Mardi Gras

I haven't lived in New Orleans in ten years but am so excited to be leaving tomorrow to celebrate my sisters birthday and Mardi Gras. My husband can't make it so I'm super bummed but we plan on going next year.

Growing up in New Orleans we didn't see the "wild boob mardi gras" that everyone sees on tv. 

Mardi Gras is family oriented and not what you see on tv. Bourbon street is not Mardi Gras...

Family 

These makeshift ladder seats are everywhere and if you grew up in Nola that means your butt was stuck in one of these during the parade. 

Colors

 purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power

King cake

For the full history of the King cake click here.

The bands

This has always been one of my favorite parts of the parade. The best of the best. 

Costumes

Culture of the Indians and the outfits

None of these images are my property. I will have plenty of my own photos to post in about

a week! 

Astoria Oregon

Astoria is about 90 minutes from our house. It's where the Goonies was filmed (mostly). 

It's my husbands favorite place. We walked the dogs along the boardwalk, met with friends for lunch at the local brewery and headed home on the VERY icy highway.

 It was a bit scary midway but we made it home safely. 

platanos veggie burger

Costa Rican inspired

Sorry for the poor quality, took these with my iphone.

veggie burger grilled with a lil bar b q sauce. sauteed platanos

and toasted sandwich thins for the bun.

Good protein, low carb...and just a lil sugar.

a night out with grandmaw Heidi

We usually are in bed by 8pm, so when we were invited to a bar crawl this past weekend for someone's 30th birthday it was honestly a tough call. However it started at 6pm...sweet. Although Rick decided to stay home my partner in crime happens to also be an early bird, so it worked out. 

I brought a crappy point and shoot with me so as to not get my nice camera broken by any crazy drunks.

haven't worn these in a LONG time. 

this chicks hair is freaking amazing. I wish I had the guts to shave some off too.

tazmanian devil polaroid....coolest camera ever.