Two Full Moons in one month. The Lovely Blue Moon. :)

http://www.thelensflare.com/imgs/blue-moon_34593.html

http://grimygoods.com/2009/12/31/happy-blue-moon-new-years/

http://bluemooncandles.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/what-exactly-is-a-blue-moon/

http://www.layoutsparks.com/1/160828/blue-moon-night-sky-1.html

Enjoy the moon and the night sky. 

Wildlife Rescue.

Troopers patrolling the Troop L area took time to rescue this young fawn stranded by rising water on LA 22 in Madisonville, LA. Master Trooper Bill Blackwell is pictured carrying the fawn to high ground where it was reunited with its mother.

Latest on Isaac.

Tropical Storm Isaac continues moving to the NW, with the center between Gonzales & Thibodaux. Rain bands are moving into Acadiana, producing wind gusts from 50-60 mph. Sustained winds across much of the area are 30-45 mph. These are the highest winds we'll see, but they will remain this strong thru 7 PM. -David Paul, Chief Meteorologist

Hurricane Isaac Update.

Isaac has been downgraded to a Tropical Storm. However, the winds are still very strong (70 mph.). We're getting hit hard by wind and rain in Iberia Parish. One of our trees on our property was blown down. Thankfully, we still have power.

The people of Plaquemines Parish are seeing the worst of Isaac. Here is a picture of a rescue worker on the roof of a home. 



 I will continue posting as long as we have power.

UGH! Hurricane Isaac Update.

Update: This is not what we want to see, but Isaac is jogging westward...or even a little south of due west. On this path, much of the circulation is over water, so we won't see weakening. In fact, we've seen a decent eye form, so there may be minor strengthening. The NHC forecast still shows a general WNW-NW track, but reality isn't backing that up at the moment. Prepare for the winds to increase markedly by daybreak, with rain arriving around the same time. The worst weather for many of us won't arrive until Wednesday afternoon. -David Paul, Chief Meteorologist

Another Update: The massive eye of Isaac is consolidating between Port Fourchon and Venice. The center is moving to the WNW at 7 mph. Landfall should occur (for a second time...first time at 6:45 PM near the mouth of the Mississippi River) in the next couple hours in LaFourche Parish. The jog westward will mean greater impacts in Acadiana, with sustained winds increasing to 35-45 mph later Wednesday, with gusts from 55-65 mph. If the system moves farther west, the impacts will increase. -David Paul, Chief Meteorologist

The sky. I took these photos 30 mins ago.

Isaac officially made landfall in Plaquemines Parish tonight at 6:45pm.  I'm in Iberia Parish. So far we are only experiencing wind. The sky is so pretty. Hopefully, it will remain as calm as possible. 

 It won't be long. :-) Can't wait for Autumn.

 Soon it will be Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

Hurricane Isaac.

We're riding out Hurricane Isaac. We're in the country on the outskirts of New Iberia, LA. The sugarcane is gorgeous, right now. I hope the winds are kind to the sugarcane.

Isaac will make landfall either late this evening or early tomorrow morning. I will probably lose electricity for a couple of days. I hope everyone stays safe!

My precious cat died. I miss her so much!

Pictures of my beloved cat. My oldest cat, Little Kat, died on August 23. It came out of nowhere. She threw a blood clot. I’m devastated. All I’ve done since then is cry. I miss her so much. I’m going to buy a concrete memorial cat statue to put near her grave. I have pretty flowers near her grave, right now. She is buried near a beautiful Cedar Tree. 

I have two other cats, Pumpkin and Pepper, and they keep looking for her. It is breaking my heart.  

Thankfully, I have several pictures of Little Kat and I also have several videos of her. It’s a comfort. I will post the videos soon. 

Nick Drake-Saturday Sun

I recently launched my Nick Blog. http://nicholasrodneydrake.blogspot.com/ Nick is a singer/songwriter and a musician.  His music means  the world to me. He has touched me so deeply. Such soulful music from a soulful human being. I have an autoimmune disease and Nick's music brings me comfort and courage. RIP sweet Nick. You were too good in your way. Too beautiful for this world.

Nick's lyrics-Saturday Sun

Saturday sun came early one morning
In a sky so clear and blue
Saturday sun came without warning
So no-one knew what to do.
Saturday sun brought people and faces
That didn't seem much in their day
But when I remember those people and places
They were really too good in their way.
In their way
In their way
Saturday sun won't come and see me today.

Think about stories with reason and rhyme
Circling through your brain.
And think about people in their season and time
Returning again and again
And again
And again
And Saturday's sun has turned to Sunday's rain.

So Sunday sat in the Saturday sun
And wept for a day gone by.

Chantilly aux Framboises

Chantilly aux Framboises: Julia Child's Chantilly aux framboises

French Chouquettes

French Chouquettes: To commemorate 100 years since the birth of Julia Child, we've cooked these gorgeous choux pastry chouquettes. An afternoon treat!

My heart is so heavy. Mickey Shunick Case.

A body was found, yesterday. The body was buried in a deep grave in a wooded area near a cemetery over 100 years old. The cemetery is in Evangeline Parish. It was just confirmed that it is Mickey Shunick.  http://www.klfy.com/story/19218560/search-for-shunick-body-in-evangline-parish Mickey disappeared on May 19. I posted about it in May.

I'm in tears. My thoughts and prayers are with Mickey's family and friends. I know what it is like to lose a family member to a violent crime. My first cousin, Debbie, was murdered. Sadly, they never found her killer. Thankfully, the police have a suspect in Mickey's case. His name is Brandon Lavergne  and he is in custody. They made the arrest before Mickey's body was found. He was indicted on two counts of first degree murder. One for Mickey and one for Lisa Pate (Lisa's body was found in 1999). There is speculation that Brandon told  police where to find Mickey's body, however this has not been confirmed. We will know more when the police hold a conference. I pray justice is served and he remains in prison for the rest of his life.

Remembering Mickey... http://findmickeynow.com/site/

Rest in Peace, Mickey. Rest in Peace, Lisa.

UPDATE: Brandon Scott Lavergne plead guilty to the murders of Lisa Pate and Mickey Shunick.  He will serve life in prison with no chance of parole.

Mickey

Lisa

Summer Bliss/Provence

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Provence-Mon-Amour/298011073568174

Autumn Woods

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Most-Awesome-Web-Photos/276087899108585

Tiramisu Cake

http://poornimastastytreats.blogspot.com/2012/05/another-birthday-and-tiramisu-cake.html

Watermelon Bellini

• 1 lime
• 2 to 3 Tbsp. coarse sugar
• 3 cups frozen seedless watermelon
• 1 cup sparkling wine, chilled
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• Pinch of salt
• Additional sparkling wine
• Garnish: watermelon wedges

Preparation

1. Cut lime in half. Cut 1 half into wedges, and rub on rims of 8 (6-oz.) cocktail glasses; dip rims in coarse sugar to coat. Process frozen watermelon, 1 cup chilled sparkling wine, sugar, salt, and juice from remaining lime half in a blender until smooth. Pour mixture into prepared glasses; top off with additional sparkling wine. Garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.

Virginia Willis, Southern Living
AUGUST 2012

http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/watermelon-bellini-50400000122622/

August Full Moon. Lammas.

The August full moon is known as the Full Green Corn Moon, Full Red Moon and Full Sturgeon Moon.
I hope everyone has clear skies, so they can enjoy the full moon. :-)

http://youngberghill.com

http://varuas.deviantart.com/art/Red-Moon-126052163

http://theholidayhohoqueen.blogspot.com/2010/08/full-moon-august-sturgeon-or-red-moon.html

http://creativeeveryday.com/creativeeveryday/2009/08/moving-with-the-full-sturgeon-moon.html

Rosemary Diamante Bread   http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/newletters/news073104.html


21 grams dry yeast 
3/4 cup warm water
3/4 cup milk at room temperature
1/4 cup olive oil
3 T finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 T salt
About 4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 t coarse sea salt

By Hand: Stir the yeast into the water in a large mixing bowl; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the milk and oil. Combine the rosemary, salt and flour and stir into the yeast mixture in 3 or 4 additions. Stir until the dough comes together. Knead on a floured surface until velvety, elastic and smooth, 8 to 10 minutes. It should be somewhat moist and blistered.

By Mixer: This recipe is slightly large for the mixer (perhaps not as I've pared down the ingredients--you tell me if this is a problem — I always do it by hand) so you'll have to stop and push the dough down frequently while the mixer is kneading it. Stir the yeast into the water in a mixer bowl; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the milk and oil with the paddle. Combine the rosemary, salt and flour and add to the yeast mixture. Mix until the flour is absorbed, 1 to 2 minutes. Change to the dough hook and knead on medium speed until velvety, elastic, smooth and somewhat moist, about 3 minutes. Finish kneading briefly by hand on a lightly floured surface.

By Processor: Make sure your processor can handle the volume of this dough. Even when done in 2 batches, there will be about 2 cups of flour plus liquid to be processed. If you have a large-capacity machine, use a dough blade. Stir the yeast into 1/4 cup warm water in a small bowl; let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Place the rosemary, salt and flour in a food processor fitted with the dough or steel blade and process briefly to mix and chop the rosemary. Stir the oil into the dissolved yeast. With the machine running, pour the yeast mixture, cold milk and 3/4 cup cold water in a steady stream through the feed tube and process until the dough gathers into a ball. Process 45 seconds longer to knead. Finish kneading by hand on a lightly floured surface until smooth, velvety, elastic and slightly moist, 2 to 3 minutes.

First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.

Shaping and Second Rise: Gently punch the dough down on a lightly-floured surface but don't knead it. Cut the dough in half and shape each half into a round ball. Place the loaves on a lightly floured peel or a lightly oiled baking sheet, cover with a towel, and let rise 45 to 55 minutes (but not until truly doubled).

Baking: Heat the over to 450 F. If you are using a baking stone, turn the oven on 30 minutes before baking and sprinkle the stone with cornmeal just before sliding the loaves onto it. Just before you put the loaves in the oven, slash the top of each loaf in an asterisk with a razor blade (I use a sharp knife but the lines aren't as crisp as they could be). (This is also a good time to bless the loaf—I say something along the lines of "By north and south, by east and west, this loaf is blessed.".) Sprinkle half the sea salt into the cuts on each loaf. Bake 10 minutes, spraying 3 times with water. Reduce the heat to 400 F and bake 30 to 35 minutes longer. Cool completely on racks.

Resources:Field, Carol, The Italian Baker, Harper Collins 1985


Photo by http://eggandsoldier.com/?cat=5