TOO SWEET
Just in time for pie-making season arrives a book to make children holler for the sweet stuff. Sweet potato pie for sure. A sweet potato plant gets a lot of TLC from Ma Farmer. In return, that little vine grows and grows, and when it's time to harvest, it takes more than Ma, Pa, Bessie the Cow, Ralphie Dog and Kittie Cat to heave that potato out of the ground.
TOO SWEET
Just in time for pie-making season arrives a book to make children holler for the sweet stuff. Sweet potato pie for sure. A sweet potato plant gets a lot of TLC from Ma Farmer. In return, that little vine grows and grows, and when it's time to harvest, it takes more than Ma, Pa, Bessie the Cow, Ralphie Dog and Kittie Cat to heave that potato out of the ground. Let kids guess which animal will supply the extra umph to harvest the Gigantic Sweet Potato. If that weren't enough fun, Louisiana native author Dianne de Las Casas and illustrator Marita Gentry conclude the story with an extra special sweet potato pie recipe. Kid help necessary. Published by Pelican Press, $16.99, in real and virtual bookstores everywhere. - Mary Tutwiler
HEY PUNKIN'!
Sophi P. Cakes serve up their treats with a little bit of punk appeal. Every month the cupcake case features a wide selection of regulars with three or four specials. For October, owner and cake designer Jennifer Melancon started baking up the Drunkin Punk'in. Once autumn starts to tease, I pretty much want pumpkin all the time. The spiced pumpkin cake with spiced rum buttercream icing is a great answer to that seasonal craving. Melancon also has a Caramel Apple complete with caramel drizzle on top and apple bits in the cake. These treats will be rotated out soon with new flavors for November, so you better grab one this week! $1.79 a cupcake - Hope Rurik
BLUES STOMP
The Louisiana blues community is fully represented on the new Louisiana Swamp Stomp CD, a benefit album for the Northern Louisiana Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Foundation. The organization was created in early 2010 with the mission of raising public awareness of brain and spinal cord injuries and offering financial assistance for victims in need. Inspired by the near fatal bout of viral encephalitis suffered by guitarist Buddy Flett in 2008, Flett's recovery and his presence on the album, with the haunting slide guitar track "Livin' Ain't Easy," is a testament to NLBSCIF's efforts and cause. Louisiana Swamp Stomp also features contributions from a who's who list of Louisiana blues artists, including Henry Gray, Lil Buck Sinegal, Carol Fran, Little Freddie King, Percy Sledge, Sonny Landreth and more. Chicago-based artists Omar Coleman and Kenny "Beady Eyes" Smith also contribute, covering the Slim Harpo classic "Scratch My Back" and Lightning Hopkins' "Mojo Hand." Louisiana Swamp Stomp is for sale online through NLBSCIF's website, www.brainhelp.org, for $20. All proceeds go to benefit the nonprofit organization. - Nathan Stubbs