jessica kendrick

Christmas in a Cup

It's a sip of warmth that seems to calm the spirit somehow transport you to the picturesque Holiday morning. Chai (pronounced with a long i), in many countries, simply refers to the word "tea". But what we've come to crave in our coffee-crazed community is actually the Chai Tea Latte. Though not quite authentic, this Chai Tea Latte' recipe has become a staple product of my favorite coffee shop because it keeps for a reasonable amount of time and is simple to work with in the coffee shop rush hour.

1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
2 1/2 cups vanilla flavored sugar*
1 1/2 cups instant unsweetened tea
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp all-spice
1/4 tsp white pepper

Combine all of the above dry ingredients in a food processor. Process until it resembles a fine powder.
Store in an air-tight container.
Makes about 36 servings.

Add 1-2 tbsp of Chai Tea mix to a mug of warm/steamed milk. Stir well. Serve topped with whipped cream and caramel drizzle.

*To make vanilla flavored sugar - Pour a 5 lb bag of sugar into an air-tight container. Add 3-4 whole vanilla beans. Store in your pantry for future use.

Fig Cake a la Laura

I can remember climbing onto a bar stool in Mom's kitchen, clutching my cup of coffee and reaching for a bowl of something Mom baked. She must not have told me what it was because I surely would have declined (the dessert, not the coffee). I really haven't been a fan of figs, of any kind; but this changed me. Fig Cake a la Laura was originally shared with my Mom by one of her patients, an elderly lady in Opelousas. Not much can make it better BUT top it with carmel and we're telling a different story. Secondly, it often happens that I don't have all the required ingredients to create whatever it is I'm craving and I substitute...try replacing the milk with something heartier like buttermilk or cream. Oh dear...

Fig Cake a la Laura
2 cups of sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup oil
1 jar of fig preserves (about 1 1/2 cups)

Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
In another bowl cream eggs and sugar.
Add oil to the eggs and sugar; mix well.
Stir in milk with the egg mixture.
Add dry ingredients to the egg and sugar mixture; stir until just combined.
Gently stir in figs.
Pour batter in to a greased 9x13 baking dish.
Bake at 325 for about 1 hour.

Retreat to Toledo Bend with the Girls

My parents have a camp on Toledo Bend Lake. It's a great place to go to relax, unwind and just be quiet. I guess you can fish too if you like that sort of thing :) It was good to be with the girls... just hanging out.

Who needs Fisher Price?

Jail Break!

Guess I should strap her in. She never fussed or cried, just diligently worked her way out of the swing.

Just hanging out...

Sunset Firetruck

I grew up in Sunset... this firetruck is probably still in use! Courtesy of Chalan Thibodeaux.

New Theater Student

Abbey auditioned for L.J. Alleman Arts Academy's theater track and was accepted! She's so excited and we are SO proud of her for going after exactly what she wanted! Way to go Abbey!

Sopapilla Cheesecake

This recipe came from Ellen Monroe (not sure where she got it). She brought this to our office while it was still hot and gooey; I think everyone in the office emailed her for the recipe that very day.

2 cans of Pilsbury Crescent Rolls
2 8 ounce packages of cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 sticks butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Spray a 9x13 baking pan with non-stick spray.
Combine cream cheese and 4 tbsp butter; beat until creamy.
Gradually beat in 1 cup of sugar and 1 tsp of vanilla.
Unroll one can of crescent rolls in the pan without separating the dough at the perforations. Stretch the dough to the edges of the pan and press to seal perforations.
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the dough.
Unroll the second package of rolls over the cream cheese mixture. Gently stretch the dough to the edges and pinch to close perforations.
Melt 6 tbsp of butter and spread over the dough.
Combine 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over the dough.
Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until the crust is lightly puffed and golden brown.

OH MY DEAR!!

Parent-Child Dedication

We dedicated Brianna to our Father and committed before our church family to raise her in God's Word. What a fantastic day with family! It is an honor to know that so many people are ready to rally around you in life's most challenging role.

Abbey's 11th Birthday Party!

Thirteen girls spent the night at our house that night. Abbey is an awesome entertainer; however, I needed a vacation!

Ben and his "Fluffies"

Abbey's Band Concert

Congratulations Abbey! 3rd Chair Flute

Brianna thinks Aunt Jo is hilarious!

Great Deer Slayer

Craig finally killed a deer this season... 190 pounds and 10 points. Oh lala! He was with Mike Young in Centerville, LA. In about a year you'll be able to view the real deal on my living room wall, and to think I was sweating spending 200 on curtains.

When I die, bury me in the woods so my husband will hunt for me. I sure love him!