Where y’at Jen?

04/08/2026

It’s been a minute; but, while waiting for an appointment in NOLA, I thought, I’d take a minute to say Hi and mention a few things about my home parish.

Vernon Parish is getting a little further in my rear view mirror and I’d like to mention a few things that I love about my hometown parish.

Churches: If you stop in anywhere, you’re going to find a welcome and people who are sincere in their beliefs. First UPC -Leesville is at the top of my list; but, I can truly say that I’ve never been to an unkind church in this area. (Imperfect people, of course. I am one; but, an unkind congregation… nope.)

Schools: we have good ones. We certainly need to add in more Arts (all of them) to our STEAM endeavors throughout the parish; but, we really do have excellent choices for public & private education in our parish.

Police Jury: just sayin’ my former Police Jury person is just the best at communicating and responding. Kenny, you are a blessing to our parish.

If you aren’t aware, we have a parish seat, Leesville, that has been working hard over the last few years. A long way to go; but, my goodness, they’ve really come a long way too.

And, hand’s down, we have the best state representation of any district State Representative Charles "Chuck" Owen, Louisiana House District 30, State Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, & State Senator Mike Reese are incredible.

Market Basket: I’m telling you, there have been very few, if any, times that I’ve not found what I was looking for (grocery-wise). And, I’ve never ever known them to not support the community. Speaking of that, there are a plethora of locally owned and locally franchised businesses in this area who are just excellent. As I think of them, I’m gonna list them; because if you haven’t tried them, o, please do. I think you’ll enjoy the experience… And, yes, most of these places are quick to reach out a hand to our youth and other community. Consider that when you notice that their prices are a few cents higher.
Back To Nature, Inc.
Hazel's Tea Parlor
Jack’s All You Need
Cuore Coffee (Did you know this is the Italian word for ❤️? I just love that.)
Joe’s Italian
Hickory Smokehouse
Fina Garage
Dairy Queen
Anacoco Mercantile
The Front Porch (truly wonderful little gathering place in Anacoco.)
Leesville Florist
Fox’s Pizza
Battered Men’s BBQ
Aymond Spa (and, yes, book a massage with Vanessa or Barbie.: The absolute best.)
Happy Nails, New Llano
Day’s Inn (friendly folks who are constantly striving to make this little hotel better each day.)
Thad e Petch: Really, really good Thai food.
Nolen’s Garage
AGS Auto Glass
Phoenix Home Medical
Thrifty- Way Pharmacy
Nichols
Brenda’s (authentic Puerto Rican & Hispanic dishes…. and a pretty good gumbo.)
Bud’s Garage
Morris Real Estate (especially rentals)
Duhon & Son's Meat Processing / Meat Market

Also check out our local financial folks: Merchants & Farmers, Sabine State Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, Barksdale Fed. Credit Union

Community organizations are incredible and can use your help: Lion’s Club and many, many others.

Some of our best kept secrets (that really don’t need to be a secret):
Vernon Parish Library
3rd St. Farmer’s Market
Helping Hands
Vernon Council on Aging
Locally Hated Podcast (trust me; it’s local and I adore it.)

I’m pretty sure I’ve overlooked lots of fabulousness and I hope that if you’re in my little hometown neck of the woods, you find places and people that spark joy and peace in your life.

And, one more thing, if you see one of my family or friends, be kind. They can’t help that they’re related to me and they probably need a hug and a smile.

Peace and hope to all of you.
North Carolina, here I come.

03/17/2026

Sharing to save.

03/11/2026

Exxon, Natchitoches, LA

My guilty yum!
Small: 1/2 Livers & 1/2 Gizzards!
Why, yes, I am a Southern gal.

03/08/2026

Seven Brew
Airline Hwy, Bossier

Disclaimer: Why, yes. I am one of those folks who take a paragraph and a half to order a cup of coffee.

My standard questions at a coffe place.
1. Decaf? Usually yes (w/restrictions)
2. Coconut milk? Usually no; but, sometimes yes and sometimes they get the coconut milk ‘just for me’ (not really; but maybe. There are a lot of nice people in the world; especially local coffee shops.)
3. Sugar-free flavorings? Sometimes one; often three to five.
4. Any of the creams, toppings, drizzles whey free and sugar-free? Unanimously, no.
5. Which of the specialty drinks listed can you make with those parameters? Usually none; occasionally one.

At 7B.
1. Yes (all the drinks)
2. Yes coconut milk.
3. Yes, All the flavorings can be sugar-free.
4. Still no; but, hey, I’m not too worried about that.
5. All of them

First time I have access to the full menu…

So, I started near the the top.
Sweet & Salty (basically, a salted caramel & white chocolate frappe’. )

Now, let’s see if the coffee tastes good…..

03/08/2026

Martones,
Many, LA

If they are open, go.

I had two appetizers This was yummy and sitting in front of the brick oven sure felt good on this rainy chilly day.
Seriously, folks. This food is as good as it is pretty.

03/08/2026

Rotolo’s Craft & Brew
Alexandria, LA (on Versailles)

What to do when you’ve just seen your awesome grandson perform in Bolton Academy’s production of Legally Blonde, Jr (which was awesome, by the way!), it’s Saturday night, everything is about 30 minutes from closing, it’s raining cats and dogs, and there variety of lovely people who are hungry (and have very different tastes in food.)?
Um, you go to Rotolo’s of course.

It’s basically an artisan pizza, salad, wings, soup, and stuff place.
We had all those things last night and they were all very good.

One note: check your ticket. Oftentimes, they will add a tip BEFORE you get the opportunity, so if you’re tipping, have fun, but know, you’ve just pretty much tipped 30%.
That said, it was lovely. Prices were fine. Resturaunt was clean, cost and waitstaff was wonderful.

03/08/2026

Ribeye Steaks, Alexandria, LA
Stopped by yesterday.
Treated beautifully by the proprietor and the wait staff.
It’s a good spot to grab a meal.
So many things look home-made.
They serve pasta, pizzas, steaks, lamb, have a salad bar and are just a neat little spot.
(Hint: If you order the rack of lamb, order it seared and rare and bring at least three other folks with you.)

02/27/2026

Stacked & Tossed

Man, those sandwiches and cookies are yum!
Just try a #1 or a Buc or the Rueben or any of the soups, or a salad.
Always, always good. And, if you’re lucky, you may get a taste of the home-made baklava before it sells out.
Haughton, LA or N. Bossier…. Both are amazing!

02/27/2026

A few days ago, I had to run to Leesville and I stopped by this adorable little coffee shop, on my way from here to there.
Had the best matcha tea drink ever. It was kinda-sorta a ‘Grinch matcha’ but sugar-free.
Literally, yum!!

Oh yes, there’s an adorable shop next door that had cute treasures of all kinds. I needed everything, but, left with one sweet treasure and one sweet treat.

Welcome to Great Commission Coffee Co., a faith-based Coffee Shop in the small Village of Grand Cane, where Community and Connection thrive. Enjoy our rich Coffee in a warm, inviting atmosphere designed for relaxation and conversation.

02/27/2026

Sweetfern Coffee, Eats, & Sweets
For my pick me up, I had to run by my fav. Benton coffee shop.
I just can’t say enough good about this darling little place.

You gotta try it!

Enjoy our handcrafted coffee and fresh sandwiches, along with cookies made from scratch. Visit Sweetfern Coffee, Eats, & Sweets for a delightful experience!

02/27/2026

Smith Family Farms of Louisiana
So, when I’m away from my hometown, Leesville, I try to find a good meat market. ( ‘cause we are blessed with two or three in our little neck of the woods.)
In Benton, I’m pretty sure this is my go-to.
So, today, I found that they had lunch (and dinner) to-go’s available.
Can I just say that the chicken/artichoke sandwich is literally the best thing I’ve had to eat anywhere in the Shreveport Bossier area?! (And, honey, there’s some gooood eatin’ spots up here.)
My goodness! That was a fantastic sandwich!

Smith Family Farms, located near Lake Bistineau in northwest Louisiana, raises beef cattle and hair sheep. No unnecessary hormones or antibiotics are used with their animals. They are pasture raised and fed a unique blend of spent grain. Whether you are someone looking for that one cut of meat or al