Recipe: The Voodoo Queen

The Voodoo Queen

Circa: 1700's

         In honor of our witchy theme for our Halloween table I am bringing you not one but two cocktails! As discussed in a previous post I found inspiration for this year' theme from one of my all-time favorite movies, Practical Magic, and my new love, American Horror Story: Coven.  Since I was inspired by two different bewitching shows I thought it only appropriate to craft two different cocktails!   

         
         Today’s cocktail, the Voodoo Queen, is inspired by Coven and the mysterious magic, voodoo and hoodoo found in New Orleans. I think this cocktail would fit in quite well in the Crescent City, but do have to admit that my initial attempts ended with mixed results.  However, with a little magic, I finally found the right concoction of fruit, rum, and sage and the Voodoo Queen was born. What I love about this cocktail is the Sage Simple Syrup. Sage is such a wonderful herb and I love to use it in baking, especially for my brown butter sage cornbread muffins! It just tastes like fall.

            In addition to being delicious, sage also has its own magical properties. For thousands of years sage has been used for blessing, cleansing and purification and is often burned during religious and personal ceremonies. The Greeks and Romans believed hat it imparted wisdom and mental acuity. Others believed that sage brought about immortality, or at the very least a long and healthy life. It is also said to aid in reversing spells and protect against the evil eye. While I can't attest to its magical qualities, I can tell you it makes a declicious cocktail!

          Part of the spirt for the Voodoo Queen comes from the fact that in New Orleans you can’t go too far without coming across a reference to Voodoo. Voodoo is a religion that originated in Africa and Haiti during the French Colonial period and arrived in America a little over 250 years ago. All in all, it is an interesting combination of various African, Catholic and Native American religious traditions.  And as some of you may know, the unchallenged queen of Voodoo is none other than New Orleans’s own Marie Laveau.

Marie was born in and lived in New Orleans in early 19th Century. She was skillful in the practice of medicine and was acquainted with the valuable healing quality of indigenous herbs, which made her quite a successful nurse during frequent yellow fever and cholera epidemics. Her skill and knowledge earned her the friendship of many, although others attributed her success to unnatural means and became fearful. Those that believed in her powers turned to Marie for assistance in their love lives or careers for her gris-gris and magical connections.  Although she is sometimes referred to as mysterious or even dark, her obituary, dated June 18, 1881, shows that “she was a wonderful woman…always had the cause of the people at heart and was with them in all things.” To this day it is believed that you can still request favors from Marie by leaving money, cigars, rum and candy as offerings at her tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.

          While we may never know whether Marie is to be revered or feared, her work her power and legend will continue to live on in New Orleans for ages to come. With her blend of natural magic and sweetness, I believe that Marie would have approved of our own sweet potion and I hope you enjoy it as well. Cheers!

D.I.Y.: Little Graveyard

 Little Graveyard

Circa: 2014

Today I wanted to share one of my favorite D.I.Y. projects from last Halloween. It is a fun and easy craft that would be perfect for kids! Last year I was trying to find the perfect decoration for my entryway table and nothing seemed to work. Coincidentally at the museum I had been giving several tours of our local cemetery and discussing Victorian funeral customs and that's when inspiration hit! I could create my own little cemetery!  After going through my home to find the perfect container I came across this little greenhouse I had purchased several years ago that was hidden away in a closet because I was never sure what to do with it.  One Saturday I pulled out my greenhouse, grabbed a few supplies and before I knew it I had my own little graveyard to greet guests on Halloween. It's such a fun and easy craft and I am so thrilled to share it with you!

Before we begin our macabre little project I thought that I would share a little history on Victorian funeral and mourning customs just in time for Al Hallows Eve.

During the Victorian Period the mortality rate was on the rise due to common causes such as influenza, tuberculosis, cancer, cholera and more. Americans became intimately acquainted death and embraced mourning as a subculture. It impacted how people dressed, behaved in society and even decorated their homes. Funerals were typically held in the parlor of the family's home and mourning rituals were observed to show respect for the dead and for the living.

The curtains would be drawn and clock would be stopped. Fireplace mantles, windows and paintings would be draped in black crepe and wreaths of laurel or boxwood tied with black ribbons were hung on windows and doors. Mirrors throughout the home were also covered with black veiling to prevent the deceased's spirit from getting trapped in the looking glass.  Flowers, herbs, and candles were used to mask unpleasant odors at a time before embalming became common. 

Victorian fashion was even dictated by death. Family members wore special black garments, or mourning clothes, to communicate their loss to the community. Women wore all black clothing and jewelry along with black gloves, bonnets and a veil that covered their face when out in public. Men wore their best dark suit and often a weeper made of black crepe wrapped around their hatband or on their arms. Women could remain in deep morning for several months to a year. Queen Victorian remained in mourning for her husband Prince Albert for the rest of her life!

 Finally, following the funeral the dead were carried out feet first in order to prevent the spirit from looking back into the home and beckoning another member to follow. They may have been gone but they were certainly not forgotten...literally. During this time artifacts emerged that allowed people to remember their loved ones and included posthumous portraits and mourning jewelry and art that included clippings of the deceased's hair! While we won't be adding that to our D.I.Y. crafts anytime soon I do hope you enjoy creating your own cemetery below!

You will need the following:

• Container for your little cemetery
• Floral Styrofoam Block 
• Serrated Knife
• Paint (Grey & Black)
• Paint Brush
• Moss
• Spooky Decorations

Directions

1. Cut out your tombstones from the floral Styrofoam block. You can vary the shapes, sizes and styles; get creative but be careful. If you are working with small children I suggest having them draw the tombstone on the Styrofoam block and have a parent cut it out for them.

2. The next step is to paint your tombstones. I started off with a grey base and added touches of black for age.  Let dry completely.

3. Add your moss to our container. I decided to make my cemetery grounds a little uneven with some small hills to add some height.



 4. Next add your tombstones to the cemetery and your decorations. I found these wonderful little crows at a craft store and they worked perfect for this project.



 5. Find the perfect spot for your own little cemetery and enjoy!



Halloween Inspiration: Season of the Witch

  

Season of the Witch 

Circa: 2014  

        Halloween is by far my favorite time of the year. I wait anxiously all summer for fall to arrive to Texas. Cooler temperatures, football season, and pumpkin spice everything are just a few of my favorite things about this time of year. However, nothing compares to my love for All Hallows Eve! My love, or some would say obsession, for this wonderful and spooky holiday began when I was a very young child. I can remember some of my favorite movies were Ghostbusters, Beetlejuice and later of course Hocus Pocus!  Everyone has always joked that I have a happy, bright and sweet side but there is also a darker and spookier Jessica lurking just beneath. I can't remember a time when I wasn't fascinated with ghosts, witches and things that go bump in the night. I still have a notebook from elementary school filled with scary stories and plays I had written with my favorite being a haunted painting in an old castle that would come to life at night. Where this love for all things mysterious and frightening came from I can't say but it has only increased as I have grown older. Thankfully, I have friends and family that share my love of creepy things or at least love me just the same! So on that note expect quite a few posts for the month of October! 

        
        I thought I would begin with my theme for this year's tablescape! Yes I have a theme each year for my dining room. Doesn't everyone? Last year I chose "Till Death Do Us Part" and had a wonderful skeleton couple sharing a romantic dinner for two. This year I wanted to go in a different direction and  I didn't have to look far for inspiration. One of my favorite movies is Practical Magic. I fell in love the first time I saw it and it has always reminded me so much of my relationship with one of my longest and dearest friends from my hometown. Plus add in Stevie Nicks, magic, romance and you have me. I watch it often and the soundtrack is always on my Ipod! 

       This year I also discovered one of my new favorite shows...American Horror Story. I know I am late to the game but thanks to Netflix I was able to catch up. As soon as I started watching season three Coven, I was hooked. The house, the wardrobe, Jessica Lange and a character obsessed with Stevie Nicks. How could I not fall in love? Interestingly enough I was actually named after Jessica Lange. Coincidence? I think not! I was mesmerized, terrorized and loved every minute of it. 

        One day while shopping with my mom I came across a pedestal with a white marble top and it reminded me of the conservatory in Practical Magic and the lab area in AHS Coven and my theme "Season of the Witch" was born. I wanted to pull elements from both by combining the romantic, botanical side of Practical Magic with the darker and chilling side of AHS. Expect to see a lot of herbs, spells, candles, skulls and more! I hope that this inspires you find things that you love to create your own unique holiday decorations. I have a few more finishing touches and I will reveal the finished table on the blog very soon!  Have a wonderful and spooky Monday! 

Recipes: Fried Okra

Fried Okra

Circa: 1870's

             

            Today I am bringing you a dish that is near and dear to my heart: my grandma’s pan-fried okra! I have loved this dish since I was a little girl and it is always my first request when I get to go home to visit my family in Paris. It’s a unique recipe in the sense that there isn’t necessarily a recipe. It’s a pinch of this, dash of that, and handfuls of a great southern staple:  cornmeal!

This year Chris planted a wonderful garden in our backyard and we have been enjoying fresh tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers, and this weekend, we harvested our first batch of okra.  We also had a wonderful “staycation” and spent the weekend in downtown Houston, Texas, including a visit to the OKRA Charity Bar for delicious cocktails and fried okra!  Of course, we could only be inspired to combine the two with our Sunday night dinner! I called my grandma to get her infamous recipe, pulled out the skillet, and went to work.  Even though our’s was delicious, it will never be as good as my grandma’s.  But I think that’s how it is supposed to be! So please enjoy our take on classic pan fried okra and our serving of a little history on this classic southern dish!

                    Like so many Southern staples, the origins of fried okra aren’t exactly clear beyond simply pan frying the fresh meat and vegetables growing right outside the door.  What is clear, however, is that okra itself is actually native to Africa and came to America early in the 1700s.  It is actually a member of the Mallow family and related to cotton, hibiscus and hollyhock.  While it was originally used to thicken soups and stews, people quickly caught on to its many delicious uses!  Even Thomas Jefferson, a master gardener himself, valued okra as one of Virginia’s best garden plants.

                     With regard to the southern tradition of frying okra, the earliest recipe I could find was from 1870, and simply says “cut them in thin cross slices, sprinkle meal over them, and fry crisp.”  Apparently, not much has changed! For our recipe, we prefer to fry our okra in a cast iron skillet for extra flavor and easy clean-up, but almost any sturdy frying pan will do. You may notice that I didn't include any measurements and to be honest that's because there really aren't any. It all depends on how many people are coming over for dinner; as long as you have enough cornmeal to coat the okra you are good to go!  Finally, everyone has their own preference, but if it’s not extra crispy and slightly burnt then it’s not real fried okra in our house!

  

Styled Shoot: Princess and the Pea

Princess & the Pea 

Circa: 1969 

Photography: Tara Swain Photography 

Hair, Makeup & Wardrobe Styling: Tiffany of Smokin Hot Makeup 

Props: Green Boutique

Styling: Jessica Avery

Well with summer coming to a close I thought I would end with a beautiful summer shoot that I had the pleasure of being a part of a few years ago. In a past life before my job at the museum and my blog I had the amazing opportunity to style several shoots for two of the most talented photographers that I now have the honor of calling friends- Tara Swain of Tara Swain Photography and Shalonda Chaddock of Chubby Cheek Photography. It was an amazing experience working with these two talented women, devoted mothers and wonderful friends. I cherish those opportunities and would love to have the chance to work with them again in the future!

                Today I thought that I would offer my own version of a Flashback Friday and showcase one of my styled shoots. This was shot by Tara Swain as part of her first photography workshop in Paris, Texas. When Tara first approached me to help I was honored but then when she told me the concept I thought it was brilliant and couldn’t be more perfect for my style. Those that know me personally know that I am a hippie at heart and love the 1960’s and 70’s… especially the music! I was raised on Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, the Beatles and my favorite Fleetwood Mac. I can’t express in words my love for Stevie Nicks. Her music, style everything is an inspiration! There is actually a little nod to her in the one of the photographs!!

                For this shoot we took the classic fairytale Princess and the Pea and transported it to 1969! I love the idea of taking something so classic and adding a wonderful and surprising twist. While all of the clothes, props and jewelry that you see are modern they transport you to a time of free spirits, peace and love! For inspiration I turned to one of my favorite books “Hippie” by Barry Miles. I found this book in college and have shared it with all of my favorite hippies at heart. The pictures are gorgeous and capture the essence of an incredible decade in American history! My other source of inspiration was the ultimate concert event… Woodstock. When Tara and I first began discussing this shoot I told her that there was one famous shot from Woodstock we had to recreate. See if you can the find the original below!

While this is a very styled shoot, it can serve as inspiration for your own personal style or home! It’s about finding inspiration from the past and bringing it into your modern life! If you feel you are flower child at heart bring in a few colorful pieces into your home in the form of a pillow with a peace sign, a beautiful bohemian table, vibrant colorful bunting, a framed vintage record and more. The possibilities are absolutely endless. Your home is your sanctuary and therefore rather than focusing on trends that come and go make it a space that reflects your passion and joy!

                I hope that you enjoy this colorful and beautiful shoot and it inspires you to bring a little love and peace into your own life. I look forward to bringing you more inspirational shoots in the future. Have a lovely weekend. Peace! 

My Loves: September 2014

 My Loves

September 2014 

       After a little hiatus I am able to focus my attention once again on the blog. As many of you know when I am not blogging I am the Education Coordinator for a museum. This August has been one of our busiest months to date with Summer History Camp, a battle reenactment, special boys only event, lecture series, walking tours...and much more! Thus, the job had to come first and sadly the blog remained quite for several days. However, with fall quickly approaching and schedule that is calming down... a little... I am ready to start again! This weekend I was blessed to have my family come to visit us for a few days. Our days were filled with cooking, reminiscing, shopping, laughing, eating and loving every minute we had together. I am very much looking forward to a wonderful holiday season and more family time! 

     With the beginning of a new month I thought that I would share a few of my current loves! 

  “The Vintage Tea Party: A Complete Guide to Hosting Your Perfect Party” 
by Angel Adoree

      I was blessed to receive this wonderful book from one of my dearest friend's mothers this weekend. I can only consider her a second mother for over the past 20 years she has picked me up from school, taken me to dance classes, let me spend many nights at her house and our families still take regular vacations together to this day. She knows me too well and this book couldn't be more perfect! I think that I actually gasped when I saw it! It includes everything needed to create a beautiful vintage British Tea Party with delicious recipes and beautiful illustrations.  Inside you will find delicious recipes, beauty and styling tips, vintage china, decorations and so much more! Where else can you find tea, roses, foxes, tops hats, crows and more all in the same book? At times it feels like someone took a picture of my thoughts and dreams and placed them into a book!!  Also, it doesn’t hurt that the author is a Ginger too!

http://www.anthropologie.com

Orange Blossom and Walker Tallow Honey

    
      My mother surprised me this weekend with a wonderful gift from Olive Paris located in my hometown of Paris, Texas. I received two bottles of their delicious honey-Orange Blossom and Walker Tallow Honey. I love using honey as a natural sweetener in my tea and on my buttermilk biscuits! They have a delicious variety of flavors including Walker Wildflower Honey, Walker Clover Honey, Walker Huajillo Honey and more! 

     I really can’t say enough about this wonderful new store in Paris. My husband and I use their delicious Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar on a daily basis. Nearly everything we cook is drizzled with our favorite, Garlic Olive Oil! Yummy! For those that won’t be able to visit Paris in the near future I have wonderful news… they ship! Please visit their website and like them on Facebook today!

https://squareup.com/market/olive-paris

https://www.facebook.com/oliveparistx

Alaffia GOOD Soap

       My mom introduced me to these wonderful soaps this weekend. We made a special stop at Whole Foods Market so my mom could restock on one of her favorite products Alaffia GOOD Soap! I fell in love immediately and had to pick up a few for myself. Lavender is one of my favorite scents...some would say that I have a slight obsession. They have a beautiful Lavender soap that I can't wait to use. I also couldn't resist their Fresh Mint scented soap! It's so bright and refreshing and a wonderful way to wake up in the morning! Alaffia GOOD soaps are made with certified trade shea butter and coconut oil and come in a variety of scents including Sweet Vanilla, Prairie Rose, Coconut and African Black Soap. 

www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Feather Quill Pen

        A few months ago my sister and her husband had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland and visit some of his family and take their honeymoon. I loved getting to see all their their gorgeous Honeymoon photographs and hearing stories from their journey. Knowing me all too well my sister presented me with this this beautiful feather quill pen as a gift and I couldn't be more in love!  It is a gorgeous piece they purchased in Italy!  I can't wait to  purchase some ink use it to write my thank you notes! 

Antique Trophy

        On Saturday all the girls went Antique Shopping while the boys headed to the brewery. We headed to downtown Rosenberg, Texas to visit a few of my favorite shops! One of my new favorite stops is D N S Crafts & Antiques. They have a large and varied selection of antiques and collectibles and their prices are great! I have so many great items in this store including two vintage cookbooks, framed prints for our home and this wonderful little trophy!  It will make a beautiful addition to our mantle...and hopefully be the beginning of a new collection! If you are in the area a stop at this wonderful store is a must! 

The store is located at 801 2^nd Street Rosenberg, TX 77471

In closing I leave you with this beautiful and delicious fried (baked) blackberry pie! While it may not be the prettiest pie I have ever baked it's simplicity and imperfections make me love it even more. I was so excited to learn that a recipe that I thought had been lost was found. My great-great grandmother's pie crust recipe is my favorite and I spent many hours in my grandparent's kitchens making countless pies with her crust! After a house fire I thought it was lost forever, however recently my sister discovered a copy I had made a long time ago. These weekend for the first time in over 10 years we made a batch of blackberry and apricot pies! The crust was just as delicious as I remember! 

On that very sweet note I hope that you have a wonderful day!