tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-254130582024-03-07T03:06:32.396-06:00Hot Boudin Blog<br><br><br><br><br><br><br>News and notes from L'Acadie Inn in Eunice, Louisiana. In this blog, Lance and Kelly Pitre will provide guests with news and pictures from prior events, inform guests of upcoming events in Eunice and Acadiana, share stories and notes regarding our Cajun heritage, and provide links to our website at www.hotboudin.com.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-6066386388126897762009-02-02T08:47:00.002-06:002019-07-04T12:09:29.673-05:00Mardi Gras in the AreaSome people are looking for more to do for Mardi Gras, or weren't able to get a reservation with us. In that case, I came across a nice website that might help out. <a href="http://www.arnb.org/Mardigras.php">Arn Burkhoff</a> has put together a nice, but not extensive site that may help. Also, the following may help as well:<br />
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<a href="http://www.acadiatourism.org/calendar.htm#February">Acadia Parish</a><br />
<a href="http://www.cajuntravel.com/calendar/">St. Landry Parish</a> has plenty of options<br />
<a href="http://www.eunice-la.com/mardigras09sch.html">The City of Eunice</a></div>
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Finally, if you're looking for pictures from last year or need ideas for your costume, <a href="http://www.lsue.edu/acadgate/schedule.htm">Dr. Simpson at LSUE </a>has loads of images from 2008 and many years before that. <br />
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Last, but not least, if you are in the Eunice area and can't get some of Kelly's homemade king cake on the Friday before Mardi Gras, go to Champagne's grocery on Maple Street for the best king cake. <br />
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Sorry the post is so short, but so is life and I need to get on with it!Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-77205877850417807512008-09-17T15:31:00.004-05:002008-09-17T16:06:10.589-05:00No pictures yet, maybe laterOkay, so I've been busy. We had only minor damage from Hurricane Ike, mostly more roof damage and debris everywhere. The power went off for only a couple of hours. By the time Lance got the generator hooked back up, the power came back on. <br /><br />And, yes, once again, we are full with evacuees- lots of children too. This time, they are from Hackberry, Crystal Beach, Vinton and etc. I wish I could help them like we did for the previous storms, but I'm all worn out- my doctor followed me out the door telling me to rest.<br /><br />The children are catching up with school work and getting back into a routine, but they seem tired too. My dad is back in the hospital- I'm not even sure where to begin with that one, but it doesn't look good. Enough bad....<br /><br />Lance and the older kids went to an LSU game last Saturday. Lance said they spent steak house dollars on burger joint food, and then wanted to stop on the way home because they were hungry! Does FEMA give out grants for bottomless pits?<br /><br />We've started back working on symphony music (oh wait, I said enough bad- ha ha!). Our first practice is Monday. The children are in second strings, and I'm doing guitar for some of the Beatles tunes. I'm sure it will be good with more practice. We're also supposed to be performing at the Rice Festival with the rest of the group, but that's only a maybe since I'm eyeing possible vacation time.<br /><br />My quilting is coming along slowly. I have a batik "storm at sea" (how appropriate) wall hanging I'm wrapping up for the fall festival at our church. Lance says I won't be able to go to the auction, because it will break my heart. I'm trying to learn "sacrifice" and "letting go". It seems to be a theme in my life!<br /><br />We have a new "drop off" pair. This is where people "drop off" unwanted animals at our house. We adopted the last kitten, who now pays us back with attacking our legs and ankles as we walk by. He actually leaps out from behind a piece of furniture and clings to the highest point possible on your leg. It's rather alarming sometimes. His name is Junior. Heidi puts him down for a nap every afternoon and he sleeps in her arms for at least an hour. Our new pair is a white calico kitten and a blue heeler female puppy. They sleep together on the back porch at night and terrorize the chickens by day. I'm hoping to find good homes soon before they get too attached to each other and the children get too attached to them. Heidi and Matthew are already riding the puppy around in the basket of the bike!<br /><br />Thanks for reading my ramblings. May God bless all those who are tired and heartbroken. May He give them the strength to carry on, and to find solace in Him. May God bless you! KellyLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-80121228602600027522008-09-04T13:32:00.003-05:002008-09-04T14:16:02.941-05:00Minimal damage, everyone safeWe were able to sleep in our house last night since the power returned yesterday afternoon. All the children except Nickel did fine. Nickel seems to have come down with a sinus infection and is not too happy with it. I'm sure the heat didn't help. The experience is not one I want to repeat again. I think everything would have been fine without five anxious children and no electricity. Here's what happened.<br /><br />We moved into the hotel rooms on Sunday since we weren't sure exactly when Gustav was going to hit land and what kind of weather we might be facing. The children were all excited with an adventure. Everything was pretty calm with a decent wind coming off the prairie, but nothing too harsh.<br /><br />Monday morning the wind had picked up, and by noon things were starting to get a little hairy. We stood in the corridor and watched as sheets of rain came by horizontally. The wind threw debris everywhere and howled and moaned like some invisible monster. By about 4 pm, Monday afternoon, the transformer blew and the power went out. Occasionally, we heard a crack from trees going down. As we listened to the radio, we realized that the eye passed to the east of us, so we didn't get the worst part of the storm. Winds were in the range of 80-90 mph for us. Things began calming down by about 8 pm which was a huge relief. No one wants to be in a hurricane at night. At least during the day, you can see what is happening. I came to a big realization. The reporters you see fighting wind and rain and drama on tv are only in the 30-40 mph winds before the main part hits. The wind was so strong, it looked like it would pick up the vehicles at any moment and put them in the soybean field across the street.<br /><br />We started getting reports that Opelousas to Baton Rouge got hit pretty hard. Lance's little brother is in B.R. and so were two of my sisters. They will probably be without power for two weeks or so. Monday night, after the eye passed was when the tornadoes came through about 2:30-3:30 am. We didn't get any more damage, just more limbs. The lightning and thunder were pretty fierce for a while. What is amazing to me is that the people who evacuated to the North-- Alexandria up to Monroe got quite a bit of damage and no power too. My sister said that her high school in Opelousas lost their roof and some of the walls were collapsing from rain water. Her school will be closed indefinitely along with a couple of others in Opelousas, Leonville and Arnaudville. As we talk to more people in Eunice, it seems most, like us, only have limbs, roof & fence damage, along with power outages. There are downed trees throughout our area and curfews are still in effect. We have a friend who sent his wife and kids to evacuate. He ended up with a tree through his house. He says he's not staying next time either and wished he hadn't this time.<br /><br />Hotel rooms are currently scarce to non-existent. Traffic is horrendous on the main thoroughfares with people trying to get back home. Gas and groceries are just starting to be more available as opposed to an 1 1/2 hour wait. Everyone is definitely relieved to see how well things are moving. I'll try to post some pictures and video in the next few days. Lance refuses to take down the plywood until we know more about Ike. I don't blame him. We've started the clean-up. It's a debate on whether or not to file insurance claims. Lance says our insurance rates are going up regardless. And it's definitely disappointing not to be able to watch the Tigers play this weekend, but I guess we understand. Hopefully, we'll be able to see them play next weekend. <br /><br />My mom and dad are still without power. It seems the stress was a little too much for Dad. He had to go to the emergency room. The doctor thinks it's atrial fibrilation, but they can't seem to get a cardiologist. At least he's somewhat comfortable in the hospital since they have power and he's getting regular meals and hydration. <br /><br />Thank you all for your prayers! They worked!<br /><br />Go Away Ike!<br /><br />KellyLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-86016929535907434682008-09-01T08:41:00.002-05:002008-09-01T08:55:03.417-05:00Winds picking up, but so far okay!We're sitting out in the parking lot eating boudin and cracklins so you know everyone is doing well. Nickel is inside watching tractors and playing Thomas trains. The hurricane has made landfall in Houma and dropped down to a Cat. 2. Lance says it's still going to be worse than Rita. We're eyeing a couple of trees that may not make it. The worst of the storm for us will be later this evening. We've boarded up, taken down, put up and secured everything in sight. The margaritas & beer are in the fridge (unfortunately, no xanax here!). We took down the slides. Lance is pretty worried about the playground. When we built it, we joked a lot about taking shelter there, but I think that may be overstated. The kids are set up in their room with movies, laptop & PS3. They all cheered when we said the hurricane had dropped in level. It seems service personnel are ready to move, they all want reservations for Tuesday afternoon, including a Fema guy. Thanks again for all the prayers, messages and email! KellyLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-36322585084522287872008-08-31T08:07:00.002-05:002008-08-31T08:10:55.510-05:00Hurricane Gustav PreparationsFirst, let me thank everyone for your emails and prayers. They have really been blessings. We are currently making preparations and getting ready. We will not be evacuating. Our family will move into the hotel rooms since they're safer than the house. The hurricane is due to hit tomorrow, so things are really moving now and I'll try to write more later. KellyLancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-90942247240256603362008-06-24T10:21:00.013-05:002008-12-09T08:45:03.756-06:00Summertime blues....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1niWZCwwyR3R9rdyc-eqqVydYv5fdLXQtJG-x5U7wMSu-5EWRn-2YPDDQtO6iwueFEzIIi9ZfslszPsyOo2k0haWAEaRpNzCs0PymKcfV1sUnfk9cyFwdwlPn1SMcb2fFOFqRMw/s1600-h/CIMG0460.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1niWZCwwyR3R9rdyc-eqqVydYv5fdLXQtJG-x5U7wMSu-5EWRn-2YPDDQtO6iwueFEzIIi9ZfslszPsyOo2k0haWAEaRpNzCs0PymKcfV1sUnfk9cyFwdwlPn1SMcb2fFOFqRMw/s200/CIMG0460.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215489324033974162" border="0" /></a>We have finally gotten through most of the summer camps- Camp Lone Star in Texas, Vacation Bible School, and Cajun-Creole Kids Camp. I feel like I have been busier than when school was in. Heidi only has one more camp in July- a culture camp. I have tried to work on some of my projects, but it's practically hopeless now. I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvmHxsZNWLQ7iJj9q6jXz2ahKv3Z0TMoNvGwstsXIC9xd5g4Ty7uc92Zs_uut89bwJE16jTQeGTgQkZyPOjy6wAW5cm0eCbuIRRIkzTYy-DzyAWglf31AsyMgT3OY9Ajprt7UgA/s1600-h/CIMG0437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvmHxsZNWLQ7iJj9q6jXz2ahKv3Z0TMoNvGwstsXIC9xd5g4Ty7uc92Zs_uut89bwJE16jTQeGTgQkZyPOjy6wAW5cm0eCbuIRRIkzTYy-DzyAWglf31AsyMgT3OY9Ajprt7UgA/s200/CIMG0437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215488761508773858" border="0" /></a> was able to finish Matt's quilt-- just in time for a hot summer! Oh well, he'll appreciate it later in the year. I also made some nice baskets and other quilts for<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksXrsAewRbrxa8_JnwJgq9DoCPAhJc26kH3FuXsCSaLV55thQ5dh0X-8gS4LjgEpEPltlT9JK0Nk6zqmCDrroOwhevqulK01nY3Y5BU77u25kUst_l6Nu0LVlKnUsS1oz6Tykpg/s1600-h/CIMG0487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksXrsAewRbrxa8_JnwJgq9DoCPAhJc26kH3FuXsCSaLV55thQ5dh0X-8gS4LjgEpEPltlT9JK0Nk6zqmCDrroOwhevqulK01nY3Y5BU77u25kUst_l6Nu0LVlKnUsS1oz6Tykpg/s200/CIMG0487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215487134097772658" border="0" /></a> various gifts. We've been staying awfully busy with the hotel & campground. Apparently, oil companies are really looking for new sites. We've had pipeline & seismic crews keeping us almost full. Unfortunately, with gas prices and everything <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e9_-OnIbao9iJ8UgfIWdiyl1Xn9bcWR2Z2wHlR8KM65KCfpm3yI47cWXHRxhhSMPoH2VJMApEN4lsCO36Pls-houbq-tJtlfmlI_sYBJAYiZnb68ZSKYR4DFi_vGC0nIiRQv-A/s1600-h/CIMG0457.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9e9_-OnIbao9iJ8UgfIWdiyl1Xn9bcWR2Z2wHlR8KM65KCfpm3yI47cWXHRxhhSMPoH2VJMApEN4lsCO36Pls-houbq-tJtlfmlI_sYBJAYiZnb68ZSKYR4DFi_vGC0nIiRQv-A/s200/CIMG0457.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215491950812438898" border="0" /></a>else on the rise, we're forced to increase our rates too. Believe it or not, the only expense that decreased this year was our insurance! Luckily for y'all, our loyal friends and guests, we are still almost half the franchise prices with more to offer!<br /><br />My summer projects include container vegetable gardening, more quilting, taking care of lots of baby animals, canning, trying to get a schedule together for fall school, and last but not least, guitar. I have had beautiful cherry tomatoes, a few creole tomatoes, but no others yet. I planted late, so there's still time. I planted pole beans, cucumbe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W556kEBmE9E23cgrOyJi01hTMDOs0C9DQDOl-EwnayjSNXZxA82yCWxY56-vk2QnnVLWaCzxWsLOjLnTCDCc2tfN9c4wCjo1MotB9ICs5u8bH32VDTfUvVf7fYDm9-9ovSftVA/s1600-h/CIMG0495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2W556kEBmE9E23cgrOyJi01hTMDOs0C9DQDOl-EwnayjSNXZxA82yCWxY56-vk2QnnVLWaCzxWsLOjLnTCDCc2tfN9c4wCjo1MotB9ICs5u8bH32VDTfUvVf7fYDm9-9ovSftVA/s200/CIMG0495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215499317255174882" border="0" /></a>rs, yellow straight neck squash, herbs, eggplant and pablano peppers. Heidi has planted a watermelon. I'm curious to see how that turns out. It's some kind of black beauty with a really dark skin, but sweet insides. I was going to plant potatoes, but I waited to late for that. A local farmer told me to get the seed potatoes from the feed store and plant in mid-February. I'll have to plan that one next year (right before Mardi Gras; who knows maybe I will find the time!). The rain has been really nice for <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMaHpDogwU9VhFX2XRdKuXnSAlQ3vJzjIaZmtRuOsyTm3V_3Y6sV1UTgnt1W2ExJIY5citu_WdP9P6w4boR4KCcXxEkmlf2tto9QBWu6OjPqfm9L6NelAhZRW4olkf8rTDhiZ1Q/s1600-h/CIMG0493.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMaHpDogwU9VhFX2XRdKuXnSAlQ3vJzjIaZmtRuOsyTm3V_3Y6sV1UTgnt1W2ExJIY5citu_WdP9P6w4boR4KCcXxEkmlf2tto9QBWu6OjPqfm9L6NelAhZRW4olkf8rTDhiZ1Q/s200/CIMG0493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215499157511137330" border="0" /></a>gardening this past spring, with cool days. But then summer hit with full force. Now it only rains once a week and seems to just make steam instead of cool air. The hobby farm is doing nicely. Both of our Katahdin ewes had babies, a set of twins and a single. The children aren't too impressed with the idea of eating the males (2), but it's that<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprpQts9JpwQWiUFHlA2LrjSY3-9qZVeDscaDvuV76uHz8RIO3uY-2TU83WoAE5N4LZLDfi2ougNPQIBKexa-2FX4hWnlcU-w1gtOW7XctSSF54Iwvm0cEODHXMpU_xc-8mE-uuQ/s1600-h/CIMG0491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprpQts9JpwQWiUFHlA2LrjSY3-9qZVeDscaDvuV76uHz8RIO3uY-2TU83WoAE5N4LZLDfi2ougNPQIBKexa-2FX4hWnlcU-w1gtOW7XctSSF54Iwvm0cEODHXMpU_xc-8mE-uuQ/s200/CIMG0491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215498968023939634" border="0" /></a> or the auction. Heidi wanted to get rid of the ram and keep the lamb with brown spots, but I don't think that would work with good breeding practices. Our buff hen hatched some chicks (3 little cute fluffy black ones). She was pretty ferocious with us when we tried to check on them. I think I'll put up a sign that says "Beware, attack chicken!". Heidi's two dutch bunnies also had babies. Speaking of ferocious, maybe I should post a sign that says "Beware, attack chick & rabbit!" She wants to sell the bunnies, but I'm dreaming of a cast iron pot for their futures. The goose is sitting on a nest of about 7 eggs. I'm not totally sure when or if they'll hatch, but I think I also need to add "attack goose" to my sign too. I have to wonder if I got like that when I had my babies. Lance would probably say an emphatic yes! We <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3a1qSVYtYbDVH9_3sNoN8IUewzKkOBZAlgldU3L6W9G45XQdu2ZD-zywscnCMixZw6h3vqGNzIzRvkbS8a1BUJemRmSvYDA88cLmVyIM-inzXBoYZoE5CISmko-GoPh8T93dNw/s1600-h/CIMG0489.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3a1qSVYtYbDVH9_3sNoN8IUewzKkOBZAlgldU3L6W9G45XQdu2ZD-zywscnCMixZw6h3vqGNzIzRvkbS8a1BUJemRmSvYDA88cLmVyIM-inzXBoYZoE5CISmko-GoPh8T93dNw/s200/CIMG0489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215498745569078402" border="0" /></a>also bought some guinea keets. They're awfully cute. When I go out to feed them, they follow me around like I'm their mama. I hear some good and bad about guineas, so we'll have to wait and see. I think that since their diet is so much protein-based, their eggs should be very healthy. We still have our ducks, dog, cats and donkey too. They have kept to quiet lives with the exception of the cats. They're out in the front yard every morning stretched out in the shade, tormenting a poor mocking bird (Lance calls it breakfast theater).<br /><br />I've only canned a few things this year, but the figs are coming in soon, and I think I'll put up some of them. I made st<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG-pV1avHIZVxIYyQqQKWvmLYPMvmvZQObvWfqYGOTqOrTuMboDINd4t_eGMlaPLowL_1uC0MLwX0KkJ48PllNMkaIlCm2aS6FRzqaQckJ7YOXzhR-NDU6ZKbmjLeolM9p2bHlw/s1600-h/CIMG0488.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdG-pV1avHIZVxIYyQqQKWvmLYPMvmvZQObvWfqYGOTqOrTuMboDINd4t_eGMlaPLowL_1uC0MLwX0KkJ48PllNMkaIlCm2aS6FRzqaQckJ7YOXzhR-NDU6ZKbmjLeolM9p2bHlw/s200/CIMG0488.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215498446645759762" border="0" /></a>ewed tomatoes and pickled watermelon rind. I have mixed reviews on the watermelon. It's kind of like a sweet & sour, a little like pickled ginger at the chinese restaurant.<br /><br />Guitar is fun. I'm having a few issues with the barre chords, but I'm enjoying it. Bonnie, Lance's sister, is keeping me on my toes. We'll have a performance (with 30 other musicians & our kids) at the Liberty on Saturday, August 2nd. We're part of a group called the Prairie Cajun Fiddlers. Maybe we'll see you there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjbMQxDD7kMtpjlw1YJyvjfuQTfwy9kRCkCWZDu8qd6KAX9vKljKVVPn7bbrxyz670ePnesbhj5Bw1nKxEMRIG7dUXw0JxQ-lHKkIjPSMc4atPOg89O9DnHMej6-q0luy8T1d6g/s1600-h/CIMG0418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjbMQxDD7kMtpjlw1YJyvjfuQTfwy9kRCkCWZDu8qd6KAX9vKljKVVPn7bbrxyz670ePnesbhj5Bw1nKxEMRIG7dUXw0JxQ-lHKkIjPSMc4atPOg89O9DnHMej6-q0luy8T1d6g/s320/CIMG0418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215499549346699538" border="0" /></a>Nickel & Matt are being serenaded on our last road trip. You can see what Nickel seems to think of the chorus!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-15603367340479181552008-03-31T16:43:00.003-05:002008-03-31T16:57:34.231-05:00Etouffe Title or Not....<div style="text-align: left;">Well, we didn't win this year, but Toby's etouffee was really great and we cleaned the pot. We had a wonderful time from Friday night to Sunday night with non-stop partying. If you'd like to check out pictures of us, you can find a few on <a href="http://www.dailyworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080331/NEWS01/803310304/1002">The Daily World's website </a>and a few more in <a href="http://www.dailyworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=DH&Dato=20080330&Kategori=NEWS01&Lopenr=330004&Ref=PH">their photo gallery</a>. A Big Thank You to Toby Rodriguez soon to be Toby Pitre for cooking! Hopefully, I'll be back soon for more pictures.<br /><br />Heidi, Alain and Camille have all started spring ball. We are practicing almost every weeknight and starting games the second week in April. The children are also doing a performance at the Liberty with Matt & Heidi on fiddle, Al on accordion, and Bonnie & I on guitar. This might prove interesting and somewhat entertaining!<br /><br />Lance is having a birthday in May. He's working very hard on financing for Lakeview. We have also become Karaoke Revolution stars! Or maybe wannabe stars!<br /><br />Also, for those of you waiting to see my quilt that I have been working on since August, you might have to wait a little longer. Eventually I'll finish it and you can bet your shorts, I'll have pictures posted everywhere!<br /><br />Thanks for reading!<br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-56347542422171778982007-12-12T06:02:00.000-06:002008-12-09T08:45:05.358-06:00Merry Christmas emails<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSaIS7HvMwPFSligmxwts6d0wMifmA5e74KVKikw1nrN1l4Y-SSeqOkxF41wJOFFFQvoDgDgRX7_e9L-6tOzFyoHiHfDO1eYFlD5wfxF6SJi_7nt1Bmr_62_ktPAmPycv0Q_63w/s1600-h/CIMG0132.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSaIS7HvMwPFSligmxwts6d0wMifmA5e74KVKikw1nrN1l4Y-SSeqOkxF41wJOFFFQvoDgDgRX7_e9L-6tOzFyoHiHfDO1eYFlD5wfxF6SJi_7nt1Bmr_62_ktPAmPycv0Q_63w/s320/CIMG0132.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143168938439257474" border="0" /></a><br />I usually send out "Merry Christmas emails", but this year I'm probably not even going to do that. Between Christmas concerts, parties, and choirs, we have our plates full.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfowQKvVzeVmx7wSY5IxCdtpwU1vfMGu8CW-IOd1NU13Ymj5aEI1yQXIIx8O2KfZpX0E5MfZCqHfvemA60SHM519SyDfYISWi1243MGksJJae1x0_baT-XF2zxitcniHdEsC7IcA/s1600-h/CIMG0010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfowQKvVzeVmx7wSY5IxCdtpwU1vfMGu8CW-IOd1NU13Ymj5aEI1yQXIIx8O2KfZpX0E5MfZCqHfvemA60SHM519SyDfYISWi1243MGksJJae1x0_baT-XF2zxitcniHdEsC7IcA/s200/CIMG0010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143170110965329314" border="0" /></a><br />Matthew is now 12 years old. Lance calls him a preteender. He's taller than I am and likes to show it off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-BvYS9QHR2hEZpSwWmDBrpN1-qT1eextcQr9knDiIS_Z5MvMlrKQfs1rF-1olM1av7tU1_bmkfzbRnF7Nyl_I1cETi1yIB0M4quDEVVGcNeCJE-GoW-ofkI0QN7BcAq-TqKshw/s1600-h/CIMG0024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-BvYS9QHR2hEZpSwWmDBrpN1-qT1eextcQr9knDiIS_Z5MvMlrKQfs1rF-1olM1av7tU1_bmkfzbRnF7Nyl_I1cETi1yIB0M4quDEVVGcNeCJE-GoW-ofkI0QN7BcAq-TqKshw/s200/CIMG0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143170385843236274" border="0" /></a><br />Heidi is 10 years old. She participates in gymnastics, fiddle, and animal raising. She will also be in softball soon. They both have mentioned that they would like to run Mardi Gras this year with me. I think I've decided to let them do the pig and chicken chasing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g7lTyykGwOS0trqEbUcAk5SqNkIs0qcPIEOd2E7H66FO9-_qhYbibO39SfnEab5eO99YanKgr1itcUc2IQmpaba7BSWL08U0bRT_XP1xNn8KcoztkMYRIRzY0VsaDlSpr3HIGw/s1600-h/CIMG0036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7g7lTyykGwOS0trqEbUcAk5SqNkIs0qcPIEOd2E7H66FO9-_qhYbibO39SfnEab5eO99YanKgr1itcUc2IQmpaba7BSWL08U0bRT_XP1xNn8KcoztkMYRIRzY0VsaDlSpr3HIGw/s200/CIMG0036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143170725145652674" border="0" /></a>Alain is now 7, soon to be 8. He's very much looking forward to all upcoming holidays, especially Christmas. He has really taken to the new puppy we found dumped in a parking lot on a cold, rainy night. (Anyone need a good puppy?) The new puppy's name is Pichou for bobcat since he has fluffy ears and his tail has been docked.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrpbzz_1uCs-dxNg-h71TeGjytNPWLev7mi48lswtSyEtzpafo50P3oNaopN4SY4qSNzl3lfk2ZpDGU8hwwud-jVIp77JW1EP1l2YXUlnbqxoPvKyW_pztpTNCsLVCMnEWQbf1A/s1600-h/CIMG0017.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrpbzz_1uCs-dxNg-h71TeGjytNPWLev7mi48lswtSyEtzpafo50P3oNaopN4SY4qSNzl3lfk2ZpDGU8hwwud-jVIp77JW1EP1l2YXUlnbqxoPvKyW_pztpTNCsLVCMnEWQbf1A/s200/CIMG0017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143171064448069074" border="0" /></a><br />Camille is currently 4. She will turn 5 the weekend before Mardi Gras. She's the only one that attends school. She goes to a private preschool four mornings a week, and adores her teacher and classmates.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToIvqhNVIrRAipMhEYZa39kM1NwnPiz7dbfCTDUFZ8jnBD4Qggi9Ze931s_zBY30wKunXWgMMW6ftXYCi0gE3J6M0Ni7dR7lB2DaaChTojWi9hKCTERoFNBSD3A-IFCp-aTLnxA/s1600-h/CIMG0034.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToIvqhNVIrRAipMhEYZa39kM1NwnPiz7dbfCTDUFZ8jnBD4Qggi9Ze931s_zBY30wKunXWgMMW6ftXYCi0gE3J6M0Ni7dR7lB2DaaChTojWi9hKCTERoFNBSD3A-IFCp-aTLnxA/s200/CIMG0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143171365095779810" border="0" /></a>Nickel is 1 1/2 years. He is currently king of the family. Unfortunately, we have another climber. So not only does he dig, but he also climbs and digs, and then destroys anything in his way. Matthew was just like this, only not to this extent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgOU6nOUjQYXe8HbKEf6SFUfI7JD3YzvWNSTItyBPzvQgR2sBCPuQxpO346Y1wa1nqHezRm41Vrn1nwI0On3oiSrD5XC97iE890GAODR2W36x3LJvfYsaP_isPnJs9Eou2HrPBQ/s1600-h/CIMG0026.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgOU6nOUjQYXe8HbKEf6SFUfI7JD3YzvWNSTItyBPzvQgR2sBCPuQxpO346Y1wa1nqHezRm41Vrn1nwI0On3oiSrD5XC97iE890GAODR2W36x3LJvfYsaP_isPnJs9Eou2HrPBQ/s200/CIMG0026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143171717283098098" border="0" /></a>Lance is still working on the Lakeview RV Park. It's coming along slowly but surely. We're hoping the pace will pick up after the new year. I have been doing the same things-- homeschooling, cooking, sewing, quilting, and just being the general support staff (as my friend Debbie would say).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6kKWdLkgKvyp8W06jODID6yrzkP-ETQXh1hRjnVdEdBg5LNmfsneFmwTVHSDk-6CGCIAJUyYOEuUsUYk2VRxey3Ps-JaRwG6uuwQYk7uBLuP6ugkVHcktKctpLHwM-KlCq0ujg/s1600-h/CIMG0105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6kKWdLkgKvyp8W06jODID6yrzkP-ETQXh1hRjnVdEdBg5LNmfsneFmwTVHSDk-6CGCIAJUyYOEuUsUYk2VRxey3Ps-JaRwG6uuwQYk7uBLuP6ugkVHcktKctpLHwM-KlCq0ujg/s200/CIMG0105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143172529031917058" border="0" /></a>We are currently not just getting ready for Christmas, but Mardi Gras is only 7 weeks away. Get your costumes ready! I will be running this year and Lance gets to provide background services. He's already freaking a little, despite my reassurances. He's trying to find help and claims he can't be superman. This may be my only year to run, since we never know what next year will bring. I plan to have a good time, but not uphold the standard Lance may have set in year's past.<br /><br />I wish you all a very wonderful and peace<span style="font-style: italic;">full</span> Christmas, and also a blessed New Year!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-8000655728760530442007-10-01T12:44:00.000-05:002007-10-01T12:54:50.622-05:00Cajun HeritageAs you all know, our family tries to promote our Cajun heritage as much as possible. It doesn't just include food and music, but the natural wildlife and foliage. In the past, there has been considerable heated debate over the condition of the Prairie project in Eunice. Many in the area want it mowed down. I wrote this letter to the editor of the Eunice News, and it was published last week (with a few unagreed-upon changes).<br /><p class="Style" style=""><b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4A </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 8.5pt;">Sunday, September 23, 2007 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="Style" style=""><b><span style="font-size: 22.5pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Letters· to Editor <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="Style" style=""><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">What's the problem? </span></b><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Editor, The Eunice News: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I writing in response to the "whole community" complaining about the Prairie project on the corner of Martin Luther King Drive and Magnolia. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society purchased </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">10 </span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">acres of land from Union Pacific and maintains that land with a parking lot, paved sidewalks, annual burning of the property, and even weed trimming along the sidewalks. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have any of you pulled away from the sitcoms on TV and been out to this project? I have. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">And the funny thing is, I can't see anyone's backyard, or even front yard next to this property. It is separated by the railroad on the north side, streets on the east and south sides, and an empty shrub and tallow tree- covered lot owned by Union Pacific on the west side. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm not sure I understand what the complaints are about. Maybe we should be calling Union Pacific instead. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">We talk about sharing our Cajun culture and heritage with our children, with our neighbors, and with interested visitors. It's not just about food and music. Part of that culture is. a habitat native to the Cajun prairie. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Where can you go to truly see this habitat? The wetlands are disappearing, but so is the Cajun prairie. Oh, there are plenty of fields; where the grass, weeds and chicken trees have been taken over (just look right next to the Prairie Project). <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society is trying to promote Louisiana's natural Cajun prairie, and the city wants them to mow it down. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have plenty of mowed lawn to look at, but when I want to see wildflowers that are different with every season, this is the place I go and take my children to. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">And have you seen the butterflies? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I'm not just talking about the seemingly ubiquitous monarch that flies thousands of miles from Mexico. I've noticed cloudless sulphurs that are a delicate pale yellow, the color of that sticky note on your desk. Did you know that butterflies actually have host plants, or plants where they prefer to get their nectar? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking of nectar, the hummingbirds are out. Louisiana has more species of birds than 44 other states. What do birds feed on? Oh, that's right, insects. And insects feed off of plants. - <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Go to the Prairie Project and really look at the plants, grasses and flowers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">I want my five children to have the joy of discovering the world God created for us. Please allow them that. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="Style" style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kelly L. Pitre Co-owner, L' Acadie Inn Eunice <o:p></o:p></span></p> If you would like to see pictures of this project, please check out the website <a href="http://www.cajunprairie.org">www.cajunprairie.org</a> It is well worth a gander!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-89024322333759896722007-06-28T16:14:00.001-05:002008-12-09T08:45:07.135-06:00Family Work, Family Play<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgospbeVSfzX4o2VRLu4FodTiEXVom4pulKkjuYo2zi9OcgCTmm_Zk-BC93i-yb_ykj57BoZxkxFtVRHbPKMqwlTMV2P0lLmitzlaCgjZ6y27NYm2AOrzeVvjewzS4XTFnUIYHEQ/s1600-h/100_1467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgospbeVSfzX4o2VRLu4FodTiEXVom4pulKkjuYo2zi9OcgCTmm_Zk-BC93i-yb_ykj57BoZxkxFtVRHbPKMqwlTMV2P0lLmitzlaCgjZ6y27NYm2AOrzeVvjewzS4XTFnUIYHEQ/s320/100_1467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081254238367695458" border="0" /></a><br />We started a new project this June. Well, what's new, right?<br /><br />I had been having a playground kit that I bought on clearance on a do-it-yourself website since January. The old playground definitely had issues, but was still safe.<br /><br />Lance finally agreed to look at it. I got the plans out and various books that had some cool ideas. Lance reviewed the plans, took a look at the books, and then got out the plans again. This time he got out the ruler and liquid paper too. I raised my eyebrows a little, but Lance always comes up with really neat ideas, so I let him do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn-wtWViLzduLn7Q6xBUwQLq5pd0BQ1TuGsokC9zlx4D9dQ-2YTiKxZk76TF5zcsfqhTNJoLmUEb9OGMDjrnrMGv13BrErDnC7Hc9hG4_4fydnrewV7MpdUE3NIBj3pTCwKse2A/s1600-h/matthewcypress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggn-wtWViLzduLn7Q6xBUwQLq5pd0BQ1TuGsokC9zlx4D9dQ-2YTiKxZk76TF5zcsfqhTNJoLmUEb9OGMDjrnrMGv13BrErDnC7Hc9hG4_4fydnrewV7MpdUE3NIBj3pTCwKse2A/s200/matthewcypress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081252760898945570" border="0" /></a>We set a start date and decided it would take no more than a week to disassemble the old one and build the new one. Well, we started Memorial Day weekend, and due to excessive amounts of rain and various add-ons, we completed the playground last week.<br /><br />The new playground now features two children's swings, one cooperative swing, an infant swing and a five foot cypress porch swing. One slide is a 7 foot tubular slide and the other is a bumpy straight slide (if that makes sense!). There are two towers connected with a rickety bridge hand-netted by Lance. The larger tower has different levels for climbing and also Les Barres de Prison with a door that does <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> lock (for those brothers and sisters that might like to do away with a pesky sibling). <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76C11pHiapQ8mX_mdibpQaI_msxvTdTsEvS9C7EHvbSqq9j9qcqK44D1pMrh2BmtR4C4yp5nNVR7Iop5hROWobf0zYaSwl2q1ckEroUBBCXzD8rtZg2d4On_qnsSLtZSlABqERQ/s1600-h/camilleslide.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh76C11pHiapQ8mX_mdibpQaI_msxvTdTsEvS9C7EHvbSqq9j9qcqK44D1pMrh2BmtR4C4yp5nNVR7Iop5hROWobf0zYaSwl2q1ckEroUBBCXzD8rtZg2d4On_qnsSLtZSlABqERQ/s200/camilleslide.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081253061546656306" border="0" /></a>At the top level is a surprise which I won't ruin with a picture, you'll just have to come see for yourself. The playground is shaded except for about 5 hours in the heat of the day. We have plans for landscaping and more shade trees, but that will be more in the fall.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKV9rx7xgopgiXlDUW3mJ44NWqTfZPbGiCar2QghtC8rukTCKUVw4rZMm02o8MdqveBj9DKxWO647fSkm-WrpBtjhGGTEAhkGefcRSThMi95gE2uZx4Ljp_8oQFtzeC0w9g-OMw/s1600-h/ducks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKV9rx7xgopgiXlDUW3mJ44NWqTfZPbGiCar2QghtC8rukTCKUVw4rZMm02o8MdqveBj9DKxWO647fSkm-WrpBtjhGGTEAhkGefcRSThMi95gE2uZx4Ljp_8oQFtzeC0w9g-OMw/s200/ducks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081253589827633746" border="0" /></a><br />We have also raised some Peking ducks and white geese for the pond. The fish are just waiting for someone to come toss some bait into the water. The fence is going up for the sheep (and possibly a donkey). However, Farmer Kelly lost several of her veget<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO5UXfdAobKPvt_eMzpS3wg6OG_aK3v5IXQ57Wj_2xR4GFA4S2I8wL0ItUUWDjUan22kyJj_MfsaRuSJ-GuY4XPIdp8X0OTs7wywCHM2RNlAlecYjv8CJl9e8iPLuEwPTkGZAfw/s1600-h/quilt.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpO5UXfdAobKPvt_eMzpS3wg6OG_aK3v5IXQ57Wj_2xR4GFA4S2I8wL0ItUUWDjUan22kyJj_MfsaRuSJ-GuY4XPIdp8X0OTs7wywCHM2RNlAlecYjv8CJl9e8iPLuEwPTkGZAfw/s200/quilt.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081253362194367042" border="0" /></a>able plants due to poor drainage and too much rain. I'll just try again later. Another summer project that I started is a beautiful quilt for Camille. My friend, Sandy, shared an easy pattern with me. I must say it is coming out awfully nice for the poor sewing skills that I possess.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJdaAeriP4wrZa0Whg100hZGZnOC2qJJi3uWTMVRMhBaB0Y0FlaCT-3x3Lia02qt29nE3GLpTzZbt7vP89_DibEj8drEIYjU_qUU6uSVv6Zj9V2qQ226Zk4_vwl-iH5sWU0AqSw/s1600-h/100_1468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJdaAeriP4wrZa0Whg100hZGZnOC2qJJi3uWTMVRMhBaB0Y0FlaCT-3x3Lia02qt29nE3GLpTzZbt7vP89_DibEj8drEIYjU_qUU6uSVv6Zj9V2qQ226Zk4_vwl-iH5sWU0AqSw/s200/100_1468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081252254092804594" border="0" /></a>Nickel is having his first birthday next week. He thinks he's big stuff. He has two bottom teeth, but still no top teeth. He hasn't begun to walk yet. Lance blames the exersaucer that he was in as a smaller baby. I'm actually okay with him not walking yet, since I can about imagine what other things he would be getting into.<br /><br />We finished up all of our recitals, baseball/softball season, and most of the summer camps. Heidi still has culture camp over at the Jean Lafitte Center in town. Matthew attended the past two years, but is now too old. Heidi is very much looking forward to it. We're also doing a short course in early American history, which is kind of fun. The kids were frustrated at first for doing "schoolwork" over the su<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YbCw5ymipip7kqnpsTOIuLz4j2te5N-IdWqIhpdvS6NiWu_abDEDsjjMVgvFDKe3zLyuAHhrXKZ24-3yvK_G6ut5iyPl7NbbwTLSj6YdKdKALlWUN59Hextz6ebSl9LHOCdx9g/s1600-h/alainjail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YbCw5ymipip7kqnpsTOIuLz4j2te5N-IdWqIhpdvS6NiWu_abDEDsjjMVgvFDKe3zLyuAHhrXKZ24-3yvK_G6ut5iyPl7NbbwTLSj6YdKdKALlWUN59Hextz6ebSl9LHOCdx9g/s200/alainjail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081252541855613458" border="0" /></a>mmer, but then they got interested. We recently learned about Columbus' four voyages across the Atlantic. Yesterday, I heard Alain talking about the "treacherous" game he was playing! Next week, we'll get into the Native American Indians and their territories in North and Central America.<br /><br />Life has been interesting to say the least. We're looking forward to the rest of the summer. Every day is a new and welcome challenge. Hopefully, it stays interesting and not too "treacherous"!Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-49265521185010198502007-05-23T10:39:00.000-05:002008-12-09T08:45:07.485-06:00“Rendez-vous des Cajuns” on NBC's Today Show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y4xIyvD5nXviPgkM4k2ePdtGjsi1nfKWx-Y36Ueuh6EJZUUowXTeXUvkD0tQXtvFGM-ydVsehGwxUgwmI8qzyzI3sxT0RDrXu7KA9W5pg-ZuCUUyFR0BmBS51E9RoONMraxwmA/s1600-h/StLandryTC.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5y4xIyvD5nXviPgkM4k2ePdtGjsi1nfKWx-Y36Ueuh6EJZUUowXTeXUvkD0tQXtvFGM-ydVsehGwxUgwmI8qzyzI3sxT0RDrXu7KA9W5pg-ZuCUUyFR0BmBS51E9RoONMraxwmA/s320/StLandryTC.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067783404527093138" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" ><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" spt="75" preferrelative="t" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f"> <v:stroke joinstyle="miter"> <v:formulas> <v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"> <v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"> <v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"> <v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"> <v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"> <v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"> </v:formulas> <v:path extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" connecttype="rect"> <o:lock ext="edit" aspectratio="t"> </v:shapetype><v:shape id="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75" style="'width:389.25pt;" ole=""> <v:imagedata src="file:///C:\DOCUME~1\Lance\LOCALS~1\Temp\msohtml1\01\clip_image001.png" title=""> </v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><br /><!--[endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:oleobject type="Embed" progid="MSPhotoEd.3" shapeid="_x0000_i1025" drawaspect="Content" objectid="_1241421995"> </o:OLEObject> </xml><![endif]--></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on"><span style="font-size:10;"><br /></span></st1:street></st1:address></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on">P. O. Box</st1:street> 1415</st1:address></span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> (337) 948-8004<br /><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Opelousas</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">LA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">70571-1415</st1:postalcode></st1:place></span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">1-877-948-8004<br /><a href="http://www.cajuntravel.com/">www.cajuntravel.com</a><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Fax: (337) 948-1579<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><u><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></u></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Date</b> :</span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">May 22, 2007</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><b>Contact:</b></span><span style=";font-size:85%;" > </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Celeste D. Gomez</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <h1><span style="font-size:85%;">For Immediate Release</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> -<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span> Kill Date: May 27, 2007</span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:8;"><span style="font-size:85%;">************************************************************************************************</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Eunice, LA</span>…….The City of Eunice’s weekly Radio & T.V. show, performed on Saturday nights at the Liberty Theatre in Eunice, LA will be featured on NBC’s weekend “Today” news program on Sunday, May 27, 2007, 7AM-9AM.<span style=""> </span>The “<span style="font-style: italic;">Rendez-vous des Cajuns</span>” show will be part a series titled “Vanishing America”.<span style=""> </span>In addition to the <st1:city st="on">Liberty</st1:city> program, the segment will feature former Eunice Mayor Curtis Joubert, the show’s originator, as well as interviews with musicians Marc and Ann Savoy and attendees of the <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Liberty</st1:place></st1:city>’s Saturday night show.</p><p class="MsoBodyText"></p><span style="font-size:85%;">************************************************************************************************<br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">Congratulations Eunice! We hope to see more national news regarding our wonderful area.<br /></span></span>Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-88846711840149810052007-03-08T12:35:00.000-06:002008-12-09T08:45:11.586-06:00Boudin-making, cracklin cooking, crawfish boil, duck tape & Faquetigue 2007We all had a wonderful time this Mardi Gras season, thanks to all of our guests staying with us. It wouldn't be half as fun if we didn't have such a great group of people!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QIH2-M7jxaXx2_pq9A3uHg4y0qmeaPOgKvpq71oZeGI-2oS1BSNyFmXX-edAPf-yV5vC0y8qPKjBll8LlMLAi-Q2zn9Icdp2CuGtIxGSZ2a9yg2EW8cz-85E9CJmEB-CfJqIVw/s1600-h/shane.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6QIH2-M7jxaXx2_pq9A3uHg4y0qmeaPOgKvpq71oZeGI-2oS1BSNyFmXX-edAPf-yV5vC0y8qPKjBll8LlMLAi-Q2zn9Icdp2CuGtIxGSZ2a9yg2EW8cz-85E9CJmEB-CfJqIVw/s200/shane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039636576064232130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYnun4dBy9spN2dXaVOPrZ58U6GUFVbuibOrjw8pNwYNqvwQkdntbENj2MJbF7ZSnJucSEvijCmfTdNJkYQDKSpcFf3efvaCr90sBU4MFV3NwYeaO-uYYZtEmApzWlUgnq0uRXw/s1600-h/fktmp32_0048.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYnun4dBy9spN2dXaVOPrZ58U6GUFVbuibOrjw8pNwYNqvwQkdntbENj2MJbF7ZSnJucSEvijCmfTdNJkYQDKSpcFf3efvaCr90sBU4MFV3NwYeaO-uYYZtEmApzWlUgnq0uRXw/s200/fktmp32_0048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039639097210034898" border="0" /></a>Boudin making looked like an experience with Shane's apron getting a little too close to the fire!<br />Most of you will notice that I had to edit this one! Thanks to our Arkansas friends for making Shane <span style="font-style: italic;">stand out</span> more!<br /><br /><br />I think this was probably the best batch of boudin yet. The cracklins were excellent too!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF3f87cronT8GHuQPBwYKkHnvo-gD5uFN2Osp-yrb3P4oOmV0vyEjCQgvaM_u6g9hbg78eNPulXoT08RFT9YuezgLqFbExHfTWyFtAVHiukhFkidZh71P3qz3_Dtd87t3f-UY1g/s1600-h/DSC02288_051_051.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZF3f87cronT8GHuQPBwYKkHnvo-gD5uFN2Osp-yrb3P4oOmV0vyEjCQgvaM_u6g9hbg78eNPulXoT08RFT9YuezgLqFbExHfTWyFtAVHiukhFkidZh71P3qz3_Dtd87t3f-UY1g/s200/DSC02288_051_051.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039642662032890594" border="0" /></a><br />The crawfish were perfect. Lance boiled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9kSE6qFX3qypEtgZhSqsN3bT85M-U6T1N9Lzki3LPwnQcYyppf0LohvRWGTNy6NjAMW9BkbaGZhvrUB3wq_LaFoKSzHw7rjd1ODRQHljpmhVGwqNk1mWwvcCbJSd1AcyYlwKzQ/s1600-h/fktmp41_0067.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI9kSE6qFX3qypEtgZhSqsN3bT85M-U6T1N9Lzki3LPwnQcYyppf0LohvRWGTNy6NjAMW9BkbaGZhvrUB3wq_LaFoKSzHw7rjd1ODRQHljpmhVGwqNk1mWwvcCbJSd1AcyYlwKzQ/s200/fktmp41_0067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039650066556508946" border="0" /></a> approximately 225 lbs. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the music. We only had about a pound of peeled tails left (for Lance's crawfish omelet in bed Thursday morning after Mardi Gras).<br /><br />Duct tape testing was a success. WD40 did not further the cause. The final round of testing almost failed, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KRtxUNXqNKv1KGQr_OgxHxH6kUpHPrGA5vZfFJ8eHk6Uidh5xjzcLZLlw75Rl0s2Hq6fXOyRqtwZxK5xItWxAOL9e75ZH63CGfYNrAGsBxpc25DkNmf_JoQtVOQtKdflC50rWg/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7KRtxUNXqNKv1KGQr_OgxHxH6kUpHPrGA5vZfFJ8eHk6Uidh5xjzcLZLlw75Rl0s2Hq6fXOyRqtwZxK5xItWxAOL9e75ZH63CGfYNrAGsBxpc25DkNmf_JoQtVOQtKdflC50rWg/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039645616970390258" border="0" /></a>but in the end it held up after several hours of trials! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3h-QSQ6bi-SlwMMh-Fu3MxAaH8jnnraOew2IVkqbNJmYarCpjTvdyQdY95NDbuQBYzxnMxLIEsZ8xXZTdWTKytGlvJAannYEh5DnTDHxBRc7xlJ_m2KOfhQHaYx43nDMBMB28Q/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3h-QSQ6bi-SlwMMh-Fu3MxAaH8jnnraOew2IVkqbNJmYarCpjTvdyQdY95NDbuQBYzxnMxLIEsZ8xXZTdWTKytGlvJAannYEh5DnTDHxBRc7xlJ_m2KOfhQHaYx43nDMBMB28Q/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039648954159979266" border="0" /></a>A caution sign was posted and notice was given. Beta testers for the Duct Tape Council were much appreciated.<br /><br />Le Deuxieme Faquetigue Mardi Gras run went off with a bang this year. Lance was the first to catch a chicken.<br /><br />Matthew and his friend, Gabe, also ran the courir. Unfortunately, neither of them caught a chicken, maybe next time. They enjoyed it so much that they both want to run again next year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUleKhNHzE6SDNRPP5z8P9TsX7rqHt8kt3ZpN2SlRKZn-9FgwF6OhdY3WLPsE9-kuG_pDdbW27IAwmmgV-ubX7zUhSNjCPvZfEeS2EQiMgcJYeQGiP7YCja05J9ar4N3QzZpvQ/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhopUleKhNHzE6SDNRPP5z8P9TsX7rqHt8kt3ZpN2SlRKZn-9FgwF6OhdY3WLPsE9-kuG_pDdbW27IAwmmgV-ubX7zUhSNjCPvZfEeS2EQiMgcJYeQGiP7YCja05J9ar4N3QzZpvQ/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039650753751276322" border="0" /></a>There was a pig chase at the halfway point. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsPxyfF9H_w-1cY7r1Et4dhRwkjZxWdjoVHAZxi_yiQbfjKubNCcktLzmwkXIE7XkX9Iid4StIpCaLWo29_RZnPAwTwDFsLzHVeZm-Da7BJH43GBVdhnRmC1XMGNYc7s36kahEQ/s1600-h/100_0939.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsPxyfF9H_w-1cY7r1Et4dhRwkjZxWdjoVHAZxi_yiQbfjKubNCcktLzmwkXIE7XkX9Iid4StIpCaLWo29_RZnPAwTwDFsLzHVeZm-Da7BJH43GBVdhnRmC1XMGNYc7s36kahEQ/s200/100_0939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039660486147169138" border="0" /></a><br />He was greased and ready. Le cochon gave a nice run the first go-round. But as most of us know, pigs really don't fly, so he didn't put up much of a fight the next time. He's fine now, and we will certainly enjoy cooking and eating him for the weekend of the etouffee cook-off. Here are some of the pictures from various people. Hope you enjoy them as much as we did.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKP5t72zL3ok12aE32ezggFEoVAzaH1lmV-VkpBnm83Rtozt1rAfqLLIMbfaSmSXC7OWOOkF-cHGSsgz_YW-xfzHCtdGBodDIWNvmB_HEXecGQ6W840CvA9d-sjMv5uhq32vluA/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+053.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDKP5t72zL3ok12aE32ezggFEoVAzaH1lmV-VkpBnm83Rtozt1rAfqLLIMbfaSmSXC7OWOOkF-cHGSsgz_YW-xfzHCtdGBodDIWNvmB_HEXecGQ6W840CvA9d-sjMv5uhq32vluA/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039665957935504338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlLMjvyFKJErzIDLi51rGbjs8UTmC-THemGnq2xVtF0VWuiUfpICIYDOdKgRP3pVG98Ol87svUMcVojWJQzOwiMwyyq8MQXQUUawYSy48wApXjWUbDKCwAckxjrwLTLAuVffaeg/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+016.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlLMjvyFKJErzIDLi51rGbjs8UTmC-THemGnq2xVtF0VWuiUfpICIYDOdKgRP3pVG98Ol87svUMcVojWJQzOwiMwyyq8MQXQUUawYSy48wApXjWUbDKCwAckxjrwLTLAuVffaeg/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039659910621551458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy31le7V_53-YF8MlGyR7vPH3rVeN6fg7SDk56Dinft2y9bzt1cVLGfXdaZxEH-ufU04MvJ2HGu-jCwZDw2Zcj2rRCp36NY07X44Vo-PUAvJqDTR9DPk1zxC1StgqJHaQVCmPy6w/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy31le7V_53-YF8MlGyR7vPH3rVeN6fg7SDk56Dinft2y9bzt1cVLGfXdaZxEH-ufU04MvJ2HGu-jCwZDw2Zcj2rRCp36NY07X44Vo-PUAvJqDTR9DPk1zxC1StgqJHaQVCmPy6w/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039662148299512722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKAne3xsSq9FcJCnssr_lFTzr4QBtAlqPEkw5rrEao9iJbM4aDZAjWCBVJLG7RXdZXvXpLPMPvrtQBQyxAQFabHu3tfeCataYTkTKwevvB4uON4EB1ap8FOZbLl4rVWGzDzmP3Q/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKAne3xsSq9FcJCnssr_lFTzr4QBtAlqPEkw5rrEao9iJbM4aDZAjWCBVJLG7RXdZXvXpLPMPvrtQBQyxAQFabHu3tfeCataYTkTKwevvB4uON4EB1ap8FOZbLl4rVWGzDzmP3Q/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039670063924239378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9AC-hs4MnooVCSLOJFwJf1XB0BsbHEhbHFSa3-02OfU4uE-2HYEuEnAm5w2QQ0fJByOUzio2F5rlc6uECvQ48-L-Fdg6POzYksFf2Cr-O5pfY8KnzCnvkwGtk7ZIXP5Se-_kFA/s1600-h/fktmp58_0098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9AC-hs4MnooVCSLOJFwJf1XB0BsbHEhbHFSa3-02OfU4uE-2HYEuEnAm5w2QQ0fJByOUzio2F5rlc6uECvQ48-L-Fdg6POzYksFf2Cr-O5pfY8KnzCnvkwGtk7ZIXP5Se-_kFA/s200/fktmp58_0098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039666486216481762" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYcsAi6Ud6pxAUgYCWv6RQQYi4mAzRAOwFKj3JeRg42nSLPplS0ybCwQYyLiRJhymMC6du2CFoueWKFJGIZRTJTFo9IW26aNwqyIlezigLgcSx6yt6j0FcIJVll1E68kqVBKc6g/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+035.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYcsAi6Ud6pxAUgYCWv6RQQYi4mAzRAOwFKj3JeRg42nSLPplS0ybCwQYyLiRJhymMC6du2CFoueWKFJGIZRTJTFo9IW26aNwqyIlezigLgcSx6yt6j0FcIJVll1E68kqVBKc6g/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039664987272895426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln-XvWFj_Et2sbB6gBoubg2muBRtmDePL1HLFt8iZQv7D9j0GxRrBzGyL35dn9XFpDB-DYWVMpjy7gNzvuLNzM4vTn6eRWg89ITbJV12gUY6kfMXlL9lIenFlxG58D6Un0ROJSA/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+030.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjln-XvWFj_Et2sbB6gBoubg2muBRtmDePL1HLFt8iZQv7D9j0GxRrBzGyL35dn9XFpDB-DYWVMpjy7gNzvuLNzM4vTn6eRWg89ITbJV12gUY6kfMXlL9lIenFlxG58D6Un0ROJSA/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+030.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039667916440591362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg6WsrfytGqLbxkzPZNi_nL9aEiy0MHEt7juhKGRbFPwqJ-h-wLUDMaDHzolgI3NNE2lXIY29Nv3VPGXdz0WZ6KEiypkbKI0aWZNFhn2sEttWe4ori2K775XP6lVtRCeu2q47RA/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+071.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcg6WsrfytGqLbxkzPZNi_nL9aEiy0MHEt7juhKGRbFPwqJ-h-wLUDMaDHzolgI3NNE2lXIY29Nv3VPGXdz0WZ6KEiypkbKI0aWZNFhn2sEttWe4ori2K775XP6lVtRCeu2q47RA/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039662990113102754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qh_dNzBC61LuPN7OMOMfi0EvtIL1D8QuyoZi1F2dney3Xx11AivDEI_uLRrmCxKjvYnEi6U83LgFPaV8hgtyPjcepuwPOmXekigC7xnjgIrml4NuSXVAlcgQBPjYxCoCaKa00w/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qh_dNzBC61LuPN7OMOMfi0EvtIL1D8QuyoZi1F2dney3Xx11AivDEI_uLRrmCxKjvYnEi6U83LgFPaV8hgtyPjcepuwPOmXekigC7xnjgIrml4NuSXVAlcgQBPjYxCoCaKa00w/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039663801861921714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Next year, Lance says I get to run, so y'all better look out! Although I'm not sure I will be able to provide the entertainment post-party like Lance did! I'm done for now. It's time to grab a beer and hop in the hot tub!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPrhJrGrGv8oHYUvzB6RgkBItHdA5aXp0mqSnGaNt4BtCn54OcYJy8fVMzllChB2xwFQoT7v16HrUxI_U0482yRpAIrDhDD4n3iF9ucQFHu0IYS55YCOfoS-ns7m1yvmoMX4mhA/s1600-h/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPrhJrGrGv8oHYUvzB6RgkBItHdA5aXp0mqSnGaNt4BtCn54OcYJy8fVMzllChB2xwFQoT7v16HrUxI_U0482yRpAIrDhDD4n3iF9ucQFHu0IYS55YCOfoS-ns7m1yvmoMX4mhA/s200/laura's+2007+mardi+gras+pictures+001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039674573639900194" border="0" /></a><br />C'est tous finis!<br /></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1159389688384324162006-09-27T15:04:00.000-05:002006-09-27T18:36:10.683-05:00Family & Other Pics<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0860.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0860.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> We recently went to the Missippi coast to check out the damage one year after Katrina. The one on the left was taken on the beach in Waveland. There are lots of signs on many portions with "Beach Closed" because of the debris still under the water. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0924.5.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0924.5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The water was very clear and shallow in Gulfport, so we were able to swim just a little.<br /><br />New Orleans is slowly, but surely, recovering as well. Wasn't that <a href="http://www.neworleanssaints.com/">Saints</a> home opener at the newly renovated Superdome something else! I don't know about y'all, but Lance and I felt a little emotional seeing it. Amazingly, the Saints pulled off the win, and didn't even wilt in the last quarter. We were impressed with the strategy of the coach and execution of the team.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0945.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0945.jpg" border="0" /></a>On to the next topic of the day.... Friends have been asking for more pictures of Nickel (as Heidi calls him). He is currently almost three months old.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0946.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0946.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Who does he look like?" we are constantly asked. Well, the hair really got us. He was the first baby in the family with hair. Unfortunately, the poor darlin is starting to lose it (although he still seems to have more than his daddy!).<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0948.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0948.jpg" border="0" /></a>I look at the pictures now and I see Camille's smile, Matthews nose, Alain's eyes, and Heidi's mischeviousnous (uh oh). But he's a real sweetie. Whoever he resembles, he is certainly loved.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0933.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0933.jpg" border="0" /></a>Matthew, our world traveler, is currently gone on a cruise with his grandparents. I told him the other day that he was sure lucky he was a homeschooler and able to take advantage of these opportunities. We talked to Paw Paw last night on the phone, and Matthew had already read his entire leisure (as opposed to dedicated schoolwork) book (300 page eighth grade reading material). We miss him terribly. He's such a good big brother. He really takes care of his younger siblings.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0932.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0932.jpg" border="0" /></a> Heidi is having her ninth birthday this weekend. Her latest interests are photography, fashion and puppies. She's the dog whisperer. She just found a stray beagle wandering the grounds. Naturally, she was the only one able to pet it. With all of the animals around, she still wants to keep it. I'm surprised, because recently she told me she didn't want anymore pigeons, because she would have to feed them (one of her chores).<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0930.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0930.0.jpg" border="0" /></a>Alain must be right-brained, because he is really excelling in math. He spent two weeks at the start of the school year working with his daddy every day. Now, he actually looks forward to his schoolwork.<br />Alain can't wait to go back to the beach. He's not satisfied with our upcoming vacation to the east coast, he wants sand. When Al was a baby, he would sit in the sand box and eat fistfuls of sand! I guess some loves never die.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0935.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0935.jpg" border="0" /></a>Camille is still our little hurricane. She's excited because she now has her own "practice box" with colors, water paints, scissors, glue, puzzles & preschool workbooks. At least once a day, she tells me she needs to practice and heads off to her table. I'm actually pretty impressed with her fine motor skills! Her favorite pasttimes are playing Barbies with her big sister and swimming.<br /><br />Lance is keeping busy over at Lakeview. You'll have to talk to him about progress over there. Things are still coming along here too. It's just more infrastructure so ya can't see it.<br /><br />We recently talked to some of our evacuee/friends. Unfortunately, two of them have passed away due to a long illness and a heat stroke. Our prayers are with these families. Everyone else is doing well. We still remember them in our prayers, and hope you will too.<br /><br /><br /><p align="right"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0804.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0804.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Just as an aside, I'd like you to meet my mom. She is responsible for a lot of my obnoxious personality! (I had to get this picture in somewhere!)<br /><br />I haven't been doing many new and exciting things lately. My reading has even slowed to a crawl. I did pick up a nice cross stitch and put in approximately three stitches. I haven't been crocheting much either. I am trying to organize my life and those of the kids, but I haven't truly dedicated myself to it yet. Hopefully, I'll get it together one day. Until then, I hope you were able to understand the ramblings of a sleep-deprived, homeschool mom of five (that doesn't seem possible to me!).Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1152121262324518022006-07-05T09:08:00.000-05:002006-09-14T21:53:07.533-05:00Bonjour Nicolas! ...or working on a full house...<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/nic2.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/nic2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Good morning! I would like to introduce to all of you our newest member of the Pitre family, Nicolas Bernard Pitre. Nicolas was born at 9:55 PM on Monday, July 3, 2006. At birth, he weighed 9lbs even and was 21 inches long (I have to get all these statistics in so that all involved in the wager can be assured that I won!). So far, Nicolas has been a wonderful child. Unlike Matthew, Heidi, Alain and Camille, he is never far from a nap. Kelly keeps telling me not to brag on how relaxed he is for fear that his temperment will change.<br /><br />All went well for Kelly and the delivery. In our traditional game of gin during the early stages of delivery, she was able to beat the pants off me (Really, I let her win to keep spirits up!). We were able to watch a chick flick called "Failure to Launch" that helped pass the time before labor became our primary focus. Little Nicolas was very ready to greet the world, as he <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/CIMG1588.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/CIMG1588.jpg" border="0" /></a>did not even wait for Doctor Heinen to be in the room. With my catcher's mitt in hand and the nurse's assistance, Nicolas was received without incident.<br /><br />Matthew, Heidi, Alain and Camille were able to see Nicolas for the first time on the 4th of July. Other than the initial upset comments of Camille (I wanted a baby 'h'ister!), they were all very excited and proud of their newest sibling. The "balance of power" has finally shifted to the boys in the family (4 to 3). The fireworks can finally fly! When a vote comes before the family council as to whether we should watch the "Parent Trap" or "Star Wars", we boys now know what the answer will be...<br /><br />Kelly and the baby are glad to now be in the warmth <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0755.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/100_0755.jpg" border="0" /></a>and comfiness that is home and away from the cold and sterile environment of the hospital. She asked that I thank everyone who had us in their thoughts and prayers. We are very appreciative of all of your support and calls. Thanks Paw Paw, Poppa, Grammy, Grandma, Gigi and Laura for all of your help and assistance! Now the only question in our minds is where will Camille sleep when she gets back!Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1150906552234550832006-06-21T11:10:00.000-05:002006-07-08T11:39:15.210-05:00Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries Alert<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/gator.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/320/gator.jpg" border="0" /></a> The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, golfers and tourist in general to take extra precautions and keep alert for alligators while in the wild.<br /><br />They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as little bells on their shoes or clothing to alert but not startle the alligators unexpectedly. They also advise the carrying of pepper spray in case of an encounter with an alligator.<br /><br />It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of alligator activity. People should learn to recognize the difference between small young alligator droppings and large adult alligator droppings.<br /><br />Young alligator droppings are small and contain fish bones and possibly bird feathers. Adult alligator droppings have little bells in them and smell like pepper spray.<br /><br /><div align="center"><em>For those of you who think we have gators roaming freely in our backyards, I thought you might enjoy this joke!</em></div>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1147665074579817392006-05-14T22:10:00.000-05:002006-05-14T22:51:14.610-05:00Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society Spring Meeting 2006<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0556.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/100_0556.jpg" border="0" /></a>Saturday, the <a href="http://www.cajunprairie.org/">Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society</a> (whew, that's a mouth full!) had their spring meeting and brown bag lunch (smelled like most of the members opted for Mathilda's BBQ -- yum!). During the meeting, Dr. Charles Allen stepped in for the current president, Sara Thames, and addressed some procedural issues before going into the subject of improvements for the Eunice prairie site, construction of an observation tower at the Duralde prairie, and an invitation to the society to view the <a href="http://hot-boudin.blogspot.com/2006/04/louisiana-irises-in-memory.html">native iris bed</a> planted by Tyrone Foreman at L'Acadie Inn post-Hurricane Katrina.<br /><br />Sounds like there will be some much needed new additions<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0557.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/100_0557.jpg" border="0" /></a> to the Eunice prairie site. The site, for those who are not familiar, is located on North MLK drive just northwest of the intersection with the Union Pacific railroad tracks. It is dedicated to preservation of many of our native plants and habitat from the "Cajun Prairie". With grants secured, the society is planning to add a parking area, walking trail through the prairie, and a sitting area. Also, Dr. Allen spoke of the need and desire to add a simple chain fence around the property that would better demark the bounds of the property. These improvements will add significantly to the attraction, since it is now only viewed from the roadside by most guests to the Eunice area.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1147660838028353732006-05-14T21:08:00.000-05:002006-05-14T23:43:37.876-05:00Merci Beaucoup --- Rod Clarke et le Boston Globe<div align="left">Today, the Boston Globe, in its travel section, posted an article by Rod Clarke entitled "<a href="http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2006/05/14/cajun_rejuvenation_on_a_louisiana_prairie?mode=PF">Cajun rejuvenation on a Louisiana 'prairie'</a>". In his article, Rod writes of his March visit to the Cajun Prairie, more particularly Eunice and Mamou, Louisiana. Many thanks to Rod for his article about my beloved home, our nouveau Acadie. My only concern about the article is the quoted comment when inquiring about my secret ingredient to a good crawfish etouffee -- "Beer," Lance Pitre, owner of the L'Acadie Inn in Eunice, said when asked about his ingredients. "And that's for the cook.". I would hate for the general audience to this Blog to get the idea that the statement above goes along with the rest of the six pack on a nightly basis. 'Chere, that's only for occasional socials --- when's the next one?' Below, I have reprinted a copy of the article published in the Boston Globe on May 14, 2006 for those who have trouble with the link above:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(Robert Cross / Chicago Tribune via KRT)<br />Cajun rejuvenation on a Louisiana 'prairie'<br />Boston Globe <a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/File-Based_Image_Resource/from_provider_globe.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 100px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/File-Based_Image_Resource/from_provider_globe.gif" border="0" /></a><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Cajun rejuvenation on a Louisiana 'prairie'</strong><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><em>By Rod Clarke, Globe Correspondent May 14, 2006<br /></em></span><a href="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Site_Graphic/2006/05/12/1147449827_6223.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Site_Graphic/2006/05/12/1147449827_6223.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">EUNICE, La. -- Here in Cajun Country, it's all about the music. It beckons from each doorway, lures you down each dusty road. It's not the soulful sound of Delta blues, nor the thumping backbeat of Nawlins jazz. Here amid the crawfish ponds and rice fields of southwestern Louisiana, it's the fiddle and the accordion -- the lilting language of Acadiana -- that rule.<br />On the other hand, it could be all about the food. Order crawfish étouffée in, say, Detroit, and you probably will get a blank stare. Here, they have two étouffée festivals a week apart within 20 miles of each other.<br />It will be a while before New Orleans recovers from Hurricane Katrina's visit, so for a different taste of Louisiana, keep going west past the Big Easy, past Baton Rouge, and head up into the Cajun prairie country of Saint Landry and Evangeline parishes.<br />Then "laissez les bon temps rouler" -- let the good times roll.<br />Instead of the bayous many associate with Cajun culture, here you find lush grasslands suited for farming and grazing. Eunice calls itself "Louisiana's Prairie Cajun Capital."<br />The word Cajun comes from the French who in 1604 settled what is now Nova Scotia and some of whom went on to settle in New Brunswick. They called it Acadia and were known as Acadians, then Cajuns. In 1713, the French sold Nova Scotia to England. Between 1755-63, the British rounded up and deported some 14,000 to 18,000 Acadians. Some were sent to England as prisoners of war; some to northern France; most to the American colonies, many eventually reaching Louisiana. Thousands died.<br />But the Cajuns' recent darkest days may have come in the last century when the United States almost did what the British could not: take away their culture.<br />"That was back when they wanted to make all of America into McDonalds," said Vincent Fontenot, a ranger assigned to the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center in Eunice, part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.<br />"Every time we spoke a word in French, the teacher would bend our fingers over backward," said Dorothy Pitre, a hostess at the Cajun Music Hall of Fame and Museum. "I didn't know what I was being punished for."<br />Many Cajuns Anglicized their names, stopped speaking French at home, and insisted their children speak English.<br />The culture appeared on the brink of extinction until the 1960s, when America discovered Acadiana. Cajun music was the rage. Cajun food swept the land. Louisiana passed a law promoting preservation of the French language.<br />Today, that cultural resurgence manifests itself in a strong sense of pride among prairie Cajuns, who welcome the opportunity to share with visitors their food, music, and lifestyle.<br />"We love it when the people come through here to visit and enjoy our Cajun food and music and hospitality, and we learn to love them, too," Pitre said. "Hospitality is something we're brought up with."<br />To the casual listener, Cajun music is joyous, toe-tapping, upbeat. But since it's almost always sung in French, non-Cajun listeners don't always hear the underlying message, one that reflects Cajun history. Between the lines, you hear lyrics that speak of sorrow and lost love and pain.<br />"It's happy music, you can jump to the two-step," Pitre said. "But it's got sadness, too."<br />North of Eunice, Mamou, the self-proclaimed "Cajun Music Capital of the World," is home to Fred's Lounge, an international magnet for Cajun music lovers.<br />Fred's opens Saturday mornings at 8 and closes at 1:30 p.m. The rest of the week, the doors are locked. But for those 5 1/2 hours, it rocks. And its heart, soul, and firecracker spirit is "Tante Sue de Mamou" (Aunt Sue of Mamou), the soft-spoken, white-haired grandmother who pours complimentary shots of "Hot Damn" -- spicy cinnamon-flavored schnapps -- from a bottle she carries in a holster tied down like a six-gun on her thigh.<br />Sue Vasseur, 74, the widow of Fred Tate, who bought the place in 1946, took over when he died in 1992, then sold Fred's five years later, staying on as general manager.<br />"Now I have all the fun, but none of the worries," Vasseur said.<br />All the bar seats are filled by 8:30, the Howard Noel, Jr., Cajun Boogie Band starts playing at 9, when a local radio station begins broadcasting -- just as it has since 1962. By 10 a.m., you're lucky to squeeze in the door.<br />Back in Eunice, the Liberty Center for the Performing Arts is to Cajun music what the Grand Ole Opry is to country. Each Saturday evening, this restored 1924 movie house hosts a live Cajun music TV and a radio broadcast.<br />Next door, the Prairie Acadian Culture Center features artifacts, exhibits, and live demonstrations of the prairie Cajun heritage and -- surprise! -- music and food workshops. It is hard to separate the two in Cajun Country. "They're intertwined," Pitre said.<br />It might be possible to eat without music, but hardly anyone around here does. By 6 p.m. on a Friday, dozens are lined up at D.I.'s, a hard-to find-restaurant ("just drive till you think you've gone too far, and there it is") in neighboring Basile, sucking on longnecks and waiting to feast on boiled crawfish from D.I.'s ponds. On the dance floor, an octogenarian two-steps with a 9-year-old.<br />Owner Sherry Fruge said D.I.'s goes through 3,000 to 5,000 pounds of crawfish a week.<br />That marriage of food and music peaked at Eunice's 21st Annual World Championship Crawfish Étouffée Cook-off held on the last Sunday in March.<br />Étouffée (pronounced EH-too-FAY) is basically a savory blend of crawfish, simmered in butter with the staples of Cajun cooking: bell peppers, celery, green onions, garlic, and spices.<br />But the devil is in the details, and the competing cooks guard their recipes with pitbull tenacity.<br />"Beer," Lance Pitre, owner of the L'Acadie Inn in Eunice, said when asked about his ingredients. "And that's for the cook."<br />Three bands provided music as about 30 competitors -- restaurants, political candidates, radio stations, local businesses -- cooked away. The team from Ardoin's Funeral Home, "Cajun Undertakers," sported T-shirts boasting, "We put the competition to rest cher!"<br />Mayor Lynn Lejeune, selling event T-shirts, estimated the turnout at about 2,500. Included were many of the visitors seen earlier at Fred's Lounge and the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center, drawn by the food and the music.<br />After going away to college and living in Baton Rouge for seven years, Lance and Kelly Pitre moved back to Eunice to be closer to their families.<br />Stirring his étouffée, he described how they tried in vain to have a French program established in the local schools so that their four children (with a fifth due in July) could learn the language of their ancestors.<br />"We wanted to have some French in their education," Pitre said.<br />Rebuffed, the Pitres opted to home-school their children, underscoring his return to his roots.<br />"I realized that if I wanted to know where I was going, I needed to know where I came from," he said. </span></div><div align="left"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Contact Rod Clarke, a freelance writer in Cape Coral, Fla., at </span><a href="mailto:clarkecomm@aol.com"><span style="font-size:85%;">clarkecomm@aol.com</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">.<br />© </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/help/bostoncom_info/copyright"><span style="font-size:85%;">Copyright</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> 2006 The New York Times Company</span><br /><br /></div><div align="left">____________________________________________</div><p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>If you go: Louisiana</strong></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;">By Rod Clarke, Globe Correspondent May 14, 2006</span> </em></p><p><em><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>How to get there</strong> </span><br /></em><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Eunice is 174 miles northwest of New Orleans, taking Interstate 10 west to Interstate 49 north to US Highway 190 west.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><strong>Where to stay<br /><br /></strong></span><span style="font-size:85%;">L'Acadie Inn<br />259 Tasso Loop, Eunice<br />337-457-5211<br /></span><a href="http://www.hotboudin.com/" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.hotboudin.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Family-owned, Cajun hospitality with a pool, hot tub, high-speed Internet, a lake for fishing, and an RV park. Rooms from $50.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Eunice Inn<br />1151 East Laurel Ave., Eunice<br />337-457-4274<br />Cable TV, microwave, refrigerator. Rooms from $45.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Potier's Prairie Cajun Inn<br />110 West Park Ave., Eunice<br />337-457-0440; </span><a href="http://www.potiers.net/" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.potiers.net</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Restored 1920s hospital with courtyard and Jacuzzi; Cajun-decor suites. Rooms from $75.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>Where to eat</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />D.I.'s Restaurant<br />6561 Evangeline Highway, Basile<br />337-432-5141<br />discajunrestaurant.biz/NewDIs<br />Cajun food and music. Lunch Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., dinner Tuesday-Saturday 5-10:30 p.m. House specialties $9-$14.<br /><br />Nick's on 2nd Street<br />123 South 2d St., Eunice<br />337-457-4921; </span><a href="http://nickson2nd.com/" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">nickson2nd.com</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Opened in 1937. New Orleans-style outdoor courtyard, live Cajun music most Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons. Lunch Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., full menu Tuesday-Saturday starting at 5 p.m. Nick's Dance Hall has music most Saturday nights and Sundays from 4-8 p.m.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><strong>What to do</strong><br />Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve: Prairie Acadian Cultural Center<br />250 West Park Ave., Eunice<br />337-457-7700<br /></span><a href="http://www.nps.gov/jela/jelaweb.htm" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">www.nps.gov/jela/jelaweb.htm</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Depicts the unique culture and heritage of the Prairie Acadians. Artifacts, exhibits, and live demonstrations. Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 8-6; closed Sunday, Monday, and Dec. 25. Free.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Cajun Music Hall of Fame & Museum<br />240 SCC Duson Drive, Eunice<br />337-457-6534<br />eunice-</span><a href="http://la.com/depot_hof.html" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">la.com/depot_hof.html</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Artifacts and exhibits related to Cajun music and culture. Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. summer, 8:30-4:30 winter. Free; donations accepted.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />Fred's Lounge<br />420 6th St., Mamou<br />337-468-5411<br /></span><a href="http://lsue.edu/acadgate/mamou.htm" target="_new"><span style="font-size:85%;">lsue.edu/acadgate/mamou.htm</span></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Legendary Cajun music, full-service bar, dancing, live local radio broadcast on KVPI (1050 AM). Saturdays 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (dancing starts at 9). No cover.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />© </span><a href="http://www.boston.com/help/bostoncom_info/copyright"><span style="font-size:85%;">Copyright</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> 2006 The New York Times Company</span><br /><br /></p>Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1145846802613166182006-04-23T20:50:00.000-05:002006-04-23T21:46:46.510-05:00Weekend... endings and beginningsThis weekend included several activities in the area. First, <a href="http://www.cyclezydeco.com/">Cycle Zydeco</a>, a four-day bicycle tour through Acadiana, stopped in <a href="http://www.eunice-la.com/">Eunice</a> for a crawfish boil<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0538.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/200/100_0538.0.jpg" border="0" /></a> and a night at the <a href="http://eunice-la.com/libertyschedule.html">Liberty Theater</a>. We had a wonderful group of cyclists that stayed with us from both coasts and many places in between.<br /><br />Kelly and I were up Sunday morning preparing coffee and boudin for the cyclists between 5:45 am and 7:30 am. Their tour ends today with a celebration in Grand Coteau. Secondly on Saturday, <a href="http://www.lsue.edu/cday/">LSU-E</a> had its "community day", an annual event held for the community including many activities for kids and a wonderful used book and video sale. The beginning of the <em><a href="http://www.lafolkroots.org/0_Hweek/Description.htm">Dewey Balfa Heritage week</a></em> was kicked off with its annual festival on Saturday at <a href="http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/chicot/chicot.htm">Chicot State Park</a> in Ville Platte. Today through Thursday, Kelly and I will be participating at the Heritage week attending various classes including language<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0540.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/200/100_0540.jpg" border="0" /></a>, beginning guitar with Jane Vidrine (Kelly), and beginning fiddle (Lance). We will be focusing primarily on three songs: <a href="http://acs.madonna.edu/~kaluzny/cajun/tabs/ChereIciChereLaBas(G).pdf"><em>Chere ici, chere la bas</em> </a>by Bois Sec Ardoin; <a href="http://www.bme.jhu.edu/~jrice/MIDI/Reno%20Waltz.pdf"><em>Reno Waltz</em> </a>(<a href="http://acs.madonna.edu/~kaluzny/cajun/tabs/RenoWaltz(C).pdf">link 2</a>) by Lawrence Walker; and the <em><a href="http://www.floydsrecordshop.com/_Louisiana_Cajun_Music_Special_P128C19.cfm?UserID=128341&jsessionid=b630ae948ee5$0D$EF$2">Choupique two-step</a></em> by Nathan Abshire?. The first day was fun and always seems a little overwhelming for a beginner. But if the week is anything like last year, I should come away from the event a little better player than before. Alas, as I have much practice remaining tonight, I must bid everyone adieu and practice on my <em>beginnings</em>...Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1145553784416725432006-04-20T12:04:00.000-05:002006-04-21T22:59:58.903-05:00Est-ce que t'amenes la pluie?<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0502.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0502.jpg" border="0" /></a>Well, it's been a while, but I'm back! I've got lots to share, so let me start with some more Louisiana native wild irises....<br /><p>This beautiful specimen on the left is a Giganticarulea Alba named for Bart and Barbara Henderson of Slidell, Louisiana.</p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0505.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0505.jpg" border="0" /></a>The next iris is a Giganticarulea named for the Benoit family from Creole, Louisiana who lost everything in Hurricane Rita.</p><p>Unfortunately, I think we're seeing the last of the irises for the season. We desperately need rain around our area.</p><p><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0526.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0526.jpg" border="0" /></a>Next on my list is the gorgeous stained glass window made by our friend Dee Tatum of <a href="http://www.seraphimglass.com/">Seraphim Studios</a>, from Hattiesville, Mississippi. <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/CIMG11024.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/200/CIMG11024.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lance surprised me with this window (six years it took for him to make up his mind!) right before Mardi Gras this year. If you'll notice, it's the <a href="http://www.acadian-cajun.com/acflag.htm">Cajun flag </a>vertically. Dee does awesome work! The fleur-de-lis are even beveled. I had to really hide my eyes while it was going into place and Lance was teetering on the extension ladder.</p><p>This weekend should be quite exciting with loads of stuff going on like the Cajun joke telling contest in Opelousas, <a href="http://www.cyclezydeco.com/">Cycle Zydeco</a>, <a href="http://lafolkroots.org">The 2006 Dewey Balfa Cajun & Creole Heritage Festival</a>, and Heidi's first communion. I'm looking forward to Heidi's first communion most of all, but the Heritage week with fiddle, guitar, accordion, language, crafts and nature classes will be exciting too!</p><p>Also, an update on the farm status. We have recently acquired a dozen baby chicks of three different laying types and eight mallard ducklings. I'm hoping we'll get the fence up soon before it gets too hot. I'm very much looking forward to a few goats and sheep. I will now leave you with a picture of our family <em>paillasse. </em>May God grant you and your family as much love and laughter as He has ours!<img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/320/100_0521.jpg" border="0" /></p><p></p><p>P.S. I just received a meteorological report regarding hurricane season this year. Louisiana and portions of the Gulf Coast will not have to worry about any hurricanes. Let me repeat, there will be no hurricanes to hit Louisiana or portions of the Gulf Coast! Boudreaux and Thibodeaux have just completed a hurricane fence across part of the Gulf of Mexico!</p>Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1145369769773339202006-04-18T08:52:00.000-05:002006-04-18T09:16:10.076-05:00Pierre Martel, friend and survivor<a href="http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/HEALTH/03/28/profile.martel/story.Martel.Family.gif"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/HEALTH/03/28/profile.martel/story.Martel.Family.gif" border="0" /></a>I would like to make our guests aware of a new <a href="http://www.pierremartel.info">website</a> for a friend of ours. The site is called <a href="http://www.pierremartel.info">"The Road Home"</a> and it is a blog dedicated and now updated by Pierre Martel, who has just been the recipient of a liver transplant. Pierre is originally from Moncton, New Brunswick. He has called Eunice home since 1996, when he took a position as the French teacher at Central Middle School under the <a href="http://www.codofil.org/">CODOFIL</a> program. I originally met Pierre when we were attempting to start a French immersion program at Highland Elementary in 2002. Later, I helped Pierre coach tee-ball on the "Gators" team for his son, Brandon Luc, and my son, Alain Francois. Soon after our coaching of the Gators in the Spring-Summer of 2005, Pierre's condition worsened and has required the liver transplant that he just received. You can read his story and help out at his website at <a href="http://www.pierremartel.info">www.pierremartel.info</a>. Thanks and God bless.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1144415784147961092006-04-07T07:58:00.000-05:002006-04-10T08:36:07.460-05:00Louisiana Irises in MemoryI would like share something unique, created here at L'Acadie Inn. Our good friend, Tyrone Foreman of Foreman Flats in New Orleans, planted a beautiful bed of Louisiana Native Irises last fall in memory of the evacuees who stayed with us at L'Acadie Inn. These people lost practically everything and still maintained hope and positive attitudes. Each iris was named for a person or family (and in one case a beloved family dog who passed away during the evacuation) whose lives were flipped upside down by an uncontrollable event of nature. These irises are beginning to bloom, and are just gorgeous. I will continue to post more as they bloom. Many of the Giganticaruleas and Brevicaulises have not bloomed yet.<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0462.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0462.jpg" border="0" /></a>This first picture is a Fulva named Miss Lacy Burns, who was the 16 year old loyal pet of Mike and Rhonda Burns, of St. Bernard Parish. She passed away while the family was evacuated. It is a beautiful shade of light copper.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0464.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0464.jpg" border="0" /></a>This next picture is of a Fulva as well, but this one is a Wood's Red. It is named for Mike and Renee Helmers of Slidell. They just finished building their new house when Katrina hit. As she put it they "only" got a foot and a half of water in their house.<br />Unfortunately, it still had to be gutted. Notice the deep shade of<br />copper on this iris.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/100_0467.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0467.jpg" border="0" /></a>This is a Giganticarulea. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing too strongly to get a really good image of this iris. It is named for Ms. Grace Puccio. She is in her nineties and evacuated during Katrina with her family from St. Bernard Parish.<br /><br /><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/100_0483.0.jpg" border="0" />This iris on the right is a Nelsonii. It is slightly past full bloom, but still beautiful. The Nelsonii closely resembles the Fulva Wood's Red above, but notice the yellow signal (stripe) running down the center of the petal.<br /><br />I hope you've enjoyed our small example of Louisiana Native Irises. Recovery from the hurricanes continue, slowly but surely. People are beginning to return to semi-normalcy. Be sure to check back for images of the Brevicaulis and Giganticarulea. Also, the <a href="http://www.cajunprairie.org/">Cajun Prairie Habitat Preservation Society</a>, is hosting its annual wildflower tour in Eunice on May 13, 2006.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1144382486784648542006-04-06T22:28:00.000-05:002006-04-06T23:01:26.906-05:00"Alaska's Fiddling Poet"<a href="http://www.kenwaldman.com/images/ken1.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://www.kenwaldman.com/images/ken1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight, Kelly, Matthew, Heidi, Alain, Camille and I enjoyed an evening at LSU-E. We went to see the LSUE Performing Arts series featuring <a href="http://www.kenwaldman.com">Ken Waldman </a>with <a href="http://www.laheritageandgifts.com/index1.htm">Mitch Reed </a>and Hogie Siebert. The event featured Ken on fiddle (one tuned standard "GDAE" and the other cross-tuned "AEAE") and mandolin, Mitch on Fiddle, and Hogie on banjo, rhythm guitar, and a "tie" shaped washboard. The music was wonderful and lively ranging from old time tunes, Celtic, Cajun and bluegrass. The stories told by Ken were entertaining, however I could not get into the format of reading poetry (especially free verse poetry with no rhyme) while playing fiddle tunes. Interesting, but not something I would normally seek out. We all enjoyed Ken's rather "spoken" type of singing, especially in the Chicken song ("<em>cluck, cluck, cluck</em>"). Afterwards, we brought the kids up to meet Mitch and Hogie. I thought it would be a good idea to meet the musicians, since Matthew and Heidi are taking fiddling lessons and Alain just started Wednesday with piano lessons. They got to hear a few variations on <em>Mary had a Little Lamb </em>that sparked their interests to dabble and practice different styles when we got home. All in all, a good evening was had.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1144252404351493342006-04-05T10:26:00.000-05:002006-04-06T11:37:17.786-05:00Hmmm.....what to write?I had a beautiful page with pictures and everything last night and somehow deleted the whole thing. Oh well.... The weather here is nice mid to low 80's with no rain in sight. I'm beginning to eye the pool with longing. It's still a little chilly, but Lance has plans for solar panels to warm it in the winter and cool it in the summer. The children have already been swimming, and Camille can swim 2-3 feet (she's three years old). I understand that swimming is the best exercise, especially for us fat, pregnant women. Only 10 more weeks.... <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0461.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="John, Sandy, Donna & Steve" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/100_0461.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Big Al went to his first fiddle lesson this morning, only it turned into piano instead. We're really enjoying the music as a family!<br /><br />Mardi Gras was exceptional this year. We tried out a new run that was more of the true Cajun country Mardi Gras with no beads, but lots of fun.<br /><br />Here are two pictures of Lance and I preparing.<br /><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/fuzzylance1.0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/fuzzylance1.jpg" border="0" /></a>The first is the "before" and the second is the "after".<br /><br />Luckily for us, he has now gone back to clean- shaven. The children and I are now pleased to appear in public with a less furry counterpart!<br /><br />Matthew, Heidi, and Alain are taking a standardized tests this week. There are many debates among homeschoolers and institutionalized schoolers<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/1600/fuzzylance.3.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4224/2655/200/fuzzylance.1.jpg" border="0" /></a> alike regarding the validity of standardized testing. We have decided to follow state guidelines, that way if we ever decide to go back, we'll have a form of proof to show grade level.<br /><br />We've only been homeschooling three years now, so are by no means professionals. If you have any ideas or books that you enjoyed with your homeschoolers, please feel free to share them. We're finishing up the fourth, second, and kindergarten grades this year.Kellyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13692743375302226355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1144210537673837492006-04-04T23:12:00.000-05:002006-04-05T16:16:39.593-05:00We made the Opelousas Daily World!Look closely, we are mentioned in the <a href="http://www.dailyworld.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/NEWS01/603270302/1002">Daily World</a> for winning first place in professional for showmanship/booth decorations at the annual World Championship Crawfish Etoufee Cookoff in Eunice. Geaux L'Acadie Inn!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/DSCN4258.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/DSCN4258.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/CIMG1013.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/320/CIMG1013.jpg" border="0" /></a>Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25413058.post-1144208059390454002006-04-04T20:49:00.000-05:002006-04-05T16:09:29.636-05:00Crawfish, Yum Yum!<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/1600/100_0035.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/210/2655/200/100_0035.jpg" border="0" /></a>Tonight, Kelly and I ordered out for some boiled crawfish. When it is just the two of us, we prefer to buy them already prepared. With 8lbs of boiled crawfish in front of us (trying to cut back), we commenced to breaking heads and pinching tails. Tonight's batch came from a boiling hut on the southwest side of Eunice known as College Junction convenience store. Not bad, most of the bottom dwellers were medium to large and seasoned well. Supply early in the season was low. My guess is that several good crawfish seasons and a <a href="http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2005/rita.html">few disruptive hurricanes</a> were at the root of our inability to enjoy a good crop early (December - February) this season. Currently, price is near $2.25/lb boiled and under $1/lb live. There are four crawfish boiling huts in Eunice that serve up some tasty mud bugs. If you are visiting the Eunice area, check with Kelly or I regarding who is serving up the finest while you are in town.Lancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10606298801190228724noreply@blogger.com0