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My Diary of Us

Recipes
Breakfast Lunch Dinner Side Dishes Appetizers Cocktails Dessert Grilled Salads Chicken Soup Pasta Meatless Meals Holiday
Blog
Meet Leigh Ann
Cookbooks
Contact
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Home Sweet Home

I'm alive, in case you were thinking that I wasn't since I dropped off the face of the blogging universe for the past week.  Last Tuesday was completely bittersweet as we left the state we call home along with friends and family to uproot and move to a place where we will start a new chapter in our lives, a place that will be filled with new memories.  It's hard to believe that just like that, in a matter of one day, we became residents of Texas.  We are officially home sweet home.  There have been two states in my life that I have considered home, where I have become the woman I am today.  This year we add a third state, and it might be the most one yet.  

Tennessee has my earliest roots, where I have memories of growing up in a beautiful area right next to the Smoky Mountains. 

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PostedApril 7, 2015
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesLife
TagsLife, Moving, Home Sweet Home, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, New Chapter in Life, mom to be, love
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Farm to Fork

Farm to Fork: A Humble Gathering of Friends

November 6, a night of fellowship brought together by local Louisiana artisans, farmers, and culinary artists. Gathered around a 100 ft table built by Makers Workshop and myself from wood salvaged from Hurricane Katrina, we savored a locally sourced meal of spiced pumpkin and shrimp bisque, couchon de lait grillades over southern stone ground grits, and salted caramel creme brûlée.  In collaboration with Country Table Delivery and Red Onion, we worked together to create a communal dinning experience with a multitude of artists and an evening focused on local craft.  

String Remedy, a gypsy jazz band, provided the soundtrack for the evening as the guests sipped beverages from local distilleries- Cathead Vodka, Bayou Rum, and Tin Roof Beer.  Hayes Kahoe worked feverishly in preparation for the main courses, as the local pig donated by Iverstine Farms roasted in the background. A dinner bell was rung and guests found their seats at the table; some beside familiar faces and some who would become new friends. The night brought together the guests in a new way, setting a table with the business man and the artist, the young and the old- all who found a common ground and appreciation for the night's celebration of our community. 

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PostedDecember 9, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesFarm to Table
TagsFarm to Fork, Farm to Fork Dinner, Communal Dining, Community Events, Outdoor Dinners, Louisiana, That Louisiana Community
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Persimmon Spice Punch: My Diary of Us

Persimmon Spice Punch

This week has flown by, but I have accomplished so much it feels like about ten days should have passed.  I have been working sun up to sun down and have calluses on my hands to prove it.  Like man calluses...ew.  Anyway, I could not be more thrilled that the weekend is around the corner and once again I am celebrating early with my thirsty Thursday tradition that was supposed to only be during the summer months, but then I realized that was a terrible idea.  Why would I stop making cocktails?  So I'm not going to.  My persimmon spice punch is a drink with a kick that will take the edge right off and send you sailing into Friday.

Have you ever had a persimmon?  I sure hadn't until I moved to Louisiana and our old neighbors had a tree in their yard and used to bring me bags full.  And honestly it wasn't love at first bite.  It was mushy, and I don't do mushy.  It wasn't until last year that I tried a persimmon that was perfectly ripe and still firm that I fell in love.  They are kind of a gorgeous fruit too.

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PostedOctober 9, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesCocktails
Tagspersimmons, persimmon recipes, fall cocktails, persimmon cocktails, fall recipes, this is fall, Bayou Rum, Louisiana, Local Cocktails, seasonal recipes
3 CommentsPost a comment
Kallie and Lauren.jpg

Pop-Up Farmer's Markets with Country Table

Have you guys heard about pop-up farmer's markets yet?  It is such a cool idea, and a great way for everyone to be able to get farm fresh food!  The ladies at Country Table, Kallie and Lauren, are doing it right!  You might remember me talking about them before when I interviewed them, here!  They are literally popping up all over the city, making it super easy for anyone to stop by on their lunch break, on their way to or from work, or for moms with kids that need to get in and out!  It's quick and painless shopping and the best part is you have direct access to healthy and fresh food to feed your family!

For me, I love that if I can't make it to my normal farmer's market on Saturday, there is another option for me to pick up some fresh ingredients!  I recently stopped by one of Country Table's pop-up markets and had such a great time!  Not only were they there, but The Big Squeezy (a local juicery) and POPCulture POPs (local and delicious popsicles made with fresh ingredients) were also there selling their delicious products!

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PostedJuly 28, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesFarm to Table
Tagsfarm fresh, farm to fork, Country Table, fresh ingredients, popsicles, juicing, juicery, The Big Squeezy, POPCulture POPs, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, shop local, eat local, clean eating, cleanse
3 CommentsPost a comment
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Date Nights That End with Chicken Fingers

Saturday night was date night.  We haven't had an official date night in a while.  Sure we go to dinner or to see a movie and just spend time together at home.  But those kind of mini date nights are different.  Saturday night we got fixed up, went downtown and saw some live music, drank cocktails, and it all felt very romantic...including our late night snack on the way home.  Don't worry I'll tell you more about that in a minute.

We went to see Chris Knight, who is a singer songwriter and one of Canean's favorites.  If you haven't heard of him, you should definitely check him out.  The venue was the perfect setting, intimate and dark.  The only light was the spotlight over Chris Knight and his guitar.  The whole concert he played acoustically and it was amazing. 

We sat in the mezzanine and snuggled (all teenager style) and drank our way through the concert.  Whiskey for him, wine for me. 

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PostedJune 30, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesWeekends
Tagslife, date nights, love, Louisiana, downtown, chicken fingers
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blueberries.jpg

Blueberries and Louisiana

Growing up in Tennessee we picked blackberries.  Not at a blackberry farm, but they just grew on bushes out behind our house or in the woods.  It was one of those things where we would grab a handful and eat them outside in the summer heat, sweat dripping down our faces.  It was a sign of summer.  Sort of like blueberries are, to me, a true sign of summer in Louisiana.

We are really lucky to have a farmer's market here where you can get fresh picked ones every Saturday through July, but what I really love about Louisiana is that there are blueberry farms, ones where you go and grab a bucket and pick to your heart's content.  It's the experience that takes me back to being a child in summer picking blackberries off a bush in the woods with my friends.

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PostedJune 24, 2014
AuthorLeigh Ann Chatagnier
CategoriesLife
Tagsblueberries, summer, Louisiana, blueberry picking, fresh berries, outdoors, makersworkshop, maisoneverett
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Order Your Copy Today!

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Memorial Day weekend is coming up and I’ve got you covered with 15 of my favorites recipes to make for the holiday! 🇺🇸

1. Sweet Heat Grilled Ribs
2. Pickle Brined Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
3. The Best Burgers
4. Sausage Dogs with Corn
These 🍹and sunny back porch hangs >>>

SPICY PALOMAS are calling your name (and mine) and they are so refreshing and perfect for summertime patio hangs, pool days, or just because!☀️🍹

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