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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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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Pictures I took while I was really high

Posted on June 8th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Travel, Weblog.

…in the air that is.

I took some lovely pictures while on a flight to and from MSY and LAX. I flew non-stop United “TED” and had a great experience. The pictures came out much better than I thought they would! Click the image for more full sized pics.

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Growing Cherry Tomatoes

Posted on May 20th, 2008 by Monique, under Daily Life, Food, Gardening, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Vegetarian, Weblog.

We have about 10×30 feet in the backyard of fended off garden area, and are growing lots of tomatoes. Here is a picture of the cherry tomatoes. This plant has tripled in size and already making tomatoes within a month of planting it in the ground. It had a little bit of yellowing leaves at the base of the plant, but looks like it is taking off and should make us lots of salad tomatoes. Yum.

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My female Miniature Pinscher Penny

Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Friends, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Videos, Weblog.

This is a quick video (no audio) that I took with the movie setting of my olympus digital camera.

Penny is my 2 year old miniature pinscher who loves to chase, bark, and play in the backyard. There is a glimpse of our male mini pin Max eating some greens on the side of the fish pond in the background. He grazes like a cow and watches the fish like the old dog he is.

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Morning Sunrise in South Louisiana

Posted on May 13th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Photography, Weblog.

This morning I found myself in my backyard being showered by sparkly sunbeams swirling in the sky. The sky in south Louisiana is beautiful. It was cool and the sunshine was plentiful.

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Baby Green Carolina Anole Lizard Pics

Posted on May 9th, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Daily Life, Friends, Gardening, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Weblog.

So I was in my backyard, and this cute little lizard was just hanging out in a little aloe vera plant. I got some really cool pics of this tiny little lizard who was nice enough to pose for me a few times.

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Vaseline Glass Hen

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Art, Collectibles, Housewares, Nature, Weblog.

I saw this little vaseline glass hen online and had to have her. Vaseline glass, aka Uranium glass, is a really cool yellow color that is made from expired uranim added to the glass. Yes I know, it sounds scary, but it is perfectly safe and for decorative purposes only.

the description from where I purchased it:

This is a wonderful example of a salt cellar made from Glass - the color is Vaseline. Vaseline has trace amounts of Uranium Oxide in the glass which causes it to glow in the dark when near a black light source (also known as Atomic Age Glass). Salt Cellars are used at a table in lieu of a salt shaker. A small spoon, usually glass or sterling (not included) is used to add salt to the food. The top of this salt cellar has a little chicken or hen - absolutely stunning.

it glows green underneath blacklight too!

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My life in the south

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by Monique, under Flowers, Gardening, Nature, Outdoors, Photography.

It really is interesting being down here in the south. Being from Southern California, its very different here. I love New Orleans and the city is busy under repair right now, things are getting better. In years to come hopefully they will have a hold on the crime and it will be a much nicer place for families and kids than it has in the recent past. It really is a cool place, if you can stand the summer heat…

Here is a lovely pink rose from our front yard, a photo my husband took. Roses will bloom almost all year long here due to the warm temperatures. The more you cut them, the more they grow and bloom!

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First post testing template

Posted on May 3rd, 2008 by Monique, under Animals, Art, Collectibles, Cooking, Design, Dessert, Fabric, Flowers, Food, Gardening, Housewares, Interior Design, Jewelry, Nature, New Orleans, Outdoors, Painting, Photography, Textiles, Toys, Travel, Vegetarian, Vintage, Weblog.

This is the “hello world” first post, edited. I want to test the block quote settings, etc. Here it goes…

Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function. Testing the block quote function.

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