Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all! Unfortunately, rain arrived on Sunday and won't be leaving until Thursday. Glad we didn't plan on going to any parades today.

Hubby went to a Mardi Gras party Friday night because the home was on a parade route. (Carnival time starts early around here). He came home with a big smile and lots of beads, amazed at the amount of food and drinks. Made his little Baptist heart blush. :) Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, which essentially means to eat all the fats and sweets today, because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, and those observing Lent had better live it up while they can!

I was forced back into the archives since I haven't been able to get out with my camera. I don't know why I haven't posted some of these before.

This is Pierre, our resident Ruby-throat on 10/1/12

The trunks of the Virginia Live Oaks at Oak Alley Plantation. 12/8/12

Sunset on Christmas Day, 2012. I hadn't seen a good sunset since I left Texas.

Snowy Egret, LSU Lakes, 12/27/12

Another Snowy, LSU Lakes, 12/29/12

Toad, 8/5/12

Rooster, 7/28/12

I'm sorry. This sprang up next to my hibiscus tree on 11/15/12.

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More Oak Alley

Last of the Oak Alley Plantation shots.

A unique, teacup chandelier in the gift shop.

This looks like a cannon, but the sign said it was used to put out fires.

The Courting Candle
When a suitor came to court the daughter, each was given a special candle twisted to a certain height.
The higher the candle, the higher the approval rating by the father. A short candle signified a brief date.

Notice how low the table and chairs are in comparison to our lovely guide.
The average height of people in the 1800s was just under 5 feet tall. I mainly took this photo for the red velvet table fan.
A slave stood in a corner with a rope and worked the fan while the guests dined. 

Imagine the mosquito bites if they didn't use netting around the beds. 

The famous Virginia Live Oaks stretching 1/4 mile in front of the home. They are 300 years old; half their lifespan. 

Remembering our veterans today, and the huge sacrifices they and their families make. I honor and salute each and every one. My deepest gratitude goes out to them.

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Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation is located in Vacherie (VAH-shah-ree), LA. Lining the entrance are 28 Virginia Live Oaks, 14 on each side, equalling 1/4 mile in distance. They were planted in the 1700s, about 100 years before the home was constructed. They are now 300 years old and their expected lifespan is 600.

Since this shot has been taken numerous times by infinitely more talented photographers, I experimented with various edits for a little something different. The black and white images were processed with two different CoffeeShop actions, then tweaked further in Lightroom. I can't remember which is which, but one is called Raspberry Tea and the other Irish Breakfast Tea. The color version is an action called Amapad Florida. I have no idea the origin; it's an action I've had for some time and rarely use. I tried to Google to give proper credit, but couldn't find it.

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