Travels in the South

One night last week, mom was craving pasta.  Not just any pasta but a New Orleans Pasta from a local restaurant.  Look at this picture.  Wouldn’t you crave it too?  Mom doesn’t usually crave pasta but when she does, she always goes for this one.  It has penne pasta, shrimp, chicken, smoked sausage, peppers, onions and a spicy homemade Cajun alfredo sauce.  Doesn’t it look yummy?

The only thing mom hates about this pasta are the shrimp.  Why do they keep tails on the shrimp when they serve it in a pasta like this?  Mom has to stop and take the time to remove all of the tails so she can jump right in and eat.  What do you think about this pasta?

 

Boo! Cemeteries

Today we are going to highlight some famous and eerie cemeteries.  Are you brave enough to enter my cemetery of the famous dead? I’ve wandered throughout the internet and done a lot of research to bring you some intriguing places of final rest… or is it?  I hope that you find them interesting.   Let’s take a little stroll amidst the stones shall we.

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St. Louis Cemetery #1

When I think of scary and mysterious cemeteries, my first thoughts have to go towards New Orleans.  St. Louis Cemetery #1 opened in 1789 and there are over 100,000 residents.  With that much of a crowd, you know some have to be a little unhappy with their final resting place.  I know I would be.  The most famous tenant here is Marie Laveau.  Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo priestess.  People visit her grave site often and mark three “X’s” on her grave.  People that do so believe that by marking the three “X’s”, Marie Laveau will grant them their wish.

Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery and Resurrection Cemetery

The next that came to mind were two different cemeteries in the Chicago area.  The first one is Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery.  I’ve heard about this place a lot over the years.  I’ve seen specials on television and mommy has read me different chilling facts in books.  Not only does this cemetery have a history of unexplained lights and ghosts, it has an entire house that mysteriously appears and disappears.  Many people that have seen the house describe it as a white farmhouse with pillars and a swing.  The other cemetery was Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago.  This story sends chills up and down my spine every time I see it on television.  It starts off with a beautiful girl who was walking home from a dance one late night.  She was hit by a car and killed and has been looking for a ride home every since.  I saw a story one night where a man picked up this lady at a dance.  They danced into the late hours and he admitted that she felt cold to the touch.  Upon taking her home after the dance, she asked him to stop in front of the cemetery.  She got out and disappeared into the air.

Howard Street Cemetery

And how can we forget the most eerie of places in Salem, Massachusetts at Howard Street Cemetery.  With all of the witch hunts that took place here, this has got to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.  Just think of all of the innocent people that were slowly tortured and burned at the stake for the public believing they were witches.  How many of those spirits still walk around wanting people to know that they were innocent but forever labeled a witch.  Talk about your unfinished business in setting things straight.  This reminds me of a story that mom told me about a guy named Giles Corey.  He was officially the only person to die by torture during these Witch Trials.  He wouldn’t say that he was a witch so the sheriff of the time made him lay down in the middle of his field.  The sheriff then had a board placed across his chest and slowly added stones on top of the board.  Eventually two days later, Corey was crushed to death in a slow and agonizing way.

 

Travels in the South

Hello sweet friends to the first Travels in the South for 2017!  Today I want to show you something that comes from the kitchen of the Hotel Thompson.  You are going to love this!

When my pet rock was visiting Miss Harper Lee and Tallulah Bee in New Orleans, Louisiana, Bashful got hooked on a specialty there named Red Beans and Rice.  If you look here, you will find the recipe and pictures from that trip.

Well when Bashful came home, there were some of those amazing Camellia beans in his package.  So you know mom had to try them.  So this past Monday, mom put on a huge pot just like Miss Harper Lee’s mom does on Mondays.

When it was ready to serve, mom whipped up some rice and of course her homemade cornbread to go with dinner.  And let me tell you, it is an awesome recipe.  Dad had two bowls!  Does that tell you anything?

So friends – there you go.  A dish from mom’s kitchen!  Thanks Miss Harper for the recipe and wonderful beans.  This just might be our weekly dinner on Monday’s now.  ❤

 

Bashful is HOME!

Oh friends – I’m happy to say that Bashful made it back home over the weekend.  In fact, mom/dad went out Sunday morning.  When they got home, there was a special delivery on the porch – BASHFUL.  Remember he had been visiting Miss Harper Lee and her sister Tallulah Bee in New Orleans.    Of course, they couldn’t wait to get the box in and dig inside.  Boy were mom/dad happy – look at all of the awesome goodies.  There were marvelous hand pies from New Orleans from Haydel’s Bakery.  They had 4 different flavors – chocolate, lemon, cherry and apple.  The note from Miss Harper’s mom said to nuke a pie in the microwave for a mere 15 seconds and eat.  Well mom picked out the chocolate, nuked it and her and daddy then proceeded to make more aaww and oohh sounds in the kitchen than a porno – not that I would know anything about that….looks innocent.  The package also had beads, a shirt, cookies and red beans.  Remember last week when Miss Harper’s mom posted her Red Beans and Rice recipe?  If not, you can get it here.  My mom now has the beans and Bashful is begging for more of this delicious meal that he tried while in New Orleans.  So next week when my mom is on vacation, she is going to make this fantastic looking recipe.  We can’t wait… of course mine will be minus any pork products... you know for obvious reasons – snorts with piggy laughter.

AND did you see the magnificent piggy Christmas ornament?  Squeals with delight!  Isn’t it magnificent?  Mommy put it on our book shelf in the living room.  That way we can see it every day of the year – not just at Christmas time.  We absolutely love it!

And see the pop rocks.  That’s for Bashful and his new friend.  You know, in case they got hungry on the way home to the Hotel Thompson.

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And of course you know when Bashful comes home, he brings a friend.  This time was no different.  Meet Lola from NOLA – isn’t she beautiful?  So flashy and it’s just meant for Lola to be laying around in those beads – don’t you think?   So our friends from New Orleans – thank you bunches and bunches. We love everything and will think of you often!!

 

My Special Day with Bashful

Just what did Bashful do his last day in NOLA? Check it out my sweet friends. XOXO – Bacon

thek9harperlee

Late last week, my human mommy helped my rockin’ friend Bashful pack his bags and head home after an eventful stay in my hometown of New Orleans. He had quite a visit. Between a Pelicans basketball game, gumbo and brass bands, and laundry and red beans and rice, it seems Bashful was always on the go with my humans . . . and he was always eating. He may need some new clothes (one size up) when he gets home. Before Bashful traveled back to Bacon and the Hotel Thompson, I got to spend a very special day with my new little friend.

We were up bright and early last Wednesday and in the car for a road trip. Bashful called shotgun.

Before I knew it (maybe because I slept for most of the trip), Bashful and I had arrived at our destination: the Small Animal Clinic of…

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Bashful Gets a Taste of Gumbo and Brass Bands

Oh friends – have you been wondering what my little Bashful has been doing in New Orleans? Well you gotta check it out – he’s been rolling around having a blast! XOXO – Bacon

thek9harperlee

It’s been a while since I’ve given you an update on Bashful’s New Orleans adventures. Every time I turn around, that little fella is hopping into my human mommy’s purse and they’re headed out the door. I finally got those two to sit down long enough to tell me where they’ve been and to share a few photos. Wow. They’ve been busy. A couple of weekends ago, Bashful joined both of my humans at Armstrong Park for the Treme Creole Gumbo Festival–New Orleans’ Premier Brass Band Showcase, which is presented by the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation. In New Orleans, we love a festival. There’s at least one every month–sometimes one each weekend of the month–and they usually revolve around tasty food and great music.

This festival features gumbo of every sort you can imagine: creole gumbo, seafood gumbo, chicken and sausage gumbo, even vegan gumbo and…

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This Special Delivery Rocks

OH FRIENDS – Wonder no more. Check out where my little Bashful is and the adventures have already begun! ❤ XOXO – Bacon

thek9harperlee

Last Friday, my little sister and I received a very special delivery from our sweet little piggy friend Bacon. (If you already know Bacon, then you know what a special little pig he is. If you don’t know Bacon, click here to link to his blog. I promise you’ll fall in love.) To say that our box from Bacon sent both of us into a tizzy would be quite the understatement. It was packed full of everything a girl could ever want.

Tallulah and I were especially obsessed over the pink piggy toy. We spent quite a bit of time trying to dismember him, but he’s tough and managed to survive . . . at least for the first round.

As fabulously fun as the pink piggy toy and the fancy treats were, there was something even more special in that little box from Bacon. Meet Bashful, Bacon’s pet rock. As…

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31 Days of Spook – St Louis Cemetery #1, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery and Howard Street Cemetery

So you were brave enough to come back for another scare my friends?  How brave you are.  You may want ask your human to get you a night light tonight because it can only get worse from here – insert evil snort.  Today we are going to highlight some famous and eerie cemeteries.  Are you brave enough to enter my cemetery of the famous dead? I’ve wandered throughout the internet and done a lot of research to bring you some intriguing places of final rest… or is it?  I hope that you find them interesting.

 Let’s take a little stroll amidst the stones shall we.

When I think of scary and mysterious cemeteries, my first thoughts have to go towards New Orleans.  Let’s visit the St. Louis Cemetery #1.   This cemetery opened in 1789 and there are over 100,000 residents.  With that much of a crowd, you know some have to be a little unhappy with their final resting place.  I know I would be.  The most famous tenant here is Marie Laveau.  Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo priestess.  People visit her grave site often and mark three “X’s” on her grave.  People that do so believe that by marking the three “X’s”, Marie Laveau will grant them their wish.

The next that came to mind were two different cemeteries in the Chicago area.  One was Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Chicagoland.  I’ve heard about this place a lot over the years.  I’ve seen specials on television and mommy has read me different chilling facts in books.  Not only does this cemetery have a history of unexplained lights and ghosts, it has an entire house that mysteriously appears and disappears.  Many people that have seen the house describe it as a white farmhouse with pillars and a swing.  The other cemetery was Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago.  This story sends chills up and down my spine every time I see it on television.  It starts off with a beautiful girl who was walking home from a dance one late night.  She was hit by a car and killed and has been looking for a ride home every since.  I saw a story one night where a man picked up this lady at a dance.  They danced into the late hours and he admitted that she felt cold to the touch.  Upon taking her home after the dance, she asked him to stop in front of the cemetery.  She got out and disappeared into the air.

And how can we forget the most eerie of places in Salem, Massachusetts at Howard Street Cemetery.  With all of the witch hunts that took place here, this has got to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.  Just think of all of the innocent people that were slowly tortured and burned at the stake for the public believing they were witches.  How many of those spirits still walk around wanting people to know that they were innocent but forever labeled a witch.  Talk about your unfinished business in setting things straight.  This reminds me of a story that mom told me about a guy named Giles Corey.  He was officially the only person to die by torture during these Witch Trials.  He wouldn’t say that he was a witch so the sheriff of the time made him lay down in the middle of his field.  The sheriff then had a board placed across his chest and slowly added stones on top of the board.  Eventually two days later, Corey was crushed to death in a slow and agonizing way.

 

31 Days of Spook – Cemeteries

So you were brave enough to come back for another scare my friends?  How brave you are.  You may want ask your human to get you a night light tonight because it can only get worse from here – insert evil snort.  Today we are going to highlight some famous and eerie cemeteries.  Are you brave enough to enter my cemetery of the famous dead? I’ve wandered throughout the internet and done a lot of research to bring you some intriguing places of final rest… or is it?  I hope that you find them interesting.

 Let’s take a little stroll amidst the stones shall we.

When I think of scary and mysterious cemeteries, my first thoughts have to go towards New Orleans.  Let’s visit the St. Louis Cemetery #1.   This cemetery opened in 1789 and there are over 100,000 residents.  With that much of a crowd, you know some have to be a little unhappy with their final resting place.  I know I would be.  The most famous tenant here is Marie Laveau.  Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo priestess.  People visit her grave site often and mark three “X’s” on her grave.  People that do so believe that by marking the three “X’s”, Marie Laveau will grant them their wish.

The next that came to mind were two different cemeteries in the Chicago area.  One was Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Chicagoland.  I’ve heard about this place a lot over the years.  I’ve seen specials on television and mommy has read me different chilling facts in books.  Not only does this cemetery have a history of unexplained lights and ghosts, it has an entire house that mysteriously appears and disappears.  Many people that have seen the house describe it as a white farmhouse with pillars and a swing.  The other cemetery was Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago.  This story sends chills up and down my spine every time I see it on television.  It starts off with a beautiful girl who was walking home from a dance one late night.  She was hit by a car and killed and has been looking for a ride home every since.  I saw a story one night where a man picked up this lady at a dance.  They danced into the late hours and he admitted that she felt cold to the touch.  Upon taking her home after the dance, she asked him to stop in front of the cemetery.  She got out and disappeared into the air.

And how can we forget the most eerie of places in Salem, Massachusetts at Howard Street Cemetery.  With all of the witch hunts that took place here, this has got to be one of the most haunted places in the United States.  Just think of all of the innocent people that were slowly tortured and burned at the stake for the public believing they were witches.  How many of those spirits still walk around wanting people to know that they were innocent but forever labeled a witch.  Talk about your unfinished business in setting things straight.  This reminds me of a story that mom told me about a guy named Giles Corey.  He was officially the only person to die by torture during these Witch Trials.  He wouldn’t say that he was a witch so the sheriff of the time made him lay down in the middle of his field.  The sheriff then had a board placed across his chest and slowly added stones on top of the board.  Eventually two days later, Corey was crushed to death in a slow and agonizing way.

 

31 Days of Spook – Picture Submission

Hello my friends.  Have you enjoyed my 31 Days of Spook this year?  Have you been frightened beyond belief?  Are you listening to every little bump in the night?  Are you sleeping with a nightlight yet?  Snorts.  Today, we have a guest picture submission.  Just a little something that was submitted by my close friend Ray Laskowitz.  Do you know Ray?  If not, you really need to check out his web page here.  He has the most awesome and beautiful pictures.

Ray submitted a picture that was taken in Old Kenner which is just up the street from New Orleans.  Was it photoshopped or how much was photoshopped?.  You’ve read some pretty wicked stories this month on my blog with some of them based in New Orleans.  We’ll just let you decide on the picture okay my friends.