Well before babies, before cooking, even before working out, came gardening. Again, Martha Stewart enters the room. I remember studying the TV so closely while drinking my coffee in the mornings, watching as she taught her viewers in depth the importance of soil, drainage, sunlight, and the sheer beneficial value of having something you grew from a tiny seed or bulb, and nurture it as it becomes the beautiful bud and bloom that you, yourself brought to life to thrive. It really is magnificent. I know I sound like an old lady but it truly is, y’all. From herbs to nasturtiums, from Peggy Mar ..read more

Do you feel that? Yep, it’s almost time. Springtime in New Orleans brings the most fragrant smells. One of the first things I bought myself when I “grew up” was Meyer lemon trees. You see, anyone who knows me personally knows that Martha Stewart taught me most of my comprehensive knowledge of how to be a homemaker. From the garden to the kitchen and all in between, I paid attention to every single detail and have carried it over to my everyday life – almost 20 years now! I found out quickly after learning about Meyer lemons that they are unique because they are a hybrid of an orange and a lem ..read more

Before I move forward, I’d like to start by saying my family and I are as New Orleans-bred as you can get. I like my iced tea like I like my King Cake. With a LOT of sugar. Another thing I enjoy is cooking for my family. My three kids and husband keep the grocery trips a regular event. Whether it’s a Wednesday supper or a fun baking project with my babies, Rouse’s Markets is always my go-to. There are a few reasons for this. Firstly, even before I created NolaPapa.com, I shopped at Rouse’s. So, point blank, our current business partnership has no warrant in the opinions I am expressing today ..read more

One of my FAVORITE dishes to make once the summer heat has given way to the brisk breezes that can cut right through ya’ is Chicken Pot Pie. Y’all, trust me. This unique rendition will not only leave you sneaking into the kitchen after the lights have turned off but your family will tell you to open a restaurant. Ha! And because it’s so easy it makes me come back for more and more and more… OK, let me stop. Growing up in southern Mississippi, our neighbor would bake this concoction and I would almost weep when it was finished. Back then, it was made with that big brick of Velveeta and would ..read more

I have always loved the time 11:11. From memories as a kid, seeing 11:11 and making a wish. I don’t know who taught me, but today, as a 42-year-old man, I am so glad they did. It is much deeper than just the time of day or night. Some say it is the time when the universe is listening to you. You are meant to manifest at this certain time. Others say 11:11 is a message to be optimistic about and realign your priorities in life as you wish for them in the universe. Some also say that is seen as an example of synchronicity. The more I dug, the more fascinated I became. In numerology, the numbe ..read more

My Uncle Thomas was so handsome. He rocked a handlebar mustache, was built with muscle, and had the most beautiful smile. From stories told by my aunts, he would light up the room when he walked in. He was funny and smart. And everyone loved him.    One of my earliest memories of my Uncle Thomas was hearing my father refer to him as “a queer.” At the age of 9 or 10, I remember my dad calling him a “sick queer” who lived in California.    Ya see, he left South Mississippi and was determined to make the West Coast his new home. And, he did. He left the small-minded people fr ..read more

Life is crazy right now. I know it is the craziest I have ever seen. All of a sudden, we have an unprecedented amount of free time. I cannot imagine how bored I would be if I didn’t have my kids to run behind. Thankfully, I am able to teach them some things I personally love to do in my spare time. One thing I personally love is to cook and bake. I figured this idle time is perfect to pull out some of my childhood classics. Everyone knows and usually loves the old fashioned Peanut Butter Cookie. I know my family sure does. However, I tweaked this recipe to make it my own. Give it a shot! They ..read more

Vegas with Kids? Um – YES! I didn’t think Las Vegas would be the first place that would pop in my head for an upcoming vacation. That is, UNTIL I found out Martha Stewart was opening her very first restaurant in the “Paris” casino. Anyone who has followed me for a while knows that all of my projects are met with Stewart’s standards. I found over 20 years ago that by applying this sort of filter to my life, it elevates my attention to detail. I was so excited to experience all of her charming touches in person. From the beautiful interiors, to the delicious food.   Be sure to do ..read more

Spring time may still be a few months away, but I can’t help but think about how pretty that time of year is. The cold of winter starts to fade, giving way to the beginnings of fresh flower buds and birds chirping. It’s the perfect time of year to bake this decadently delicious dessert. Anyone that knows me well knows what I am about to say. CHOCOLATE PIE! There are so many different delicious desserts I make each year… Today, I’m going to share with you my mamaw’s chocolate meringue pie recipe. I shared this last Year and I had such a good response, I thought I would bring it out again! Afte ..read more

This is one of my all time favorite salads! The guilt free feeling of eating a salad for dinner is the best- but it’s even better when it is absolutely delicious! Living in Louisiana, it’s easy to get spoiled by our saucer sized strawberries, but even if it’s not strawberry season, or your state doesn’t grow them locally- who cares! Buy them anyway! The sweetness they bring to this salad is ON POINT! You’ll thank me later! Ingredients for 2 salads: About 4 handfuls of baby spinach Half of a package of ripened strawberries (cut into small pieces) 1/4 cup of salted sunflower kernels (without sh ..read more