A new taste from Bebeaux'

Bebeaux’s to host Shrimp Creole launch at Madison’s

I’m loving watching the Beabeaux’s Cajun Food Line get popular here in Southeast Texas. That gumbo is ready to eat and doesn’t even need my usual round of extra seasoning.

Want to try the new Shrimp Creole? Get to the Launch into Fall party at Madison’s on Dowlen from 7 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 4.

Lauren Bebeau, director of sales, says the family recipes are true to the history or Arcadia, Louisiana. Zummo’s andouille sausage is a key ingredient and probably a good part of the reason we locals like it so much.

Look for it at H-E-B, Market Basket, Brookshire Brothers and The Big Store at Crystal Beach.

           

  http://www.Bebeauxs.com           

Congrats to Rae-Gina Powell

Jerry Bellot, president of the Cajun-French Music Association’s Golden Triangle Chapter, presented Rae-Gina Powell with a $750 scholarship to Lamar State College- Port Arthur.

The CFMA is dedicated to promoting Cajun music and culture and meets the first Friday of the month at the American Legion Hall on Nederland Avenue.

“Twelfth Night”

Beaumont Community players built a simple stage for “Twelfth Night” that keeps attention focused on characters that are classic William Shakespeare. There’s gender switching, reunions, pranks and of course, love. Hilarity ensues. I wonder what the Bard would have done writing for modern situation comedies.

BCP ads modern touches to this very fun and complex show. There’s even a Monkees song. I’m a believer. Catch this show through Oct. 4 in Beaumont.

ddoiron@panews.com

Sour Lake murals, CavOILcade, part of a Texas fall

Sour Lake Murals

I wish I  could have experienced the bathhouses that made Sour Lake a spa resort. This little town has two bed and breakfast spots and walls of historic murals. Get a brochure on the city to learn that Sam Houston was a VIP at the springs seeking relief for his war wounds.

I finally stopped at Ernie's  Hardware in Sour Lake after years of seeing billboards. Just as I suspected, there are gift items, like flamingo socks, in there amidst brass fittings and hammers. This General Mercantile could be considered fancy, as they will sell you canvas Ernie's bags.

Ready for a fall festival?

Yes, The Pickett House is still serving heaps of fried chicken and chicken and dumplings boarding house style. Yes, it's still amazing. Consider heading up there around October 17-19 for the 26th annual Harvest Festival in Woodville. Stages will feature a Western shoot out, square dancing, book signings from Texas authors bluegrass and more than I have room to share.

On the topic, teachers can get credit by taking the Pioneer Skills for Living workshop Sept. 27 at Heritage Village Museum. For details, call (409) 283-2272.

My Texas

Texas is lovable. Do  you know how many Pinterest boards are devoted to the Lone Star State? The Josh Abbot Band has released “Small Town Family Dream,” with a cut called “FFA,” and yes, that’s exactly what you think it is. You can conjure up images of blue corduroy jackets and teens in boots. Listen also for “My Texas,” featuring Pat Green, and shamelessly working in references to Enchanted Rock, the San Antonion River Walk and more to love about Texas. “Dallas Love” is another country sound. These songs are heavy on the fiddle and can make you crave a cold one and a dance floor.

CavOILcade coming up

What’s new in fall fashion? The CavOILcade Style show will give you a first glimpse, and there’s lunch at the Pompano Club in the deal.

Here are some CavOILcade highlights:

The parade will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The procession will leave Lamar State College – Port Arthur at 1500 Procter Street and travel to Houston Avenue.

The style show will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Pompano Club. The $25 ticket will include a buffet at L’Chambre Room at the Pompano Club.

The Queen’s Scholarship Coronation will be at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Lamar State College-Port Arthur Theater. Tickets are $20.

For information on CavOILcade, contact Pam Trosclair at 409-983-1009,  or 409-498-1793. Tickets may be purchased at the CavOILcade office, 2901 Turtle Creek Drive, suite 420.

ddoiron@panews.com

Bachlorettes in the house? Here's a toast

A little pink is good fore any season and some wedding-inspired cocktails get some help with new ready-to-serve Sauza Sparkling Margarita Watermelon over ice for a bubbly twist on the classic margarita. My testers were immediately put in a good mood from the fizz and the color. It was a refreshing pick-me-up. Also, look for Original Lime, Wild Berry and Mango Peach. Try it from the bottle or get playful with these ideas from Sauza:

Tying The Knot

·         1 part Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila

·        one fourth  part orange liqueur

·         1 part passion fruit juice

1 part soda water

·         1 half part agave nectar

·         Lime juice

•             Lime peel (garnish)

Preparation: In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine all ingredients and shake vigorously. Pour into glass over ice and garnish with a lime peel (optional).

Happily Ever After

•             1 part of Sauza® Blue Silver 100% Agave Tequila

•             1  part cranberry/raspberry juice

•             1 half part lemon-lime soda

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Serve chilled over ice. To create a layered cocktail, pour ingredients in order given into individual glasses filled with ice. Do not stir. Garnish with a peach and a sprig of mint.

Red and organized

Let's begin now. You've got a life to plan and you can't just keep hoarding the good stuff to use later. If you've got something like a luxurious red journal to fill in with everything from art lesson goals to soccer pick up, get a Dotmine Day Planner and fill it up. The one I'm cradling is stamped on the cover to fill from August 2014 to December 2015. No excuses like, it's too pretty to disturb. It's dated, baby, so let's go, long range, weekly, for the long haul.  There's nothing like an old school planner, yet this one is contemporary. The kids just got new school supplies. This is what you need. How's 2015 looking? Ink it in with good stuff, now. Check out Dotmine on timemine.com?

This mask is not for Halloween.

What can licorice, mulberry root and rosa canina fruit extracts do for your face? First, endure this: Skin renews itself every 28 days but aging slows this down and we have lessened blood flow, lower levels of collagen roduction and reductions in the natural exfoliation process of the skin are all factors for lackluster skin. This is according to Perfective Ceuticals, who, fortunately, bring us Divine Brightening Mask to even out skin tone and discoloration. I tried this paper mask infused with hydrolyzed collagen and felt dewy afterwards. It’s like you can feel the moisture getting into your skin. They suggest you can use it after chemical peels or before big events, like you’re going down the red carpet or just out to eat with your favorite friends. The licorice acts as an anti-pigmentation agent that inhibits production of melanin and absorbs UV rays. The other goodies do their own thing. The paper mask has holes for your eyes, nose and lips. Relax as you use it for 30 minutes. Learn more at www.perfectiveceuticals.com.

ddoiron@panews.com

Get ready to Fiesta!

 

New car show to highlight Mexican Fiesta

The 4Ever Rollin Car Club, a hot new band of sisters called Las Fenix, and a visit from Gator Country will spice up this year’s 46^th annual Mexican Heritage Fiesta, Sept. 12-13 at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur.

 A whole extra day has been added Friday to pet and pose with the gators and visit with car owners proud of their rides from the 1950s through current models. On Saturday, enjoy music by the popular Houston band, Las Fenix, Sal Cavazos, president of the Mexican Heritage Society, said.

There’s no charge for Friday’s car show and gator viewing. Saturday’s events will require admission to attend pageants, dance shows and concerts. Saturday’s six vendors will provide a feast of authentic dishes including pork and beef tamales, rice and beans, an array of taquitos and everyone’s favorite: corn in a cup.

For a full schedule, visit www.visitportarthurtx.com.

Smell your favorite park

Sounds like I could be making this up, but hear me and smell me out. Air Wick is thinking the sweet vanilla and pumpkin scent of Acadia, Maine could be preferable to your college roommate’s socks. Enter oils and sprays that hint of grapefruit, white flowers and sandalwood, representing the Grand Canyon. Gulf Islands get magnolia, pineapple and coconut. It’s my sister’s love of Hawaii that made me seriously want to check out this product line. Kaloko-Honokohau is represented with fragrance notes of papaya, mandarin, hibiscus and sandalwood. Are you there yet?

This is a brilliant idea on Air Wick’s part. Who wouldn’t want to recreate a memorable vacation?

Paleo Ice Cream

Pumpkin and sweet potato spicy flavors appear to be as hot this coming season as they were this past year. Ben Hirschberg has them in his new book “Paleo Ice Cream: 75 Recipes for Dairy-Free Paleo Ice Cream.” But I’ve got to say, the oregano, cucumber-mint, cayenne, goat cheese and olive oil were some flavors I didn’t expect in ice cream.

I’m willing. Hirshberg makes these healthy blends from bases like banana and coconut milk, with sweeteners like honey and maple syrup. All healthy, all addictive. He’ll teach you not be afraid of xanthan gum or chocolate stout beer as in ingredient. If you’ve got an ice cream maker and an adventurous spirit, you’ll go nuts (how about almond or cashew) keeping up with or ahead of the author. He does encourage experimentation, with just about any flavor legal in your state. That’s what he said. Here’s a recipe for one of his toppings:

Sunflower Seed Butter Sauce

One fourth cup sunflower seed butter

One half cup coconut milk

One  and one half tablespoons honey

1 half teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of sea salt

Ine a medium saucepan, stir all ingredients together over low heat untila a homogeneous mixture is formed, about 45 seconds.

Pour over ice cream and enjoy.

ddoiron@panews.com