Rip Van Winkle Gardens

Here it is, August 16, 2015, and I've finally run out of scheduled posts. Looking through my archives I realized that I never posted my Mother's Day pics. Boy, I have really been slacking on my blog and picture sharing this year. So let's get to it!

We spent a delightful Mother's Day at Rip Van Winkle Gardens in New Iberia, LA. Cafe Jefferson, located on the property, overlooks Lake Peigneur. We chose a table near the water and enjoyed a delicious, sinful meal. The Live Oaks, roaming Peacocks and meticulously manicured grounds made you feel as though you might run into Scarlett O'Hara at any moment. I do declare!

"Seafood Heaven"
Creamy basil sauce with jumbo shrimp, crabmeat chunks and crawfish.
OH. MY. GOODNESS!

White Chocolate Bread Pudding
served with white chocolate and raspberry sauce

In less than three weeks my daughter will be married! Next Monday will be my last scheduled post until I return. Hopefully, I'll have plenty of photos to share of our 10 days in Portland.

Girls' Weekend, Days 2 & 3

Continuing on with our weekend/adventure at Percy Quin State Park in McComb, MS.

One thing I did not bring was my tripod. It seemed like the car was too full to bring one more item, so I chose to leave it home. Big mistake. Even though the 100-400mm lens has image stabilization, I don't feel I get sharp shots unless it's mounted on a tripod. Oh well! Live and learn.

I don't know these boys, but they were so cute as they walked past our cabin.

Teeniest chapel ever.

Lake by the golf course.

Great Blue Heron

Same as above, flying.

Gray Catbird. First time I've seen one away from a tree.

Around the corner from our cabin.

Wood ducks. My tripod would have really helped in this situation. :(

Eastern Kingbird in flight.

Michelle practicing with Mabel II, my old camera that's now hers. 

Thank you so much for indulging me with my mini-vacation photos, and for your sweet comments and visits.

Please visit Anni at

Bayou Brothers

These are my sweet second cousins. Brody is almost 6 and Eric is 16. We spent over 2 hours on the party barge and had a blast, zipping all over Lake Des Allemands. The boys know when I'm around that a camera will be pointed at them, but they didn't seem to mind. Well, maybe a little. I took 207 photos of these hams; it was difficult choosing a handful to show. Hope you enjoy!

Sharing with
Our World Tuesday

Fontainebleau, Part II

More of our day at Fontainebleau State Park.

Shallow waters with sandy beach.
I'm too afraid of the brain-eating amoebas to get in there.

Anhinga

How delighted I was to see a rabbit AND a fawn together. Awww!

Time to skedaddle!

Children playing on low-lying live oak branch

Linking to Skywatch Friday. Many thanks to the meme's host!

Fontainebleau, Part I

A couple weekends ago we decided to revisit Fontainebleau State Park to see what progress has been made since Hurricane Isaac blew through last year. It was astonishing to see that nothing has been done. There are still no restrooms, no cabins to rent, and Alligator Boardwalk is still in scattered pieces. Very disappointing. It amazes me that the government requires all public facilities to have working restrooms, and will levy a fine if the requirements are not met. I guess they are exempt from their own rules. Oh, I'd best not get started down that path.

Half an hour before sunset

When these children saw me setting up my camera they came running over shouting,
"TAKE OUR PICTURE! TAKE OUR PICTURE!"
Who could resist these little hams?

More children wanted in on the action. After each click, they'd run over to see themselves on the back of the camera display,
then run back out for more photos.

I was so surprised by their enthusiasm and wanting to get the gazebo in the photo,
I failed to notice they were standing over a big ugly drain. I should have moved
them over to the grassy area. 

The sun setting over Lake Pontchartrain as viewed from the gazebo.

More photos to come!