2011 Louisiana Book Festival Author Line-Up

Swag Bags and Fabulous Meals

There are some days when a writer sits in his or her office and frankly wonders "why bother?" Then there are days when it is

absolutely fantastic to know and be known. I have fortunately had almost an entire week of the latter.

Monday, August 22, 2011 was a day that I have been preparing for and looking forward to for months. Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, of which I am a writer for, hosted the 10th Annual Chefs to Watch Awards Dinner at Harrah's Casino, proceeds benefiting Cafe Reconcile. With dress and husband in tow, we traveled from Shreveport to New Orleans the day before the event. I took notes for research as we spent hours riding and listening to jazz. We made it to the swanky Le Pavillon Hotel "the belle of New Orleans". It was the first hotel to in the city to have an elevator and also is home to the largest gas lantern in the country...as well as its share of ghosts (of which I had no encounters, darn!).

After an incredible meal at Chef John Besh's French restaurant Luke in the CBD, a night of jazz at Irvin Mayfield's Jazz Playhouse (Love Sessions, a trumpet battle between Irvin and

Kermit Ruffins), it was finally time for the Chefs to Watch Dinner.

My husband and I got "gussied up" in our finest and took a cab t

o the casino. The theater of Harrah's was set up for an evening of fine dining fit for royalty. We were seated at a table with the General Manager and Business Manager of Cafe Reconcile as well as six other fabulous people I am now happy to call friends. We all dined on passed hors d'oeuvres, 5 of the best courses I've ever eaten, 4 different wines, and 1 shot of whiskey. (I was fortunate of being capable of walking without trouble in my heels to the restroom in between the salad and entree) By the end of the evening, the guests at our table were swapping contact information, giving hugs, and hauling lime green swag bags full of Louisiana culinary products, including an 8oz. can of chipotle baked beans. (look out muggers!)

We had been back in Shreveport an hour when I had to turn around and host a dinner at Ristorante Giuseppe for my book club chapter with special guest, author and the belle of all things Southern, Shellie Rushing Tomlinson. She had driven all the way from Lake Providence, LA to be with us and it was truly an incredible evening! There was plenty of eating and swapping stories to go around!

As the week is coming to a close, I am looking back at what a wonderful time I have had and how fortunate I am to do what I do. The weekend is approaching and I plan on trying a second time to meet Swamp People stars Troy and Jacob Landry. I will also be hosting a dinner at my church with local writer and great friend Judy Christie. Next week, I am sure to be getting back to the world of typing and researching, but for right now...I am Carey Weeks, writer and journalist.

Life, A Sombrero, And A Potential Novel

It feels like it has been forever since I have posted. With my daughter getting out of school for the summer, bathroom renovations, lightning striking a tree in my back yard, and various church obligations, I feel as if my virtual world has run off and left me. While buying a pinata yesterday afternoon, in the shape of a sombrero no less, it dawned on me that I have not updated my blog in quite some time.

I have to admit that I haven't done much creative fiction in the past couple of months. My office is now 3/4 of the way finished. Thanks to my husband's help, the ceiling fan is up and I eagerly await the closet makeover he promised.

I have, however, turned in a couple of articles and have gotten very excited about what I hope will one day be a novel set in post-apocalyptic Louisiana. I will be storyboarding for the first time and have a brand new pack of index cards and a blank cork board ready to go. I have gone to the library for research materials and have come home with more books than I can possibly read in two weeks...thank God for the renew button on the library's website!

For exciting news, I recently made a trip to Dallas to pick out the perfect dress for my attendance at the 2011 Chef's To Watch dinner at Harrah's in New Orleans coming up later this month! It is sponsored by Louisiana Cookin' Magazine, in which I write for. I'm sure there will be photos to share at the end of the month!

In the meantime, here's to hopefully getting my writing mojo going again!

Color of the Week...Plum Pudding

I'm sitting here this morning in my newly painted office. Plum Pudding is what the color is called. I'm wearing it. Little purple "birthmarks" pock my arms, legs, and even the bottoms of my feet. My little girl reminded me last night that all I have to do to get it off is scrub with soap and water. I haven't as of yet. Like tribal warriors, I wear these smears of purple paint proudly, as proof that I have done something wonderful.

I've been trying to coax my husband into taking the leap and moving us further south to New Orleans. My head understands the politics, the school systems, and of course the weather...but get me talking about it after a few drinks and I'll start packing my bags. I travel down to the Big Easy as often as I can and feel like a part of me is being left each time I get back on I-10 toward Shreveport.

Solution. Although my husband doesn't quite understand my obsession with all things NOLA, he does understand ME. His suggestion...bring New Orleans home. Make my little office space a haven for all things that would make me believe that I am sitting in a loft just outside the French Quarter. So I began with the walls. Purple. My Cafe Du Monde coffee cup sits on my desk beside me as I stare at a plastic sheathed original signed print by New Orleans artist Terrance Osborne. It is called Post Katrina Blues. A single tree in the background looks a lot like Plum Pudding. Behind me on the floor ready to be hung, metal squares..W..R..I..T..E.

By Leaps And Bounds

The last few weeks have been very exciting in my life as a writer. I have been shown that, without a doubt, that where one window closes, a door can ofttimes open.

After over three years, I made the decision to end my Peculiar Jaunts column in Louisiana Road Trips magazine. It has been a great run but there eventually comes a time when any creative person must take a risk in order to reach new goals. I thank all of the readers who have supported me over the years by reading my articles. My last article will be published in May.

And here comes the doors...

The summer issue of Southern Tour Magazine will include the article I wrote about my own walking tour around the French Quarter in New Orleans. Apparently, my massive sunburn has paid off!

Louisiana Cookin' projects that I have going are covering the Mudbug Madness Festival here in Shreveport; taking a trip to Houma to find out about the shrimping industry; and attending the 2011 Chefs To Watch Awards in New Orleans with the Louisiana Cookin' staff. Don't forget to pick up the newest copy of the magazine to read my article about the World Championship Etouffee Cookoff!

It has...been a good April. Here's keeping my fingers crossed for May!

Everyone just THINKS I Write My Own Stuff

I'm not the only writer who loves her kitty cat. Check out this blog called Writers and Kitties which showcases photographs of famous authors and their feline friends.

April Louisiana Road Trips

Peculiar Jaunts: Three Oaks Bed & Breakfast , pg 29.