hangs tight back at the crib – better known as the estuary. This annual migration usual occurs the heaviest in….you guessed it, July and August. In fact, there are so many female crabs trying to come nearshore to spawn that one, like myself, can literally scoop them up as they are pushed up onto the beaches by the rolling tides.

You barely need get your feet wet, they are that easily obtained. It is quite a sight to behold once you realize what is actually taking place.

Female crabs only mate once during their lifetime but are able to reproduce several times due to their ability to store the male’s sperm and subsequently fertilize her own eggs when she sees fit. Smart gal, I’ll give her that. Anyway, a female crab can lay over 9 million eggs in her lifetime…9 million! That’s a lot of crab boils people! She carries these bright orange eggs in what we, in South Louisiana, refer to as Pom-poms (or clusters) which are attached to her undercarriage, until they hatch at which time they are swept away in tidal currents back into the estuaries where their lives 16

technically began. Juvenile crabs spend anywhere from 9 months to a year in the back bays and marshes before adulthood begins nature’s cycle once again.

Now that you may know more than you actually wanted to about the Louisiana Blue Crab and why this time of year is so popular for many of our recreational fishermen - grab your dip-net, your bucket, and finish reading this article in the truck, while your buddy drives of course. It’s time to go crabbing!

Alright, everyone in the car? …seatbelts on?...let us continue.

That car ride home was often quiet. You’ll see. Exhausted from the heat of the day and beat down by the sun’s powerful rays, this was the only opportunity available to rest-up for the culmination of the day – the boil.

Once home, the ice chest(s) were unloaded (and then reloaded to chill beverages i.e. beer, root beer, fruit punch, cream sodas, and more beer), the crabs were then purged of all their sand and grit then tallied up for good measure, and a large pot of seasoned water was put on to boil. There were one or two tables strewn with day even week old newsprint.

This proved to be a good time to catch up on the latest Andy Capp strip. Then the paper towels were set out at each end, the butter knives piled up in the middle for whacking and cracking the claws, and the soup bowls filled with drawn butter – a decadent touch for any seafood boil in South Louisiana back then – were placed around considerately around the 17

table(s). This was the backdrop of many a gathering over the years. Funny thing is, turns out it was just another day in Cajun country where love, laughter, music, and food were always plentiful.

There aren’t many things that one has the chance to say this about these days, but - the traditions revolving around that of crabbing during these sweltering summer months really haven’t changed all that much since I was a kid. Those same exact scenes play out daily, over and over and over again, all across our Louisiana coast this time of year. From Grand Isle to Holly Beach and everywhere in between, families still spend the day together - in the relentlessly hot sun; along roadways and sandy shores; in automobiles and backyards – all in pursuit of these decapods and the love of their sweet, delicate meat. The only difference I see today is the acceptance of sunscreen and bottled water….which brings me to this: I was blessed growing up in Southwest Louisiana. I was raised with a great appreciation and the utmost respect for the outdoors ….and that means all of it, folks. I was taught that I should NEVER take more than I absolutely needed whether from an animal or from the land; that if I killed it, I damn sure better plan on eating it; and in order for all of it to continue to flourish, I was taught that it was my responsibility to make certain that I left things the way I found them.

Unfortunately, it seems that THIS is the biggest change that I have witnessed over the years – the lack of respect for the world around us and its inhabitants.

As an avid fisherman and outdoorsman, I witness first-hand the slow and steady destruction of our coastal wetlands and its wildlife every day. It is real. You can choose to roll your eyes at this or you can choose to be a part of the solution. It is your choice. I so hope you chose to be a part of the solution!

When bringing your families out to enjoy our parks, refuges, waterways, or even your own backyards, please make it a point to reinforce the fact that it is our job and our responsibility to be the best stewards of this land that we can be. As far as we know, we only have one Earth and we only have one chance to do right by Mother Nature. Let’s pull ourselves together, people, to assure that future generations are able to experience the gifts for which Louisiana has thrived on for centuries.

Happy hunting, fishing, shrimping, and crabbing, everyone!

Sauvegardez le grade-manger du Bon Dieu.

(Save the pantry of God) Things to note: *Did you know that there is NO legally specified season to catch blue crabs? *Possession of female crabs with pom-poms (egg clusters) is prohibited and carries a fine. * There is a daily limit of 12 dozen crabs per person. This is subsequent to change from time to time so it is ALWAYS best to check with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries www.wlf.louisiana.gov. * You do not need a fishing license or a gear license when using nets or trotlines unless on a LDWF WMA (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Wildlife Management Area) or refuge. *Do not keep your crabs in water, closed containers, OR upside down. They can suffocate and/or drown. Keeping them on ice is the best way to keep them fresh and safely stored until you are ready to boil. www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

BACON WRAPPED DUCK POPPERS By: Tiffany B. Casey of There Once Was a Kitchen Table Once again, hunting season is upon us and in full swing here in South Louisiana. We are so fortunate to have the selection of wild game that we have available to us this time of year - the likes of which we fill our tables and our freezers with. There is squirrel, quail, rabbit, deer, geese, and ducks of many kinds; these aren’t counting the other game birds like crows, blackbirds, dove, and grackles we just finished in October.

This happens to be one of my favorite times of year, food wise in South Louisiana that is. The weather is, as they say, for the birds. And so I guess that means it is for the hunters as well.

I do have many fond memories as a young child and that of my father and uncles bringing home ducks and geese from their many hunts together. Then there are those memories of my grandparents sitting contently out back in their outdoor kitchen, plucking away at teal, specks and beautiful geese for their neighbors and local hunters in exchange for mere pocket change and a few birds for their enjoyment and that of their family's at a later date. But the memory that most lingers in my mind this time of year, like many of you I am certain, is that of the aroma of the wild duck and goose gumbos that would hang so heavy in the chilly winter air. Still, these distinguishable notes play a Cajun melody so vivid in my mind as soon as I hear someone say the words “duck, goose, or hunt” aloud.

Cooking Directions: Take your jalapeno peppers and cut them in half. You want to make sure to choose a pretty nice size pepper which will allow you plenty of room to hollow them out. Once cut in half, use a spoon to scrape the inside of the peppers out.

Take some of your cream cheese and stuff each half with just enough to fill the cavity. Take your duck breasts, which you have previously cut into strips that are the same size as the peppers , and place a strip over the cream cheese on each pepper half.

Take one strip of bacon and starting on one end, wrap the stuffed pepper and secure with a toothpick through both sides of the pepper.

Grill them outside on the pit until the bacon has become crispy and the duck is cooked to a nice medium rare.

While the poppers are grilling, add your jelly (and ANY flavor jelly will do) to a microwaveable bowl with additional chili flakes determined by you as to how HOT you would like your dipping sauce.

Microwave for about a minute or just until jelly melts. Either baste onto each grilled pepper as soon as they are removed from the grill or dip as you eat.

There are some things that a good Cajun cannot control even if they wanted to and I believe that the making of a good duck and/or goose gumbo is one of them. Another would have to be stuffing some beautiful peppers with a bit of cream cheese, duck, goose, or quail meat and wrapping them in bacon only to throw them over some hot coals.

Below, I have given two of my favorite go-to recipes this time of year. One is my take on a traditional Wild Duck and Oyster Gumbo but with a little less work than that of the one my maw maw use to slave over the stove for. This one is equally as good – trust me on this. And then there is the recipe that follows, by which every hunting camp in Louisiana has their own variation – a Bacon Wrapped Duck Popper. I have added a dipping sauce to mine that adds a bit of sweetness to compliment the heat of the peppers.

Please enjoy what our Louisiana wildlife has to offer us, keeping in mind that being a respectful and responsible Sportsman gives us and future generations the opportunity to enjoy what this great land has to offer.

“Without hunting there would be no conservation, and without conservation there would be no wildlife.” – Rob Keck, past CEO NWTF

~ INGREDIENTS ~ Photo by: Dawn Daley

Fresh JALAPENO PEPPERS CREAM CHEESE Thick sliced BACON TOOTHPICKS Any flavor JELLY (I happen to enjoy marmalade) RED CHILI flakes Bayou Living Magazine

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Where we the Cajun People got our Recipes — And how we the Cajun People got our Accent By: Cody Newman

Well, this is how it all happened. You see, many, a many of years ago, there was this fella by the name of Moses. Alright, well ... one day Moses was down at the bottom of the mountain with his dog Jacque getting ready to go make a duck hunt, when out of nowhere, he heard a voice. The voice was from God. God told Moses that he needed to come up to the top of the mountain because he wanted to talk to him about doing something for him, and it was really important. Well old Moses him, he ties his dog up and heads to the top of the mountain to sit with God and see what it is that God wants him to do. Well, when Moses gets to the top of the mountain he sits down on a flat rock and listens to what God has to tell him. Well, God tells Moses, he says “Moses, right here in my hands I have two tablets. On these two tablets are the Ten Commandments. Now, I want you to take these tablets with the Ten Commandments on them and I want you to show them to all of mankind. For if all of mankind lives by these Ten Commandments, not only will thy live and be righteous for thyself, but thy will live and be righteous for thy neighbors and also live and be righteous for me, God.” So Moses looks at God and Moses says to God, “Ya know, I can do that for you God.” Now this is how we know that God really loves the Cajun people ... God then tells Moses. “Moses, there is something else that is very important and special about these two tablets, on the back of Cody & his dog Jacque these two tablets I have many, a many recipes. Now, this is what I want you to do. I want you to take all these recipes and show them only to the Cajun people, no one else. I want you to tell all the Cajun people that if they cook and eat by these recipes, they will live righteous and happy among themselves and me, God, and one day they will be well known amongst all of mankind for their great cooking and way of life.” Moses says to God, “Ya know, I can do that for you God.” Then Moses asks God, he says, “God, how in the heck am I gonna know them Cajun people from the rest of mankind?” God then looks at Moses and smiles. God says, “Moses, you will know them because I gave them an accent unlike all of mankind. When you hear the voice of a Cajun, it is special. You will know and learn to know the Cajun people by their accents.”

Moses then looks at God and says, “Ya know, for it is your wish and I shall do as you ask.”

That is how we the Cajun people got our recipes and how we the Cajun people got our accents. The burning bush thing ... well, God just told Moses to tell everyone at the bottom of the mountain that’s what the smoke was coming from. He was really cooking a chicken and deer sausage gumbo and didn’t have enough to feed everybody.

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WILD DUCK AND OYSTER GUMBO By: Tiffany B. Casey of There Once Was a Kitchen Table

5-6 tablespoons of DARK ROUX, more or less depending on preference 1 medium ONION, chopped 2 cloves of GARLIC, chopped ¼ of a BELL PEPPER, chopped 1 large BAY LEAF 1/8 teaspoon of dried THYME 2 cups of WATER 3 cups CHICKEN STOCK (or duck stock made from roasted carcasses) 1 cup of OYSTER LIQUOR 8 oz. or 1 cup of dehydrated *WILD MUSHROOMS (of your choice) 4-6 wild DUCK breasts, cubed 1 pint of Louisiana OYSTERS, liquor reserved A generous handful of GREEN ONIONS, chopped A generous handful of ITALIAN PARSLEY, chopped

To a heavy bottom pot, add your premade roux. I always have roux on hand in my refrigerator as I make a large batch ahead of time and store it. Some like to purchase jar roux which works just as well. Do not let anyone tell you different.

Once you have your roux in the pot, add to this your chopped seasoning vegetables and bay leaf; cook until vegetables have softened some. Add your cooking liquids, salt and cayenne to taste, and simmer this for about 30 – 45 minutes on a very low heat, lid on, allowing the ingredients to marry.

After about 3o minutes or so, add your cubed duck breasts. Simmer this until your duck meat is tender and able to be pulled apart easily. Add your oysters approximately 20 minutes prior to serving . You do not want the oysters to overcook only to begin to curl around there edges. If cooked too long, they become tough and unappealing.

Finally, adjust your seasoning one last time, add your chopped green onions and chopped Italian parsley.

Serve in a bowl with cooked Louisiana rice, a good crusty French bread on the side for cleaning the bowl, and a nice glass of sweet iced tea or red wine…you choose. *Wild mushrooms can be purchased at a variety of grocery stores these days. I purchase mine in somewhat large quantities from Asian markets in a variety of different types such as Shitake, Black Fungus, and Chanterelles, all of which I used in this gumbo. They add a depth of flavor to many soups and stocks and are a staple in my pantry.

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My Favorite Fishing Hole ‘Toledo Bend’ With Joe Joslin Hello anglers and lovers of the outdoors. It’s been a beautiful week but still a bit warm for the season with a cold front on the way which should get things close to normal. The lake has been gorgeous this week with minimal winds plus fall colors are very evident in the National Forest surrounding much of south Toledo. The loons (birds…not people) usually show up by now but have only seen two this fall which I think has to do with unseasonably warm temperatures. They normally are in good numbers by November. Also very few ducks probably for the same reason but we should see some ducks migrating with this next front. It’s pretty neat to be able to observe Mother Nature and the changes that happen in God’s creation. I love the colder months and to be outside is invigorating so we are anxiously looking for colder weather.

LAKE CONDITION: The lake level at midweek is 167.2’ with one generator running 2 hours daily from 5 to 7 p.m. This is first generating in over a month with no gates open at the spillway. Water temps are still very warm for November running 72- 73 degrees. North Toledo is slightly stained, mid lake is mostly clear and south Toledo is very clear.

BASS FISHING REPORTS: Shallow, mid depths and deep patterns are catching fish but this means that bass are scattered with us working hard and catching 20-30 bass a day.

Some days we catch more shallow while other days we catch more deep with weather conditions making the main difference. If it’s cloudy/overcast we seem to catch more on shallow patterns while on bright days we fish more deep structure.

This week we caught bass from 2 to 35 feet using multiple patterns.

Without deep hydrilla (submerged grass) we have basically had to change the manner in which we have fished in the fall for the past 20-25 years. It has made us have to focus on deep ridges, humps, creek bends and drop offs. There is a good bit of milfoil shallow but most of it looks unhealthy and brownish in color. There are areas of healthy, green milfoil but you have to search for it. For you weekend warriors here is a hint for you….check out the Texas and Louisiana Island areas.

Milfoil is mostly from 2 to 7 feet. There also are small patches of hydrilla showing up. My tournament partner David Brown, reported using a spinnerbait and catching some good bass out of it. I think it (hydrilla) will eventually return to Toledo, at Bayou Living Magazine

least to south Toledo.

Can’t wait…..that would be a great Christmas present.

My patterns this week have been Texas rigs both shallow (2 to 10) and deep (16-24). Also spinnerbaits and topwater (early), small crank baits (Berkley’s Digger and Pit Bull and Norman’s DLN), also small spoons and topwater in schools. We are also using drop shot (Havoc Bottom Hopper) in 15 to 25 feet.

Spoons with deep structure was not a factor this week as water temps are still too warm.

The thermocline is still influencing patterns as the lake has not yet had a complete “turn over” but this next cold front should do it if the overnight lows get to the 40s as predicted. This past front did not happen as it had minimal impact as far as low temperatures as it was supposed to have some upper 40s at night but low 60s was it.

CRAPPIE AND YELLOW BASS : Crappie guide, Jack Adams, says his numbers are down but that the quality of the white perch are very good. He is using live shiners in 18-24 feet. Some crappie anglers are fishing under bridges and catching crappie as they migrate. Yellow bass have been hard to come by for me. Usually we are loading the boat by November fishing under schooling bass. I have only caught 2-3 yellows in the past two weeks.

AUTHOR INFO: Joe Joslin is a syndicated outdoor columnist, TPWD Licensed guide since 1998, tournament angler and pro guide on Toledo and Sam Rayburn. 337-4633848 or joejoslinoutdoors@yahoo.com and website at www.joejoslinoutdoors.com.

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For those who have grown up in the rural areas of the south, the word blackwater is the descriptive name given to the dark waters of the marshes and bayous here. For the founder and owner of the Blackwater Gun Company, the term is his connection to those areas – the places where Rusty Sonnier grew up hunting waterfowl & deer, & fishing for bass and perch in the blackwaters of Louisiana.

Growing up in a small community and surrounded by a countryside that provides so many possibilities to participate in this Sportsman’s Paradise, this Louisiana boy had the great fortune to experience hunting, fishing, and target shooting at a very young age. Throughout his entire life, he has been involved in those outdoor sports in one capacity or another – developing a passion for what the outdoors has to offer.

A graduate of Jennings High School, Rusty continued his studies as a student at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana – graduating from McNeese with a degree in Business Management. He became involved in the sales profession when he worked as an Account Manager serving the industries of construction, process plants, and the oil field industry for over 10 years. Now, having been away from his roots for 13 years, Rusty has moved back home. Home to the community of Jennings, where he feels very fortunate to have a rewarding opportunity in his life – helping others to enjoy hunting and shooting through his new establishment: Blackwater Gun Company.

Rusty Sonnier is proud to define his gun store and himself as a locally, homegrown, retail-outfitter! Blackwater caters to customers of any and all levels of expertise – from the shooting and hunting novice to the most seasoned outdoorsmen. Blackwater’s goal is not only to supply its customers with what they Bayou Living Magazine

need to be successful at the range & in the field, but also to educate them about the newest technologies and trends available.

When asked about his choice in coming home to create this unique experience, this is what Rusty had to say:

“Our company was created with the idea that Jennings and its surrounding communities in Jeff Davis Parish could benefit from a local presence to service their needs for outdoor hunting gear and shooting accessories. Normally, finding answers to those needs would require travel in order to fulfill them. Being raised in this community, we have a mission that is two-sided.

One is to bring personal service and quality products to this community that you may not receive from a larger retail chain.

We also want to encourage people to shop locally and invest into the future of their community. When we are able to keep shopping revenues within our city, the community, as a whole, will ultimately benefit.”

We asked about what products and services the customers of Blackwater Gun Company can expect to find when they walk through the doors of this neatly-organized shop on the corner of Main St. & Academy Ave. in downtown Jennings:

“We try to keep a good inventory of firearms to suit a variety of needs. Whether you’re looking for a shotgun or rifle for hunting, a handgun for home & personal defense, or just something that is a little out of the normal & fun to take to the range, we will have it. We also offer quality ammunition to suit a variety of needs. We carry an impressive collection of duck calls, goose calls, decoys, and other waterfowl hunting accessories that you won’t find anywhere nearby. Here, you will also find high end optics, knives, gun accessories, & best of all – a 24

friendly staff, willing to listen to your needs and guide you to whatever you need.”

We’ve walked through those doors and have been ultimately impressed – with the selection of products and the commitment toward being part of their community! You’ll also enjoy knowing that this is a virtual one-stop place for those who need services like gun-cleaning and repair. Blackwater also does sightinstallations as well as scope-mounting & boresighting. And the staff – just as Rusty said it, they are not only friendly but can answer all the questions you might ask. Make a trip to Jennings and check this place out. You’ll be glad you did.

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A Bayou Living Article …

Adopting Your Next Pet …

Pet ownership is on the rise, and there is one group of potential companions and fur-babies that deserves a serious consideration when deciding to add a pet to your family membership – animals that need a second chance and have so much to offer! Welcome to the rewarding world of pet adoption!

Adoptable animals are often wonderfully interesting mixedbreed individuals, and when it comes time to obtain a pet, these unique and healthy shelter animals are an amazing choice. Because of current awareness and concern about the euthanizing of animals that just need this chance, caring people are opening their hearts and homes to these remarkable shelter pets! But it hasn’t been enough – not yet. The crusade is ongoing!

Every year on average, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are still euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet. Educating the public about the prudent practice of spaying or neutering our pets is only one of the primary functions of national organizations like the ASPCA. The mission of concerned organizations, including those in your own local area, includes education to promote awareness and provide guidance and assistance for a successful adoption. These are caring people with a vision to give every animal a chance!

They are leaders in the no-kill movement, rescuing and rehabilitating animals. Through their efforts, the public is provided a wealth of information regarding mixed-breed, shelter-pet awareness, spay & neuter initiatives, and comprehensive education efforts to help reduce unwanted births and increase adoptions, thus reducing the practice of euthanasia for control.

Adopting from the local animal shelter in your town can save a life and enhance yours! The number of euthanized animals could be reduced dramatically if more people adopted pets instead of buying them. When you adopt, you save a loving animal by making them part of your family and this opens up shelter space for another animal that might desperately need it.

Have you ever visited your local shelter? If you are considering getting a pet, now is the time! I have personally adopted several dogs from the shelter and was very happy that I did … knowing that I saved my pet’s life always gave me a good feeling about my choice and created a teaching example for my children. And with every adopted pet comes bragging rights and a good story! Organizations that support and promote this practice are quick to point out that adoption will usually cost less than purchasing a puppy from a breeder or pet store, with that added benefit of saving a life. When adopting a pet, the cost of Bayou Living Magazine

spay/neuter, first vaccinations, and sometimes microchipping is included in the adoption price. Depending on the animal, you may also save on the housebreaking routine and perhaps even training expenses, as some animals come to shelters from previous homes where this was part of their upbringing!

Animal shelters and rescue groups are brimming with happy and healthy pets, just waiting for someone to take them to their new home. With so many animals already accustomed to living with families and being previously house-trained, we learn that the only reason for their homelessness is usually the result of a human situation – moves that cannot include the pet, or many times only because the animal’s owner has passed away and there is no one able to care for the orphaned pet. Circumstances have placed them in a vulnerable and scary situation, stemming from no fault of their own.

Shelters take in millions of stray, abused, surrendered, and lost animals every year! These are creatures that just need a second chance, a caring soul, and a family to love them. Not only will these animals give you unconditional love, but have been shown to be psychologically, emotionally and physically beneficial to their companions. Caring for a pet can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, or in some cases and circumstances can lessen feelings of loneliness. But ALWAYS, when you adopt – you will feel proud about helping an animal in need.

Finding your perfect pet and saving an innocent and beautiful life is easy to do. Call your local veterinary clinic and you will find that they’ll gladly connect you with a local group that is involved with the rescue and placement of animals in your area.

The ASPCA has its own registry of adoptable animals near you and many other directories and registries are ready, willing, and able to help you discover your new pet. Check out the following websites … www.theshelterpetproject.org www.allpaws.com www.petfinder.com/animal-shelters-and-rescues ... just enter your zip code to find adoptable pets near you today or how you can be of help and assistance in other ways, donating your time at centers or becoming a much-needed foster parent for those animals on the waiting list! Purebred and mixed breed animals alike are waiting for their forever homes! Change a homeless animal’s whole world today and get a new best friend in the process. With a wag of a tail and a happy thankfulness to become part of your family, they are waiting! Seriously, I don’t know what could be more rewarding!

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Photography by: Dorothy Hughes 27

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CHIROPRACTIC by Dr. Cory LaPoint A natural approach to healing and preventing illness.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a complete system of healthcare focused on restoring, preserving, and optimizing health by natural handson care. Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients as well as to educate them on how they can account for their own health by exercise and other therapies to treat your pain. We are focused on rebuilding the nervous system by removing any irritations throughout the body and allowing the nerves to provide optimum potential for immune building, musculoskeletal movements, and responding to everyday environmental stresses.

Chiropractic patients often visit their chiropractor periodically in order simply to relieve interference - to get "adjusted."

Individuals also seek chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, auto-accident injuries, sports injuries, joint pain, sprains/strains, and arm or leg pain. Other conditions many people seek chiropractic care for is asthma, sinus problems, allergies, or digestive problems.

What to expect on your first visit to a Chiropractor?

The initial chiropractic exam for your pain will typically have three parts: a consultation, case history, and physical examination. X-rays may also be performed to further evaluate your condition and help insure the correct diagnosis and treatment for you.

1.

The patient meets with the chiropractor and provides a brief understanding of his or her pain, such as: Duration and frequency of symptoms ~ Mechanism of injury ~ Location of pain.

The chiropractor identifies the areas of complaint and the origin of your pain by asking questions and learning more about different areas of the patient's history, including: .

Dietary habits ~ Family history ~ Prior treatment history A chiropractor may utilize a variety of methods to determine the spinal segments that require chiropractic treatments, including but not limited to static and motion palpation techniques determining spinal segments that have restricted motion. After this exam the doctor will determine if any X-rays or further diagnostic testing is necessary.

Upon completion of the exam, the chiropractor will decide which joints in the body motion needs to be restored in order to perform his/her “adjustment”. This is done by applying a structured motion using their hands to increase mobility, decrease irritation, or improve function to the neuromuscular skeletal system. After your first adjustment, the chiropractor will decide which therapy will be best for your condition. He will normally choose between muscle stimulation, hot or cold therapy, ultrasound therapy, exercises, or dietary management to begin the healing process. Upon subsequent visits, you could expect your doctor to continue adjustments and therapy to slowly return your body to normal function.

What is the underlying philosophy?

In an excerpt from a Spine-Health article written by Steven Yeomans, DC in 1999, “A basic philosophy of chiropractic is that the body naturally seeks the proper balance among all the systems of the body, and that these systems are meant to work together. A second basic principle is that proper structure is necessary for proper function. If a structure is impaired by injury or stress, its function can be adversely affected. For example, when our spine (structure) is not positioned normally, it can irritate the nerves exiting the spine. And when spinal nerves are irritated, they don't function normally and can affect the function of the tissues they interact with. This "end-organ" effect is the central interest in chiropractic care.

The relief of localized discomfort at the point of irritation is also an objective of care. Thus chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the spine and its surrounding tissues as a means to enhance normal human function and health.” It is on these principles that chiropractic was founded in 1895 and has reached the second most utilized form of healthcare today.

Thomas Edison said it himself, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct his patients in care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Having background studies in both conventional medicine and chiropractic has helped me understand the importance of combining both aspects in order to help patients recover from and prevent illness in our community.

Bayou Living Magazine

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A Spoonful Of Sugar

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1008 Smede Hwy, Broussard, LA

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609 Ryan St, Lake Charles, LA

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1211 W. Pinhook Rd, Lafayette, LA

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337-237-0005

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501 N. Adams St, Welsh, LA

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1002 N. Lake Arthur Ave, Jennings, LA

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614 Hwy 14, Lake Charles, LA

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1004 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA

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337-494-1070

Steamboat Bill Seafood Restaurant

732 S. MLK HWY, Lake Charles, LA

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208 S. Adams St, Welsh, LA

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Bar

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Drive-Thru & Or Take Out Available

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Oak Crossing | 337.602.6310 | 5656 Nelson Rd. Suite B2 | Lake Charles, LA www.LaVoglia.net | Daily Hours: Sun-Thurs 11am-10pm & Fri-Sat 11am-11pm 31

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Recovering from the devastating and sudden loss, Fran decided she would rebuild her business from scratch! There were major decisions to be made! Reflecting on those hard times, she speaks of the inspiration she felt from all the moral support she received.

She gratefully mentions her friends from WBENC who stepped in with a $5,000 grant to help her in rebuilding & relocating her business.

So with new direction, she decided it was time to relocate Cajun Treats in the setting of a smaller town and this brought Fran & Mike to the town of Welsh, Louisiana – to the quaint little shop on South Adams Street. Once again, filling her shelves with special things – Louisiana things that inspire Fran’s lovely basket-creations!

Fran continues to inspire others through her dedication in creating lovely gift baskets that warm the hearts of others. Most of her gift baskets are based around Cajun products such as Last year, I had an opportunity to meet a kindred spirit in Fran seasoning, sauces, chips, Cajun-themed children’s books, Mills – as well as her husband, Mike. Tucked away, in a little alcohols brewed or distilled in Louisiana, jambalaya and gumshop on South Adams Street in Welsh, Louisiana is a unique bo mixes – just about anything Cajun you can imagine – all little place called Cajun Treats, owned by Fran Mills. Walking lining the shelves of her delightful little shop! Choosing from into the store front is a little bit of Cajun heaven – the shelves her expansive collection, she tastefully incorporates these are lined with Louisiana products from around the state. You selections into cellophane-wrapped baskets of various sizes can tell much care and thought was put into making each and … she even has some that are made in little pirogues! every gift basket on display. It’s also obvious that Fran has a knack for making things beautiful and that she does so from Even after all that has happened, Fran is grateful that she her heart. never gave up and is quoted as saying “My number one inspiration is God. God has been very real in my life, keeping me Originally from the state of California, Fran Mills came to love encouraged many times when I wanted to give up. And then Louisiana by way of New Orleans when her husband, Mike, there is my husband. He is my biggest supporter. He helps transferred there for a job. While in New Orleans, Fran me get back on track when I slip.” worked as a waitress at Shoney’s for a few months, then as a personal-shopper and gift-provider. Finally, Fran decided to Fran’s specialty is ‘specialized-gifts’ – why not let her customget serious – with an idea to open a small business that incor- ize one for you today?! porated products of Louisiana – and her idea became a reali- She also offers holiday-themed gift baskets and can develop ty when Cajun Treats was established in 1996. Her business anything you need into one tasteful presentation – like her was small for the first few years, but then business exploded BBQ gift basket that makes a great gift for any grilling enthuwith repeat business, customer referrals, and becoming certi- siast. Cajun Treats also provides corporate gifts, centerpiecfied through the Women’s Business Enterprise National es, wedding favors, appeasements, enhancements, ameniCouncil (WBENC). ties, and personal gifts of unparalleled-quality. These gifts and products offered are unique and custom-made to order.

By 2005 Fran was moving Cajun Treats into a larger location – then expanding that location even further – business was She can help you to create something for that special somegood! Suddenly, on August 29th of 2005 and only nine years one or for your employees who will be sure to enjoy your after beginning the successful business, the infamous Hurrithoughtfulness by going to www.CajunTreats.com or by callcane Katrina struck the New Orleans area – with its vast and ing 1-888-772-2586. You’ll be glad you did … and so will the legendary destruction! Fran lost nearly everything – not only lucky person who receives a special basket … they are sure the business but the home she and Mike shared. to remember getting a Cajun Treat!

Bayou Living Magazine

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All of our gifts are made from the heart with you in mind ...

Call Today 1-888-772-2586 WWW.CAJUNTREATS.COM

Register to Win our Gift Baskets To qualify: Like & Follow us on Facebook. Comment & Share our Facebook giveaway posts. Tag a friend, your boss, or anyone that may be interested in our products. Winners will be drawn at the end of each month. Gift baskets will be given away for months of December & January – and remember, you must like & follow our Facebook page and share for each month’s give -away separately if you want to qualify for all of them! Must be 21 to qualify. PLEASE NOTE: some products cannot be shipped to: AL, AR, IA, KY, MA, MS, NH, OK, PA, RI, SD, TX, & UT.

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A Family Tale Walk through the doors of Cajun Tales in Welsh, Louisiana, and you will get a sense of comfort mingled with a distinct small-town flavor. The lunch crowd is streaming in and a smiling face greets you near the entrance, asking where you’d like to be seated. If you happen to be there on a weekend, steam is drifting up from a long buffet table, carrying fine aromas to every corner of the big back room – and maybe memories of large home-cooked feasts served at big family get together!

Memories of family & the aroma of seafood delicacies!

Carla Johnson dashes around her establishment, seemingly at two places at once. Responsible for the staff, the office, and general management – in other words, she oversees everything – she also executes the planned events she caters for those customers who request her catering services. I asked Carla how this well-known restaurant got its start. I told her I liked hearing stories and she gave me one to enjoy:

“In 1989 when we first conceived the idea of opening a family owned and operated restaurant, we had no previous experience in the restaurant industry at all. Large family gatherings, always revolving around preparing and enjoying the many delicious recipes of the good cooks in our family was the basis of the concept. Raised on a family farm, often those meals began by fishing my grandfather’s catfish pond and churning the ice cream for dessert. The boiled peanuts and corn were planted and harvested by family members, and we knew the end result of good food on our tables began with toil. My maternal grandmother was an awesome cook and many memorable fish fries, crawfish boils, gumbos, and holiday meals with all the laughter, fun, fellowship and love leant us confidence and faith in the idea that we could share good food and friendship with community in a restaurant atmosphere. Growing up in a large family, there were always stories being told by uncles, aunts, grandparents, cousins or whatever friend was visiting. My father would often come home in the evenings to his house full of children, mostly girls, with a story or joke for us. We would all gather around him (he was adored!) and listen intently for the punchline! Hearing us laugh, he would grin ear-to-ear. When it came time to give our new restaurant a name, these family memories were the inspiration! Cajun Tales was a perfect fit … and we began our journey with the goal of serving good food with friendly service at a reasonable price.”

Carla Johnson & Cajun Tales Seafood has kept to that original Bayou Living Magazine

idea, committed to satisfying their customers with good food and excellent service. As a consequence, the 30 employees at this restaurant are mostly people who have been there for a long time; some have been there from the very beginning and all have come to feel like family! It’s an important element there and carries over to the customers who enjoy the family atmosphere.

When asked about ‘Cajun Tale Creations’ and ‘Local Favorites’ with their own sections on the menu, again Carla shared her thoughts:

“We have some menu items that began from family recipes. Our crawfish pie evolved from the recipe of a cousin and the broiled stuffed catfish is a take from the stuffed flounder my mother used to cook when my father would go ‘floundering’. The baked brisket that we serve on the Saturday night buffet is slow cooked like my mother in law, Carolyn, still does for Sunday family dinners. Over the years, we have had many good cooks working at Cajun Tales and we still do! They all make great contributions to our menu and are very appreciated by our customers.”

Carla Johnson and her husband, Wayne Johnson, are joined

by Jimmy Louviere & his wife Carolyn in this family partnership at Cajun Tales. Carolyn also happens to be Wayne’s mother and has served as the mayor of Welsh since 2005. Jimmy Louviere is not only a business partner, but is known fondly as the Buffet King – always making sure that everything on the buffet is per34

fect! Adding to the idea of being a ‘family-oriented enterprise’ the kitchen manager is Carla’s sister-in-law, Nancy Cormier. Carla also told us that other family members have always worked in various parts of Cajun Tales – nieces & nephews, brothers & sisters – this restaurant has been a place of family participation to this very day!

Cajun Tales is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Homemade dishes are served each and every day – tasty crawfish pie, broiled stuffed catfish, and award-winning gumbo – and that’s only a start. There’s even a menu just for the little ones! Each day they offer a seafood special and a plate lunch. From the very beginning, Cajun Tales has been serving a special seafood buffet on weekends. As Carla states, “It was

part of our original concept, that customers could enjoy a variety of food choices in one meal.” So, on Friday & Satur-

day nights, you will see a busy parking lot in front of the red arched-awning of Cajun Tales, as customers enjoy this special dining experience from 5-9 pm.

Yes, all of this makes Carla Johnson a busy woman! In addition to finding her buzzing around the restaurant, happily greeting incoming diners and popping into the kitchen to check on the progress of orders, doing management duty in her office and seeing to every detail of daily business – she loves handling the execution of events that request the catering services offered by Cajun Tales! When I asked what she likes to do with whatever free time she can find, she talked about her love of spending time outdoors. She loves gardening and spends time with family and friends at their Toledo Bend camp – fishing, boating, swimming, and just ‘porching’! She also loves to travel, and when she does – eating out at different restaurants, of course! But she always comes home to her own pride & joy, to Cajun Tales!

Where the Party’s At 208 South Adams Street Welsh, LA 70591

337-734-0077

Seafood Restaurant

Featuring …

Seafood Buffet 5-9 pm on Fridays & Saturdays Sunday Lunch Buffet 11 am-1:30 pm Daily Lunch Specials Cajun Trio- Jambalaya, Crawfish Pie and Seafood Gumbo!

See our website ... www.cajuntalesseafood.com for our complete menu.

Hours:

Monday - Closed Tuesday to Thursday 8am to 9pm Friday - 8am to 10pm Saturday - 7am to 10pm Sunday - 7am to 2pm

501 N Adams St, Welsh, LA 70591 | 337-734-4772 35

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The Story of the Roadside Peddler’s Dream

‌

In 1982, Kathi Bonamici Vidrine and her eldest children, Natalie, Yvette and Nicole, found themselves in the coastal community of Lake Charles, Louisiana through an unexpected act of fate. With very little money, no friends or family in the area, and a strong will for survival, Kathi developed an unrelenting dream for success.

Because of her passion for business and her love for serving her community, she knew that God had called her to become an entrepreneur. She was sure her passion and work ethic would make her dream of success a reality. Therefore, she took a chance and began her journey as a business woman in the shrimping industry, first, in Leesville, La. Because Leesville was a city known for being friendly to peddlers, she commuted daily to sell her shrimp supply on the roadside. Her bubbly personality, integrity and genuine love for humanity won her the respect of the public. "Kathi, the Shrimp Lady" had become a staple in the community. As her reputation grew stronger, her business followed suit. She enlisted the support of her brother, Billy Bonamici, to help her manage the overwhelming growth.

Early on, Napoleonic-law and restrictions plagued the growing business, eventually landing Kathi before the Supreme Court. To the delight of the community, she emerged victorious and kept working hard. In order to supply the demand for her business, she bought a shrimp dock and purchasing plant in Hackberry, La. Years later, William "Bill" Vidrine, a local shrimper, joined Kathi in business. Being a leader in the seafood industry, Bill used his experience and knowledge to accelerate the growth of Steamboat Bill's Seafood Market. Later, they opened two locations for Steamboat Bill's in Lake Charles, La (Lakeshore Drive & MLK HWY).

Sticking to a firm business model, working long hours and focusing on delivering a quality product to the community, Kathi, Bill, Billy and her three girls, Natalie, Yvette and Nicole, were unknowingly creating a brand that has withstood the test of time. Being the newest recruit in the business, Kathi and Bill's youngest daughter, Paige, has joined the family in taking the restaurant to the next level. After over 30 years in operation, Steamboat Bill's is now a thriving franchise with locations throughout the south. Without a doubt, it was the simple dream of a road side peddler that created the testament of what faith, family and fervor can accomplish if you simply believe.

Bayou Living Magazine

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World Famous Food & Art!

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609 Ryan Street ~ Lake Charles, Louisiana www.bluedogcafe.com ~ 337-491-8880 37

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Rikenjaks Beer, Food, & Live Music Written By: Dawn Daley

Photography By: Dorothy Hughes

If you’re like me, enjoying a good hand crafted micro brew on a beautiful day outdoors is a key way to relax! Rikenjaks in Lake Charles, Louisiana is a great place to have a good brew and listen to live music outdoors or indoors! It brings me back to a place I used to frequent in a small mountain town in Colorado. Rikenjaks’ featured brew is now the Contraband Brown Ale … it’s an easy drinking beer of a light brown color and tastes of a gentle malt with a crisp hops flavor. I’d say this brew goes well with anything on the menu or to enjoy alone in any season. Their burgers are to die for as well, pretty much everything on the menu is! So what’s the Rikenjaks back story?

The Back Story: Rikenjaks was founded in 1992 in Jackson, Louisiana where they first brewed some of their original hand crafted brews. In 1999 Rikenjaks relocated to downtown Lake Charles in a historic Broad Street building that once housed the American Press Newspaper. Present owner Jay Ecker took over operations in 2000, establishing Rikenjaks as a popular regional destination for Craft Beer and Live Music. Rikenjaks was sold in 2003 and stopped production in 2007. In 2014, Ecker joined Texas restauranteurs Frankie Randazzo and Buck Maraist to resurrect the Rikenjaks brand in its present location. Rikenjaks Brewing Company is a full service restaurant and microbrewery specializing in Louisiana Comfort Food and hand crafted beers brewed by Karlos Knott at Bayou Teche Brewery in Arnaudville, Louisiana.

Located in a historic 70 year old cottage that has been proudly renovated embracing the use of reclaimed and recycled materials in their construction as well as in their environmentally sustainable brewing practice. Rikenjaks features intimate indoor dining and outdoor patio bar and a pet friendly beer garden with live music on indoor and outdoor stages. Rikenjaks offers a full bar and specializes in beers and ales created by their Master Brewer Karlos Knott as well as other Louisiana Craft Beers. Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, Rikenjaks welcomes the whole family to enjoy their varied menu that offers hand crafted regional favorites. Late night at Rikenjaks brings the excitement of the finest local and regional live music. So, do go and enjoy this friendly inviting environment!

Bayou Living Magazine

3716 Ryan St. Lake Charles | 337-602-6635 Open Daily 11am - 2am | www.rikenjaks.com 38

SAKETINI HOURS Monday - Thursday: 11am - 2pm & 5pm - 9pm Friday - Saturday: 11am - 2pm & 5pm - 10pm Sunday - 11am - 2pm & 4pm - 8pm

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Crab and Shrimp Spaghetti By: Tiffany B. Casey of There Once Was a Kitchen Table

Crab and shrimp spaghetti is a favorite amongst many Cajuns and Creoles living and working along our Louisiana coast and bayous. Although there are some variations, it is most common in its simplest of forms. Only the freshest of seafood will do which means that this dish is a particular favorite during the peak season of the Louisiana Blue crab and that of the shrimp which flood our coastal waters this time of year.

have simmered nicely, have turned a beautiful pink, and the foam or scum has been skimmed from the top, strain your stock and set it aside, discarding the shell and vegetable mixture.

When making a large pot of stock it is good to note that it will keep refrigerated for a couple of days but will also freeze nicely for several months for future use. Some like to use ice cube trays for freezing smaller portions. I am a fan of small plastic containers which hold about 1 -2 cups.

The use of shellfish stock is, what in my opinion, gives this recipe its true traditional essence. Since the strict use of all resources was once highly practiced in these parts, the extra time spent on a simple shellfish stock is not only the key to a rich and flavorful sauce but an ode to our Louisiana culture and heritage as well. You will not be disappointed.

1 lb. of fresh picked Louisiana CRABMEAT 1 lb. of peeled and cleaned Louisiana SHRIMP (gumbo size) 4 (or 8 halves) cracked and cleaned gumbo CRABS ½ lb of CRACKED CLAWS (optional) 2 tablespoons of BACON DRIPPINGS 1 large ONION, peeled and chopped 1 large clove of GARLIC, peeled and chopped

For the SAUCE:

1/3 small BELL PEPPER, chopped

Using a large heavy-bottom pot, begin your sauce by heating it over a low to medium fire, adding to it the bacon drippings. To the drippings, add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic, sautéing your vegetables until golden brown. Some like to add the garlic to the pot after the other veggies have just about finished browning - so as not to impart a bitter or burnt

1/3 stalk of CELERY, chopped ½ can of TOMATO PASTE 1 lb (or 28 oz.) can of crushed TOMATOES ½ cup of SHRIMP/CRAB STOCK

½ cup of WATER ¼ cup of SHERRY (or red wine) SALT, CAYENNE, and BLACK PEPPER to taste 1 lb. SPAGHETTI, cooked and drained For the STOCK: When peeling your shrimp (and/or crabs), always save the heads and shells for making a quick stock.

To a large pot add the shells, cover with water, and add onion, celery, and bell pepper scraps to the pot as well. A bit of salt and cayenne may also be added. Keeping in mind, if you season your stock liberally, be careful not to over season your main dish when using your stock. Once your shrimp heads and shells Bayou Living Magazine

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taste to the seasonings. Once your veggies have browned nicely, add your tomato paste. Incorporate the paste into the veggies and let this begin to caramelize some, remembering to stir and scrape from the bottom of the pot; about 10 minutes or so on a low to medium heat should suffice. Once a nice reddish-brown color has been achieved, pour the entire can of crushed tomatoes in. Add to this your stock, water, and your cracked crab. Adjust your seasonings some if needed, cover and simmer on low for about 20-30 minutes.

While waiting for your crab to cook through, begin boiling your spaghetti in salted, rapidly boiling water. Drain, leaving a small amount of liquid in the pot with the noodles to prevent sticking and set aside covered when done.

Once your cracked crab has cooked through, your sherry may be added, giving it all a good stir before the addition of your shrimp.

Again, cover and allow your shrimp to cook completely until firm and pink. After the shrimp are indeed cooked, it is time to add your crabmeat. Combine your crabmeat by folding it in gently to the sauce and once it has heated through, all that is left to add is a generous portion each of chopped, fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley and green onions.

Serve over spaghetti noodles and top with a bit of fresh grated Parmesan cheese, if you like. A Brown-N- Serve Roll and a simple green salad make a well-rounded meal.

Season Opening Early to Mid January 2017

117 West College Street, Lake Charles | 337-478-5407

NOW ON WAITR 41

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Crab Stew By: Tiffany B. Casey

The most important ingredient in that of an authentic crab stew is that of the “cracked” crab or what is commonly referred to as the “gumbo” crab. During the summer months when the Louisiana blue crab is running our shores it is common for many to reserve some of the smaller crabs from the days catch specifically for this purpose.

Cracked crabs are more flavorful when used fresh, of course, but are quite often cleaned, split in half, and frozen for later use. To clean and crack a crab, one must first be certain that the crab is in a deep “sleep”. This is usually done by chilling the crabs under a thick layer of ice for several minutes. Once the crabs are “napping”, their outer shell is pried off, the gills removed from the inner body, and the yellow fat left for flavor. A pair of kitchen shears makes quick use of clipping off the maxillipeds covering the mouth. I personally like to leave my claws attached to the body, trimming only the smaller legs before cutting (or cracking) the body in half. I find that this makes for a beautifully rustic final presentation.

6 CRABS cleaned and halved (or 12 cracked crabs) 1 lb. picked CRABMEAT 2 doz. Crab CLAWS (optional) ½ cup (8 tbsps.) of VEGETABLE OIL ½ cup (8 tbsps.) of FLOUR 1 large ONION and half of a medium one, chopped ½ of a medium BELL PEPPER, chopped 1 large stalk CELERY, chopped (with leaves) 2 cloves GARLIC, chopped 1 large BAY LEAF ½ cup of WATER ½ cup of SHELLFISH STOCK SALT, CAYENNE, BLACK PEPPER In a heavy bottom pot, heat your oil and add your flour stirring continuously until a rich brown roux has been achieved. Some older crab stew recipes I have come across give instructions for a “roux the shade or two darker than that of the crab fat”.

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Once your roux has been achieved, add to it your onions, bell pepper, celery, and finally your garlic. Sauté these items until they become soft and translucent.

Throw in your bay leaf. Now, add your liquid a little at a time until a preferred consistency has been achieved.

Keep in mind that once your cracked crab has been added and the lid placed on the pot, the combination of the moisture from the crab and the steam dripping from the lid will add liquid to your stew. Place your cracked crab into the pot, adjust the seasoning if needed, cover, and allow to simmer until the cracked crab has cooked through. This should take about 15-20 minutes on a low to medium heat.

Once your cracked crab has cooked completely, you may now add your picked crabmeat and your claws if you so choose. Allow this to heat through, finish with chopped fresh parsley and green onion. Serve over a bowl of steaming Louisiana rice.

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As lifelong residents of Southwest Louisiana, we know that trees are a vital part of our landscape and way of life whether you enjoy sipping a lemonade under an oak or playing in the pine needles.

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Written by: Jennifer Brantley Natural Garden and Nursery Photography by: Dorothy Hughes

My dad would always tell the story of selling vegetables from their home garden in Iota, Louisiana, and how ‘back in the day’ that was done even BEFORE going to school in the morning! In thinking about this wonderful memory, I believe this experience played a huge part in his becoming the successful salesman he was throughout his adult life.

Later on, it was such a pleasure to have him drive his little truck to our own backyard garden and watch him help himself to all he wanted from our bounty of vegetables – I can’t even begin to describe how very rewarding it was for us! Even today, growing tomatoes, okra, beans, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and corn is an enjoyable family tradition.

My husband’s family – from north Louisiana and Arkansas – had large gardens, as well. He looked forward to visiting them in the summer – especially during watermelon season! I’ve always loved hearing his stories about family times, and memories like “Aunt Zula’s cream corn from scratch.”

Our ancestors grew gardens as a means of providing for their families. In rural communities – with very few stores and farmer’s markets around – it was a necessity.

Today, there appears to be a renewed interest in vegetable gardening as we see an increasing number of young families planting gardens. For some of these families, it’s an entirely new experience, as they learn the noble practice of growing food for the table. But for many others, they are carrying on the gardening traditions of their own families who came before them – replete with wisdom and stories and memories to share with their children, who are always eager to be involved in the process.

There are many fun ways to spark interest in a child who is new to gardening. One way that will get children interested in getting outside to enjoy the good earth, is to plant a ‘Three Sisters Garden’. A legend from Native Americans speaks of three, inseparable sisters. The tallest sister is the corn, the middle sister being the beans, and the third sister as the squash. The corn gives support to the beans, the beans provide the nitrogen, and the squash helps to retain moisture. Traditionally, as recorded in history, it was the women of these Native American tribes who were the plant-breeders and farmers; and in this often-told legend, this fabled family of three sisters created a perfect and complementary synergy – a perfect ‘family garden’.

There are many ways to set up your newly-established garden. Depending on your given space, a garden can be Bayou Living Magazine

large or small. In limited spaces, boxed-in gardens work well. Another popular way to grow your veggies in smaller spaces is commonly known as container gardening – which I like to call “Garden of No-Weeden”. More frequent watering and fertilizing may be required with container gardening, but a large variety of vegetables may be planted with the use of this method.

If a vote was taken, I think the tomato would be the top vegetable choice in planting. Some gardeners don’t even eat tomatoes, yet they still plant them to share with others.

Those of us who enjoyed watching the movie “Steel Magnolias” will remember that famous line delivered in the exasperating tones of Shirley Maclaine’s character ‘Ouizer Boudreaux’: “I plant them cause I’m an old southern woman and we’re supposed to wear funny-looking hats and ugly clothes and grow vegetables in the dirt!” We’re not sure exactly which type of tomatoes Louisa ‘Ouizer’ Boudreaux planted, but in south Louisiana the most popular varieties are Celebrity, Better Boy, Creole, Juliet Cherry, and the Roma plum-shaped tomato.

Vegetable gardening is surely not totally free from its share of problems – such as the Spotted Wilt Virus that can affect tomatoes. First discovered in Australia, circa 1919, it wasn’t until sometime in the 1980s before it made its way toward an invasion here in Louisiana. It has been responsible for wiping out a whole season of spring tomatoes, and sometimes this virus affects peppers and cucumbers, too. The most effective recommendation comes from our helpful agents at the County Extension Office who give us this advice: plant resistant tomato varieties along with your traditional favorites, creating a back-up crop to ensure a tomato harvest.

This Spotted-Wilt Virus is spread by the adult thripinsect when southern winters are mild enough to keep the infected weed fields still viable, thus harboring the thrips.

The disease becomes more of a problem in the spring growing season. Early preventive insect spraying, weeding, and planting resistant varieties can be the winning recipe for a successful tomato crop.

So, to all you gardeners: Here’s wishing you an abundant and enjoyable growing season in your future, as that may certainly be part of your plans for spring – soon after the holiday and wintry months have passed into the glorious gardening season to come. May you have a winning 2017 and a wonderful traditional garden – one that will create your own family memories and nourish you in its bounty.

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Happy Holidays from all of us at Natural Garden & Nursery … We’d like to thank you for your business & look forward to gardening with you in the coming year!! Jenn & Fred www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

Contractor & Supplier List:

When looking to hire a reputable home contractor, gather some recommendations, such as from our list of local contractors, or from friends & building inspectors, who know which contractors meet code requirements in your area. Once you’ve obtained a list, make a quick phone call to each. Based on your phone interview meet face to face with 3 or 4 for estimates and further discussion. After you’ve got your questions answered call former clients for references with any additional questions. Make sure to get your bids broken down by cost of materials, labor, profit margins and extra expenses. Once you’ve chosen your contractor, draw up a contract that details every step of the project to be sure you are both on the same page and avoid any mishaps.

Planning & Design Tips …

To get a project off to a good start, it is best to consult a good designer consultant for any home project. Most people who are not in the construction business will need professional help. Especially with major construction, it is a good idea to get an architect, draftsman or designer involved, depending on the extent of the project. In the Southwest Louisiana area, it is also quite common for people to receive input from interior designers on home remodels, such as in the kitchen or other living areas.

Bringing in professionals can help save a person time and unneeded expenses.

Painting …

When choosing a paint color for a room, it is good to choose a color based on the use of the room. Morning rooms can be brighter, while rooms used more at night can go dark. When you pick a color, paint a sample board and move it around the room so you can see how it goes with your furniture, fabrics and what it looks like in different lighting.

Also, do not feel that you have to limit paint colors to just walls - ceilings, floors, stairs and doors are also great places to have fun with paint.

Experimenting with paint colors can be fun throughout your home!

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GET READY! GET SET! GO FOR IT! Few of us have not had the dream of starting a business, and the economic boom in Southwest Louisiana may provide the window of opportunity to realize that dream. Over the years I have noted that many people will be able to eliminate a lot of heartache by doing a few things that test the feasibility of what they are proposing. "Look before you leap," is a piece of tried and true wisdom and is applicable to any business endeavor. In this article I mention a few things just to get your wheels turning in the right direction.

Be sure to fully consider all of the factors that will affect your proposed project. Where are the processing plants for the emus you are going to raise? Do emus travel well? Will people come back for a second and third emu meal or just taste it once out of curiosity?

Consider the risk you are taking. The larger the risk the larger the return you should receive. Do not make assumptions.

Consider what happens if your idea fails.

Expect to work hard and long hours. There is no free ride.

You must do your homework. If your idea is easy then everyone can and will do it.

Think about what impact a change in technology will have on your proposal. Remember when coin operated telephones were everywhere? What happened to carbon paper for making copies of typed documents? Wind up watches? Cameras that use film?

Eliminating full sized spare tires for automobiles reduced weight and cost to the manufacturers but at the same time it drastically reduced the market for the synthetic rubber producers.

Think about what impact a change in public sentiment will have on your proposal. Remember when real animal fur was the norm?

The political and legal environment will typically require licensing and in some instances inspections. Be sure to consider these costs of starting a business.

The good news it that Louisiana has an excellent organization of volunteers that mentor businesses at no charge. The organization is called SCORE and welcomes the opportunity to mentor all types of businesses as they build their blueprints for success.

This is a particularly valuable resource for existing and start-up business that have limited resources. I have placed the contact information at the end of this article.

But first I wish to go over some of the items that should be considered in testing the feasibility of your project. I am addressing issues in general terms as every business will vary.

The presumption is that an enterprise is in business to make a profit. Profit is revenue less what it cost to produce the revenue. With this in mind it is essential that you examine your assumptions about the revenue that you expect to receive and the expenses you will incur with an extremely critical eye. Be tough. Do your homework. This is where you eliminate much of the risk in creating a successful business.

Develop a business vocabulary. If you are going to be in business you must know what terms such as Market, Revenue, Cost of Goods, Sales, Expenses, Cash, Income, Loss, Cash Flow, Bayou Living Magazine

Depreciation, Receivables, Payables, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Equity, and Collateral mean. Learn the meanings well as they can sometimes be elusive to the novice entrepreneur. For example, is cash measured as money? Yes. Are sales measured as money? Yes. Are sales cash? Maybe.

When you pick a name for your business let it be easy to remember and clearly state what your business does. Call the Secretary of State and see if the name is available.

Learn everything you can about your market. Your market is the persons or entities that wish to attract to be your customers.

Be sure your market is large enough. Be sure that you can capture enough of the market. Check and see if there is a dominant seller in the market that keeps you from penetrating the market. Be sure it is consistent. For instance, maybe snow cones sell in summer but not on rainy days or in the cold of winter when kids are in school. What price will the market pay for your product? What laws affect your market? How will technology affect your market? Competition? Changing demographics? Be sure that your target customer not only want what you have to sell but can also be able to afford it.

Consider your expenses carefully and do not estimate if you don't have to. Here is a list of types of expenses that are commonly incurred but the list is by no means exhaustive: Accounting, Advertising, Automobile, Bank Charges, Cable, Cleaning, Depreciation, Dues and Fees, Entertainment, FICA, FUTA, Insurance, Interest, Internet, Legal, Maintenance and Repairs, Meals and Entertainment, Merchant and Credit Card Fees, Miscellaneous and Other, Motels/Hotels, Parking, Pest Control, Postage, Publications, Rent, Research and Development, Salaries and Wages, Samples, Shipping, Supplies, Taxes, Telephone, Trash Disposal, Unemployment Compensation, Uniforms, Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water), Workman Compensation You are now ready to begin building a spreadsheet model that mirrors the financial aspects of the business. With a spreadsheet model you can enter "what if" data into the model categories and test the profitability of the business under different scenarios with the best possible data you can assemble. When you do the work of developing data you are constantly thinking about how the data interacts, and a thorough understanding of this interaction improves your critical decision making skills in addition to improving your knowledge of the environment in which you will be operating.

The national website for SCORE is www.score.org. The national website provides free of charge planning tools for businesses and will assist you in finding an appropriate mentor in your area.

The SCORE office in Lake Charles services Southwest Louisiana and sees clients by appointment only at no charge. For additional information you may contact: Paul Arnold, Administrator for Score —Toll Free 1-800 634-0245 I typically refrain from wishing the newly minted entrepreneur "good luck." I do that because I know that luck is rarely the factor that accounts for success in business. However, I am always ready to give a hearty "Best wishes for your success," to any and all of those brave souls who are willing to accept the risk and journey of starting a business.

Bill Elliott, MBA 48

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Recycle, Renew, Reuse, RePurpose, Go Green … by: Annie Barker Over the past decade, Southwest Louisiana’s recycling resources have grown.

Most areas now have convenient drop off sites for plastics and papers as well as regularly scheduled events for e-cycling and scrap metal disposal. Glass recycling is harder to come by, but available in some areas. I think it’s safe to say that we have a large choir to preach to on the subject of keeping things out of the landfills, so I’d like to offer some tips.

Respect the capacity of your chosen recycling drop off and or pick up. Many years ago, my recycling drop off spot was a manned location. The attendant explained to me that though number two plastics were on the list, the only ones they were actually able to recycle were the bottles. Also, magazines did not count as paper, neither did most sales papers because they were glossy. I now use an unmanned drop off spot and find the bins filled with Styrofoam, bubble wrap, glossy papers, glass, and even electronics. While there are recycling programs for glass and electronics, those are not services that this site offers. If you use an unmanned site, contact the provider to get an understanding of what they are capable of handling, then move on to find appropriate sites for other recyclables.

You will discover that some of your trash is just trash. Also, recycling requires funding and energy that could be used well elsewhere. That is why it’s time to reduce. Search your soul and pick your battles! That is the best advice I can give on that one. It’s great for the Joneses if they can use canvas shopping bags, but enough canvas bags to accommodate a week’s worth of groceries for a family of five in your shopping cart leaves no room for the groceries. Hold your head high at the checkout counter and find your own niche with reduction. Some people are most worried about the environmental effects of the actual production of the products, and that is their guide to reduction. Some people are more concerned about the amount of time it will take the product to break down, and that becomes their guide. Let your personal concerns be your guide and respect your neighbor’s right to do the same.

We are familiar with the three R’s: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. As you can see, there is a fourth: “Respect.” But, I am now adding a fifth: “Repurpose.” We find ourselves with too many containers and jars to reuse them all. Hoarding those packing-peanuts is a little impractical if you tend to only need them once in a blue moon. Crafty people tend to find ways to repurpose a lot of this kind of “trash.” Not feeling inspired? The internet is overrun by crafty people who want to teach you how to turn your old rubber boots into matching planters. No time or just not into it? Think of the crafty people you know and ask if they need your refuse for any projects they’re working on. You might be surprised. All three of my children shout, “Don’t throw that away!” about the oddest things. But they have a purpose.

Unless you are adept enough at repurposing to build a fortress out of broken furniture and old bicycle frames, you will more than likely be contributing to landfills at some point. Take a deep breath and tell yourself you’ve done your best, then put it out to the curb or drive it to the dump. Many people try to avoid this by “donating.” Once again, we need to look at the word “respect.”

Respect the organization that you are donating to and call ahead of time to make sure you are not sticking them with a disposal fee while patting yourself on the back for “donating.” Go over the items you would like to donate and be honest about the condition.

Do not expect the organization to be able to deal with items that are moldy or otherwise contaminated. Also, these organizations do have resale guidelines to deal with and may have to dispose of perfectly good products that you could have passed on to someone in need by posting it on Freecycle or Craig’s List. Once you find out what is acceptable, make sure you know when to show up to insure that your donations don’t end up damaged by weather or dumpster divers before they can be put to use.

However you decide to direct your intentions and contributions toward this most-worthy awareness and conscience toward our modern day world, I hope these tips and guidelines have helped in some way. Whatever part you decide to play, keep in mind that we all do best to remember those three R’s plus two: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and most importantly … RESPECT!

Do Your Part - Make the Earth a cleaner place for our Children by simply …

Recycling, Reducing, Reusing, Repurposing & Respecting.

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While traveling through the Atchafalaya Basin, I’m certain that most travelers along Interstate 10 are unaware of the forgotten treasures that lie deep within the swamp. So was I, until I met Eric Couvillion of Live Edge Woodworks in Breaux Bridge Louisiana.

His sawmill & workshop are where he creates custom, handcrafted furniture and slabs from sinker cypress logs that he has harvested from the swamp of southern Louisiana. These are one-of-a-kind works of art that are made out of irreplaceable logs.

Eric and I met through his cousin, Roy Couvillion, who is the inventor of Predator Silencers. Roy informed me that on occasion, he assists Eric in reclaiming fallen cypress trees on his property in the swamp. Boy, was I intrigued!

I met up with Eric in Breaux Bridge and we proceeded to head over to his lease that is located deep within the basin. Upon arriving at his camp, he fired up his four-wheeler and we were off in search of sinker cypress logs. It wasn’t long before we drove up on a 50’ log immersed in about 8” of water. Eric explained how he tags the log and digitally records their location using his GPS tracker on his phone.

It is only after the water recedes that he is able to go back to the location to start the arduous process of removing the log from the swamp and then transport it back to his workshop.

Eric tagged several more logs before we remounted the four-wheeler to continue on our excursion. He leases over 2000 acres, so there is a LOT of territory to explore!

2017 He told me about a tree that he and his son, Travis, discovered by accident one day while scouting out places to hunt. He didn’t have to ask me twice if I was up to going deeper into the swamp to see it.

By now, I guess he had figured out that I’m a little “obsessed” by photography! (that’s an understatement) Bayou Living Magazine

We zigzagged for about another 30 minutes through water, mud, vines & cypress knees to reach our destination. Honestly, I was a little nervous about my surroundings. This was about as far away from the reality of my city life in Lafayette that I had ventured, not counting cave-tubing in Belize, but that’s another story!

I was so concerned about holding on to the four wheeler, and not flying off into the murky swamp, that I didn’t even notice what was right in front of me. We stopped about 25’ from the most magnificent specimen of a cypress tree that I’ve ever seen in my life. I couldn’t get off the four-wheeler fast enough to start photographing it. I stood next to it and was quite surprised by its girth. I tried to put my arms around it, but they were stretched to the max with no bend. Eric told me that it measured over 9’ wide at the base. His estimation is that the tree could be well over 1200 yrs. old. It’s still a live tree even though at some point it must have been struck by lightening. There is still plenty of life in it and I’m sure it’s home to much wildlife. This tree, in particular, is such a treasure and testament to the fact that the Atchafalaya Swamp is a priceless jewel in Louisiana for its scenery, abundant wildlife habitat and recreational enjoyment.

I gave the tree one last hug (smile) before we continued on our scenic tour for about another hour. We headed back to the camp, then on to Breaux Bridge.

Upon arriving at his workshop, he took me on a tour of his facility and even cut into a 300-year-old log to show me its true inner beauty.

He and Travis are so intrigued by every log they cut. He said that it reminds him of the saying, ‘It‘s like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get’. I witnessed this for myself when he made the first cut and revealed the intricate pattern and color variations.

Eric slices the logs in various widths to get to the “heart of the log”.

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He records the date, color, description of the wood and quality of the log for the comparisons in the grain. Every log is then bundled into what they call a Boule. It must then air-dry for approximately one year for every inch of thickness before it’s sold to clients or made into furniture, mantles, tables, slabs…etc. He is the ultimate recycler, evaluating every log like a jeweler appraises jewels. The Boules are proudly displayed and await their turn to be crafted by Eric’s creative touch.

Eric’s passion for woodworking began at the early age of 15 when he observed his pop making swings. During his college years, while pursuing his degree in Wildlife Management, he collected wood from old barns and began making and selling cypress benches. His knowledge of the swamp is phenomenal. He studied Wildlife Management in college and was two classes shy of a double major in Botany. As time progressed, he heeded the call of the booming oil industry, married and raised a family, all while still honing his craft in woodworking and now operates Live Edge Woodworks. He creates one-of-a-kind artwork and welcomes commissions.

As I was concluding my interview, Eric told me that he had one more treasure in his collection to show me. I followed him into a vacant office to view his masterpiece. My eyes were drawn to a large box-like shape that was covered with several layers of blankets. He told me that he had invested about 130 hours into a very personal project that he would never sell.

As he and Travis carefully peeled back each layer of blankets, my curiosity was at an all-time high wondering what was beneath it. I was blown away to see the most exquisite casket I have ever seen!

My eyes filled with tears as he endearingly explained to me that it is the “last gift” he will give his mother, who is currently 96 years young.

He went on to explain how he had been purchasing and stockpiling Black Walnut wood while working and traveling throughout the Unit-

ed States. He often fantasized about what he could build with such unique wood. He decided that he would use it to build the ultimate gift for the woman that gave him and his seven siblings life. I was so touched by a son’s thoughtfulness and love for his mother. He also mentioned that it was a labor of love and was emotional for him as well, on so many levels. It’s finely crafted and lined with billowy pleats of white silk that are resplendent and befitting a “queen”. I was very honored that he shared his story with me and allowed me to photograph such an intimate gift for his mother.

Eric puts a lot of soul into everything he creates from the sinker logs that he recovers and repurposes. If you’re in the market for a unique piece of furniture or slab that will last a lifetime, then you need to give him a call. He can be contacted through his website at www.liveedgeworks.com or by phone at 337-288-6061.

You will be as amazed as I was by the treasures that he creates from sinker cypress logs that are right here in our own backyard.

They are NOT forgotten treasures any longer!

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When Life Gives You Lemons … Build a Stand and Sell Lemonade!

Written and Photographed by: Marilyn Pepper Brunt

Are you interested in empowering today’s youth to become tomorrow’s entrepreneurs? If so, this DIY Project is just for you!

Your child will become the most popular kid on the block when they roll out this modern version of a Lemonade Stand/Market/Theater.

This stand was crafted by Janet & Glenn Ray from Broussard LA as an auction item for their daughter’s Kindergarten Class Project . It’s such a great way to recycle discarded shipping pallets, raise money for the school and also to put a smile on some lucky child’s face.

It is reminiscent of the mindset that we all grew up with .

Make a pitcher of lemonade, set up a table and everyone in town will be standing in line to purchase some from us, or so we thought!

Although, I’m certain that many aspiring entrepreneurs began their careers this way.

Here are a few brief instructions for crafting your very own Lemonade Stand. Keep in mind they are not to scale, but a general idea of tools and supplies that you will need for your project.

Tools needed:



Saw



Hammer



Nails or Screws (a screwdriver is a necessity for this)



Tape Measure



A creative imagination & plenty of patience

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Supplies needed: 3 - Wood shipping pallets (preferably 48” X 40”) 2 - 2x4x6’ pine boards for vertical posts 2 – 1x6x8’ pine boards for the counter 1 - 1x12x8’ pine board for the shelves 4 large casters (2 should be locking casters to stabilize the stand) Café curtain rod Reversible curtain (purchased or sewn in your choice of fabric) Accessories to decorate your stand Instructions: 1 - One pallet will be used for the front of the stand. You can use your own judgment when it comes to the size that you would like for your stand to be. (2/3 of a pallet was used for this project) 2 - Cut one of the pallets in half to be used to make the sides.

3 - The third pallet will be cut in thirds and used to construct the header.

4 - Attach the front pallet to the side panels forming a U shape.

5 - Cut the 2 – 1x6’s in half and attach the 4 pieces to the U shape to construct a counter.

6 - Cut the 1x12 in half to make shelves for the interior of the stand.

7 – Attach the 2x4’s to each side of the back of the stand.

8 – Attach the third pallet section to the top of the posts.

9 – Attach the casters to the base.

All of the new lumber was lightly sanded and stained. (optional) At this point, you can apply a clear coat of polyurethane to the stand.

The curtain rod was attached to the backside of the header. The curtain on this stand is reversible with coordinating ribbon tie-backs held in place with cup hooks.

The signs were crafted from rustic frames that were fitted with hard board. For this particular stand, the Kindergartners painted the fruit and stars and their names were personalized accordingly. Freestyle printing or purchased wood letters can be used to add your own personal style to the signs. They are interchangeable depending on what your little entrepreneur decides to venture into at the time. Hooks were attached to the signs and hung on cup hooks from the top of the header.

Janet Ray’s creative mind and talented hands used a purchased chalkboard and chalk paint to create the sign on the front of the stand.

I might add that she also made the flag banner by using multicolored rectangular felt squares cut into triangles and hot glued them to twine.

The bins for the Market were purchased in a local toy department, labeled with chalkboard stickers and filled with fruit, veggies & pastries. Janet also went the extra step and had aprons embroidered with the school logo for added interest. It was a huge success and raised a lot of money for the school.

If you decide to build your own “Lemonade Stand”, let your imagination run wild and personalize it to your specifications.

Your young entrepreneur just might be the next Warren Buffett!

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Memories of Summer in Ardoin Cove By: Jenn Broussard It seems the older I become, the more memories of my childhood seem to surface. But, why wouldn’t they? As I look back, they were good times and I had people around that cared about me; more than I could have ever known at that time in my life. My memories often take me back to those days and evenings of the summers spent in Ardoin Cove.

My grandmother, or Mémère as we called her, lived in a simple home near the bayou and the rice fields of Ardoin Cove.

Her name was Alzena. She was a strong woman. While not very tall in stature, she was tall in will and she played an important part in helping our Mother to raise us.

I have two brothers -Tony, who was three years younger than I and my older brother, Don, who was off serving in the Army when Mémère came to live with us in Welsh. At the time, my Mother was working at Pat’s Steak House as a waitress trying to make ends meet. Mémère was a steady influence in our sometimes unsettled lives. A very religious woman, she made sure we attended church and said our prayers which included praying the Rosary. While she lived with us, she had a lot of friends around the neighborhood to talk to about flowers and to have coffee with But after a few weeks in the “City”- the Town of Welsh - she would decide she needed to get back to the comforts of her own home in Ardoin Cove. So my younger brother, Mémère, and I would pack up some of our needed belongings and head back for the “country” as we always called it. I was just old enough NOT to want to go because I disliked very much leaving my Mother and my friends. But as it turns out, my time spent in the country are some of the best memories of my childhood.

Mémère had a modest little bungalow home – one where a breeze, if one was available that day, would blow from one door straight through to the other side. I can still see the flowered brown and white linoleum on the living room floor. In the kitchen was a white painted, handmade table with a bright tablecloth which was surrounded by worn cowhide chairs. On most Sundays, the living room and the kitchen were usually filled with family that came over for Sunday dinner. It could be a bar-bque, a pork or beef roast, or my favorite which was fried chicken. Later in the afternoon, the people that didn’t make it for dinner would drop by for idle conversation, maybe to enjoy a cup of coffee or perhaps a glass of cold lemonade. Everyone was always welcomed. I would listen to them talking in French (Cajun French) and usually understood what it was they were saying as that is what I grew up hearing them speak. There was little English spoken among the adults in those days.

When we would awaken in the morning, we had to eat breakfast. I do remember Mémère serving us toast with puddles of melted butter on it which had been toasted in the oven. She would let us have our choice of syrup, figs, or pears that she had canned herself. I still like my toast that way today, but sometimes, maybe not with so much butter… sometimes. Now that we had our nourishment to keep us going for a while, it was time for our adventures to begin in the country that day. We would meet up with our cousins who lived just down the road within a quarter mile and some summers we even had our other cousins who were visiting from New Jersey. There were occaBayou Living Magazine

sions when we were given a galvanized bucket and told to go pick blackberries. I liked picking blackberries, except perhaps that we might encounter a tataille (pronounced “ta tie”). To us, that could be a snake, a mean looking bug, or nothing more than an eerie sound in the woods, which in our minds could very well be the "Tataille of Ardoin Cove”. It was during these times that we would hurry home with our blackberries hoping there was enough for Mémère to make her delicious Blackberry Cobbler. Hers was the best.

Later in the day we might head out to the grove of trees located at the back of the house, so that we could swing on the thick, large vines and pretend we were Tarzan. It was great until a vine broke and we went down onto the dusty pillow below. But we got right back up, found another vine, and tried again.

By this time it was lunch, of course and afterwards, it was time for a short nap, one I most certainly did not want take. But Mémère wanted one, and that meant that we had to have one as well. Usually, my cousins had to go to their own home for lunch and a nap but soon were able to join us afterwards for more play.

There were days when we walked down the dirt road to the abandoned house where some relatives had once lived. There were still a few pieces of furniture which remained that had seen better days. We would peek in the windows and wonder. Even at that young of an age there seemed to be something sad about the emptiness of what was once a home...hopefully a home full of life.

When you are a child, everything is a wonder – much like a pool of tadpoles that were caught and put in a jar so that you could watch them become frogs or that they didn’t live that long in a jar. Just walking to the barn was wondrous. Looking at 56

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the animals and being thrilled when you found an egg that the chickens had laid, was special. Some days there were family and friends gathered on the front porch making ice cream. We would always want to be the “chosen” one -the one that could sit on the bucket while it was churned. Sometimes, we were invited to peanut boils by the neighbor that lived about a mile down the country road. I can still envision all the peanuts boiling in that large, black cast iron kettle. These were peanuts which our neighbor had grown himself in a field near his home. This is where I learned to love eating boiled peanuts. I think the ones I have had as an adult haven’t been nearly as good as those when I was a child… maybe because they didn’t use that large black, cast iron pot.

Old Magnolia Gift Shoppe

There were the late afternoons and evenings. After our adventurous day, we had a bath in the galvanized tub in the rear of the home filled with water from the nearby pump. It was so cold that some water would need to be warmed up on the little white stove so that we wouldn’t get frostbite while taking a bath. Remember, it was summer. After numerous trips to fill up the tub, Mémère would give us a bar of soap that came from a bag that had so much pretty colored, pink and blue soap. I can still smell the wonderful scent of Cashmere Bouquet.



One of a Kind Gifts

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Vintage Toys

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Homemade Soaps

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Louisiana Souvenirs

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Retro Candy

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Art Work by Local Artists

Located in the W.H. Tupper Museum …

A Division of The Jennings Festival Association.

311 North Main Street | Jennings, Louisiana 337-821-5531 M-F 10am-5pm | Sat 10am-5pm

There was still some daylight, so after a simple supper, we would usually sit on the porch a while in our clean pajamas and listen to the crickets and frogs begin their nighttime serenades. We dare not go anywhere near the dusty road until the next day. Sometimes we would shout across the field wishing the cousins could come over for more play … but not today, maybe tomorrow … tomorrow the adventures in Ardoin Cove would begin again creating more of those precious memories which I carry around with me still, today.

W.H. Tupper Museum 311 N. Main St. Jennings | 337-821-5532

~ In Loving Memory ~ This story is dedicated to my cousin, Vicky Tate-Dyke, pictured in the above photo holding the doll. She was a part of our summers—the brave one, who dared to dare! Since this story was written, my cousin, Vicky, passed away. Rest in peace, my dear cousin. You will always be part of our memories – and part of those wonderful summers in Ardoin Cove.

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Party with Winnie the Pooh & Friends At the W.H. Tupper Museum.

Call to schedule your child’s event.

A door through the tree opens to a secret room for interactive play and pretend … great for photos! www.bayoulivingmagazine.com

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Jader Bomb’s Southern Belle Christmas Tree ...

top of my tree. It’s cardboard but all I did was add white paint all over it then sprinkled glass glitter on the antlers.

Written & Photographed by: Jade Harrington

I added some fun elements in my tree like the paper straws below.

I added stickers to the top of them that say “cheers”.

TIP: Sprinkle the glass glitter on the antlers when the paint is still wet, it’s much easier that way.

Howdy Friends! I can’t believe it’s already December and Christmas is right around the corner. Seriously I feel like the older I get the faster things happen. I want to tell you something that you might not know about me… I LOVE Christmas so much that I am not even mad that I had to put my tree up in November. I have a small confession to make, I had my tree up in the middle of October. I know some might think that is a bit early but I wanted to take my time decorating my tree and I am very pleased with the way it turned out. This year I wanted to use a theme that I typically wouldn’t use. I love bright whimsical colors but something inside of me wanted a classic Christmas tree! The Dream Tree Challenge is something a lot of people look forward to seeing each Christmas.

I started with a 7.5′ Pre-Lit Hartford Tree and I was very pleased with it. Once you pull apart the branches it is beautiful and full of white lights! I recommend this tree and on top of that you can get it for a great price at Michaels.com!!! This year I wanted a tree that represented the state I live in, Louisiana. How did I achieve this look? Well it’s easy I added elements that I felt represented a good ole Southern Belle! I added olive branches, gorgeous magnolias, glass glitter on frames, plaid ribbon, cotton balls and tons of other surprises.

Now I believe the key to a great looking tree is filling that baby up with tons of decor. I like to add chunky items in it along with small trinkets. Go big or go home, hehe!

The first thing I recommend before decorating your tree is checking all of your lights! The worst thing that could happen is you decorate your entire tree then plug it in and some lights are out.

Right!!!!

If you have never decorated a tree before I suggest putting all of your ribbon up first. You want the ribbon to look like it is part of the tree and that would be hard to do if you add your ornaments first.

I love the idea of putting chalk boards in my tree so you and your family can write notes on them. You can get them at Michaels or make your own.

When you are ready just stick them all over your tree.

I used beautiful plaid ribbon all over my tree. I felt it added the perfect amount of color and it made it feel very Southern!

To make these bouquets of ribbon I cut my ribbon into strips then put a bunch together. You can tie the ends with wire then stick them all over your tree. This trick is good for filling holes in your tree!

I purchased these black metal letters in the dollar bin and simply added white lines on them with a paint pen. Voila! I added a ton of magnolia flowers in my tree. I wanted this flower to be the one thing that popped when you first looked at the tree. Let me tell you it POPS! I added white balls with French sayings written on them.

Since I couldn’t find them already made I simply wrote on them with a sharpie marker. I love how they look mixed in with all of the other decorations.

White balls are hard to find but Michaels has them ready for all of us DIY’ERS! I added 12 plaid boxes in my tree to put little gifts in for my family. We will do this countdown the 12 days before Christmas.

Hopefully your kids won’t open all of them, haha! Don’t be afraid to add big elements in your tree like cute stuffed dolls. You will be surprised at how they add flavor to your tree.

I love decorating my gifts as much as I love decorating my tree. I believe it’s important to shower your presents with tons of love! Of course I have presents bought already so I just had to wrap them up and put them under our tree.

I love the simplicity of empty frames in a tree. It adds depth while also looking elegant. Bathe the wooden frame with Mod Podge then sprinkle gold glass glitter on them.

I love that Michaels has striped paper, believe it or not, it’s hard to find. I always buy 20 or more rolls of black and white paper because I use this all year long for gifts.

Big Huge Hugs to you all! See you in the next post! Make sure to check out all of my projects!

I fell in love with these glittered deer heads and when I saw them I knew they needed to be nestled in my tree. I used this one on the

Happy Holidays from Jade Harrington & Bayou Living Magazine.

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Introducing of Our Catalog Pages …

Written By: Dawn Daley Article Photos By: Dorothy Hughes

Welcome to something new from Bayou Living Magazine! The following section presents the debut of our newly-created catalog pages – where we hope to offer a delightful and inspiring show of fashion you can find in local shops and boutiques. Entertaining the concept of fashion for everyone, we have used hometown girls to model ensembles from local businesses and have selected to showcase full-paged photos, shot in some of the most beautiful scenery around.

With each presentation, you will find a brief detail of what went into the making of that image: the make-up artists and hair stylists, the photographers and shoot-location, full descriptions of clothing and accessories, and the all-important names of the businesses that offer the clothes, shoes, jewelry, and services involved in the making of such a fantastic look!

For this issue, our team gathered in Lake Charles, as all of our models enjoyed a whirlwind day that began by meeting with Shaunteal Prejean – owner and make-up artist at Chantelle’s Make-Up Studio, located inside Monsour’s Photography, as the making of the ‘look’ began with Voodoo Makeup, used exclusively at the salon inside. Next, hair stylists were onboard with their careful attention and expert hair-care for the models – hair designs were created by Valleen V. Vallere of DW’s Salon & Hair Boutique and Ashley Newton of Hair

by True which operates inside Twisted Scissors Salon.

Photographer, Jason Carroll – owner of Monsour’s Photography – photographed our beautiful models in the natural setting of Sam Houston Jones State Park in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. And, on a following day, we shot additional images from the pier of the Lake Charles Country Club, with the participation of the same hair and make-up team! Those images were captured during a sultry sunset by Patrick Williams – photographer and owner of Patrick Williams Photography.

Our ‘Catalog Pages’ for this issue are filled with fashions provided by locally-owned businesses in the Lake Charles, Louisiana area. Participants were Rhinestone Runway, Vows by Victoria, and Retro West. Bayou Living Magazine would like to thank all that were a part of the exciting launching of this section, and we look forward to working with more local businesses and models in the upcoming issues.

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Be Our Next Model …

If you’d like to be a model for this section, please contact us by e-mail – bayoulivingmagazinedmd@gmail.com. – giving us your name and phone number. Type ‘Model’ on the subject line, attach your best picture, and tell us a little about yourself. All ages women, men, & children are welcome to enter and we look forward to working with you.

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Pictured at top: Shaunteal makes magic happen with cosmetics

by Voodoo Makeup … model, Madison Paige Langlinais sits patiently in the artist’s chair. Bottom photo: A fun, but elegant, image is captured as Valleen applies hair spray to set Madison’s hairdo!

Madison Paige Langlinais, a Senior at Midland High School, is modeling a gem-studded Shail K design. This beautiful choice for upcoming holiday parties is one of many you’ll discover at Rhinestone Runway in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Photographed by Patrick Williams Photography / Cosmetic artistry

by Chantelle’s Makeup Studio / Hair styles by Valleen V. Vallere of DW’s Salon & Hair Boutique and Ashley Newton of Hair by True at Twisted Scissors Salon. … all of Lake Charles, Louisiana.

Emily Davis, a Senior at Barbe High in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is grace personified in this dramatic ball-gown wedding dress named LISETTE. By Maggie Sottero Designs – this artful creation features an illusion back, adorned with beaded lace motifs – jeweled spaghetti straps at the shoulder, and Swarovski crystals on the embroidered lace that decorates a plunging V-illusion neckline. Crystal buttons over a zipper closure finish the voluminous tulle skirt. Style # 6MC813, pictured here in Ivory over Light Gold Accent …

Available in Sizes 0-28. You can find this dress at Vows By Victoria on 2517 Ryan Street in Lake Charles, LA. Photographed by Jason Carroll of Monsour’s Photography, make-up by Shaunteal of Chantelle’s Studio and hair by Valleen V. Vallere of DW’s Salon & Hair Boutique (all in Lake Charles, Louisiana).

Madison Paige Langlinais, a Senior at Midland High, is wearing this wedding-day creation in Navy Blue. Pin-tucked cummerbund cinches the waist of this bridesmaid dress by Madeline Gardner for Mori Lee. With a flattering and unique neckline, the bodice is highlighted with an overlay of lace – spilling over onto the gentle flare of its chiffon skirt, adding an elegant touch to this stunning design. Many other colors are available to compliment your wedding plans! You can find this dress at Vows by Victoria at 2517 Ryan St. in Lake Charles, LA. Style # 31062. Photography by Jason Carroll of Monsour’s Photography, make-up by Shaunteal of Chantelle’s Studio and hair

by Valleen V. Vallere of DW’s Salon & Hair Boutique (all in Lake Charles, LA).

Breanna Daley, a sophomore at Sam Houston High School, is wearing a party dress in turquoise by Sherri Hill. Featuring a lushlybeaded cap-sleeve bodice with open back, style #50696 is skirted with an elegant chiffon fabric and can be found at Rhinestone Runway Bridal & Formal in Lake Charles.

Left to right: Rheanne Keller, wearing The Miranda … navy crush-dyed top ($48). Leggings are The Plumas in Faux Charcoal ($15). Customtooled leather wedges by RK Leather/style: The Rheagan. Danielle Edmondson sports a crisscross blouse in burgundy with layered sleeves … The Pecos ($36) and black denim stretch pants are The Desperados with wide bellbottoms. ($62) Madison Langlinais is wearing a split maxi-romper in burgundy lace … this lovely style is called The Claira Grace. ($64) Taylor Brown (owner of Retro West) is sporting The Midnight, a gator romper in faux black leatherette. ($69) Taylor’s shoes are The Beast … open-front suede fringed booties in black. ($45) All jewelry is vintage turquoise sold at Retro West at 3400 Ryan Street in Lake Charles, Louisiana. ($45 to $475 … depending on the piece) … 337-990-5701

Fa

shion trends …

Want In-Fashion Christmas & Valentine Gifts? The big hype is anything with Fringes. Bomber Jackets are in and Blanket Scarves are the rage. Layering is, and has always been a trend that has lasted. We’ve thrown a few favorite must-haves and suggestions onto our Fashion page. These are great gift ideas for any holiday season. You can’t go wrong with any of these hot items, whether for yourself or a gift for someone else in your life. You’ll love shopping at these local places anytime of year. Fa-La-La!

Concho Fringe Necklace at Retro West for $40

La

Bomber Jacket at Catina Couture $72.50 Ariat Fringe Boots at Boot Barn for $179

vish luxuries …

The Torro Vintage Tooled Leather hand bag at Retro West for $165

Eyelash extensions at MarZ Makeup Studio introductory rate of $150 and weekly refills for $50 or bi-weekly for $60. A perfect Holiday gift idea … A Glam Gift Pack for $225 (see ad on following page for details.)

La

Turquoise Vintage Jewelry at Retro west for $25 to $475 depending on the piece.

Boho Black & Gold custom earrings can be found at jaderbomb.com for only $40 every girl must have at least one pair.

yered elements …

CC Beanies in great winter colors for $18 at Catina Couture.

Bayou Living Magazine

Blanket Scarf at Catina Couture for $28 66

The Montana Southwestern Knit Cardigan at Retro West for $52

3400 Ryan St. | Corner of Ryan & College FOR ALL YOUR FASHION NEEDS …

* Apparel * Jewelry

Custom made Leather Boho Earrings made by Jade Harrington herself.

Get yours today!

Only $40 a pair.

GO TO: www.jaderbomb.com under the shopping tab or Message her on Facebook.

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* Shoes & Boots * Unique Gifts

2801 Ryan St #200 | Lake Charles | 433-5200

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designers, my staff – just getting their name and brand out there. We’ve had a model we found at the mall that has now starred in a movie! Getting everyone where they need to be – it’s all about taking it and bringing it to the next level. That’s what it’s all about!

I sat down with Julie Branden of Fashion Week Lake Charles to get a little information about this exciting extravaganza and her 2016 Winner, James Porter. Julie is from New Orleans and was relocated to the Lake Charles area after Hurricane Katrina. She is the owner of Vivid Image Consulting and the driving force behind Fashion Week Lake Charles. Here is what she had to say: BLM: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START FASHION WEEK LAKE CHARLES? JULIE: I’ve worked with Fashion Week New Orleans when I resided there. After getting displaced by Hurricane Katrina I moved to Lake Charles. I saw that a lot of fashion entities were lacking here in the area. People kept telling me Lake Charles had no fashion. I told them that Lake Charles did have fashion and I decided to put on a show … Fashion Week Lake Charles. I try to become what I want to see in a city. So, I’m bringing what it needed. There are other cities that do it and I said, "Why not here?" So, we wowed them and showed what Lake Charles has and it can only get bigger!

BLM: WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR FWLC? JULIE: I want to see it grow. We made a big impact the first time we did it. But, now is the time to make a bigger impact on the city and to let people know that we are here to stay. We want to bring more entertainment to town, bringing more designers, and truly want it to become a fashion week destination with international designers here to Lake Charles.

BLM: WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS BRINGS TO THE COMMUNITY? JULIE: We are bringing the platform to bring awareness to juvenile diabetes for one thing. We have a lot of people in the area that are interested in fashion in some form or way, but they don’t have a ‘Go-to-Person’ in the area. I want to be their ‘Go-to-Person’ – to direct them in the areas where they need to be moving forward. I am a professional image consultant, that’s what I do for a living. I help people get to the next level in their personal life and business. So, hopefully they will use this platform, Fashion Week Lake Charles, to get to the next level. We have models, local designers, a lot of vendors, just forward-fashion, thinking people. We have boutiques opening up every day. So, we’re getting those people involved in fashion awareness through Fashion Week Lake Charles.

BLM: WHAT ONE STATEMENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET OUT TO THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE WORLD OF FASHION AND DESIGN? JULIE: Don’t sleep on Lake Charles Fashion Week. (giggles) BLM : AT THE FIRST ANNUAL FWLC YOU DONATED TOWARD CHILDREN'S DIABETES, HOW DID YOU DECIDE ON A CAUSE? JULIE: I chose juvenile diabetes because my granddaughter, Gabrielle, has juvenile diabetes. I chose this because we need more awareness about juvenile diabetes in our community.

BLM: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR FIRST FASHION WEEK WINNER? JULIE: James Porter was a diamond in the rough and I’m glad that I found him! And, what I mean by found him: I’m glad I put on fashion week so we could discover him and get him involved. He was totally shocked that he won. I’d say that everyone involved in fashion week has experienced some type of benefit. From James Porter’s designs getting out there, models, Bayou Living Magazine

I later had the opportunity to speak with Fashion Week’s 2016 winner, Mr. James Porter. This new-to-the-scene designer was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana and we can be on the lookout to see more from James Allen Designs! Here is what he had to say: BLM: What inspired you to become a designer?

MR. PORTER: It was something that I always wanted to do. I just didn’t know how to go about doing it. It was kind of a long, long time coming, you know? This fashion week finally brought it out of me. This was an opportunity that I couldn’t let pass by, and I knew I had to do something about it. So, I put together something that I always imaged within my mind. If not for Fashion Week I’d probably still be playing around with garments still uncompleted.

BLM: Where do you see yourself going with your designs?

MR. PORTER: The more I learn the more I want to continue to grow. I’d actually like to see my gowns on the red carpet someday.

BLM: How do you feel about winning Fashion Week Lake Charles?

MR. PORTER: I was very nervous, you know? But I was also really happy that it was kind of unexpected. I knew that if I put in enough work on my designs, I’d have a good shot. I didn’t know who else would be in it, but I felt like I was in my element. In the beginning, I was kind of afraid. I didn’t know all that was going to be involved – from make-up & hair to choosing models. I almost wanted to back out, but I’m very glad that I didn’t.

BLM: What has winning Fashion Week Lake Charles done for you?

MR. PORTER: It gave me a reason to be more creative. You know, I’ve become more inspired since all of this. I’ve come to know a lot of people along the way. It just makes me want to do more, but there is still so much to learn.

BLM: So what else can we expect to see from James Allen Designs?

MR. PORTER: More creativity, more fun designs! I’d like to create some designs that a lot of people can relate to – designs that are comfortable and that make people feel confident at the same time, and designs for all different body types. I’ll be doing another run of women’s clothing but I want to work on designs for men, as well. I’d also like to work on wedding dresses in the future. I want to work on bathing suits! Designing bathing suits was one of my very first interests. Hopefully, by next year I’ll be doing this full time.

Julie Branden 68

James Porter

Modeling James Allen Designs below, from left to right: LeeZa Thibodeaux from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Amber Burks of Deweyville, Texas and Emily Davis from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

LeeZa Thibodeaux

Amber Burks

Emily Davis

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Horse Tale Treasures 202 S. Adams Street, Welsh, Louisiana 70591 337-734-2794

Order Your Mardi Gras Crew Shirts Today!!

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MODEL CASTING CALL Date: January 14th & 28th, 2017 Time: 2pm-5pm Location: Prien Lake Mall

MODEL REQUIREMENTS Female: Height 5'7", Dress Size 0-6 Male: Height 5'11", Pant Size 30-34 ASPIRING AND INEXPERIENCED ARE WELCOME Height will be measured White Tank Top and Denim Jeans Females: Heels Males: Dress Shoes RUNWAY MODELS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR FOLLOWING DATE(S)

April 21st-23rd 2017

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Written by: Dawn Hughes-Daley Photography by: Heather Hughes

You might say that Amber’s Knight in Shining Armor came to her rescue! When she and her children were sick at home, he brought bowls of his homemade vegetable soup to comfort this young mother and her children. Amber fell in love with Josh, and so started her journey toward the creation of Naturally Mama & Baby ... the rest is history.

Josh and Amber Breaux married in 2011 and started with a blended family of seven. Later that year, they welcomed twins and were blessed with another child in 2013 … making them a family of ten! The union began a busy time for this growing family and Amber stays very busy with school and sports activities for all of their children.

Amber invites all mothers and ‘mothers-to-be’ to stop by, and she happily looks forward to meeting you in person! At her boutique, she offers a wide variety of hard-to-find items and an impressive selection of natural and organic products, including safe and natural products for your home.

She carries essential oils and diffusers along with many products for breastfeeding mothers … products like nursing bras, creams, special clothing, nursing pads, etc. While in her boutique, you’ll find wonderful items for baby, as well … bamboo feeding spoons, baby bowls, and stainless steel sippy-cups … cloth diapers, reusable swim-diapers, diaper rash creams, products for colicky babies, and no-touch baby thermometers.

During her role as a wife and mother to 8 children, Amber has experienced a variety of situations: pregnancy with twins, single pregnancies, Csections, birthing preemies, exclusively breastfeeding, raising a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, and the fulfilment that each unique experience held within it. Somehow, she’s managed to enjoy it all.

The product list continues with items you’ll find helpful for those difficult times when baby is teething. Here you will find Hosie Teething Cheek Balm, teething toys, and Baltic Amber Necklaces … which are also good to help reduce cramps for mom … along with other unique products, like Hazelwood bracelets that reduce inflammation and acidity in the body … helping to fight pains, and relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia and lupus.

She says that her family is her life ... the force that drives her … and she is very blessed to have them. During all these challenges, she fell in love with educating and helping other mothers through the issues that come with pregnancy and breastfeeding. In the process, she became an advocate for insightful learning about this time in a woman’s life … providing education about natural childbirth, breastfeeding, safe products for mom and baby … basically anything that deals with becoming a mother in the most natural ways possible.

This delightful boutique also offers natural baby-carriers so that you can ‘wear your baby’ when tucked into a beautiful Moby Wrap, LilleBaby, or a lovely woven carrier-creation by Chimparoo. Are you looking for bamboo blankets or bamboo baby clothes? You’ll find these amazingly-soft items at Amber’s boutique along with books, gift items, wooden and ecofriendly toys. You’ll also find home products such as cleaners, laundry products, dish soaps, shampoo & conditioners, lotions, and bath bombs … each and every one is natural and contains no chemicals.

She mentions a quote: “When you know better, you do better.” And this defines her journey as the owner of Naturally Mama & Baby Boutique. On this journey, she carries a strong belief in the Christian faith – with proud mention of the role God has played in her life as she raises their children in the church. Through the creation of her wonderful and unique business – with this ambitious and meaningful endeavor – Amber Breaux has enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and to help others on their journey into and through motherhood … a path she says she is currently “still navigating”.

The customer service and attention you’ll receive at Naturally Mama is outstanding and you’ll not find it anywhere else!! Amber has made sure that those products that are hard to find are readily available at her store!

With a focus on full service, her customers leave well-informed about the products they’ve purchased and know how to use them. Also, you can call the store and they do ship out items!

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Visit them today at 1400 West Laurel Ave, Suite D, Eunice, LA or call (337) 546-4052. You’ll be glad you did!!!

Prom Wedding Fashion Maternity Studio Photography

Offering Natural & Organic Products … 

Baby Clothing

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Photography Winners … Well, once again, we had a great response to the photo contest! Everyone who submitted photos made it very hard to choose, because they were ALL so good! But after careful study, we’ve chosen our winners … Image in Color category is awarded to Gina Welsh, a part of her soul is in Louisiana even though she currently resides in Florida. Her lovely image is shown above. This is simply a stunning landscape capture that communicates the beauty of Bayou Pigeon, banks edged with moss-draped trees and that broody sky hanging powerfully overhead. The Black & White winning photo was taken by Paul Breaux of Lake Arthur, Louisiana. This foggy-morning image certainly is a well-loved sight this time of year, as hunters are out with their Labrador Retrievers from the beginning of hunting season until the very last day of the hunt. Loyal companions and dutiful helpers, they are! Photos on following page: All these images are receiving Honorable Mention for being exquisite representations of the Bayou Country and collectively, we think they create a display of lovely Louisiana photography! Top left photo shows the Louisiana state bird, by Chuck Curet of Lake Charles, Louisiana. Mr. Curet’s Brown Pelican appears to be displaying a pleasant and social personality! Nice!!! Submitted by Tiffany B. Casey are the top right photo of fireworks over the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Louisiana and the middle photo of cotton in bloom in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Originally from Welsh, Louisiana – Ms. Casey now resides in New Orleans and joins us as a writer in our cooking section. Check it out! Bottom left is a wonderful close-up capture of a lone alligator

by Shirley Bogenrief of Lafayette, Louisiana. Wow! You can see his teeth! Last, but surely not least, the bottom right image is a simple but awesome photo that is reflective in meaning, as it reminds us of times spent doing one of our favorite things to do along our waterways – fishing from the dock! Thank you for sharing this, Deidra Reed – another of our Lake Arthur neighbors!

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QT Pie Boutique New Orleans! Tracing its history to 1718 and named for Philippe II, Duke of Orleans, this city with French roots is often called the most unique city in the world – and has literally taken centuries to become the New Orleans we know today! It is the crescent city on the banks of the great Mississippi River – a city that never sleeps. World-famous for an abundance of unique architectural styles, it is a reflection of its historical roots and multicultural heritage. Not only French, but Spanish & Italian, African & Creole are among a myriad of ethnicity that has blended to create the specialness that is New Orleans!

With a reputation for cultural tourism, you will find unparalleled opportunities to experience – whatever your tastes may be, you will find it in New Orleans. The city can proudly boast about its many museums and cultural centers. Visitors can enjoy carriage rides through historic Vieux Carre, the incredible Audubon Zoo & Aquarium of the Americas, and shopping! Boutiques & artisan shops, coffee shops & restaurants, art galleries & antique stores, with music everywhere – this is a good description of the shopping experience New Orleans has to offer.

New Orleans is also noted for its large, European-style Catholic cemeteries, found throughout the city. You may enjoy a guided tour through these ornate and historic resting places – or a walking tour through the French Quarter & the Garden District, led by Master Storytellers! In New Orleans there seems to be a tour for every purpose: plantation tours, riverboat tours, and jazz tours … tours involving craft beer, swamp boats, voodoo, and ghosts. But no visit to New Orleans would be complete without a culinary history & food-tasting tour! In fact, when asked what is incredibly special about the experience of New Orleans, most people will respond with an immediate list: Music, Food, & Mardi Gras!

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Rest to Relaxation …

Chad Norwood has his roots firmly planted in Southwest Louisiana! After graduating from Sulphur High in 1992, he went on to become a McNeese State University graduate – class of 1998. Chad stayed in the area and joined the ranks of local small-business owners when he began his company … Bayou Beds!

2011 had been a rough time for Chad and his family … in his words, “living meal to meal” … when a friend made the suggestion that Chad should create his own business of selling mattresses, something he had done as a little side-line before.

Taking this thought to heart, he researched the possibility of beginning his own business – eventually coming to the conclusion that he should move ahead with the idea. So, outlining the necessary responsibilities and with prayerful consideration, Chad Norwood stepped out with faith! In August of 2011 he began selling as Bayou Beds from his own home – a virtual one -man-show! Five years later, the test of time has proven that his faith paid off …

In 2013 the business had moved forward, opening a small storefront on Post Oak Road in Sulphur, Louisiana – a space of only 400-square-feet. This may have been Chad’s biggest step of faith on his business journey – with only three twin-size mattresses and one queen mattress set on display, he had made this step forward with virtually no money to his name!

Chad remembers how he felt before opening on that first Saturday in February of 2013 – speaking to God and mentioning that he was giving this business to Him – considering himself only as ‘middle-management’. Well, the doors of Bayou Beds opened that day and it was crazy-good! He recalls with amazement, “It was like the entire city was just waiting for us to open up!”

Things went well for Chad and his business! Soon after the 2013 store-front opening, he purchased his current location at 4016 Maplewood Drive in Sulphur and moved in during March of 2014. Bayou Beds continues to flourish and Chad is no longer a one-man-show! With multiple employees and delivery trucks, he is able to service all of Southwest Louisiana and all of those that purchase from him. With the recent addition of new products, customers can not only expect to find mattresses of all kinds – pillow tops, memory foam, adjustable, and more – but can now shop at Bayou Beds for furniture, pillows,

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bamboo sheets, Tyler Candles, and other accessories … all at some of the best prices around!

Customers of Bayou Beds are considered special to Chad Norwood and with every intention he strives to remain dedicated to treating them like family! That fact is made evident in his Mission Statement:

“Our mission is to provide all of our customers with an absolutely exceptional shopping experience when making a purchase at Bayou Beds. We will strive to offer our customers quality products at prices that are lower than our competitors.

We will make every effort to treat all of our customers with the respect and dignity that they deserve while being true to our faith. If a customer should ever have a complaint about a product or service, we will do all in our power to provide an equitable solution that will satisfy that customer.”

As was my experience, they definitely offer the best prices with over-the-top customer service. They really do care! In Chad’s own words, “Things are continually on the rise for us as we continue to position ourselves for God to move and show us the way. We are looking forward to our continued growth with the support of SWLA!” With that leap of faith and the best customer service around, it seems Chad Norwood has truly found the secret to success!!!

Most recently, we’ve been told that Chad has again put that faith into motion – opening yet another start-up business in Sulphur, Louisiana. Memory Makers is a new travel agency operated by Jodie Norwood, Chad’s wife. Along with another agent, Brandi Smith and their outside agent, Memory Makers offers 45 years of experience and excellent customer service!

So, next time you want to book a vacation, give them a call.

And, I think it’s safe to say that when it comes to R&R, Chad Norwood has you covered – from restful sleep to relaxing vacations!

The Journey of Bayou Beds, from meager beginnings to a successful business. Chad with is children to the right. Chad where it all started 5 years ago center & right Chad gets the Business of the month award.

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www.bayoubeds.com | 4016 Maplewood Dr. | Sulphur , LA