Frog Festival - Rayne, La.

When in Rome... or Rayne for this particular post... right?!  That was my motto the second Saturday in November when I dragged a cousin out to the annual Rayne Frog Festival.  The main draw that evening was Percy Sledge... and what a crowd that drew!

The annual Frog Festival, celebrates the city’s role in promoting this unique Louisiana delicacy (you guessed it - frogs!!), is held the  second weekend in November.  Activities include frog racing and jumping contests, the Lions Club Frog Derby, a queen’s contest, parade, carnival and live music.  The first official Rayne Frog Festival was held in September 1973 under the sponsorship of the Rayne Chamber of Commerce.  I guess they are doing something right since this year was the 39th for the Frog Fest!

So I've been there... done it... and probably won't return.  I LOVE the various festivals my homestate has (literally all the time for anything and everything)... but frogs are frogs.  And quite honestly, I'm not sure it really gels with my vegan beliefs (actually, nothing about this event does).  Frog legs, frog on a stick, forcing frogs to jump in competition for human entertainment, etc.  No thank you!  ~ Christina

Pastor Brothers Cajun Adventure

Homegrown cajun fun.  That's how I'd describe this outing.  A quick, easy and inexpensive way to spend your day in Cajun country. We spent the afternoon on the water taking in the beauty of the Vermilion Bayou aboard the covered party barge, sipping their signature complimentary T-Julips and listening to some cajun music. Captain John was hilarious with tales of “good ole days” and passing along stories his father and grandfather told him.  Growing up near the water, I wasn’t terribly impressed by the actual sights (no wildlife, etc.), but it was a fun way to “pass a good time” as we’d say here in Louisiana. 

I’d recommend them for sure.  Here’s their website: www.pastorbrothers.com

Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park

The Vermilionville Living History Museum and Folklife Park is a cultural development within the Bayou Vermilion District, serving to preserve the cultural resources of Lafayette Parish and the surrounding region. The museum contains many unique restored historical items within its collection. There are artisans working daily in the park providing an example of how various tasks and crafts were completed back to the early days of the Acadians and Creoles as they worked to create a successful life in the Attakapas Region of the new Louisiana territory.

The park is a picturesque representation of a village from a time period of 1765 to 1890. Within the park visitors are allowed an up close look at many examples of early building architecture as well as how inhabitants worked in their day to day life.

Our trip to Vermilionville definitely provided for a historical and cultural experience.  Quite interesting and a perfect day with my MawMaw. :) ~ Christina

Freecycle.org

The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 5,082 groups with 9,267,398 members around the world. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by local volunteers. Membership is free.

While I’ve heard of this amazing site before, I’d never used it.  But with my pending move, I decided to give it a whirl.  I listed several Halloween costumes, along with several household items leftover from a garage sale I had.  The results?  Several very happy individuals!  The down side is that depending on what you post, the response can sometimes be overwhelming to deal with on email.  Plus, unless you can just leave the item(s) somewhere for easy pick up (like a front porch) you have to contact the other individual and coordinate a time and location (and that often times runs very late).  I’ll use the site again for sure… but will need to see how I manage my expectations a little better.  Check them out: www.freecycle.org.  A GREAT way to give back to Mother Earth and to each other.

Rug Doctor

I have never used one of these things before... and let me tell you.... WHAT. AN. EXPERIENCE.  To cut down on moving costs, I decided to clean my own carpets with the trusty Rug Doctor instead of bringing a professional in.  Costs WERE saved but my sanity might have been frayed just a bit.  I'll spare you the rugged details... maybe I'm just not all that coordinated.  Maybe I didn't read the directions well enough ahead of time.  But regardless, I got my condo security deposit back so I must have done something right. :) ~ Christina

15th Annual Diwali Mela - Festival of Lights

The Association of Asian Cultural Festivals presented the 15th Annual Diwali Mela celebration on Saturday, October 27th, 2012 at the Disney Amphitheater at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.

Also known as the "Festival of Lights," this annual cultural celebration has fun for the entire family. Entertainment included traditional singing and dancing performances by many top local artists. Vendor booths offering unique clothing and a wide variety of delicious traditional cuisine.  

As one of my last local events before the big move... this was a perfect example about what I'm going to miss.  Such cultural diversity.  Such richness.  I loved it! ~ Christina

Canoeing with Jordan

I am so glad I made time to do this before moving... Jordan had never been canoeing before. So Jeff and I took him out on the Wekiva River one morning.  He loved it! And I must say... he was pretty good at it.  At least when he wasn't getting me drenched with his oars! :) ~ Christina

Melissa's Sidewalk Cafe

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the iPhone app "Happy Cow".  Anywhere I am, it helps me to find local vegan  or veg-friendly restaurants.  That's how I discovered this little gem in Crestview, Florida.  On the way back from moving a load of my belongings to Louisiana, Jeff, Denver and I stopped here for lunch.

Y.U.M.

This little food truck specializes in vegetarian and vegan take-out.  Everything is fresh and locally grown. I'm so stoked to find something like this along I-10 (or at least not that far off it) for my drives back and forth.  ~ Christina

Hussong's Cantina Taqueria

In search for vegan eats in Vegas, I stumbled upon this place in the Mandalay Bay Shoppes area.  Veg-friendly and so delicious!  Vegetarian tacos (made vegan) with beans and rice was my first official meal in Sin City.  Awww... it was far and few between when I could find a dish chock full of fresh veggies that tasted as good as it was for me.  Plus the bar atmosphere had most games on the big screen so I was able to keep tabs on my Saints while here. ~ Christina

StripSteak

We went to StripSteak for our chapter dinner this past week while in Vegas... and I have to say I had mixed feelings about it.  The chapter guys love their meat and potatoes so it made sense for the dinner to take place there (plus the reviews are all fabulous about the chef and his creations)... but this vegan felt like a fish out of water (literally).  On the plus side, the chef went out of his way to create a vegan dish for me (delicious!)... and the service is amazing.  But as a vegan... there are too many negatives.  From the hanging raw meat slabs on display through glass door coolers, the french fries cooked in duck fat (wish I'd known that BEFORE eating a few of them - talk about upset tummy!) to the pricey meat dishes.... I had to leave a little early.  Way too many animals lost their lives for that place and at $100+ per person... I just couldn't stomach it all.  If you are a meat-eater... definitely check this place out.  But it's not vegan friendly at all.  ~ Christina