A couple of years back the Band of Blue got to tag along to New Orleans for the bowl game. We had a few days to run around , see the sights and have some fun. My friends and I ended up at the Cafe Du Monde for breakfast one day and fell in love with these lovely french style doughnuts called "Beignets." In this post I'll show you how to make these tasty treats. (Princess Tiana also makes these)

 

First, start with this mix. You can get it at the Cafe Du Monde in New Orleans... or you can just go to Kroger and find it. I got Mine at the World Market.

The ingredients are easy enough. you just need:

Beignet mix (2 cups)

7 fl. oz. water

Flour

Vegetable Oil

Powdered Sugar

Honey

It's really easy. The first thing you do is mix the 2 cups Beignet mix with the 7 fl. oz. water.

 Step two: Flour a clean, flat surface. It's time to roll out the dough. make sure the dough isn't sticky or else it will stick to the rolling pin.













Step three: Roll out that dough. Make sure you put some flour on the rolling pin as well just to make sure the dough doesn't stick. You want to roll it out until it's about 1/8th of an inch thick. 












Step four: After rolling it flat, it's time to cut it. How big you cut them is really up to you. Bigger pieces will have to fry longer than smaller pieces but will be less likely to get over cooked.







Step five: It's time to fry! We just used a big pan, but a deep frier works too. About an inch of oil in the bottom of the pan should suffice. Make sure the oil is hot enough before you put the dough in. Sprinkle flour in the pan,
if it fizzles pretty fast it's ready. Now just pop the dough in (without getting your fingers in the oil... it is HOT!) and let it baste on each side, turning it continually until puffy and golden.





 
Step Six: This one is important! Let them drain well. We laid them on a plate with paper towels on them. While still hot, drizzle honey on the doughnut and then sprinkle with powered sugar. There you have it! Some pretty good lookin' Beignets. Also, try them with a good ol' cup of coffee.

A Legend Dies

Dick Clark was a media genius. He was a man whose death couldn’t be eclipsed by even a hologram performance by Tupac. Yes… That did happen... But I won’t be talking about that today. Clark had a great career including American Bandstand and pioneering the “New Years Rockin’ Eve.”  An annual show that I’m sure all of you tune into at that time of the year. He was important in launching a lot of artists careers.

Sadly, He passed away April 18, 2012, after suffering from a heart attack. In 2004, Clark had suffered a stroke that left his quality of life substantially lower. Still, He was still hosting the New Year’s party but this time with a co-host, Ryan Seacrest. Each year around that time, it was apparent he was getting better. Since 1972 when the show started he had only missed two New Year’s shows. 

He is held in high regard for a lot of Americans. They grew up with him; he is a source for nostalgia. 

Thank you Dick Clark, for a great run!

High school was not a fun experience. Up until high school, I was a crazy little girl who loved everyone. Let’s just say I was naive to the abilities of someone to be sarcastic or mean. I had grown up with a certain few wonderful friends. When we got to high school we stayed pretty closely knit, but made new friends as well. Some of my friends were in this group called “Marching Band.” This is how I found my love for Colorguard.

 After my freshman year at Morton High School and my first year as a part of a guard, my family moved. Not just a town away like before, we moved all the way to Tennessee. I wasn’t going to continue my career in colorguard, but my mother is very wise. Over and over again colorguard was a way to express myself, stay in shape and make friends. It was how I made it through my mundane experience at Wilson Central.

After high school, I decided to venture into the world of college and Middle Tennessee State University welcomed me with open arms. Once again, I thought school work would be too much so I wouldn’t continue my colorguard career and, once again, my mother is very wise. I thought colorguard in high school was fun, But college band is so much better!


 I’ve found life-long friends, roommates and not to mention I met my fiancé, Marty McCarter. I’m sure my future children will continue our tradition of Marching Band. I can’t express how much gratitude I have towards the band experience. And a special thanks to the Band of Bluuuueeeeee!

Entertaining Entertainment

Here Come The Mummies Site

                Entertainers, in the eyes of the American population, tend to hold a very important position in society. We all have our favorites, those certain people that you get excited for when there is rumor of them being in a new movie or their band coming to your area. Maybe you are someone who travels with your favorite team to make sure that you can be present at that big win. I too, have my favorites.

When I think of the word “entertainer,” my mind goes straight to the most energetic performance I’ve ever seen. ‘Here Come The Mummies’ is a band made up of 13 members dressed in full mummy garb. They are a tight and funky band. They use percussion, guitars and brass to make their soulful and slightly disturbing music. I saw them in November of 2011 and they completely blew me away. These musicians have such a high energy that there is no way to stand in the crowd and not have a good time. Not once did I see one of the group stop and take a drink of water during this three-hour show. If you want to see an seriously good show with real talent, 'Here Come The Mummies' are a must see. Even their albums are good, check out Everlasting Party and Carnal Carnival.

'Freak Flag'

A Silly Reason to Die

 In my Writing for Digital Media class, one of our assignments was to write an obituary for ourselves. Enjoy.

The Who lead

Blythe Gray, 21, passed away on February 22, 2012, in her home after plunging a knife into her chest. Her best friend started a new game on her fully completed Pokémon Red causing her to take her own life. Gray was born in Peoria, IL. She was a Middle Tennessee State University graduate.

Gray is survived by her mother, Jewel Shervanick, her step father, Tom Shervanick and her brother, Lee Gray. Funeral services will be at noon on February 25, 2012 at the Goin’ Home Funeral Home.

The Why or How lead

After plunging a knife into her chest when her best friend started a new game on her fully completed Pokémon Red, Blythe Gray, 21, passed away in her home. Gray was born in Peoria, IL.  She was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

Gray is survived by her mother, Jewel Shervanick, her step father, Tom Shervanick and her brother, Lee Gray. Funeral services will be at noon on February 25, 2012 at the Goin’ Home Funeral Home.

The Look Ahead lead

Funeral services will be noon, February 25, 2012 at the Goin’ Home Funeral Home for Blythe Gray.  Gray passed away in her home after plunging a knife into her chest when her best friend started a new game on her fully completed Pokémon Red.

Gray was born in Peoria, IL. She was a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University. Gray is survived by her mother, Jewel Shervanick, her step father, Tom Shervanick and her brother, Lee Gray.