Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 27

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 27 – July 9, 2011

Bon Jour!  Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.

ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often.   We are also on Twitter and Facebook.

The 4^th of July weekend was filled with fun.  This weekend is filled with the Blue Angels at the beach.

As planned George and I joined several neighbors for the 4^th and enjoyed our friend from Pennsylvania who plans to move back to the Pensacola area in September.  I did bring my baked bread to the event.  I baked bread all weekend just to make sure that it would turn out okay.  I made bread with my home grown stevia.  It was good but green (stevia is green).  Then I made raisin bread.  George and I ate all of that.  Then I made herb bread with herbs from my garden, and a plain white bread.  We brought the herb and the plain white bread to our 4^th of July gathering but I don’t think anyone ate it.  That’s the problem at a lot of these gatherings.  There is so much food and everyone brings something that you cannot possibly eat it all.

This week, however, has been mostly consumed with my crashed computer.  Yep, last weekend I turned my laptop on and there was no picture; just black.  So, I had to buy a new one, which arrived on Wednesday.  The remainder of the week has been spent loading my programs on the new computer.  Not that I have that many programs.  Actually, Wednesday I had all but my Quick Books Pro loaded.  Working day and night since Thursday, I finally got Quick Books Pro installed today.  I had to buy a new one because the old one doesn’t work with Windows 7.  Poo yie, what a hassle.  I’m just glad it is installed now.  Monday will be spent on bookkeeping.  This is also the reason that Cajun Corner is late this week.

Facebook now has “groups.”  I belong to 58 groups, most of which I’ve never even opened to look at them.  I do try to be active on 2 groups.  One is the WBL group, which is the Women’s Business Luncheon group; and, the other is the Support Local Pensacola Businesses group.  Since I’ve spent so much money this week, I’m really trying to get out there and post photographs of my embroidery everywhere.  Support Local Pensacola Businesses group received several photos and comments from me. 

Well, I decided that since it was Blue Angels week, I would post a photograph of my little purse that I made for the Fiesta Ball with the Blue Angels embroidered on it.  I guess timing is everything because several people “Liked” it.  Almost immediately after posting that photo a FB friend that I have never personally met, Mike Cotton, commented “what is your phone number?”  Cajun Stitchery is a business and I have no problem giving out my phone number, which I did.  He called and may want some ball caps and polo shirts.  Woohoo!  He explained that among other things, he is a film maker.  I have heard that this area is trying to build its film industry.  Mike has a television show called “Senior Xtreme” which presents local seniors who participate in various extreme hobbies, athletics, music, etc.  The whole point of the show, I believe, is if you are a senior, get off your sofa and start doing things.  Be active in some way.  Anyway, Mike invited George and me to the premier of the airing of the first show.  It was at Kooter Brown’s.   Laugh if you will but this is not Hollywood and Senior Xtreme is not CSI, either.  We did go and we had an enjoyable evening.  We got to meet Mike in person, and vice versa.  The program appeared very professional and entertaining.  The extreme seniors featured on the program were at the viewing, as well.  Besides, I do want to support local Pensacola businesses and hope they support me.

You know how a carpenter’s home is the last to be repairs; and, a mechanics car always needs a tune-up?  It turns out that an embroiderer doesn’t have a lot of embroidery for herself.  Prior to going to the Senior Xtreme premier (and after loading Quick Books Pro) I spent the day embroidering for me.  I took one of my t-shirts (office uniform) and embroidered a new neckline.  Then I embroidered large flowers on the front and a beautiful lace dragon on the back.  It actually turned out very nice.  I wanted to wear it to the premier and I knew the dress would be casual.  Embroidering a new neckline on t-shirts is a lot of fun.  The important part, of course, is that the crew neckline, that is so constraining, is gone.  Jersey is about the most comfortable fabric available.  Why not turn your comfortable, plain looking t-shirt into a comfortable, stylish shirt?

SALE:  We still have some of the $2 cloth napkins.  These are the 20 inch square, restaurant quality napkins with hemmed edges.  The colors that we have in stock are: 

1.      Purple

2.      Lavender

3.      Royal Blue

4.      White

5.      Teal

6.      Brown

7.      Sea Foam Green

8.      Navy blue

9.      Pink

The pink, navy blue and some white napkins were actually found in my fingertip towel stock this week.  I’m selling all of these (in-stock) napkins for $2 each; first come, first served.  They make great Christmas presents.  I highly suggest you buy them now.

We do have 5 dozen ivory napkins, 20” x 20”, with hemmed edges, restaurant quality, for $4 each.

SALE:  It’s Christmas in July, mes amis.  More stock clearance…fingertip towels for $2 each.  These make beautiful Christmas gifts.  The hot pink is especially fashionable these days.  The black towels would be beautiful with a design or monogram in solid white.  These are the colors in stock:

1.  White

2.  Pink

3.  Yellow

4.  Green

5.  Black

We still have some market baskets in stock: purple, red, hot pink, blue, and the black with white polka dots.  These are the regular sized market baskets that are 18"L x 11.5"W x 9"H with Collapsible/Removable Frame.  The price, without embroidery, ranges from $22 (for solid colors) to $28 (polka dot), each.   A name or initials would be $5.  Of course, the more embroidery you want on the basket, the more the cost.

Last week’s contest was so much fun.  Several people tried to guess the answer.  A few came very close.  In fact, some got the answer, but in English.  My nickname was always in Cajun French.  My mother’s nickname for me was Tit (pronounced teet) Crot.  The winner was Paulette Provost.  She will receive the cute pink canvas purse with her monogram embroidered on it.  Remember, you can only win once every 2 months to give everyone a chance.

CONTEST:  First person to answer correctly is the winner.  What fashion designer made jersey fashionable?

The winner will receive their monogram on a set of 4 in-stock napkins (see above for available colors).

CHRISTMAS is around the corner.  Unbelievable, I know.  But it is July.  Get that Christmas shopping done now and enjoy the holidays.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list. 

The following is taken from Wikipedia:

Rougarou represents a variant pronunciation and spelling of the original French loup-garou.^[1] According to Barry Jean Ancelet, an academic expert on Cajun folklore and professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the tale of the rougarou is a common legend across French Louisiana. Both words are used interchangeably in southern Louisiana. Some people call the monster rougarou; others refer to it as the loup garou.

The rougarou legend has been spread for many generations, either directly from French settlers to Louisiana (New France) or via the French Canadian immigrants centuries ago.

In the Cajun legends, the creature is said to prowl the swamps around Acadiana and Greater New Orleans, and possibly the fields or forests of the regions. The rougarou most often is described as a creature with a human body and the head of a wolf or dog, similar to the werewolf legend.

Often the story-telling has been used to inspire fear and obedience. One such example is stories that have been told by elders to persuade Cajun children to behave. According to another variation, the wolf-like beast will hunt down and kill Catholics who do not follow the rules of Lent. This coincides with the French Catholic loup-garou stories, according to which the method for turning into a werewolf is to break Lent seven years in a row.

A common blood sucking legend says that the rougarou is under the spell for 101 days. After that time, the curse is transferred from person to person when the rougarou draws another human’s blood. During that day the creature returns to human form. Although acting sickly, the human refrains from telling others of the situation for fear of being killed.^[2]

Other stories range from the rougarou as a headless horseman to the rougarou being derived from witchcraft. In the latter claim, only a witch can make a rougarou—either by turning into a wolf herself, or by cursing others with lycanthropy.^[

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Thanks to Paulette Provost for the following recipe:

Elephant Stew

1 medium sized elephant

Salt and pepper

2 rabbits (optional)

Cut the elephant in small bite-size pieces.  This will take about 3 months.  Add enough gravy to cover.  Cook over kerosene fire for about 4 weeks at 465 degrees.  This will serve 3,800 people.  If more are expected, 2 rabbits may be added, but do this only in an emergency.  Most people do not like hare in their stew!

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Cajun French Phrase of the Week: chouchoot---------------thingamajig

(Taken from http://louisianacajunslang.com/language.html)

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C’est tout, mes amis

Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462

cajunstitchery@yahoo.com

P.S.  You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.

Cajun Corner - Vol. 3, No. 23

Cajun Corner – Vol. 3, No. 23 – JUNE 10, 2011

Bon Jour! Welcome to Cajun Stitchery’s weekly email and welcome to our family.

ΘΘΘΘΘ

Don’t forget to visit our catalog at www.companycasuals.com/cajunstitchery and www.cajunstitchery.etsy.com often. We are also on Twitter and Facebook.

Before I go any further, someone named Mary emailed me this week and asked to be removed from this newsletter list. I tried every way that I know to figure out which Mary it was that wants to be removed. I could not find the last name, or even the email address. It just kept coming up as Mary. I replied to sender asking for her name so that I could remove her from the list but I have not received a reply. If you wish to be removed from the emailing list, please do let me know but please, please, let me know your name and email address. Mary, I apologize if your name has not been deleted. Please let me know which Mary you are – we have several on the list.

As I made my costume for the Fiesta Ball, I posted photos and comments on the blog, as well as Facebook. I had no idea so many people were following this costume creation. As the very last touch to the costume, on Wednesday, I embroidered a little evening bag made from the fabric in my costume. The embroidery design was the Blue Angels with “100th Anniversary” and “Naval Aviation.” Wednesday evening arrived and, although I haven’t seen any really good pictures of George and me together, we made a really cute couple. Looking back, of course, I would have changed a few things but the costumes worked and we had a fabulous time. By the way, George made his own belt out of blue, white and red striped webbing and a rhinestone flag belt buckle. He looked great!

As we arrived at the ball, we met our friends, Morrie, Kathi, Paulette, and Deb outside. Kathi brought the blinking items and I was completing the costume outside the front door. Yes, I adorned the red, white and blue tinsel wig with the blinking, plastic, red, silver and blue tiara. There were several necklaces placed around my neck. All were red, white and blue and blinking. Then we attached pins. Then came the white boa with the blinking lights. Except for the basic costume that I made, Kathi, Paulette and I were adorned the same. Well, Paulette didn’t wear the tinsel wig. Finally, we were all dressed and ready to make our entrance.

This is an all krewe ball, so don’t think we were the only ones in costume. Oh, no. There were fabulous costumes from the Myoki Indians with all of their feathers to the very formal and elegant gowns and tuxedos. There were pirates and Alice in Wonderland costumes. Kings and Queens of all of the krewes were announced. It was quite a sight.

Once we entered, we found the Krewe of Junkanoo table. You can’t miss the Krewe of Junkanoo because they are such a rowdy bunch. Besides they were one of the first tables. To our surprise the Mystic Krewe of Nereids had a table next to the Krewe of Junkanoos. It goes without saying that putting those 2 tables so close was the beginning of a rip roaring good time. We kept mentioning that some of our people were missing. Nevertheless, we got our drinks and more and more of our krewe arrived.

My mother always taught me to mingle with crowds and this event was no different. During my mingling, I found our lost friends on the other end of the room. The Krewe of Wrecks (our mother krewe) was on the other end of the room. Some were disappointed that their table wasn’t with our table. Not me. Traveling back and forth between tables gave me the opportunity to meet people and have a good time.

The band stopped and the various krewes performed their dances. They were all so good. People unfamiliar with Krewes usually don’t understand the effort and expense that goes into costumes, dances, floats, pins, beads, and a myriad of things. I think most Krewes, at least around here, meet monthly, all year round. There’s a lot of work involved.

While watching performances and mingling, a nice couple asked to take my picture. I obliged; then headed for our krewe table. Shortly, afterwards the same gentleman approached me and said, “Please don’t leave. You are going to win for the best individual costume.” I asked his name and he said, “Glenn.” Sure enough, after announcing the winner of the krewe performances, I was announced as the winner for best individual costume. I wish I had been a bit more sober at the time so I could savor the moment. As luck would have it, I wasn’t. Did Glenn know what an honor that was for me? Out of all of the wonderful costumes in the room, I was singled out. Did Glenn watch me make this costume on the internet? So many people approached me at the ball saying that they watched as the costume was made. Well, Glenn, whoever you are, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Finally, the evening came to a close. The memories of this wonderful Fiesta Ball will be with me forever.

When George and I arrived home from the Ball, there was a huge box at our front door. The market baskets arrived from a new vendor. These market baskets are canvas and really nice. Right now, in stock, we have black, red, purple, navy blue, royal blue, hot pink, and black with white polka dots. These are all regular size market baskets and the price, without embroidery, ranges from $22 to $28, each. We also have some hot pink mini market baskets for $14, each, without embroidery. There is a black laptop case($24), a black with white polka dot carryall($14), some blue and white striped canvas purses ($8 each), hot pink purses($8 each), hot pink mini purses($6 each), and a brown purse($8 each). I’ll embroider a monogram (name or initials) for $5.00.

The market baskets have a bunch of uses.

• One customer said they are perfect for a beach tote.

• They make great personalized gifts or gift baskets.

• With your logo embroidered, they are a wonderful advertising tool. If you are like me and always seem to carry a bag with my wares, picking up or delivering items, your logo embroidered on the basket is ideal and unique. It’s an eye catcher.

• Recent embroidery on a market tote was done by embroidering the outline of the word “Mine” and then filling the word with rhinestones. It turned out beautifully.

• They also make great picnic baskets. Include a set of matching cloth napkins, a tablecloth, some personalized can wraps, and an assortment of picnic items and you have a great gift. These totes have two mesh pockets on either end on the inside of the basket, as well as plastic feet and a luggage grip. A red market basket with blue or white embroidery, filled with red, white and blue napkins, tablecloth, can wraps, and other picnic items for your 4th of July picnic would be very patriotic.

• Another really great idea is a wedding gift with the names of the bride and groom and the date of the wedding embroidered on the basket. Fill it with household items, linens, or picnic items.

• And don’t forget that this makes a great diaper bag for mom. Embroider the baby’s name on the side. Fill it with diapers, blankets, bottles, and an assortment of baby items. Pink for girls; blue for boys.

• Fill it with your cleaning items and take it from room to room as you clean the house.

• Same with gardening items. Don’t forget to include a pretty little apron.

• The possibilities are endless.

We now have the red, white and blue stripe, and the blue, white and red stripe webbing, 1.25” wide. There are more rhinestone flag buckles. If you are interested in a pretty terrific Father’s Day gift, George will make the patriotic belt for $10 each. Just let us know the waist size. About 6 inches are added to the waist size for proper adjustment of the belt. Better hurry because Father’s Day is on June 19th.

SALE: Good through next Thursday, June 16th. Adjustable can wrap with your name or initials embroidered for $5 each. They usually sell for $7 each or $5 each when purchasing 10 or more. Never lose your drink again.

If you are not a subscriber and would like to receive Cajun Corner weekly, please email cajunstitchery@yahoo.com and let me know to put you on our email list.

Thank you Kathi for sending the following joke:

Boudreaux bought his wife Marie a piano for her birthday. A few weeks later, Fontenot inquired how she was doing with it.

"Oh," said Boudreaux, "I persuaded her to switch to a clarinet." "How come?" asked Fontenot. "Well," Boudreaux answered, "because with a clarinet she can't sing."

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French Phrase of the Week: The following was taken from LSU.edu:

C’est un beau temps. (It’s nice weather out.) ===============================================

C’est tout, mes amis

Peggy Henshall

Cajun Stitchery

(850) 261-2462

cajunstitchery@yahoo.com

P.S. You are always welcome to stop by and look at all of the catalogs and pass some time with me, cher.