Acadians, Canadians, and Cajuns

There is something quintessentially southern about the Louisiana bayou country known as Acadiana, so it seemed strange that we would go north of the U. S. border to discover its roots and origins.

The Cajuns’ ancestry traces directly back to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, so there was no better place to begin our investigation than in Nova Scotia at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. It was along this coast on The Bay of Fundy that the first French settlers to come to the new world arrived in 1605, before… CONTINUE READING >> 

There is something quintessentially southern about the Louisiana bayou country known as Acadiana, so it seemed strange that we would go north of the U. S. border to discover its roots and origins.

The Cajuns’ ancestry traces directly back to Canada’s Maritime Provinces, so there was no better place to begin our investigation than in Nova Scotia at the Grand-Pré National Historic Site. It was along this coast on The Bay of Fundy that the first French settlers to come to the new world arrived in 1605, before… CONTINUE READING >> 

A Renewed Faith in Humanity From a Simple Gesture

Have you ever found the PERFECT Birthday Card? The absolute ONLY one that will make the receiver’s day?

We had been carting this card around with us for quite some time – months. That’s what we do, when we find the ideal card for one of our family or friends we buy it, no matter how long it may be until the occasion that it celebrates. This one was perfect for our oldest, The notoriously carrot-hating Piglet.

Flash forward to a sunny, wildly windy day in Lafayette, Louisiana, a parade of dogs and a birthday card for our eldest to be mailed. What a pretty picture. And it was, until I noticed that the card was no longer in my coat pocket… CONTINUE READING >>

Have you ever found the PERFECT Birthday Card? The absolute ONLY one that will make the receiver’s day?

We had been carting this card around with us for quite some time – months. That’s what we do, when we find the ideal card for one of our family or friends we buy it, no matter how long it may be until the occasion that it celebrates. This one was perfect for our oldest, The notoriously carrot-hating Piglet.

Flash forward to a sunny, wildly windy day in Lafayette, Louisiana, a parade of dogs and a birthday card for our eldest to be mailed. What a pretty picture. And it was, until I noticed that the card was no longer in my coat pocket… CONTINUE READING >>

Port-la-Joye / Fort Amherst on Prince Edward Island, Canada

Port-la-Joye was captured in 1745 by New Englanders from the American colonies to the south, who built a new fortification called Fort Amherst. British rule ultimately led to renaming the island… CONTINUE READING >> 

Port-la-Joye was captured in 1745 by New Englanders from the American colonies to the south, who built a new fortification called Fort Amherst. British rule ultimately led to renaming the island… CONTINUE READING >> 

A Town Standing on Stilts

There is something about driving to the very tip of a place, the end of the line, land’s end, that we can’t resist. It’s kind of like climbing a mountain for us, we do it because it’s there. In Louisiana that point where State Highway 1 hits the water is Grand Isle.

Building a road across this expanse of wetland took extensive… CONTINUE READING >>

There is something about driving to the very tip of a place, the end of the line, land’s end, that we can’t resist. It’s kind of like climbing a mountain for us, we do it because it’s there. In Louisiana that point where State Highway 1 hits the water is Grand Isle.

Building a road across this expanse of wetland took extensive… CONTINUE READING >>

French Quarter Pounder: Eating in New Orleans

Mention New Orleans and most folks conjure up visions of Mardi Gras, jazz bands, Bourbon Street or maybe even the world champion Saints, but we think of food. Crazy good food.

An incredibly diverse, yet unique style cooking has developed through the combination of several cultures down here at the bottom of The Mississippi River. Elements of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Cajun, German and Italian cuisine are all represented in what has come to be known as Creole.

Several of Creole’s signature dishes are very similar to typical Cajun recipes and can share the same names and ingredients. Most start with “the holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking, bell pepper, onion, and celery. The names jambalaya…  CONTINUE READING >>

Mention New Orleans and most folks conjure up visions of Mardi Gras, jazz bands, Bourbon Street or maybe even the world champion Saints, but we think of food. Crazy good food.

An incredibly diverse, yet unique style cooking has developed through the combination of several cultures down here at the bottom of The Mississippi River. Elements of French, Spanish, Caribbean, Cajun, German and Italian cuisine are all represented in what has come to be known as Creole.

Several of Creole’s signature dishes are very similar to typical Cajun recipes and can share the same names and ingredients. Most start with “the holy trinity” of Louisiana cooking, bell pepper, onion, and celery. The names jambalaya…  CONTINUE READING >>

Video – Bananas Foster – On Fire!


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The waiter brought a cart up to the table under the hanging wisteria and began setting things aflame, always one of our favorite pastimes.  For more on New Orleans food: https://www.gypsynester.com/nola.htm


enlarge video
The waiter brought a cart up to the table under the hanging wisteria and began setting things aflame, always one of our favorite pastimes.  For more on New Orleans food: https://www.gypsynester.com/nola.htm

Egrets of Avery Island, Louisiana


enlarge video
In the 1890s, just before taking over as president of Tabasco from his father, E.A. “Mr. Ned” McIlhenny started this refuge in an effort to save the snowy egrets. From just eight… CONTINUE READING >>


enlarge video
In the 1890s, just before taking over as president of Tabasco from his father, E.A. “Mr. Ned” McIlhenny started this refuge in an effort to save the snowy egrets. From just eight… CONTINUE READING >>