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Canned Hammin’ it up at The Spam Museum!

A whole museum dedicated to a canned meat? Our wondering eyes had to see, we never pass up a cheesy tourist diversion.
Passing by the bronze pigs being led to slaughter, through the front doors, we were greeted by three thousand Spam cans stacked in a stunning display in the lobby.
This museum is no… CONTINUE READING >> 

I think therefore I Spam tee shirt at the Spam Museum in Minnesota

When we spied the signs along Interstate 90 for The Spam Museum in Austin, Minnesota, we jumped at the chance to canned-ham it up!

Like moths to a flame, soon we were pulling off the highway toward the light.

Situated right next to the Spam packing plant, the first thing we (or anybody with a working olfactory organ) noticed was
the unique and not-so-savory smell.

The Spam Museum in Minnesota

A whole museum dedicated to a canned meat? Our wondering eyes had to see, we never pass up a cheesy tourist diversion.

Passing by the bronze pigs being led to slaughter, through the front doors, we were greeted by three thousand Spam cans stacked in a stunning display in the lobby.

This museum is no cheesy collection.

The Hormel folks have done a fine job of capturing the history of their preserved meat-food product through displays of packaging, ads and pop culture references.

See more about what to do around The Spam Museum

Three thousand Spam cans are stacked at the entrance of The Spam Museum

Hall after hall of the stuff while the infamous Monty Python Spam-Spam-Spam-Spam song played over and over (and over) again.

Ah memories… the dancing can ads, the smell of frying mystery meat, the bloody fingers nearly severed by the twist key top’s ribbon
of razor sharp metal… good times.

Honestly, everything we ever needed to know about Spam was at the tip of our lid-scarred fingertips. And, if at any time, we had a question, a friendly Spambassador was ready with a snappy answer.

A display at the Spam Museum in Minnesota

An old Spam Advertisement at The Spam Museum in Minnesota
Memory lane: We adored the vintage ads for Spam products and their close cousins

Vintage Ads for Hormel Ham at The Spam Museum in Minnesota

Army display at The Spam Museum in Minnesota

Special attention is given to the love-hate relationship between GIs and Spam.

From what we could gather, the good ole US of A would never have had a chance while fighting WWII if not for this magical blend of ham and pork by-products shoved into wind-up cans.

An entire exhibit is dedicated to an unseen soldier in a tent bitchin’ about all the spam he and his fellow men-in-arms must consume in the field.

Seriously folks, if an army moves on its stomach and Spam was keeping those bellies filled… it follows that we would all be speaking German if not for Spam.

Something to ponder as we head towards our next roadside distraction, uh attraction.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See more about what to do around The Spam Museum

YOUR TURN: Are you a fan of Spam? Are you itchin’ to ham it up at the museum? Isn’t it a hoot?

Beijing’s Temple of Heaven

Beginning six hundred years ago, at the same time that The Forbidden City was built, Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used this site for annual ceremonies to pray for a good harvest… CONTINUE READING >> 

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

We stepped back into ancient history at The Temple of Heaven.

Beginning six hundred years ago, at the same time that The Forbidden City was built, Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties used this site for annual ceremonies to pray for a good harvest.

A gate to the Temple of Heaven, Beijing, China

Small statues adorn the corners of the building roofs at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China. The more figures, the higher the status of the building.
Status figures: Small statues adorn the corners of the building roofs. The more figures, the higher the status of the building.
Dragon detail at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China
Closer look at the roof.

We walked through a large park to reach the sacred site, where we were offered any manner of trinkets, souvenirs, and knock off watches by enterprising entrepreneurs.

This was not unique to this spot though, it happened every time we got off the bus. Certainly seems as if capitalism is catching on.

Souvenirs found at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

But we found the groups along the walkway playing games much more interesting than a fake Rolex.

Delve deeper into Beijing!

Interesting games being played near the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

Spirited bouts involving grand, energetic placement of cards or pips had drawn large crowds of both players and spectators, and made for an entertaining stroll to the temple.

Interesting games being played near the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

Perhaps the word temple is misleading, there are actually several buildings making up the complex.

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests stands out, and above, the rest as the focal point.

Every bit of the impressive circular building is wood, and it was made without any nails. Unfortunately what we see now is a reconstruction, since the original was struck by lightning and burned in 1889.

Detail of The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

Interior of The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at The Temple of Heaven in Beijing, China

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

See more of our adventures in China!

Delve deeper into Beijing!

Click here for our full live-blog as we traveled with Holland America aboard the ms Volendam – through Hong Kong, China, South Korea and Japan

A Cajun Boucherie – Let’s Pig Out!

Back in the days before refrigeration, families would get together to share a butchered hog because the meat would go bad before one family could eat it all. Before long this became a pretty good excuse to throw a little party…. CONTINUE READING >> 

The Boucherie is not necessarily a part of the Mardi Gras celebration, in fact it most likely predates Mardi Gras activities here in South Louisiana, but in recent years many communities have included the old fashioned hog slaughter in their weekend of Mardi Gras events.

Backbone Stew

Back in the days before refrigeration, families would get together to share a butchered hog because the meat would go bad before one family could eat it all. Before long this became a pretty good excuse to throw a little party.

Pretty in Mardi Gras Purple

We had planned on attending La Grande Boucherie des Cajuns in St. Martinville the Saturday before Mardi Gras but Mother Nature had other plans, dropping several inches of rain throughout the area that day.

So we adjusted and scurried up to Eunice for an hour or so during the Courir de Mardi Gras in nearby Church Point.

Mardi Gras Moustache

A somewhat smaller affair than the Grand one, but every bit as interesting and entertaining, not to mention tasty. After watching every part of the pig get cut for a specific purpose, we had the chance to sample some of the outcome.

A public hog butcher

The ribs, chops and shoulders are considered the best parts and get smoked, bar-b-qued, broiled or made into tasso. Then the bacon gets cut away and the fun starts after that. The belly gets cut up, tossed into a huge vat of boiling lard and cooked into cracklin. Yes, they are a heart attack waiting to happen.

Cooking Cracklin

The backbone meat is cut away and cooked up in a stew served over rice. The head cooked down into hoghead cheese, and the intestines cleaned and stuffed. The stuffing is made from the rest of the scraps, cooked up with rice and spices, and bingo… boudin.

Making Boudin

We managed to try a bit of everything and it was all good, we gare-un-tee!
(click here to find out more on Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans)

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Delve deeper:
See our entire journey discovering Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans
Visit the crazy Courir de Mardi Gras, in Church Point – chicken chasing!
Check out the authentic celebrations in Eunice and Mamou
Watch dogs celebrate Mardi Gras at the Krewe des Chiens Dog Parade
Find out how to get booze at a drive-thru window
Join us at the parades in Jeanerette and Lafayette
Learn more about the Acadian, Canadian, and Cajun connection
See our thank you to the mysterious person at the Dog Parade who commited a wonderful act of kindness!

The GypsyNesters’ Australian TV Debut


We were surprised by a TV crew on Valentines Day after  our maiden skydive in Queensland, Australia! We were totally thrown off guard – proven by how completely wind-blown we are!… Enlarge video and leave us a comment >>

 

We were surprised by a TV crew on Valentines Day after  our maiden skydive in Queensland, Australia! We were totally thrown off guard – proven by how completely wind-blown we are!

Can’t wait to share the entire experience with everyone – our biggest fear conquering episode yet!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Your Turn: What do you think? Doesn’t our hair look great? 😉

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio – all about the beads

This parade is all about the beads. Seriously. It was insane.

We had discussed ahead of time our rules of personal bead gathering.

We wanted to get a realistic idea about how many one could expect to gather. … CONTINUE READING >> 

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

This parade is all about the beads. Seriously. It was insane.

We had discussed ahead of time our rules of personal bead gathering, as we wanted to get a realistic idea about how many one could expect to gather.

-No picking them off the street.

-No grabbing them away from eager youngsters (think foul balls at a baseball game).

-Unless they are thrown directly to us or hit us when we weren’t paying attention, they did not go around our necks.

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

Even so, we could barely walk back to our vehicle – madness, sheer madness.(click here to find out more on Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans)

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

We should have realized something was up when we saw all of the “Throw it to me Mister” signs and fishing nets. The winner was a kid who was holding a laundry basket affixed to a broomstick, creating a target that no float rider could resist trying to make.

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

By the halfway point there were nearly as many plastic bags that held the beads floating on the wind as beads themselves.(click here to find out more on Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans)

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

Krewe Of Carnivale en Rio

Click here to find out more on Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans

Delve deeper:
See our entire journey discovering Mardi Gras outside of New Orleans
Visit the crazy Courir de Mardi Gras, in Church Point – chicken chasing!
Check out the authentic celebrations in Eunice and Mamou
Go hog wild at an old-fashioned Boucherie meat fest!
Watch dogs celebrate Mardi Gras at the Krewe des Chiens Dog Parade
Find out how to get booze at a drive-thru window
Join us at the parade in Jeanerette
Learn more about the Acadian, Canadian, and Cajun connection
See our thank you to the mysterious person at the Dog Parade who commited a wonderful act of kindness!

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Show Us How YOU are #GoingGypsy!

Show us how YOU are #GoingGypsy!

Post your best #GoingGypsy moments on Facebook and Twitter and be automatically entered to win an autographed first edition of Going Gypsy!

We want to see YOU in a favorite travel moment, celebrating a milestone, hugging your loved ones, conquering a fear, or posing with the cover of Going Gypsy!

We’ll be sharing your fun on Facebook and Twitter – and you could even be featured here on GypsyNester.com!

Click here to see how easy it is to share your #GoingGypsy moments!

These folks are Going Gypsy! #GoingGypsy

We are over-the-moon excited about the release of our new book, Going Gypsy, and to celebrate…

We want to see how YOU are #GoingGypsy!

Post your best #GoingGypsy moments on Facebook or Twitter!

We want to see YOU in a favorite travel moment, celebrating a milestone, hugging your loved ones, conquering a fear, or posing with the cover of Going Gypsy!

We’ll be sharing your fun on Facebook and Twitter – and you could even be featured here on GypsyNester.com!

What can you share? First, have fun!
Photos are excellent, but not mandatory.

Just make sure your message has the hashtag #GoingGypsy when you post to Twitter or Facebook!

Carolyn and Craig are #GoingGypsy@CraigSearle1 @CPercySearle are #GoingGypsy!

Quick ideas!

– Can’t wait to read #GoingGypsy – http://www.goinggypsybook.com It’s @gypsynester’s new book!

– Hey @gypsynester! Here I am #GoingGypsy on my favorite travel day!

– Never thought I’d check THIS off my bucket list – I’m truly #GoingGypsy!

– Look at me @gypsynester! I’m #GoingGypsy in my own unique way!

– Or simply click this button:

Take a pic with Going Gypsy‘s cover (click here to pop it up big on your screen or download it on to your tablet)

Show us a pic of you reading Going Gypsy (we LOVE these!)

Click here to see the fab folks who have won an autographed copy of Going Gypsy!

These folks are Going Gypsy! #GoingGypsy

What else can you do to share our excitement about Going Gypsy?

Share the cover!

Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All

Share on Facebook!
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Click here–> GoodReads and add Going Gypsy to your “want to read” list!

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An empty nest just means the kids have learned to fly... Going Gypsy: One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All - http://goinggypsybook.com #GoingGypsy #books

Talk about Going Gypsy!

Are you in a book club – or any club? Are you friendly with folks at your local bookstore or library? Do you have friends with adult kids (or soon-to-be adult kids?), friends that love to travel, friends that need inspiration, friends that are Baby Boomers?

Talk up Going Gypsy!

We love bookstores!

If you love bookstores like we do – the sights, the events, the kindred spirits, the wonderful smell – head on in to your favorite store and order there.

You get a copy of Going Gypsy hot off the presses, and your local book seller learns about it too. That’s a double whammy!

These folks are Going Gypsy! #GoingGypsy

Write about Going Gypsy!

Do you have a website, a newsletter, a bunch of friends? Let everyone know how excited you are to read Going Gypsy! Send out an email to your friends, write a letter or two, or give us a shout out on your website.

Write a Going Gypsy review!

Once you’ve read Going Gypsy, we’d love to hear what you think!
Here are some of the many places you can review our book:
Amazon
GoodReads
Barnes & Noble
Books-a-Million

These folks are Going Gypsy! #GoingGypsy

Invite us to visit your book club!
Book us and we will come. Click for more info.

Follow us on social media
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Add Going Gypsy to your GoodReads!

And, of course, you can order Going Gypsy

Going Gypsy is available at your local bookstore or online at:

Order Going Gypsy on Amazon.com Order Going Gypsy on Barnes & Noble
Order Going Gypsy on Books a Million Order Going Gypsy on Indie Bound

Also available as an audiobook from Audible.com

OFFICIAL RULES FOR #GoingGypsy Giveaway – March 27-April 21, 2015

All contest entries must be submitted between March 27, 2015 12:01 AM ET and April 21, 2015, 11:59 pm ET

– Rules are in accordance with giveaway below with ending date of April 21, drawing and notification date April 22, response date March 26 and announcement date March 27.

OFFICIAL RULES FOR #GoingGypsy Giveaway – March 5-March 26, 2015

All contest entries must be submitted between March 5, 2015 12:01 AM ET and March 26, 2015, 11:59 pm ET

– Rules are in accordance with giveaway below with ending date of March 26, drawing and notification date March 27, response date March 31 and announcement date April 1.

Click here to see the fab folks who have won an autographed copy of Going Gypsy!

OFFICIAL RULES – February 4 – March 4, 2015

All entries must be submitted between on February 4th and March 4th, 2015

– Entries must include, but are not limited to, the following text: #GoingGypsy and must be tagged @gypsynester on Twitter or @GypsyNester-Celebrating Life After Kids on Facebook
– Winner will be selected in a random drawing from all qualified
entries.
– Winner will be notified via Twitter or Facebook on March 5th, 2015.
– To claim prize, winner must respond by the provided email in winning announcement by March 9, 2015,
10PM EST
– Winner will be announced on Gypsynester.com/going-gypsy-you.htm on or before March 10, 2015.
– One prize winner will receive an autographed copy of Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All.
– Approximate total value of the prize is $16.95, there are no other
prizes.
– The prize is nontransferable. There may be no cash or substitutions.
– You must be over the age of 21 to enter.
– By posting your photos or text, you give us permission to share photos or text on social media or on GypsyNester.com

– You must be a resident of the United States to enter.
– By entering, each contestant agrees to be bound by these rules.
– Failure of the original winner to meet official rules or claim
prize within the specified time period will result in automatic
forfeiture of any prize and prize will be awarded to an alternate
winner. Alternate winner will be chosen in a new drawing in accordance
to these same rules

OFFICIAL RULES FOR SUBSCRIBE TO WIN GIVEAWAY

All contest entries must be submitted between February 3, 2015 12:01 AM ET and February 20, 2015, 11:59 pm ET

– Entries are limited to one.
– Entrants must be subscribed to GypsyNester.com’s newsletter on the date of the drawing for the entry to be valid (this is how we will be selecting winners).
– Winners will be selected in a random drawing from all qualified entries.
– Winners will be notified via email on February 21, 2015.
– To claim prize, winners must respond via email by February 26, 2015, 10PM ET
– Winner will be announced on GypsyNester.com on or before February 27, 2014 unless initial winner is not qualified and a new drawing must take place.
– One grand prize winner will receive an autographed copy of Going Gypsy: One Couple’s Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at All.
– Approximate total value of the prize is $16.95, there are no other
prizes.
– The prize is nontransferable. There may be no cash or substitutions.
– You must be over the age of 21 to enter.
– You must be a resident of the United States to enter.
– By entering, each contestant agrees to be bound by these rules.
– Failure of the original winner to meet official rules or claim
prize within the specified time period will result in automatic
forfeiture of any prize and prize will be awarded to an alternate
winner. Alternate winner will be chosen in a new drawing in accordance
to these same rules

Win an iPad Mini from The GypsyNesters!

Win an iPad Mini from The GypsyNesters!

Congrats to
Denise Donaldson of Cantrall, IL!

Denise says:
“OMG!!!!!! I am So freaking happy!!!!! I was just getting ready to go to bed, and checked my email. I am bouncing off the walls right now!! I’m going to give this to my daughter for her birthday. I’ve been trying to win an iPad mini forever. Thank you for making that come true.”

This bouncing baby* iPad has 16 gigs of memory and is WiFi and Bluetooth enabled. USB lightning cable and USB Power Adapter are included in the box.

*the bouncing of an iPad – or a real baby for that matter – is not recommended.
We would like to go on the record that we are highly against this practice.

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OFFICIAL RULES
All contest entries must be submitted between November 25, 2013, 3:01 PM ET and January 31, 2014, 11:59 pm ET
– Entries are limited to once daily.
– Entrants will receive 5 bonus entries per Facebook friend they refer. To receive these bonus entries, the refer-a-friend feature on the entry page must be used.
– Winner will be selected in a random drawing from all qualified entries.
– Winner will be notified via email on February 1, 2014.
– To claim prize, winner must respond via email by February 8, 2014, 10PM ET
– Winner will be announced on GypsyNester.com on or before February 9, 2014 unless initial winner is not qualified and a new drawing must take place.
– One grand prize winner will receive a 16 gig iPad Mini.
– Total value of the prize is approximately $300.00, there are no other prizes.
– The prize is nontransferable. There may be no cash or substitutions.

– You must be over the age of 21 to enter.
– You must be a resident of the United States to enter.
– By entering, each contestant agrees to be bound by these rules.
– Failure of the original winner to meet official rules or claim prize within the specified time period will result in automatic forfeiture of any prize and prize will be awarded to an alternate winner. Alternate winner will be chosen in a new drawing in accordance to these same rules.

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