A Walk in City Park

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the beauty of familiar things. We grow accustomed to our surroundings forgetting to take it all in. I have never hidden the fact that I am completely biased to my home state. The more I live in it and get to know it, the more I love my southern Louisiana community. Sometimes though, I find myself taking it for granted. So many experiences I miss going on right in front of my eyes. This past weekend, Trent and I took the dogs for a simple walk in City Park, but it was just what I needed to slow down and smell the magnolias. Not to mention, Norris and Cooper had so much fun. Norris waded into the water for a nice cool dip, while Cooper barked at it frighteningly. Oh man, those two keep me entertained. We also came across a handsome Tricolored Heron who was kind enough to allow me to snap a few pictures. Here's to keeping the overlooking to a minimum and taking in as much as possible.

All The Citrus

In the past year or two, Trent and I have made an effort to eat locally grown produce, and with that commitment we have been seasonal eating. We have recently become acquainted with the sweetest little Farmer's Market near our home that we visit on the weekends to get our produce, dairy, and coffee for the week. Shopping the seasons has allowed me to obsess over what each one has to offer, and oh how I look forward to my favorites. If you haven't guessed already, winter has me on a citrus craze, and I can't get enough! Our weekly citrus haul consists of blood oranges, navel oranges, satsumas, tangerines, grapefruits, lemons, and kumquats, and man oh man they are good! I've been dreaming of making a citrusy bundt cake or little madeleines, however I can't seem to set any aside for baking before consuming them all. I'm so grateful for the local farmers and the market that we have available to us so close to home. And eating seasonal produce has made me appreciate each season so much more. 

Fall Blooms

It’s October. It’s finally cooling down…a little. The plants and animals seem to feel it, and I’m trying. Millet and goldenrod wave in wetlands greeting the waterfowl that are making their yearly flight from up north. They come to feast themselves into food comas on tubers and seeds much like we do with the Thanksgiving Turkey that will soon be served. Fall is here. It’s pumpkin this and apple that. I think I’ll decorate a pumpkin this weekend. Fall makes you want to do things of that sort, instead of drowning in your own sweat, it gives you refreshment. And the dogs, oh the dogs go crazy, they love it. We hope to take them camping this fall, since we had to leave them on our last trip. Our summer doldrums are fading, and I'm so happy Fall has arrived!