The Big Move to the Big Easy

As I am very thankful that my summer courses are ending on Friday (thank the Lord!), it does get me thinking about my limited time here in North Carolina. In less than a year it's goodbye mountains and BBQ, and hello wetlands and crawfish. I am so excited to be getting to this next step in my life, where I am actually a real adult, but I know I'm going to miss my childhood. I am going to miss being just a drive away from my family. I am lucky enough to get to see them almost every week, and that is going to change to just twice a year! I am moving with a man that I am completely in love with so that makes it better, but it is still hard to replace my wonderful family with in-laws (although I do love them to death!) My children will not get to grow up spending the weekends being spoiled by their grandparents, but hopefully they will still have a great relationship with them. The reason was are moving is because Will has a wonderful job waiting for him in Louisiana, and with me working in the medical field, I can work anywhere. We have already looked at some houses which does get me excited to move. I just have to trust in God that everything is going to be okay, and I can be a "big girl" and make this move.


Plus, there are so many wonderful things that I do love about Louisiana...
New Orleans
Mardi Gras
crawfish

 This is part of the 10 pounds of crawfish Will and I ate with Ben and Megan last time we were in Louisiana










gumbo
sazaracs
beignets

Beignets from a outdoor market






fleur de lis EVERYWHERE
gaters in the backyard (ok not really a plus, but quite an interesting sight)
Death Valley- Geaux Tigers!
The Cajun Night Before Christmas
Light Festival in Natitoches
community coffee
cajun accents
live oaks 
elaborate masks
seersucker suits
french bread
magnolias
The love of my life - Will 

Mint Julep Iced Tea and Cupcakes!

In honor of my favorite drink and my favorite drink-drink I am including a recipe for a wonderful concoction that combines the best of both worlds! I made some today and it was just wonderful! Make sure you drink it out of your sterling silver mint julep cups and sip from a silver straw. Sadly I only have the silver cups, no straws-but I'm on the hunt! (you can bet they are on my Christmas List!)

Mint Julep Iced Tea

• 8  mint leaves
• 1  lemon, sliced
• 1  lime, sliced
• 1  cup  bourbon
• 3  cups  cold sweetened tea
• Cubed or crushed ice

Combine first 3 ingredients in a 2-quart pitcher, pressing with spoon to crush mint. Stir in bourbon and tea. Add ice and sip away!

Cupcakes
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon mint extract
4 eggs
2 3/4 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/2 cup bourbon (or whiskey)
1/2 cup Creme de Menthe

Icing
3 cups sifted powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mint extract
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, melted
milk

Directions:

Cupcakes
Preheat the oven to 350º F, and grease or line 30 cupcake cups.
Combine salt, baking powder, and 1 3/4 cups of the flour. Beat butter, sugar, eggs, and extracts in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Add the milk and liquors to the batter, then the rest of the flour (1 cup). Mix as little as possible, just until the batter comes together. Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake cups. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let cool.

Icing
Combine the powdered sugar, salt, extracts and melted butter and beat until creamy. Gradually add milk until the texture is right for piping. When the cupcakes are completely cool, pipe or spread the icing on top. Garnish with cake sparkles or sprinkles, a straw (trimmed to size), and mint leaves.