Monique’s Blog
Art, Pets, Gardening, Design, and Southern Living
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Congrats to President Obama
Posted on November 4th, 2008 by Monique, under Politics.
I’m so happy! Congratulations to our new President, Barack Obama!
Obama Wins!
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Political Overload
Posted on October 7th, 2008 by Monique, under Politics.
So the second presidential debate is tonight. After that exciting VP debate, we can only hope this one holds up. Let us not forget about Keating Economics.
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Hurricane Gustav Evacuation
Posted on September 6th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Plants, Travel.
As I make this blog entry, I am still decompressing from the last week+ that I have been through dealing with my first hurricane, Gustav.
Having moved here in 2006 post Katrina-land, I really didn’t think I would ever have to go through anything like that. And I have not, because Katrina was a real bitch. Luckily, my experience was very watered down (no pun intended) compared to what they went through for Katrina. On the flip side, we didn’t get nice fema payments and red cross money like they did in 2005, but I wouldn’t want to go through anything like that so no big deal. Those things are for those in need.
I am rather pleased with my experience, it could have been ten times worse, and I hope that the next couple months while we prepare to move aren’t plagued with anymore “5 day cones.”
So as I attempted to make some lemonade with the sour fruit I was given, I decided to take some pictures and capture some images to bring my experiences to the internet, even as the dry nature of text and images lack to convey what it is really like. It’s the best I can do.
Here is where my camera started, snapping a picture of little 9 lb Penny the miniature pinscher as she prepared for an adventure. It was easily 100 degrees F, we had lots of water, and Penny was excited and well behaved as always. Tongue hanging out, ready for some fun, safe with her human friends.

On the highway we would see dozens of other dogs, all kinds of animal pets, even a ferret. I tried to take pics of them all, and in the craziness I got off a couple of shots. (more…)
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Black Sabbath Live Video 1970
Posted on July 25th, 2008 by Monique, under Music, Videos.
This is what we were watching on the laptop this morning in the kitchen while we had our coffee. Black Sabbath live in Paris in 1970. This is even before Jim Morrison died, it was that long ago. And it rocks.
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French Quarter Door
Posted on July 14th, 2008 by Monique, under New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Vehicles.
Driving through the french quarter is fun, I always bring my camera to catch the interesting sights.

I have no idea what goes on, behind that door…
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Genovese Basil
Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Cooking, Food, Gardening, Nature, Photography, Plants, Vegetarian.
This year I am growing several types of basil. This includes Genovese basil. It smells wonderful, and its big leaves are quite lovely. I have a bunch of small plants that are doing very well and look so pretty, I had to take some pictures.

One day, these lush green plants will be making my spaghetti sauce extra tasty.
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Corn Harvest Time
Posted on July 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Food, Gardening, Photography.
So we grew some corn this year, it was our first time and we learned. I think I planted them way too close together, I did not want to damage the young sprouts so I did not thin them out, and this resulted in little small ears of corn. They were delicious, even so.

This was a white corn from burpee seeds, SugarPearl Hybrid Sweet Corn. It grew so fast, and we can’t wait to grow more again next year. But spaced out properly so we get big fat ears. The corn also makes a wonderful habitat for the baby anole lizards.
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Night Owl on the Flagpole
Posted on July 2nd, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Gardening, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography.
So the other night we are coming home from New Orleans, and upon pulling in the driveway this animal thing caught my eye from above. It was an owl on the flagpole. He must have been hunting. Maybe he will get some of those digging rodents in the garden…

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The Mystery Plant
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Gardening, Photography, Plants.
So there was a spot on the chain link fence where the blackberry vines grow that was bare from the dog shoving his head in the leaves to peek at the dogs next door. Yes my dog Max is like a nosy old man. An entire yard to play in, and he wants to know what the dogs next door are doing instead. What are the dogs next door doing? Laying in the sun, sleeping, enjoying themselves and oblivious to my peeping tom dog. SO… there was a bare spot on the fence, so I placed a large potted tomato plant that was dying in front of it. Months later, it appeared. It was the mystery plant.
I needed the pot, the tomato was long dead and winter was coming to an end. However, I noticed this interesting little plant springing up, and I did not want to kill it thinking it might be something cool. So I planted some provence lavender in the pot, and left this thing.
Months later, it is completely out of control. Does anyone know what this thing is? Its pretty crazy!

The wind will not knock it over, nothing seems to phase this funky looking thing. It hasn’t flowered or anything, and it does not seem to be a harmful plant.
I would be ever so gracious to anyone who knows what this plant is called. We are in South Louisiana, so its native to here.
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Weezer Pork and Beans Lyrics
Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by Monique, under Art, Lyrics, Music.
They say
I need some Rogaine
To put in my hair
Work it out at the gym
To fit my underwear
Oakley makes the shades
That transform a tool
You’d hate
For the kids to think
That you lost your cool
Imma do the things
That I wanna do
I ain’t got a thing
To prove to you
I’ll eat my candy
With the pork and beans
Excuse my manners
If I make a scene
I ain’t gonna wear
The clothes that you like
I’m fine and dandy
With the me inside
One look in the mirror
And I’m tickled pink
I don’t give a hoot
About what you think
Everyone likes to dance
To a happy song
(Hey, hey)
With a catchy chorus and beat
So they can sing along
(Hey, hey)
Timbaland knows the way
To reach the top of the charts
Maybe if I work with him
I can perfect the art
I’mma do the things
That I wanna do
I ain’t got a thing
To prove to you
I’ll eat my candy
With the pork and beans
Excuse my manners
If I make a scene
I ain’t gonna wear
The clothes that you like
I’m fine and dandy
With the me inside
One look in the mirror
And I’m tickled pink
I don’t give a hoot
About what you think
No I don’t care
I don’t care
I don’t care
I don’t care
I don’t care
I don’t care
I’mma do the things
That I wanna do
I ain’t got a thing
To prove to you
I’ll eat my candy
With the pork and beans
Excuse my manners
If I make a scene
I ain’t gonna wear
The clothes that you like
I’m fine and dandy
With the me inside
One look in the mirror
And I’m tickled pink
I don’t give a hoot
About what you think