Mikans and Memories

On Monday, while picking mikans, I had one of those crazy olfactory flashbacks. You know those teleportation sessions that happen when a smell that transports you to a different time and place? 

Moments after entering the little orange grove, the intense citrus scent scooped me up and I was suddenly five years old again and clinging to the top of a Louisiana satsuma tree in the side yard of our old farm house. Climbing higher and higher on the hunt for the sweetest, ripest orange until a sticky river of fear and orange juice started coursing through my body. The tree was bending under my weight and I was scared. 

And in another flash, I was suddenly back in my forty-four year old body standing in the middle of a mikan grove with my kids and our dog, on an island surrounded by the Seto-Inland Sea of Japan. Isn't it strange when those moments happen? It almost seems as if time travel is possible via smell-induced triggers. 

Spinning with The Pine Leaf Boys

You know it's a good night when you have to step into the restroom to remove layers of sweat soaked clothing. It's also a good night when tears of nostalgia and longing mix themselves with pride and cathartic joy. And that's just what happened on a chilly, Thursday night in Rosslyn, Virginia with The Pine Leaf Boys.

We danced. We danced some more. And I found myself spinning between two different worlds. As I watched my baby sister, Emee, sketching the band from the side of the stage, I couldn't stop smiling, while also missing my dad who would do the very same thing. My dad who taught me how to Cajun dance. My dad who was one of the first to document the world of Cajun music in the midst of reveling in it. My dad who would be bursting with pride to see this little crew of Louisiana kids showing the world how this how all works, this generation carrying forth traditions that nearly died away.  I spent my childhood watching Wilson's parents, Marc and Ann playing cajun music in living rooms and on stages and now Wilson is doing the same thing. And doing it well.

When it was all over and we burst back into the cold night, I decided that we need to dance more. More spinning, more sweating, and more live Cajun music. I don't just want it, I need it.

End of Summer

Tonight marks the official end of summer for us. Tomorrow the kids start back to school and for the first time in ten years I am officially returning to work. I still have so much to post about Peru and other summer highlights, but for now here is a taste of one of our all-time favorite summer experiences: Babe's Sno Cones in St. Martinville, Louisiana. It's a long time summer tradition...one that my mom and her eight siblings took part in every summer, one that sweetened my childhood summers, and one that my own kids now crave on super hot days. 

During our trip to Louisiana this summer, we had snow cones just about every afternoon. And Babe's really are the best. Established in 1949 and still going strong! Head down Main Street, look for the little turquoise building, the long line of eager customers, the friendly staff, and pick out your favorite flavor (mine is nectar, but almond and peach are pretty good, too!). We are sad to say good-bye to summer, but there are lots of new adventures waiting for us and we know that Babe's will be a part of many more summers to come.  

Imagine Downtown

If you happen to be in South Louisiana tonight, be sure to check out the winning designs for the Imagine Downtown competition being held at the Acadiana Center for the Arts. I am very proud of my sister for helping to make this whole thing happen. Viva Lafayette! and Happy Birthday, Emee! You can follow what's happening here.

Kitchen Shop Cousins

Camille and Clementine at The Kitchen Shop in Grand Coteau, Louisiana...carrying on my dad's annual tradition of Christmas Eve shopping and picking up our Gateau Nana. 

The girls are exactly a month apart and although they haven't seen each other for the past three years, they fell right into a happy rhythm of playing and giggling together. I love my cousins dearly and I now love seeing my kids with their cousins. 

And speaking of cousins, I can't remember if I have shared this series here or not, but it's worth doing it again: The Cobble Street Cousins by Cynthia Rylant. It's a fabulous early chapter book series about three cousins spending the year with their young aunt while their parents travel the world as famous dancers. The illustrations are enchanting and the stories are super sweet. It is a good reminder for me to pull them off the book shelf because  Camille is the perfect age for them. And speaking of Grand Coteau, John Slaughter's recent book is also wonderful. Alright, off to pack for our winter weekend adventure. Hope your weekend is full of good books and lots of laughter!

Clementine

Christmas Day 2012