He Hunts, I Bake

(SPOILER ALERT: Dear Jenny and Clint, since you reprimanded me at church yesterday for not blogging ... here it is! However, this could spoil the surprise of your Tuesday night dinner.)

As many of you know, duck season opens this coming weekend in Louisiana and the following weekend in Arkansas. While I am no duck slayer myself, my boyfriend is, which means he'll be heading out of town off and on over the next few months. Typically he's only gone Friday nights so he can be back here for church Sunday morning.

For me, hunting season adds up to one thing: Baking. Lots of baking. It's strange that I never feel the urge to bake until this time of year. I bake, and I don't even eat my sweet creations (If there's something you've been craving, let me know. I'll make it. Deliveries available to Shreveport and Bossier residents only.)

So, this past weekend Ty was in Arkansas preparing the camp, and I was at home -- you guessed it -- baking. However, it wasn't unnecessary baking. I had someone in mind.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Jenny unexpectedly lost her mother. It's been a heartbreaking time for her, but I've been amazed by her strength. To help her family out during this difficult time, our church and some of Jenny's other friends teamed together to deliver meals to her house for weeks to come. Life is hard enough for Jenny right now, does she really need to be worrying about what's for dinner? So, Tuesday night is my night. I'm really excited for multiple reasons. First, I love to cook for friends, and secondly, I feel like in some small way I'm making the day a little easier for a family I care about.

With it being duck season and all, of course baked goods entered the equation and Saturday night was spent baking Praline-Apple Bread. It should be good for breakfast or a quick, easy snack, and I thought you may want the recipe also. The recipe yields one loaf.

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, divided

1 (8 oz.) container of sour cream

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups finely chopped, peeled Granny Smith apples

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350. Bake 1/2 cup pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 6 to 8 minutes or until toasted and fragrant, stirring 4 minutes.

2. Beat sour cream and next 3 ingredients at low speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until blended.

3. Stir together flour and next 3 ingredients. Add to sour cream mixture, beating just until blended. Stir in apples and 1/2 cup toasted pecans. Spoon batter into a greased and floured 9x5 inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup chopped pecans; lightly press pecans into batter.

4. Bake at 350 for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, shielding with aluminum foil after 50 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool in pan on a wire rack 10 minutes, remove from pan to wire rack.

5. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil in a 1-qt. heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and spoon over top of bread; let cool completely (about 1 hour).

(Note: to freeze, cool bread completely; wrap in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature.)

Too Much Fun to Blog

I'm sorry that I've gone from being such a reliable blogger to a total delinquent. My original plan was to blog while sitting at my desk eating lunch, but it's hard to eat while typing and this girl has her priorities in place. Plus, I've started to thoroughly enjoy watching abc.go.com while pretending I'm eating at home like I used to. I do miss those days.

However, the job change has been excellent, and I'm starting to settle into a new routine. It takes some planning. Thank goodness I'm solid in that department. Working in Minden means I must eliminate those quick, after work trips to the grocery store. I now plan out weekly dinner and lunch menus. I only go to the grocery store once a week, which gives me time to work out all those other days.

So that pretty much sums up the ins and outs of the daily life. Following is a brief photo essay of the good, fun stuff that's been going on.

Exhibit A: Bachelorette Party

My bestie LJ is getting married in less than two weeks. We've done the bridal pics, showers, showers and more showers, and perhaps the best thing of all, her bachelorette. Her sister, Crystal Wibben, and friend Lauren Smith helped plan a fun evening for LJ. The party started at my house with dinner and lingerie opening. We spent the rest of the night riding in the limo and visiting some old, favorite night spots. And I won't even tell you how the night ended.

Exhibit B: Tiger Stadium

Ty and I made the trip to Baton Rouge for the LSU/Auburn game with our friends Klint and Kathleen. The game was excellent and so were our seats, and we couldn't have asked for better weather. However, the highlight was the Prentice Tailgate. This family parties Southern style, and Uncle Johnny's homemade boudin and other fixins were as excellent as ever. While traveling, we also stopped at Ruth's Chris and Lea's. It was a good eats weekend.

Exhibit C: Wedding Wine Tasting

One of the final tasks before LJ's wedding is to make sure guests are served the best wine for a certain price. So, Friday night LJ and Marcus hosted a wedding wine tasting. Six of us sat around tasting and sipping and somehow came to a unanimous decision. However, with the bottles clearly labeled in front of us there was no way to authenticate the vote unless someone blind tasted. Per my suggestion, the group voted to blindfold me. That wasn't exactly how I saw things working out, but the blindfold test confirmed the wine a true winner.

I'm sure in the next two weeks many more good times are to come. Hopefully I'll blog about it in a more timely fashion. 

40 Under 40

I had a few minutes to ponder and in doing so I realized I haven't shared some of my latest good news. Let me disclaimer this post by saying I never win anything. I'm not highly competitive, so I don't really sweat it much. But in being not-so-competitive, I'm not driven to a "win or else" attitude that seems to help a lot of people win a lot of stuff.

In the sports arena, I have few awards to show. Everyone gets a trophy in church league softball. I wasn't a homecoming queen or sweetheart of any sort. However, I have celebrated some minor professional awards. Two "Best of Times" awards from my former co-workers at the Shreveport Times and one runner-up "Favorite Journalist" SB Award before I worked for the magazine.

Last week I received a "Congratulations!" letter from the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce saying I'd been selected for this year's 40 Under 40 class. I'd been notified of my nomination several weeks before. Even though I never imagined I would get the award, I filled out all the requested forms and assembled reference letters. I had to try, even though I might not be selected.

The Chamber describes 40 Under 40 as "Northwest Louisiana's outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, managers and professionals in public, private and nonprofit sectors." Honorees are chosen based on achievement, experience, innovation, vision, leadership and community involvement.

Considering all that, I was so surprised to be picked! I'll be profiled in the November issue of City Life, along with 39 other young professionals. And Ty and I will attend a gala in December to celebrate. How much fun!

So Long, Latte

The latest step in my constant journey for self-improvement has been a difficult one. A step that requires a strong mindset, consistent good night's sleep and a dash of pure insanity.

I've given up caffeine entirely.

I feel that sentence deserved to stand alone. It may be poor timing considering Starbucks recently brought back my favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte. Damn you, Starbucks!

Whew, now on to the dets (as I fight off the urge to lick my computer monitor). I'm on day three of caffeine-free living, although I phased Coke out of my life (for the most part) about a year ago. But, in my mind, coffee stands alone, miles above all others. Jack with my morning coffee and someone's going to pay. That's not exactly a healthy mindset. I don't like feeling as if I have a substance dependency. And, I don't like feeling that I don't come alive until I've had my Joe. So, three days ago, Joe and I officially ended our relationship.

To ease the transition, I've allowed myself a cup of decaf in the morning. It looks the same, smells the same, but it's just not the same. I drink it anyway.

There's been a heavy dose of side-effects to accompany this decision. Monday at around 10, I felt as if I was going to pass out. Clammy. Head pounding. Desperate for a fix. This only reiterated my decision. By 2 p.m., I was pretty sure I was going to have to go home ... but I can't drive back to Shreveport like this ... might as well work through the pain. Tuesday, I experienced a similar pain, however far less intense. And today, I felt like I was sleepwalking through the morning. I said out loud to myself numerous times, "focus, focus."

The good news is that the headaches are becoming milder and milder. I think I'm coming out of that stage of detox where you're sweating and puking and hot and cold at the same time (these were not my actual symptoms).

You may all be asking one question at this point. Why? Essentially, I'm not getting any younger folks! Might as well kick the bad habits while I still can.

Miss Ruby Belle is here!

This weekend we drove up to Fayetteville to meet this adorable little girl.

Everyone, meet Miss Ruby Belle Smith. I've seen a lot of pretty babies, but this one takes the cake. Perhaps, I'm slightly biased. She has perfectly olive-colored skin and the sweetest face that melts your heart. Ty and I loved every minute we had with her and her parents. Ruby, being only days old, spends most of her time sleeping. Even that is fun to watch. She chirps and smiles and twitches in her sleep and it's all too adorable.

It was a long drive and a short visit, but it was completely worth it just so Ty could do this:

I know Ty's going to be a great uncle! And even more so, I know Justin and Mandy are going to be super parents.

We're RVing!

To think, I had become such a consistent blogger and now this. Sorry guys, I find that in my day there is rarely a spare minute. Today, you just so happen to be in luck because my feet hurt so I decided to sit down and eat lunch. So with a sandwich in one hand, I'll update you guys as to what's been going on in my life.

This past weekend, Ty and I traveled to Guy, Ark., for our friend Tuck's wedding. If you've heard of Guy, then you are a far more sophisticated traveler than myself. It's what some people reference as "the sticks." The wedding was set to take place between the barn and the shed in Megan's (the bride) backyard. A country wedding couldn't be more fitting for these two rodeo riders, however nearby accommodations means a 45 minute drive to "town." Instead of driving all the way back to town after the wedding, Ty and I opted to do this.

That's right, we spent the weekend in an RV! I know the pictures arent' the greatest, but my Blackberry was my only option once I discovered my camera battery was dead. We parked it in the pasture right next to Megan's house. So as I mentioned before, the wedding was casual, country style. Cowboy boots, a country band playing on a flatbed trailer and homemade preserves for guests to take with them after the reception. Ty, not so much of a cowboy, was a groomsman and uniformed in a black cowboy hat, white shirt, black jacket and Wranglers. I thought he looked like J.R. from "Dallas," but see for yourself.

We also decided to take Lacy, Ty's lab, with us on the trip. She loved most of the ride, but after a while you could tell she was road weary.

We're headed back to Arkansas this weekend (RV not included). Ty's sister, Mandy, who lives in Fayetteville, is having her baby today! We're so excited to meet Ty's little neice and I'm sure plenty of pictures will follow. We can't wait to meet you, Ruby Belle!

A Week In

Hello Blogger friends, I've missed you greatly. I started a new job last Monday, which has brought on many adjustments and forced me to neglect you temporarily. I can't believe it but I've stepped away from journalism and entered the marketing world. I joined a company called Fibrebond in Minden. It's a manufacturing company best know for making concrete buildings at the foot of cell phone towers, but they also construct schools and prisons. After a full week on the job, I don't regret the decision one bit. So, let me tell you about the new things going on.

Early Mornings

Instead of waking up at 7:20 and driving 10 minutes down the road to get to work, I'm now up at 5:45 and leaving the house around 7:15 to make it to Minden by 8. It's not so bad once my feet hit the floor. But with it still being completely dark outside, my body is being somewhat hard-headed with this transition. It's a stark contrast from my life two years ago, when I could stroll in to work around 10 a.m. because I was an entertainment reporter and most entertainers are not morning people either. It was a lovely match. To ease the adjustment, the coffee pot now wakes up before me. I can handle the early morning much better with a cup of joe in hand.

Southern Hospitality

The people here are SO nice. It's nice to go to work and not feel like you're walking onto a battlefield. In the past year, I would have to say that's one thing I've missed very much. At The Times, we were a family. We were all in it together, working to put out the daily. It was a place where respect and ethics were never in jeopardy. In the year since I left that job, I've felt alone professionally. It was a daily fight for what I believed in and a battle I know I could never win. I've learned that your work atmosphere can impact you severely, so I was relieved when I pulled up to the guardhouse at Fibrebond my first day. The guard greeted me with, "Good morning, Stephanie. Welcome to your first day at Fibrebond." He already knew my name? Are the people here really THAT nice? And as a matter of fact, they are. Everyone says "hello." And while it's a large company, it has a very down-home feel. Not to mention, in each of the kitchens there's a pot of coffee, a pitcher of tea and whatever fresh-baked goodies have been brought in that day. I'm avoiding the goodies, but it's such a polite, Southern gesture. Oh, and most importantly, jeans are welcome any day of the week.

Office Space

In my entire career, my desk has never been a place for finer things. At The Times, I shared a long table-like work space with several other people. Good thing those people were absolutely wonderful. Kathie Rowell, Maggie Martin, Donecia Pea, Adam Causey, Alexandyr Kent. Great people to be in close proximity to each day. I upgraded to my own office last year. I was appreciative, however the space was rather cozy. I couldn't open my filing cabinet without first moving my desk chair. And because the building was located in a valley, there were no windows ... in the entire office. At Fibrebond, I'm working in the executive offices. Windows everywhere, L-shaped sturdy wood desks, gorgeous landscaping and even hummingbirds that buzz by my window occasionally. These are definitely the best accommodations I've had yet.

I say all of this to let you know that so far things are good. Change always tends to make me a little nervous. But this was a calculated risk. And when the conditions are right, change can be very good.