I love the music of composer, Ludovico Einaudi. This piece, “Primavera”, is perfect for this fine spring Sunday. This is a season of rebirth and renewal. It feels more like the new year is chiming in now more than in the depths of winter to me. This is the time to refresh your life, open the windows and let the breeze blow through your home. Plant beautiful flowers……spend time in nature……go for a long walk alone and savor the moment. I hope you all will have a glorious day!
I’m doing something a bit different today. We’re celebrating the 6th Annual Best Chefs of Louisiana during the month of April here in the New Orleans area. The American Culinary Federation New Orleans Chapter and The New Orleans Mission have joined together to host this annual event that features outstanding chefs in our region. You might recognize some of the past honorees including Chefs John Besh, Susan Spicer, Tory McPhail and Paul Prudhomme. Tuesday, April 12th, is the night and the historic Lakefront Airport is the place. This year’s chefs will be honored for their many contributions to the culinary scene in New Orleans. You’ll have an opportunity to taste some of their signature dishes when you attend this amazing event. Music will be provided by Louisiana Spice and I’m featuring music by them today. You’ll be up dancing and enjoying when you order your tickets here: www.acfno.org, or call 504-559-7485.
This organization has given so much back to our community. This year the ACFNO’s Best Chefs of Louisiana fundraiser has chosen the New Orleans Mission and the ACFNO culinary scholarships fund for their 2016 charities. The Mission provides shelter in 60 different locations for homeless men and women. They are the largest faith based private service provider to the homeless population in the area serving 244 people daily. They provide food, shelter, clothing and spiritual guidance to the hurting and hungry. The New Orleans Mission is committed to meeting the physical, social and spiritual needs of the homeless community. The ACFNO’s scholarship enables college students in the pursuit of careers in the culinary arts field.
I had the pleasure of enjoying a fabulous lunch at the hot restaurant, Carmo. Chef Dana Honn, an ACFNO honoree, treated us to an array of absolute deliciousness that I’ll write more about in Tuesday’s blog post. I am in my glory meeting all of the wonderful chefs and experiencing the restaurant scene in this culinary mecca! You’ll be reading about more great food and fun events weekly!
I’m sharing a recipe from a fellow blogger today. Is there anything better than warm yeast rolls with butter? There is something so comforting about the flavor. My step daughter served these delicious rolls at Easter and I had to have the recipe. She surfs the web as much as I do and quickly told me “Baker Bettie”. Never having heard of this blog I could not wait to get home and look it up. I was not disappointed!
You can find this blog at www.bakerbettie.com. There is so much deliciousness to be found on the site you’ll love taking your time, browsing through recipes and the many other things you’ll find there.
Illusion….. It has been said that life is an illusion. Over my years of reading and studying it makes more and more sense to me. All groups who practice positive thinking speak of thoughts being things and of our ability to create our own realities. This concept puts the responsibility on each of us, as individuals, to shape our worlds and make them what we want them to be. We are not victims in the scheme of things. Once we realize that our “dis-ease” with our lives comes from the thoughts we think continually and the imprints made on our minds as children by our elders and peer group we begin to transform and our lives change forever. Remember the children’s song “Row, Row, Row Your Boat”? I always love the line “Life is but a dream”. I like the concept of creating Illusions. Taking responsibility for my thoughts and actions is freeing in a way nothing else is. Yes, I believe in a higher power and I think once we do take responsibility for the way we have chosen to live it is much easier to let go and let that power show us the way. To me this is the challenge of living. It is a challenge I embrace and work to achieve each day….always asking to be of service to others and be shown my path. It’s not a path I may have chosen, but when one lets go the true path makes itself clear and we begin living from the heart and not the mind.
Google Images/etransformation
All of my readers know how I love to go on to YouTube and find beautiful music to share with you on Sundays. I am in love with the piece I am featuring today. “Tranformation”, from “Les Ailes Pourpres”, composed by The Cinematic Orchestra. This piece is joyful and uplifting….perfect for a simple day of rest, relaxation and time with friends and family. Life is all about transformation if we are opening our hearts and minds to personal growth and acceptance. I once read that, as humans, we are the only species that does not thrive on repetition. We drive ourselves and stress over the tiniest things when we need to be enjoying, looking at the spaces between things and breathing deeply. Go outside today. Look at the spaces between the trees, between the clouds, anywhere and silently feel the peace it will bring to your soul. On Sunday’s and everyday I am surrounded and delighted by the beauty of nature and I always say thank you.
