My Traveling Co-Pilot

My doggie boy Louis is my faithful, sweet traveling companion!

I sure do love this little fellow!

Memories ~ sweet memories

Cleaning out a nasty box at my little cottage in Louisiana after a great Mardi Gras weekend - before heading home to Ft. Worth.

It's no wonder that I am drawn to my home state with its glorious music. I grew up waking up to Lawrence Welk, Al Hirt, and any number of artists, if not my own father on his trumpet, cornet, clarinet, banjo or whatever his instrument of the day would be. How I wish that musical inclination would be the trait that I inherited from him!

Just a few of the many cylinder records and albums that I have unearthed this morning. Perhaps not a treasure of monetary value, but certainly a treasure trove of memories!

Happy Mardi Gras Y'all!

Headed to Lafayette for the King's parade then to Iota for the men's Courir de Mardi Gras!

T-Mamou Courir de Mardi Gras

I had an ABSOLUTE BLAST running the Courir de Mardi Gras with the T-Mamou ladies Krewe!  In spite of some horrible, threatening weather, we enjoyed the music and revelry at several homes, a fabulous gumbo at the Fruge Farm barn, and then the final Mardi Gras at DI's restaurant in Evangeline, LA.  Still a few days of celebration left!

Typical Cajun Mardi Gras mask ~ all hand made

My sister, my best friend and myself ~ dressed and ready for the Courir de Mardi Gras

Making mischief - about to squirt a gentleman with ketchup!

A typical hand made Cajun Mardi Gras mask

It's Mardi Gras!!!

And in SPITE of the Monsoon we are headed to Fred's in Mamou ~ a Louisiana tradition! They produce a Cajun music show every Saturday morning and on Mardi Gras Day ~ so this morning we're headed that way - I'm bringing my very own Mardi Gras with me in his mask that I made with my own little hands!! Let the FUN begin!!

Don't Eat The Dead Ones!

Don't eat the dead one!!

You may have heard a crawfish lover use that expression ~ but do you know what it means?? 

See that crawfish on the LEFT - see how his tail is straight out?  That means that he was DEAD before he was boiled! 

See the crawfish on the RIGHT - see how his tail is curled up?  That means that he was ALIVE when he was boiled!!

This is your way of knowing that your crawfish will be fresh and great tasting when you eat it - never eat a straight crawfish as it will be mushy and not great tasting ~ but enjoy the heck out of those curled tails!!

We prefer crawfish more than a little spicy and with a "dip" made of mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, Tabasco sauce, and any other seasoning that you might want to add - YUMMY!!

Crawfish season runs from early January to Mother's Day weekend - get you some!!

Louisiana Sunset

Somewhere across this amazing state, I hope that two sweethearts shared a glass of wine over this beautiful Valentine's Day sunset.  As for me, I was driving through Mamou, just 45 minutes from my beloved Cottage in Maxie, coming into town to enjoy Mardi Gras.  My sweetheart will join me on Friday evening for a few days of merriment, so for tonight ~ cheers ~ and Happy Valentine's Day to you!

Louisiana sunsets don't get prettier than this!

Crawfish traps in the rice field - beautiful sunset!

Headed to Cajun Country

For Mardi Gras!

Laissez Le Bon Temps Rouler!!!!

Quick trip to Canton

My sister Myrel and I decided to do a quick one day trip to Canton's Monday Trade Days ~ it was painful for me ~ a self admitted lover of all things rusty, iron, vintage - only one day! Yikes! There will be another weekend trip very, very soon! One day just wasn't enough!

Austin, TX

Spent a wonderful afternoon with my baby boy on South Congress - I love spending time with him ~ I get so lonesome now that he's grown up! We certainly enjoyed the sights of Austin!

My grown up "baby boy"

Love this cutie!

Uncommon Objects - great shop!

Love him with every bit of my heart!

Food trailers everywhere!

Great art work!

I LOVE this big 'ol chicken!

As Time Goes By

We attended a wonder dinner dance to benefit the Joint Forces Military Museum at Camp Mabry - Austin, TX. Great big band sounds, good food, great company!