Laissez les bons temps rouler, eh!

A New Orleans tradition

Mardi Gras means, now, mostly exchanging beads for a glimpse of what you may not likely else wise see.

Hurricane drinks, too, and lots of them.

Drunken debauchery, then, seems what it is.  And shouts of “throw me something, mister!”.  But that isn’t how it always was, more or less.

New Orleans predates the US Constitution by a few years.  It was founded in 1718 by Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville, and “[b]y the 1730s, Mardi Gras was celebrated openly in New Orleans, but not with the parades we know today. In the early 1740s, Louisiana’s governor, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, established elegant society balls, which became the model for the New Orleans Mardi Gras balls of today.” [1]

Between Anne Rice and Faulkner, New Orleans has a deep and rich literary tradition and history as well as, of course, music.  New Orleans Jazz is well known and Preservation Hall perhaps the best place to find this amazing tradition.

Food, baby, food.

I like history and New Orleans (N’Awlins) has plenty of it.  The architecture and the stories and the traditions are rich and worth learning about.

But I want the food.  The food has an equally impressive history.  From the many dishes over the years we’ve come to know a few.  Beignets from Cafe Du Monde, King Cake is a Mardi Gras staple and a good ole Oyster Po’Boy.  Of course, if you get to N’Awlins and don’t get a muffuletta, well, go back and remedy that omission.

One of my favorite N’Awlins confections has no real connection to Mardi Gras, I just like it.  That’s the pecan praline.  As confections go, it is one of the best which has no chocolate and for my money, if I’m buying them instead of making them, no one does better that Aunt Sally.  That’s not an affiliate link, I just like them so much that if you can’t or won’t make them, buy hers.

Sit down food

Sometimes you just want to get away from the maddening throngs.  My brother-from-another-mother Todd has a restaurant, Trenasse, not too far from the maddness (let’s be frank, the party goes where it goes) and if you make a reservation it is a great way to get N’Awlins food and a seat and bathroom.

Gear up!

If you go and wish to be every part as silly as is expected, you’ll need some stuff.  Beads mostly.  Lots and lots of beads.  Get them early when the are cheap like from that Amazon affiliate link.  In the city, if you are buying them, you are paying a premium.  Don’t do that.

If you go, packing is not the same as a trip to any other city.  Bring only those clothes you won’t be sad about losing.  Between the fluids, both bodily and cup variety, clothing can get ruined rapidly and permanently.

A mask maybe, two pairs of shoes going, one pair returning-savvy?-and a high tolerance for overindulging on everything.

Let the good times roll.

Coffee in the Big Easy

Chicory coffee is a tradition in N’Awlins and if you can’t get there, bring the coffee to you.  This link from Amazon has a variey of brands.

Drink you N’Awlins coffee in the spirit it was intended with this mug from my mug store, Cranky Without Coffee.

 

 

 

Did you like this post? Please support the blog with a contribution below.

$1.00

$5.00

 

1. https://www.mardigrasneworleans.com/history/

Why wait for your kids to learn the basics of running a business?

Parents want the best for their kids.  That’s not even a real issue.  But, wanting the best and knowing what to do to give them those opportunities is very different.

The life we had, school, college, a job and a house then family is a rapidly changing model.

What is certain?

College, at least 4 years of it, is not the certain path it once was to success.

More jobs are available in the trades than ever before and vocational schools are sometimes better options.

But, that’s still waiting to learn.  Why should you or your kids wait to learn about how to be in business?

Good skills are always useful

With BossClub, kids can start a small business in their own neighborhood selling dog biscuits, gourmet cake pops, foaming bath balls or a popcorn business.

Each kit comes with instructions to create the product, market and package the product, thank you cards for that personal touch of a hand written message and coupons to incentivize repeat business.

Surely there are neighbors who have dogs or like to relax in a long bath.  Learning the communication skills of approaching strangers, making a pitch, speaking clearly and then fulfilling the order are skills no school teaches.  And, these are exactly the skills necessary for the next generation of adults to have to find success on their terms.

Give your kids the gift of a better future, self confidence and the skills to succeed.