An Award + Cajun Lagniappe!

I was totally surprised and honored when my dear friend, Dave, over at My Year on the Grill, presented me with the "i give good blog award"! In his award post, (click here to read) he gave me the best shout out that I've ever received and I'd like to say "Merci beaucoup, Dave! Please take time to visit his incredible grilling blog, which entertains, informs, and educates so many of us foodies. His recipes, step by step directions, tablescapes, and writing are excellent and worthy of praise. And did I mention that he's hilarious and makes me laugh, every time I visit him. He is currently in New Orleans, taking Cajun dance lessons, eating Cajun food, and having a blast in the French Quarter but will soon be back, posting all about his adventures in Louisiana. Lassiez les bon ton rouler, cher!

The rules for the "i give good blog" award: Make a cocktail, pick out four of your favorite bloggers. Send this award to them, and tell them why you think they give good blog.
Banana Colada Daiquiris
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4 oz. spicy gold rum
8 oz. pineapple juice
2 oz. coconut cream
2 bananas
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In blender, place all ingredients plus 1 cup crushed ice, and blend on high speed for 1 minute.
Garnish with maraschino cherry, banana slice, and fresh pineapple slice. Serves two. Enjoy! Cheers!

Note: This simply divine drink can also be made without alcohol. Equally delicious!

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Now that everyone has a drink, heck, make it a double, since it's Friday!, I'd like to propose a toast to several bloggers who give VERY good blog! There are so many great bloggers out there, but I'm supposed to only pick four. Cheers!Angie @ Gumbo Writer
whose fun blog with a slightly Cajun view on things, will keep you on your toes, as a writer, and have you rolling with laughter at her jokes. Her great writer's contests and interviews are always interesting and there is never a dull moment ! As "canaille" as they come!

Carol @ The Writer's Porch
whose Southern charm and humorous posts about farm life in Mississippi, capture the hearts of many and her sunrise photos are gorgeous. Her yard sale/flea market finds never cease to amaze me, as do her great book reviews and writing . A true Southern belle!

Eddie @ Clouds and Silvery Linings
who has one of the best blogs on the planet. His imagination is second to none and his kindness and friendship are hard to beat! His writing and wit are fantastic and he really gives you a bang for your buck! A charming English gentleman! (when he's not portraying Mr. Hyde)


Katherine @ Smoky Mountain Cafe'
whose fabulous cooking blog has inspired so many to venture out of their comfort zone and try something new. Her nouveau New Orleans cooking style and recipes are wonderful and her photos are excellent! And check out her Thanksgiving 08' post! True Southern hospitality!

Please pay them a visit and tell them I sent you! Congrats to all!

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Another great fun weekend coming up, here in Cajun Country. With beautiful weather,
(mid to upper 70's and sunny) on tap for the whole weekend, it's sure to be a blast. Get out there and enjoy everything that Acadiana has to offer! Here are a few lagniappe pics of some recent Cajun fun. Have a bon ton , ya'll!

Lassiez les bon ton rouler, cher!

A Cajun Flea Market + A Lovely Award !

When I woke up this morning and it was 58 degrees in Cajun Country, I knew it was going to be a beautiful day. Gone was the humidity that we've had for the past few days and the sky was the prettiest clear blue that I've seen in ages. I thought it would be a great day to take a drive to a a small town about 15 miles north of Lafayette, Grand Coteau, La. A charming little Cajun town, just a hop, skip, and a jump away. Grand Coteau's Main St. is lined with antique stores, a flea market, and other quaint little shops and eateries. I was looking for a vintage wicker table for my patio and thought that this would be a great place to start.

(click to enlarge)

I thought about Carol @ the Writer's Porch, when I saw these chickens on this chest.

This is the other shop, next to the first, both owned by a very nice couple.

A look around the front porch, and I'm liking what I see. I fell in love with a vintage tablecloth, but it was already sold.

This was the furniture barn, filled with gorgeous antiques and vintage furniture.

This collection reminded me of Laura @ White Spray Paint.

And at last, I found an antique wicker table that I liked. Liked the cowboy figurine, too.

What do you think? Do you think that I should buy the table and restore it, or should I keep looking?

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A LovelyAward

Definition of "lovely": appealing to the emotions as well as the eye.
It was a total surprise last night when I got a comment from a dear reader saying that she had an award for me on her blog. Helena from Helena Halme was kind enough to pass "The Lovely Blog "award along to me, after receiving the award herself. She is originally from Finland, but now living in England and her blog is lovely indeed, and I can understand why she received this award. Please pay her a visit when you have time. Thank you so much for this honor, Helene! She said that all I had to do to accept this award was pass it on to some of my favorite blogs. That is not an easy task, since there are so many that are my favorites, and so many who already have this award. But I have to pick five, so here goes.

Cloudia @ Comfort Spiral

Katherine @ Smoky Mountain CafeKat @ At the Compound
Kora @ Dixie Lust- Charming Adventures & Decadent Pastimes
Mandy @ Mandy's Life After 30

Congrats , you all certainly deserve this award!
Now, please pass this lovely award to five of your faves.

Honest Scrap Award + Bayou Boogie

My dear Cajun bloggie friend, Kora, recently presented me with this fantastic award . She is such a sweetheart and her wonderful blog,  Dixie Lust, A Guide to Charming Adventures
and Decadent Pastimes, is fabulous and filled with many unique Cajun tidbits and creative surprises. Be sure to pay her a visit soon and tell her that I sent you. Many thanks, Kora, for this honor! She says that I am supposed to list 10 random things about myself that my readers may not know, but since that is a lot easier said than done, I will offer my whole blog as representation of this part of the Honest Scrap. This award represents bloggers who speak from the heart and tell it like it is! It is my pleasure to pass this great award to the following 10 Honest Scraps. Please check them out, you'll be so glad that you did !

Jo at:) A Majority of Two
 Jeni at:) Down River Drivel
 Cal. Girl at:) Empty Nest Evolution
 Elizabeth at :) Elizabeth Bradley Fiction
 Expat at:) Expat from Hell
 Nancy at:) Life in the Second Half
 Owen at:) Magic Lantern Show
 Ellen at:) Stuff from Ellen's Head
 Mark & Jill at:) Welcome to Acadiana (The Daily Meaux)
 Laura at :) White Spray Paint

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Bayou Boogie

I had a few requests over the weekend for a little bayou boogie. This is a video clip that I took of one of my favorite bands, playing some good old bayou boogie, at Festival International. Enjoy!
 
Lil' Buck Sinegal and Friends

Cajun Delights Receives Noblesse Oblige Award

A few weeks ago, I was surprised and honored to be among those chosen to receive the Noblesse Oblige Award. This prestigious award was graciously presented to me by my dear friend, Janine, of Sniffles and Smiles and Been There, Done That . Janine is a woman of many talents which include superb writing, painting, and poetry. Her wonderfully rich and colorful blogs and comments are well known and cherished by so many in the blogosphere. As is her friendship. She is on a little siesta right now, but please visit her soon and she'll catch up with you later.
Merci Beaucoup, Cher' Amis !

The recipient of this award is recognized for the following:

• The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervade amongst different cultures and beliefs
• Their Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage, and offers solutions
• There is a clear purpose at the Blog: one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Cultures, Sciences, and Beliefs
• The Blog is refreshing and creative; and The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking
  

The requirements of the person receiving the award are as follows:

• Create a post with a mention and link to the person who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award
• The Award Conditions must be displayed at the Post
• Write a short article about what the Blog has thus far achieved – preferably citing one or more older posts as support
• The Blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award in concurrence with the Award conditions- Blogger must display the Award at any location at their Blog

When I originally started blogging and created Cajun Delights, I really had no idea what blogging was all about. I merely wanted to promote and share our wonderful Cajun culture with the rest of the world. The area known to most as Cajun Country, is so rich in culture and history and is such a fabulous place to live and have lots of fun. Delectable cuisine, incredible music, and warm-hearted people with a contagious "joie de vivre". ( joy of living) My goals of achievement for the Blog, were completely fulfilled, when a reader made a comment on one of my posts, Whiskey River+ Cajun Fun on the Swamp. She said, "You make everyone want to be a Cajun!" And I said, " If I make you want to be a Cajun, then I have accomplished my goal".

Now, I have the most fun job of all, which is passing this distinguished award along to several fellow bloggers who make me laugh and inspire and entertain me with their fantastic blogs; each so richly deserving.
The envelope please.......

A Majority of Two

Gumbo Writer

Women of a Certain Age

Whole Latte Life

Smoky Mountain Cafe'

Elizabeth Bradley Fiction, Bits & Bites

I am truly grateful for each and everyone of you, my dear bloggie friends, who take the time to visit and encourage and support with your thoughtful comments. And most of all I appreciate your friendship; ya'll are the best of the best!! Congratulations to all !!