Meerkat Madness 365

Approximately Sunday, January 24

Dad: Did you get a package yet for your birthday?
CC: No, nothing came.
Dad: Well you should have. I paid the extra shipping and handling so it would get there in two days, and you should have gotten something by Thursday. It's a box, and it has three separate things in it.
CC: Hmmm...nope nothing. I'll be looking for it though. (In the meantime thinking, "Three separate things? What could it be?")

I didn't have to wait long. Monday afternoon brought my birthday surprise, and who would have imagined---meerkats!


I couldn't imagine why Dad would send meerkats; I couldn't imagine where these little guys came from, but here they were, ready to spice up our lives a bit. Later I asked, "Why meerkats?" thinking there was some inside fascination/movie line/joke/hip new meerkat trend with which I was unfamiliar. Nope. "I just like them," he replied.

So I asked myself, "Self, what does one do with a family of meerkats?" Turns out the answer was not so distant--Meerkat 365. I don't know the origins of Project 365, but the idea popped into my head this summer to give it a shot. I even have a draft post dedicated to the photography diary, yet as it turns out, I'm not so great with commitment to projects. Today, I turn over a new leaf and underneath that foliage--Meerkat 365!

Hear me out on this. Just Google it--meerkat project 365. It hasn't been done. I'm on to genius, people! I'll be the next blogging superstar. I'll be a www diva! I'll be...

ok, the same girl whose co-workers laugh at my blogger name and whose followers include only her husband, close friends, and family. Yet, I'll be a blogger committed to a cause, and that cause--spreading meerkat love globally. Yes, globally (or at least the bi-state area).

Admittedly, I hatched the idea almost instantly after receiving this gift; however, in CC fashion, have not kept up with my picture-taking. Posting today will hopefully be the drive I need to be successful. In the meantime, here's where my new friends have been up to lately:


What's that Meerkat? You want your family to star in my Project 365? Name is Meerkat 365? Ok! (Actually, this is just an iPhone pic to email to Dad.)



Is that a meerkat in your purse? Why yes, thanks for playing. The family has to get used to this. My life is hardly set at home, so they better get used to lots of traveling. You never know when a Meerkat 365 moment might occur.

Hey Mamma, that's a big ICEE you have there. Well, what can I say? This preggers craves ICEEs; it's a weekend ritual at this point. The next picture is actually them posed with Cowboy's Bloody Mary. Yea, I don't get those any more, so an ICEE I'll take!




The first restaurant trip for this little mkat. We finally returned to Sandy McGee's, a Richmond classic. If I hosted Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, they'd make my list. Check it out--spinach, purple onion, bacon, mushrooms, and parmesan cheese tossed in a homemade honey mustard dressing. It's the yum!

Momma mkat (name coming soon) helped to prepare for my dear friend Suzanne's baby shower. Don't let her take credit for the baby toys as wrapping accents; they're my idea.



All ready to ride to Lake Charles for said baby shower. Come on, little lady, put your seat belt on!

I gave DJ rights to Momma mkat for the ride, and she chose to peruse the cheeseburger in paradise CD holder (another gift from Dad), finding Dad Mix #1 to make the ride a bit more enjoyable. Unfortunately, she scratched my CD while getting it out, and my favorite song on this classic Dad mix, Van Morrison's "Cleaning Windows" was ruined in the process. If you're reading Dad, care to make another?
The shower was a huge hit with gracious hosts, more delicious food than you could imagine, presents galore for the new baby girl, and a beautiful couple about to be first time parents. All of the girls from our annual "Girls Trip" were able to make it, and I even met April's new little one Max.
However, Momma mkat proved to be a poor road trip buddy. Can you believe she fell asleep on the way home? So much for company!



I brought Baby mkat, now named Albert (Al for short) by my students, to school and actually let some of them take him for the weekend. Apparently he was driving (he doesn't even have a license!) and attended the boys volleyball tournament.


And finally, all geared up for the big game, Poppa mkat cheered alongside the Who Dat Nation as the Saints played their way to their first ever Super Bowl victory.




Stay tuned for the meerkat adventures to come. My goal is twofold--actually take the picture daily and blog weekly. Did someone say Meerkat Mondays? I like the sound of it.

Food on the Mind

Three nights this week I hope to attend Fr. Tom Allender's parish mission at church; however, my cooking and baking radar is beeping uncontrollably. Turns out, this won't be a culinary adventurous one, but I might sneak something in.

Yesterday morning I woke with visions of checking the pantry for the ingredients needed for a Monday Muffin treat. I've made these Cappuccino Buttermilk Muffins before and hoped to resurrect the happy smiles from the hubby, co-workers, and, of course, my own food loving heart. Check out the food porn proof below:


To top it off, I planned on finally trying my hand at homemade granola with EzraPoundCake's peanut butter version.

My baking goals were crushed violently when my right hand picked up the red pen and found its way to the pile of essays awaiting violent marks. With the grading taking much time time than expected, no baking ensued.

I'll stop dreaming for now and catch up on one of my recent kitchen successes. Cue Real Simple's Best Recipes, a birthday gift from my friend Kim and their "spiced mini burgers with couscous salad." I love coucous and could honestly eat Mediterranean daily, and this recipe not only came through strong, but was amazingly easy to prepare.

spiced mini burgers with couscous salad
Total time: 25 minutes / Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 10-ounce box couscous (1 1/2 cups)
1 pound ground beef
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
Kosher salt and black pepper
4 tablespoons EVOO
6 scallions, sliced
6 plum tomatoes, quartered
1 seedless cucumber, cut into half moons
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 container hummus (optional)

>Place the couscous in a large bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups hot tap water over the top. Cover and let stand for five minutes; fluff with a fork. (I actually cooked couscous on stove according to box directions.)

>Form the beef into 12 small 1/2 inch patties. Sprinkle with the cumin, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. (Be sure to spice both sides.)

>Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook to the desired doneness, 4 minutes per side for medium.

>Toss the couscous with the scallions, tomatoes, cucumber, lemon juice, the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Serve with the burgers and hummus.

Voile!


The patties took center stage with a grilled, spicy flavor on the outer crunch and moist, tender inside. Cooking this again (which I surely will), I will cut the tomatoes and cucumber into smaller pieces. The larger pieces saved time, but I'd imagine the flavors would blend better together with smaller bites.


So what's next on the menu? TIME, I hope!
These days I spent more time bookmarking recipes than actually cooking them. Maybe I'll take something on this week. It'll depend on my taste bud's ever changing moods and the strength of conscience's pull to be healthy but perhaps:

Honey Lime Enchiladas?

Chipotle Cheddar Cauliflower Soup? (when Texas temps did back into the low 30s)

Mushroom Leek Risotto?

Spinach Stuffed Meatloaf?

Paula's on y'all! There's surely some buttery goodness to inspire coming my way!

Now In Doubt...

I'll admit it; I'm dubious about the quality of this post. I'm just warning you now. While well aware that in public speaking (of which blogging is some form) one should not apologize for the upcoming address and what it might lack, I will do so just the same. Lo siento, mi amigos.

But I'll take my own blog name advice: add more salt. While I don't know what exactly will spice up this entry, I can at least share some items that, should we have unlimited funds from which to draw, would make many of our lives easier, more interesting, nerdier, more stylish, whatever we'd need to give it more flavor.

What better place to start talking about life's "salt" than the place where it all begins: the kitchen.

My culinary wish list begins with a sleek KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Moms always know best, and mine strongly suggested to register for one of these when we got married. My low-maintenance, tuna-fish sandwich loving and George Foreman grilled chicken making enjoyed preparing meals and desserts then, but little did I know the world to be explored. After becoming a "foodie," I see the errors of my ways. Come on, even Ina Garden, who this foodie perhaps finds only slightly less annoying than Alton Brown on the Food Network, includes the divine kitchen invention in her kitchen commandments.

Dear family reading this post, Christmas present? Turning 30 next year, can I give you a stronger hint than this?

I don't know yet which color I'd get. Some kitchens look awesome with a bright, bold model that draws the eye. I personally think my own kitchen would be happily sophisticated with the black.

Moving through the rest of the house, the first thing I'd do it hire someone to coordinate colors and then proceed to paint all rooms, including hallways. I'm just not good at that sort of thing.
If you then went into the master bedroom, which I try to keep clean and free of daily clutter, stories, and happenings, thus creating a calmer ambiance (Cajun Cowboy, you are not allowed to comment on how successful I am at this.), you'd see a "woodsy" decor. To perhaps keep some of my clutter contained AND match the room, I want Red Envelope's jewelry tree.



Perhaps though, it's fashion that I need to spice up. A little part of me is always attracted to hot shoes, but just a little part. Unfortunately, I'm more of a practical girl and wearing something painfully high and blisteringly too tight just doesn't appeal to me. Plus, I'm not the best at confidently pulling them off runway style. These are two styles that do surely catch my attention; however, I can't even try right now. Being 5 months pregnant, no part of me wants to make the attempt. It might as well be Shaun White's double McTwist 1260.

Both are Jessica Simpson, but again, you won't see me in these any time soon.







However, perhaps "momma" can take on these. Rugged, comfy, made for taking on the world around--these are my kind of shoe!



Yet I'm not all practicality and tomboyish. I think these owleye shoe clips from Etsy are simply adorable. Check out the site. There are other accenting items as well.



So it's not always about me. What other "spices" are out there?

Guys, been eating too much? Need a little tuck here and there? Try new Spanx for men!



More of a V-neck guy?

Hmmm.... nah!!

And finally, for the OCD, I mean "organized" among us, check out this shower notepad:

Song lyrics? Sweet notes to your honey? Grocery list? Yes indeed.


Perhaps you've seen something that caught your eye. Perhaps not. Either way, there you have it, another blog post, typed with love, and dusted with a sprinkle of this Cajun Cowgirl's spice--whatever that is.

Now it's time for me to step away from the salty popcorn I've been munching, get up off the couch, and do something active!

Reliving Life with the iPhone

I'm not one to keep up with software updates, and certainly not one to plug my iPhone in every time I take photos to load onto my computer. In fact, sometimes my today's-life-made-so-easy cellular device barely makes it to the charger.

That being said, I plugged in my iBaby a couple of days ago, and low and behold, so many memories flooded back through the pictures captured within that touch-screen wonder. Let's take a ride through a few of them.

Exhibit A: I can be spontaneous! (sometimes)--Cajun Cowgirl's younger brother called (two Tiger football seasons ago) with an extra ticket to watch Nick Saban return to Tiger Stadium after leaving for more dough at Alabama. Although it was an early morning, I told my husband that we had to do it. Here I am on the wya. Cajun Cowboy (hubby) actually went into the stadium while I tailgated outside with my younger brother's college buddies. My brother's words to his friends, "Make sure she has enough to drink." Thanks for looking out for me little bro!








Exhibit B: I fit the stereotype--white people love grammar:


Really Sulphur, LA? "Appertizer?" Yes, I felt rather proud of myself for finding such a proofreading error and also noted that this heading should be plural. Come on; you've listed more than one there. On another note, the food at The Boiling Point is a Cajun culinary treat.
(Note to reader: If you find grammar errors with these words, ask yourself, "Are you white?" Then enjoy!)

And Buffalo Wild Wings, didn't you learn possessive pronouns?

Exhibit C: I love my girlfriends (Orange Beach '09):

There isn't a group shot; obviously someone's taking the picture, but I love these ladies. I met all three (and four counting a sister) in elementary school, our friendship grew throughout high school, and there are few other women I know who inspire me like them. My New Year's Resolution each year is to work harder to draw closer to each and make time to spend time with them. On this trip--white sand, hotel room blended frozen drinks, plenty of sunshine, and even more shared giggles, laughter, and weekend "quotables"-- what more could a girl want?



Sand dollars? gods? Symbols of our individual stories meeting in various chapters of our lives. Stories in which we seek dreams, lose hope, find hope, and end up stronger and closer because of them.
But it wasn't all chick-flick bonding and a Hallmark film. Yes my friends, drinking and dancing ensued. You just can't head that way and skip the Florabama.



Exhibit D: I can do math--

What do you get when you add together musical talent from the great state of LA, margaritas (with salt!) from Cyclone Anaya's, and a fabulous husband? One helluva night!
Cajun Cowboy got tickets to see Better Than Ezra at the House of Blues, and we opened the night with the obligatory pre-concert food and beverage: Tex-Mex. Here's a piece of my pre-concert, picture-happy persona:

Exhibit E: I appreciate the little things--

In Winnsboro, LA (referenced previously and known as the "Stars and Stripes Capitol of Louisiana") I discovered McLattes. In fact, after indulging in that chocolaty goodness the morning of an afternoon wedding, I wagered two of these caffeine marvels on the chances of rap music being played at the reception. Winner winner. (Chip, you owe me!)
And what else can make a graduate's big day besides one's very own graduation sheep? dog? worm? Walmart, you've outdone yourself. What's not to love?



Yet, that's not all Winnsboro has to offer. Check out what the trinket machines outside of our brunch restaurant contain. You saw it here first, friends.











And one other nugget of happiness, not one in Winnsboro, but another LA classic. Just drive over the bridge in Lake Charles, and you'll find yourself greeted by this little guy. Yellow eyes of death? Why yes, thanks for noticing.




Exhibit F (List getting too long yet?--I said I never upload pics): I know I'm not too old to learn life's lessons--


Expecting a crowded bar? Want to obtain "hook-ups" of the home team's signature beer glasses? Bring cookies to the bar! Specifically, try these. Worked like a charm. Unfortunately, after getting volume on the LSU/Florida game this year, we proceeded to watch Tim Tebow have his way with LSU's defense to win the game. Ouch! At least we had cookies for comfort.


Garden Ridge--is it a decorator's dream, a homemaker's haven, a Christmas elf's wonderland or perhaps a clutterbug's junk bowl? While I'll leave that answer to your own interpretation of the housewares mega store, I have learned this: should you decide to hit this place on a Saturday in the month before Christmas perhaps for one last string of lights, or maybe beads, or even for a deal on life size elves, think again. Shop early folks!


Lesson 3--It's never too late to learn the correct way to wear your clothing. Take the famous toe sock, for example. One looks at this sock thinking, "Why would the design be on the bottom?" Well, that "one" being me of course. Surely that big toe slot only fit one way.
Just this past Christmas a good friend rocked my world showing me how to flip the sock over. Magic!



We hear it all the time, but do we really take it in? "Don't knock it 'til you try it." I found happiness in that piece of advice attending a quilting class one Saturday morning with my mom. In their own words, this was a "hoot!" Quilters will put a stitch in your side. Da, dum, da. Thank you, I'll be back again tomorrow.





I'm almost done. I promise. As little as two days ago, this lesson presented itself: get up while watching the Super Bowl from the most comfortable chair in the room, and your husband will stealthily find his way into it. Enough said.


Exhibit G: I am proud to be an American (where at least I know I'm free...), but I love being from Cajun Country. God bless LA!


I'm not a huge Saints fan. In fact, I mostly play along when the family gets together to watch the games. My NFL football heart beats these days for the Houston Texans, and I don't see that changing. However, watching the Saints this season stomp their way through their division and into the Super Bowl was magical. The games itself were entertaining, and Brees, Bell, Sharper, and Bush provided outstanding moments of football; however, watching the joys brought to my 95 year old grandmother after a Saints victory, crowds of strangers hugging in NOLA bars after winning the big dance, players (led by Brees) donating time, talent, and resources to help the city around them, and a picture of what faith is and what belief can be--all of these--made me proud that there is a "Cajun" to Cajun Cowgirl.



It was down in Louisiana....