traveling apron

Isle of Capri Casino + Taste of Home + Traveling Apron

0 · Feb 20, 2014 · Leave a Comment

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I

M-I- crooked letter, crooked letter, I, crooked letter, crooked letter, I, hump back, hump back, I.

M- I- salt-salt, I, salt-salt, I, pepper- pepper, I.

Have you caught on that I’m headed to Mississippi this weekend and I’ve covered all my bases on properly spelling the state? Every song I ever sang in effort to memorize the state’s spelling came flooding back to me just now and I cannot, for the life of me, stop singing the Mississippi songs.

For the next two weekends I’ll be journeying myself (and my traveling apron) to the great state of Mississippi to participate in not one, but TWO Taste of Home Cooking School events with culinary specialist Michael Barna.

This weekend, Saturday February 22nd we’ll be in Lula, Mississippi.

(click on the image to purchase tickets or for more information)

Located about an hour from Memphis, I don’t know much about this tiny town but I do know three things:

1. The cooking school has teamed up with the Isle of Capri Casino to host the event and I’m feeling pretty lucky considering it’s my birthday weekend and all.

2. The culinary specialist is making my Honey Garlic Party Meatballs, and those little things sure do spice things up.

3. The traveling apron is pretty darn excited to buckle up and hit the road. I mean, after all, she’s the “traveling” apron.

Can’t catch us in Lula, but want the information for the following weekend?

Well, okee dokee!

Saturday, March 1st The Traveling Apron will also be strutting her stuff in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

(click on the image to purchase tickets or for more information)

Located near Jackson, Mississippi, Vicksburg is just a hop, skip and a jump from my north Louisiana girls.

Helllllllloooooo road trip.

If you live in either of these areas, or have family in either of these areas, PLEASE spread the word and if you plan on attending either event be sure to reach out to me beforehand.

Or, if you have any questions about the events don’t hesitate to send me an email.

The events are a super fun time. You learn new recipes, tips and tricks, and you have the opportunity to WIN prizes and take home the culinary specialist’s creations. I’ve never seen a cooking school event bake and decorate a cake then send an attendee home with the cake AND the Lennox cake stand it was sitting on.

Saw it happen in Birmingham, y’all.

I hear we’re serving up some Pineapple Upside Down Cakes. Ssshhhhh……

PS: Louisiana girls mark your calendars for Saturday, March 8th in Lake Charles. More details on that SOON!

Men, Monograms & Manuscripts

0 · Feb 10, 2014 · 5 Comments

After 3 1/2 years of marriage, I’ve learned that my husband is not a fan of monograms in our home.

Do you know what this does to my Southern monogramming loving heart?

Shattered.

From birth, Southerners are taught to embrace the monogram.

He didn’t seem to mind when I monogrammed nearly our entire wedding.

Now, let’s envision this blue shower curtain with a tone on tone monogram.

Source: LD Linens & Decor

Gorgeous, huh?

And this front porch rocker with monogram decal?

Source: Southern Soulmates Blog

Oh, it’s happening.

And finally, I’ve got my eye on these beauties:

Source: Daily Cup of Couture

As we make our way through the obscene amount of home building decisions, he keeps making little comments like “you’re not a putting a monogram on that, are you?”.

Sigh.

I was talking to a friend the other day about my dilemma and she said her husband despises them, too. Says he asks her if she’s going to kindergarten when she wears her monogrammed sweatshirt.

I had to admit that’s pretty funny. It’s helpful to know I’m not alone.

But it doesn’t make my home decor decisions any easier knowing I’m going to have to sneak in the monograms.

In other news…..

The cookbook manuscript is DONE.

Editorial is wrapping up some details and then we’ll be super duper close to announcing a launch date.

Since it’s now out of my hands and into theirs, I can announce that I’ve partnered with LifeRich Publishing and Reader’s Digest to bring the recipes from The Traveling Apron Recipe Swap to life.

20,000+ miles were traveled, literally from coast to coast.

Recipes handed down from grandmothers, great-grandmothers, nana’s and maw-maws are all contained within the pages. Recipes from people like you and I bound together from something as simple as rotating an empty recipe binder and eyelet lace apron.

It’s been exciting and exhausting.

Rewarding and overwhelming.

And when I thought I was in over my head and ready to throw in the towel, I went back through the stories and reminded myself of why this project was special in the first place.

It’s special because it’s not just about me. It’s about all of the family traditions and cherished memories that surfaced by simply asking women to share their favorite recipes.

They opened their hearts and shared those memories with me and I’ve never been more proud to honor them in this way.

Recreating their family dishes for the book has meant more to me than I could’ve ever imagined when I had the spontaneous idea to circulate an apron and swap recipes with strangers.

The process has flown by but later in the week I’ll be sharing with you more of the publishing specifics.

I have friends who have gone the traditional publishing route, a sister-in-law who has self-published, know of two others who have also self-published, and even know of some who have gotten the short end of the stick publishing deals because they just didn’t know any better. My avenue has been different than them all.

So, if you’re interested in writing a book I think you’ll find it helpful to know all the options out there.

And even if you think you’re not interested in ever writing a book (I surely didn’t have it on my radar) I think you’ll also find it interesting.

Oh, and before I forget the first ever Aimee Broussard newsletter went out this morning!

Did you get it?

Did it work?

In effort to streamline how many emails you get from me and filter out what you may or may not want to read I’ve switched over to a bi-weekly newsletter rather than a new email every time I publish a new post.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be publishing much more frequently and I didn’t want your email alerts overwhelming you.

The newsletter is short and sweet. It’ll highlight cookbook news and let you know of any events I’m participating in, and it’ll also reference a blog post or two to let you know what’s happening on the blog.

If you haven’t signed up, you can do so at the very top of the blog.

And if you’ve already signed up but you’re grumpy because you actually liked getting an email with a new post, then just let me know and I’ll put you on both rotations.

Tomorrow we’ll be chatting about my upcoming trips to Mississippi.

Anyone out there near Lula or Vicksburg?

Inquiring minds needs to know!

The Traveling Apron: Recipes While They’re Overseas

0 · Nov 20, 2013 · 10 Comments

This post has been a long time coming.

It’s been easy to say “Oh, I just haven’t had the time” rather than it has been to find the right words.

So instead of trying to find the “right” words, I’m just going to share my story.

Back in September I boarded a plane bound for New Jersey as part of the Duncan Hines Sweet Stars weekend.

My flight to New Jersey departed Baton Rouge with a quick connection in Houston (don’t ask me why you have you fly West in order to go North-East).

Nearly half of the plane was occupied with uniformed men heading to a staging area in Texas.

I knew from the tears at the airport that they were deploying.

Photo: via

On that flight to Houston, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversations of the guys across the aisle from me.

“Your wife take it as hard as mine did”?

“Yeah man, it sure doesn’t get any easier”.

A third soldier chimed in, “I promised mine we’d take the kids to Disney World for Christmas when we get back”.

Next Christmas.

As in Christmas 2014.

My heart stopped at that moment and tears were forming in my eyes.

The man closest to me caught my glance as I confirmed this wasn’t his first deployment.

Using his hand, he held up the number 3.

3 times he’s said goodbye. 3 times he’s been away from his family for extended amounts of time. 3 times that he’s said yes to the call to continue to protect our freedom.

I chatted with them about where they were from, the trips they were planning once home, how many children they had and what their titles and duties were.

And then I did something that probably made them think I was nuts.

I whipped out my business cards and told them to pass my information on to their wives.

Not so that they could read my blog but if they needed anything, if they wanted to talk, whatever.

I just wanted them to know they weren’t alone.

Once in Houston, after some quick “be safe” exchanges the guys went their way and I boarded the next flight to New Jersey.

In tears.

And with heart broken text messages to my husband that life just wasn’t fair.

The next day, I met a bunch of foodies at Duncan Hines but one stood out from all the rest.

Toni from Make Bake Celebrate.

A military wife, mom to 3 little people and baker extraordinaire she’s as sweet as her cupcakes.

Her weekend at Duncan Hines was but a brief getaway before she had to pack her home and move her family across the country.

A new post in which to live, new schools for the kids to attend, new friends for her to make….

It was in hearing her story that I knew.

I knew I wanted to do something specifically for those wives whose husband’s I met earlier that week.

An apron isn’t going to ease the pain of not having their spouse.

An apron isn’t going to change the fact that holidays and birthdays are still going to be missed.

Sharing recipes isn’t going to make their loved ones come home any earlier. Or safe.

But it will give them something created uniquely for women going through what they are going through.

And if it gives just one of them something to look forward to, then I’ve done my small part in making the time alone more bearable.

If you, or someone you know is a spouse, mother, grandmother, aunt to someone deployed overseas then I invite you to sign up for The Traveling Apron: Recipes While They’re Overseas.

An apron, a recipe binder, and blank recipe cards will be provided for your use.

At the end of the swap, the collection of recipes will be compiled for all participants to enjoy.

This apron will begin circulating December 15th, 2013 and run through December 15th, 2014.

Oops! We could not locate your form.

And since we’re talking about another apron + recipe swap, have you been following the original Traveling Apron Recipe Swap on Instagram?

You can enter the hashtag #travelingapron and see all the places it has been.

There’s some big, big, BIG news coming up soon regarding its travels.

Skillet Pizza Dip

0 · Aug 27, 2013 · 2 Comments

The beauty of The Traveling Apron recipe swap is checking my email and finding fun recipes like the Skillet Pizza Dip submitted from April in Texas, then making them to share with you.

My first thought when I saw “Pizza Dip” hit my inbox was: I’m going to make that for tailgating season.

I’m going to add pepperonis and black olives.

And I’m going to do it in a mini skillet!

I’m going to use my fancy cheese spreader.

And top bread stick spirals with my pizza dip.

And I’m going to be one happy girl.

Don’t let this photo deceive you.

The pizza dip is good. Really, really, good.

And it is insanely easy. 5 ingredients. Minimum prep time. What more could you want?

I might’ve even had it for lunch!

Pizza Dip {Traveling Apron Recipe}

Save Print

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

35 mins

Author: April Ockerman

Recipe type: Appetizer

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 package cream cheese, softened
Small can pizza sauce, about ½ cup worth
1 cup Shredded Italian Blend Cheese
Half package mini pepperoni, or chop 1 cup regular pepperoni

Instructions

Spread cream cheese on the bottom of an 8x8 pan. Top with pizza sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Place the pepperoni over the top. Bake at 375 for about 30 minutes or until bubbly. You can add pretty much any toppings to it that you like on your pizza. The more the better. Serve with chips, bread or veggies for dipping.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron

0 · May 30, 2013 · 6 Comments

Ya’ll, it’s finally ready to go!

This fun little idea I had of creating a community around a frilly little vintage-ish eyelet apron, and the most scrumptious recipes you’ve got.

Graphic: Designs by Nicolina

I’m providing the apron, a recipe binder, and I’m even including some matching recipe cards!

Ever seen the movie Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants?

This will work the same way!

Let’s take a moment and marvel at the apron shall we?

Why yes, you’ll get a flower pin to play with too.

That’s linen and eyelet lace, ladies.

You excited as I am?

I’ll send the first person on the list a box full of “traveling goodies”.

Along with the apron and recipe binder, I’ll send two copies of my 3 favorite recipes.

One set goes into the binder for everyone to enjoy.

One set is for my person to keep.

My person will then have 2 weeks to twirl in the apron, perfect her recipes, and then send the traveling box on its way.

She will also choose 1 of the 3 recipes that is her absolute favorite, and email me a copy to be featured here on the blog.

That’s right. I’m going to make everything you ladies are dishing out, so make it yummy!

Be creative!

If you live in the South, include Southern recipes.

Live in the North? Include something us Southerners may have never tried.

Got a favorite family recipe? I’d love for you to share it!

Once the signup has ended, everyone will receive from me your expected date to receive your box, your travel buddy (who you’ll send your box to), and the downloadable file for the recipe cards.

Got fancy recipe cards of your own? Use them and show off!

Now, you’re probably thinking this is great and all but what if I don’t want to part with the apron? What a tease Aimee is!

Or, I was first on the list so there weren’t many recipes for me to benefit from.

Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron participants will have the ability of purchasing their very own traveling apron for half price (details coming soon) as a special thank you for playing along.

And, even better…..Once the binder returns to me safe and sound, I’ll be compiling ALL the participant recipes and sending each & every one an individual copy.

That’s right- Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron, A Collection of Recipes- Volume One will be in e-book form.

SQUEAL!!!!!

You’re gonna be famous, honey.

Ok, well maybe just to me. But seriously FAMOUS!

As fun as all this sounds, please, please, please do not sign up if you feel that you cannot fulfill the obligations set forth.

You will need to share recipes.

You will need to email me one recipe.

You will need to mail the box to your partner in a timely fashion.

If you drop the ball on mailing the traveling goodies, you’ll let your partner down.

You’ll let me down.

Doggone it, you’ll let the entire Sisterhood down.

So be a good sister.

******UPDATE: Volume One of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Apron filled more quickly than expected. Even with TWO aprons traveling, volume one is COMPLETELY FILLED. Thanks so much for your interest! *********

The first Sisterhood is limited to residents of the United States only.

I’ll accept signups through the weekend, and will remove the form on Monday, June 3rd.

If for some reason a zillion people sign up and we extend beyond 2013 traveling, I’ll implement a waiting list.

The goal is to have the binder back to me by New Year’s.

Welcome to the Sisterhood, it’s nice to have you here!