Through the Eyes of a Child

While running errands the other day with Ashlyn, she asked me if she could use my camera which happened to be in the car. As a means to keep her pacified, I said yes. When we later reviewed what she had captured...I found that they revealed a charming view of the world.

Mardi Gras Madness

How will you be spending this most honorable of holidays?

To help get you in the spirit...below is a "Mardi Gras Madness" Quiz. Whoever gets the most questions right will be receiving a traditional King Cake. Individuals may enter once; you may not use any other resources other than your brain. Post your answers here. If there are multiple winners, I will post a tie breaking question. Entries will be taken from 2/16 to 2/20.

(Nope, I'm not kidding. Be sure to include your mailing address)

"LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULE”

1.) Louisiana crawfish come from what type of water? (a) fresh water (b) salt water

2.) While crossing a highway at night, a crawfish sees the headlights of an oncoming car. What will the crawfish likely do as the car approaches? (a) hurry to the other side of the road (b) turn around and go back from where it came (c) get in a defensive position with its claws up -- ready for battle (d) turn away from the bright lights

3.) You're boiling the crawfish. What are you least likely to put in the pot? (a) garlic (b) onions (c) corn (d) potatoes (e) celery (f) cream cheese (g) cayenne pepper (h) beer (i) lemons

4.) You're eating boiled crawfish. Which crawfish do you avoid? (a) the ones with the long antennae (b) the ones with the straight tails (c) the ones that are red in color (d) the ones that are really big.

5.) Which of the following are you not likely to do when eating boiled crawfish? (a) pry them open with a knife (b) pinch the tails (c) suck the heads (d) eat the tails

6.) What time of year are you least likely to have a crawfish boil? (a) Mardi Gras (b) Good Friday (c) Early June (d) Late September.

7.) What are you least likely to put in a gumbo? (a) ground sassafras leaves (b) avocados (c) blue crab bodies (d) andouille (e) okra (f) roux (g) boiled eggs.

8.) What color is a merliton? (a) bright red (b) light yellow (c) light green (d) dark brown

9.) What does "sac-a-lait" mean? (a) a Cajun dance step (b) milk sack (c) crappie (fish) (d) bag of rice (e) both (b) & (c) (f) both (a) & (d).

10.) Which town is the home of the International Rice Festival and the birth of Edwin Edwards' political career? (a) Jennings (b) Ville Platte (c) Rayne (d) Crowley.

11.) A jambalaya must contain what ingredient? (a) sausage (b) shrimp (c) rice (d) tomatoes.

12.) Which of the following is usually served with rice? (a) gumbo (b) etouffee (c) stew (d) all of the above (d) both (a) and (c).

13.) What is the "holy trinity" of ingredients found in virtually every Cajun dish? (a) cayenne pepper, black pepper, and white pepper (b) salt, pepper, and basil (c) onions, bell peppers, and celery (d) flour, water, and oil.

14.) If a Cajun orders a sandwich, he/she is most likely to order what? (a) hogie (b) submarine (c) po-boy (d) a sandwich on rye bread.

15.) In Cajun Louisiana, at what time of year are the least amount of oysters consumed?
(a) spring (b) summer (c) fall (d) winter.

16.) Which one of the following is not considered authentic Cajun food and has only been attributed to be Cajun in recent years? (a) jambalaya (b) blackened fish (c) sauce piquante (d) etouffee.

17.) For good luck and wealth, what should you eat on New Year's Day? (a) jambalaya and white beans (b) gumbo and potato salad (c) cabbage and black-eyed peas (d) fried fish and white beans
18.) What animal is a Cajun least likely to eat? (a) turtle (b) frog (c) squirrel (d) nutria.

19.) What part of the alligator provides the best meat? (a) the legs (b) the back (c) the tail (d) the head.

20.) What is boudin (pronounced "boo-danh")? (a) fish cooked in a spicy tomato sauce (b) a sausage stuffed with rice and meat (c) a Cajun pork stew (d) crawfish in a cheese sauce stuffed into French bread.

21.) What is bouie (pronounced "boo-yee")? (a) knife (b) sandwich (c) custard (d) cake.

22.) What Cajun song is sometimes referred to as the "Cajun National Anthem"? (a) Jolie Blonde (b) Allons a Lafayette (c) La Porte d'en Arrière (d) Colinda.

23.) You're at a Cajun dance and the band plays the "Cajun National Anthem". What type of dance is danced to the music? (a) Cajun two-step (b) Cajun waltz (c) Cajun jitterbug (d) Cajun one-step.

24.) What does "fais-do-do" mean? (a) go to sleep (b) an evening feast (c) a gathering of people for Cajun music and dance (d) both (a) & (b) (e) both (a) & (c).

25.) What is a pirogue? a) Large pot for cooking b) Small wooden boat pointed on both ends
c) A Cajun's front porch d) A Cajun holiday.

Finally, for those of you who really want to get into the spirit...the Mardi Gras Parade will be broadcast at http://www.mardigrasday.com/ on February 20th.

"Love is all there is" ~ Emily Dickenson

My husband recently attended a "Baptism Fireside" with our daughter; she will be turning 8 in March. Throughout the evening, she shared the enthusiasm of her peers as they learned the privileges and responsibilities that would be their's over the next year. On the ride home her enthusiasm began to wane and turned to apprehension.

When she arrived home she questioned whether or not she should get baptized. The basis for her questioning was quite profound: if she chose to be baptized, would she never be able to wear "showing tummy" swimsuits and, on the flip-side, if she chose not to be baptized would she always have to wear "showing tummy" swimsuits. In her sweet, 7 year old mind, this was a very pressing issue.

At 35, I consider the choice I have made not to wear a "showing tummy" swimsuit a blessing -- for me, as well as for those around me. However, as I continued to ponder over our conversation I wondered what, really, was the basis for her questioning. To me it seemed that she was trying to shape the beginning of her belief system, albeit on a very simple level. It encouraged me to again consider what shape my own belief system had taken; what the motivation of my faith was.

For many years I lived a perfunctory life; I combed my hair, did the laundry, tended to my children, attended church each Sunday, said my prayers and read my scriptures. I believed I was doing "what was right". However, my primary motivator was fear. In the face of the possibility of failure, I was anxious; At times, my anxiety became so strong that I lost my sensibilities. It was easier then to act mechanically rather to think and feel. Not surprisingly, my life lacked a sense of contentment and satisfaction.

So how was I to change my spiritual motivations? I started by asking myself: What, ultimately, was my goal? My answer: To achieve immortality and eternal life.

The Savior has already made provision for part of this goal to be achieved: through the Atonement, he has brought immortality to all of God’s children here on earth (1 Cor. 15). To achieve the second part of my goal, eternal life, for me, meant re-learning how to heed the counsel of Moroni and “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; … and love God with all your might, mind and strength" (Moro. 10:32–33).

I desired to change my fear into love. The Savior has said, “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18.) For this to occur it required two actions on my part: first, faith that the Lord could heal me from my weaknesses and second, to take an honest look at myself. I began by refining and solidify my testimony -- beginning with deepening my relationship with the Savior.

This continues to be an active process in my life. My hope is that as I strive to change my heart I will more frequently find joy in the achievement of my spiritual goals as I seek them because I want to rather than because I ought to.

For posterity's sake...

is why I have chosen to
disclose
this photo. Boy, what memories
it brings back!

While sharing this charming photo with my children I was disheartened to find that were but few individuals with whom they were aquainted. What a failing on my part.

I have a wonderful family. I have been influenced by them in infinite ways over the years; By them I have been accepted, succored and taught thus learning how to be tolerant, benevolent and discerning. I am proud of them and I am inspired by them; most especially, I am glad to be a part of them.