LaPorte, Texas

Gary & I took a few hours of leisure today and visited old LaPorte. Now, resident of LaPorte, we thought we would check out the area.

Sylvan Beach is just around the corner and yet we have never been to it. It has piers that are great for fishing. We want to plan a family trip there and take in this relaxing area.

We enjoyed lunch at a local tea room on Broadway with fresh brewed Cherry tea.

Captured in this pic are the colors of fall and an antique truck on our path to the tearoom.

Mover's Thank You Party

You Guys Deserve a Party!

I really appreciate Jason Berry for his efforts to get a moving crew for us on our recent move. "Life" guys are truly awesome! Thank you so much for your help. You were truly a blessing to us.

And now...must I say, my own family members who worked also. I could not have done it without them!

It was an extremely hot & humid Houston day and omg, where did all of that stuff come from in that small apartment? I thought this was going to be an easy move but it just kept getting bigger.

Once the dust settled & then with the key to our new home, it was worth it all.

All of you were "God Sent" for us. Thank you so very much!!

I am preparing what I hope to be your "choice" entrée. It is my specialty and most requested.

Party Date: November 19, 2010, Friday Night

Address: 10023 Rustic Gate Road, LaPorte, Texas 77571

Time: 7:00 p.m.

The Menu:

New Orleans Creole Gumbo

This is a prize winning recipe from my hometown of New Orleans that my family adopted years ago.

It has a tomato base with white chicken breast & sausage, seasonings,

served with steamed white rice.

French Bread

Brennen's Bread Pudding

This is a recipe borrowed from famous New Orleans' Brennen Restaurant. It is made with a wonderful rum sauce.

Please RSVP via email or leave a post comment here. donna_r_madden@yahoo.com

If you would like to bring a friend, just let me know so I will have enough for all.

Welcome to Our Open House

Your Very Special Invitation...

My family and I would like to invite our special friends to come and see our huge blessing. We still have a lot to do to put our own stamp on it, but we have been so blessed to now be in our new home. It will truly be a "house warming" to have your presence in our home.

Date: November 20, Saturday

Time: 3:00 - 7:00, any time, come & go or linger with friends..

Address: 10023 Rustic Gate Road, LaPorte, Texas 77571

Phone: 281-222-3924 or 281-222-3423

From Beltway 8, Take Fairmont Parkway towards LaPorte,

Turn left on Underwood,

Turn right at first light, Rustic Gate.

You will go through 2 stop signs. Our home is the 6th house after the 2nd stop sign, on your left.

rsvp would be helpful. email: donna_r_madden@yahoo.com

Update

Hi. Just a little updating. Please excuse some of the blog entries I am keeping here as links for my new business blog.

Here, I am standing in my new home, in my new awesome kitchen. We have been so tremendously blessed to be in this beautiful home. In this kitchen is where I do all of my food creations for my business, "Decorating for the Senses". I have recently been excited by the opportunity to use my decorating talents as well.

Tonight marks the birth date of my "born again" Christian experience. I will never forget this night. This life altering experience began when my family visited a Pentecostal church on a Tuesday evening. At 14 years of age, I was blessed to become a part of something bigger than myself. The joy of that experience and my life dedicated to Christ, led me to marry my preacher husband and together, we have pioneered 2 churches and pastored several others across the country. We were also blessed to have done much traveling with our two children, Aaron and Hannah.

Aaron, now engaged to be married and expecting my first grandchild. Hannah, a 10th grader, loving life and full of enthusiasm. My hubby, a full time student and sophomore at a secular college and preaching many week-ends among other business endeavors.

decorating for the senses presents...

Take Home Chef…

We deliver to your work place savors that delight the senses. Try one or several of our menu items to complete your evening or cater your own party with our services.

Entrees:

Creole New Orleans Chicken & Sausage Gumbo

Prize winning recipe. You should serve with Steamed Rice and French Bread.

Gumbo for 8, $32. for 4, $20.

Rice and french bread, $6.

Chicken Tetrazzini

for 8, $32. for 4, $20.

Best served with a salad or vegetable and bread

Creamy Chicken Casserole with a Ritz Cracker Crust

Serves 8, $32.

Serve with rice, veggie/salad, rolls

Tortilla Soup with sour cream, and chips

$29. serves 8

Add shredded cheese, $4.

Spinach & Mushroom Quiche

$17. for one pie pan size

Good with a soup or salad

King's Ranch Chicken

A Mexican casserole made with chicken breast, sauce and cheddar cheese

Serves 8, $32.

Chips and a Homemade salsa as a side, 1 large bag of chips and 12 0z. salsa, $6.

Three Cheese Italian Cuisine

A cheesy pasta crust, with home made sauce, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses

Serves about 8, 9 X 12 pan, $32.

Breakfast Casserole

Sausage or Bacon, ready to bake for supreme freshness

This is very good with danish rolls, and fresh fruit. We also recommend a coffee cake from our menu.

Serves 8, $26.

Salad Choices:

All salads are $17. and serves about 6 people

Red tip and Iceburg

with strawberries, mandarin oranges, feta cheese,

candied nuts and home made dressing.

Greek Salad

Romaine lettuce, cucumber slices, tomato slices, black olives, purple onion slices, feta cheese with a home made vinaigrette

Spring mix

with sliced pears, feta cheese and a citrus home made vinaigrette dressing

Wedge Salad

with crumbled Blue Cheese, purple onion slice, tomato slice & blue cheese

dressing in individual servings for 6

Classic Lettuce & Tomato, you provide your own dressing

$10.

Side:

Fresh Green Beans, sauteed in olive oil lemon pepper & a little salt

serve 8, $12. serve 4, $6.

Fresh Fruit Platter

Seasonal fruit serving about 8, $17.

Something Sweet:

Peanut Butter Cookies

with a chocolate Hershey’s’ kiss in the center

$12. for 8 large cookies

Chocolate Home made Cookies

soft on the inside and crusty on the outside

$16. for 24 small cookies

Chocolate Pound Cake

with a cream cheese chocolate icing

$28.

Martha Curls' Chess Pie

very good, also home made

$12.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

drizzled in white chocolate

$9. for 12, these are grocery store quality, not the large stemmed

Brennen’s Bread Pudding

A French bread/custard with golden raisons and a wonderful rum sauce

a 9 x 12 size, serves about 12

This is actual rum, not rum extract

$15.

Pineapple Cake with a Cream Cheese Frosting

This recipe made as cupcakes were featured in the Pearland Examiner, $19.

Visit our website: www.donnamadden.me

donna_r_madden@yahoo.com Call: 281.222.3423

Save the date...Skin Care Party You'll Love

There is a scripture that says "Love thy neighbor as thyself". I think many times our relationships become marred by the fact that we just don't love ourselves enough. Notice. When you are feeling really bad, ugly, your life feels in the "out of control" mode, you can find yourself treating others rude and with an ugly spirit. Personally, I think this can come when we are really feeling bad about ourselves. Try this. Treat you like you want to be treated. Stop belly aching about no one ever complimenting you, giving you a gift, telling you how special you are, etc. Try doing that for yourself. Use a marker and write on your bathroom mirror, "I am beautiful, skinny and wise". Funny? Right, you will laugh at yourself every time you see it, but, you just might need to lighten up to brighten up. And, in time, you will start believing more in yourself. Don't wait for someone to buy you flowers, buy some for yourself. You will feel pampered when you buy something new to wear or get a mani or pedi or massage. Love you and you will see for yourself, you will begin to love others more.

This is one reason I am hosting a Mary Kay party for my niece's new business. When I attended her party last week, I left feeling pampered and beautiful. Learning how to take care of yourself can give you a roadmap to a better you and ultimately a better caring person. When you come to my apartment, I hope you will feel catered to and an atmosphere of relaxation. I regret that my apartment can only hold a handful of friends and guest, but I am sure Jen will be happy to come to your home and give you a private consultation.

The date is: April 8, Thursday p.m. 7:30. For products shop Mary Kay's website, then let me know what you would want to order, request a book, a party date or call to reserve a spot at my party: 281-222-3423.

Now get up and do something nice for yourself. I love you and so does He.

"After the Maid"

My "after the maid" service is my unique service. I do not know of anyone doing this. I come preferably on the day the maid comes, bring dinner for the family, something to drink when you arrive, and a snack. I can have everything ready to warm, time it so that it is ready to eat when you arrive, or have ready in your frig to finish baking. I give you menu choices and work with you to make it "kid friendly" if need be.

At this home, I made a chicken tetrazzini, a green salad with pears, feta cheese, and candied pecans, my Zuni dense no flour chocolate cake, and chocolate covered strawberries.

Even if you do not have a maid, you will enjoy this service. We aim to please.