Happy National Louisiana Day!

These are the must-see sites to see in Louisiana,, according to Trip Advisor.

The National WWII Museum

The National WWII Museum is the top-rated tourist destination in New Orleans and #2 in the U.S., and an unforgettable way to experience World War II—from industrial efforts on the home front to the combat experience of the American servicemember abroad. Offering a compelling blend of sweeping narrative and poignant personal detail, the Museum features immersive exhibits, multimedia experiences, and an expansive collection of artifacts and first-person oral histories to take visitors inside the story of the war: why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Beyond the galleries, the Museum offers unique access to experiential history, including an opportunity to tour and ride on an authentically restored PT-boat, tours behind the scenes to handle artifacts alongside Museum curators, and an impressive collection of restored and working macro-artifacts to discover.

French Quarter

A must-see for its high energy and rich history, the French Quarter is New Orleans’ heart and cultural center. Enjoy the lively atmosphere amid magnificent colonial architecture and skilled street performers—and don’t miss the finest galleries in the city and landmarks like the sumptuous St. Louis Cathedral. Linger around till after dark to jam to live jazz in one of the district’s renowned clubs. For a full experience, you can join a food, haunted or jazz tour from a knowledgeable local guide. Book your visit between February and early March to attend the raucous street parties of Mardi Gras.

Frenchmen Street

This popular stretch is the go-to spot for the best live music venues in the city—the Faubourg Marigny area is particularly popular.

Garden District

Once favored by America’s elite, this iconic neighborhood is home to grand historic mansions, quirky indie boutiques, and beautifully cultivated gardens.

Preservation Hall

New Orleans’ Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor one of America’s truest art forms – Traditional New Orleans Jazz. Operating as a music venue, a touring band, and a non-profit organization, Preservation Hall continues its mission today as a cornerstone of New Orleans music and culture. Situated in the heart of the French Quarter on St. Peter Street, the Preservation Hall venue presents intimate, acoustic New Orleans Jazz concerts over 350 nights a year featuring ensembles from a current collective of 100+ local master practitioners. On any given night, audiences bear joyful witness to the evolution of this venerable and living tradition.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR

DIY: Thanksgiving Dinner Place Cards

These are simple and easy diy ideas for your Thanksgiving feast table!

Pumpkins (from BHG.com)

Put a pumpkin on it! This Thanksgiving table decoration starts as a plain foam ball. Wrap it with orange yard and top with a mini cork. Finish the handmade place card with a cut cardstock leaf and a sweet note.

Pumpkins with Pilgrim Hats (also BHG.com)

This inexpensive fall table decoration is made with a painted terracotta pot. Add a touch of gold paint and display the finished hat on a mini pumpkin. Need a fun Thanksgiving Day activity for the kids? Let them each decorate their own hat.

Wood Slice Turkeys (from thecraftpatchblog.com)

(The picture shows the turkey using glitter washi tape.  I would make mine using simple construction paper in fall colors.) 

Materials

Mini wood slices

Washi tape in Red, White, Gold and Orange

Googly Eyes

Florist Wire

Orange Cardstock

Hot Glue Gun + Glue Sticks

Glue the googly eyes and a beak (cut from the orange cardstock) on the larger wood slice.

Cut feathers from paper and glue florist wire to the back. You can sandwich the florist wire between 2 pieces of paper if you wish.  Then glue the feathers to the back of the larger wood slice with the hot glue.

Glue a smaller wood slice to the back of the turkey so that it stands and to cover the glue that attached the feathers.

What Shall We Bake Today?

The second pumpkin recipe this month would make an awesome dessert for Thanksgiving!  It’s Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Ingredients

Graham Cracker Crust

Nonstick cooking spray

1/2 cup pecan halves

14 full sheets graham crackers

3 Tbsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

Cheesecake Filling

4 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

4 large eggs

1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin puree

1/3 cup sour cream

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

1 1/2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom

Chopped pecans, caramel sauce, and whipped cream, to serve

Directions

For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Wrap the outside bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with two layers of aluminum foil, allowing the foil to come a couple inches up the sides of the pan. (This prevents water from seeping into the pan while the cheesecake cooks in a water bath.) Lightly coat the inside of the pan with cooking spray.

Place the pecan halves and the graham crackers in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs form. Add the sugar and salt and pulse to combine. Drizzle in the melted butter and process until well combined.

Press the crumb mixture evenly along the bottom and partially up the sides of the pan. Bake the crust for 8 to 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

For the filling: Beat the cream cheese and sugars in a large bowl with an electric mixer at medium-high speed, 2 to 3 minutes, until combined and fluffy. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Lower the mixer speed and beat in the eggs, one at a time, until just incorporated. Beat in the pumpkin, sour cream, and vanilla until combined. With the mixer on low, beat in the cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom.

Bring a pot of water to a boil for your cheesecake’s water bath.

Pour the filling into the crust. Place the cheesecake in the center of a large roasting pan. Carefully pour the boiling water into the roasting pan. (The water should come about halfway up the sides of the pan).

Bake the cheesecake for 65 to 75 minutes, until the cheesecake is firm around the edges, but the center has a slight jiggle. Turn the oven off, crack the oven door just slightly (you can use a wooden spoon to keep the door slightly open), and allow the cheesecake to rest in the oven for 1 additional hour.

Carefully remove the cheesecake from the water bath. Place the springform pan on a cooling rack until it cools to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours.

When ready to serve, remove the sides of the springform pan and top the cheesecake with chopped pecans, caramel sauce, and whipped cream.

ENJOY!

The Flying Nun

Today is Sally Field’s birthday (born in 1946) and I found an article explaining why she didn’t like playing a nun.

From: Countryliving.com:

A few small TV parts later, Field was offered The Flying Nun. She tried to turn it down, but hated to refuse work. “I didn’t want to do it. I was trying to figure out who I was, but I knew who I wasn’t: a flying nun. I was almost 19, and my sexuality needed to be explored,” Field told O. “So I said no, which I thought was incredibly brave. But my stepfather said, ‘Don’t get on your high horse. If you don’t take this part, you may never work again.'”

The Flying Nun aired on ABC from 1967 to 1970 for a total of 82 episodes. The idea for the unlikely sitcom didn’t come from a TV executive’s fever dream; it was actually based on the 1965 book The Fifteenth Pelican by Tere Rios.

The show followed the mildly zany adventures of Sister Bertrille, née Elsie Ethrington, and her friends at the Convent San Tanco in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The combination of high winds, Sister Bertrille’s large headpiece or cornette, and her weighing only 90 pounds enabled the nun to take flight. Or, as Sister Bertrille also explained, “When lift plus thrust is greater than load plus drag, anything can fly.”

The cast included Madeleine Sherwood as Reverend Mother Placido, Marge Redmond as Sister Jacqueline (also the narrator for each episode), Shelley Morrison as Sister Sixto, Vito Scotti as Captain Gaspar Fomento, a police officer, and Alejandro Rey as Carlos Ramirez, a local casino owner who was an orphan raised by the nuns and still maintained a friendship with them.

Initially a hit with viewers, ratings for The Flying Nun dropped steadily and ABC canceled the struggling show after three years.

But it was three years too many for Field, who longed to be taken more seriously as an actress. “I was suffering so badly, I was so depressed and I was 19 and I didn’t want to be playing something called the Flying Nun, I did not want to be dressed as a nun all day long,” Field explained.

“You can only imagine what a pregnant flying nun looked like. I was a walking sight gag.”

To make matters worse, Field had married and was pregnant with her first child during the final year of the show’s run. “You can only imagine what a pregnant flying nun looked like,” Field has said. “I was a walking sight gag.” The producers of The Flying Nun did what they could to hide her growing belly. As Time noted in its 2009 list of “Top 10 Pregnant Performers,” “pregnant flights of fancy were obviously not written into the already unusual premise of the show. Instead, the producers relied on props and scenery to block view of Field’s body below the chest.”

After her pretend life at the convent ended, Field got her wish and left the perky roles behind. She embarked on a long career of acclaimed TV and film roles, notably Sybil (1976), Absence of Malice (1981), Steel Magnolias (1989), Forrest Gump (1994), Where the Heart Is (2000), and Lincoln (2012). Field received Oscars for her roles in Norma Rae (1979), Places in the Heart (1984), and won an Emmy in 2006 for her role on the television’s Brothers & Sisters. Field is also known for box-office hits like Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), and The Amazing Spider-Man (2012).

Field has been married twice, first to Steven Craig from 1968 to 1975, with whom she has two sons, Peter and Eli. She was married to Alan Greisman from 1984 to 1993 and they have a son, Samuel. She also had a three-year relationship with Burt Reynolds.

Field readily admits she had self-confidence issues and suffered from depression while working on The Flying Nun. She had a difficult upbringing living with her mother, Margaret Field, and her stepfather, Jock Mahoney, a stunt man with a mercurial and sometimes volatile temperament. While she saw The Flying Nun as a career obstacle, the experience also helped her mature.

“Something in me started to take care of myself in a way that I hadn’t been able to before. I started to change and heal. I grew up and moved out of the fog,” Field said in 2008. “And ultimately, the experience of being on the series gave me tremendous strength. It made me want to be a real actor, no matter what.”

SOURCE: COUNTRYLIVING.COM

Massachusetts State Flower

The Mayflower Massachusetts State Flower is a small, beautiful wildflower that has been an important symbol of Massachusetts for many years. With its delicate pink and white blossoms and sweet fragrance, it represents hope, perseverance, and the arrival of spring.

The Mayflower’s meaning is closely tied to the history and spirit of Massachusetts. People often connect it with perseverance because it blooms in early spring, even in cold and rocky soil. Its soft flowers remind many residents of new beginnings after long winters.

The flower also carries cultural meaning. It appears in stories about early settlers, Native communities, and the land itself. Some families in Massachusetts grew up seeing this plant on woodland walks, while others learned about it in school as part of state history lessons.

Gratitude

In November, we celebrate Thanksgiving, so this month I want to explore gratitude.  I found this article on verywellmind.com which gives an overview of gratitude.

From: verywellmind.com:

Practicing gratitude means acknowledging what brings joy and value to your life. This mindful approach can enhance your mental and physical health. Discover methods to integrate gratitude into your routine and feel its positive impact.

Signs of Gratitude

What does gratitude look like? How do you know you’re experiencing it? You might express appreciation in several ways, such as:

Taking a moment to reflect on the things you’re grateful for

Noticing and acknowledging the beauty of something you encounter in daily life

Being thankful for your health

Thanking someone for their positive influence on your life

Doing something kind for another person to show gratitude

Focusing on small things that bring you joy and peace

Practicing meditation or prayer centered around giving thanks

Gratitude is often a spontaneous emotion that you feel in the moment. Some people are naturally prone to experiencing it more often than others, but experts suggest that it is also something that you can cultivate and learn to practice more often.

How Often Do You Experience Gratitude?

You can evaluate your tendency to experience gratitude by asking yourself the following questions.

Do you feel like you have a lot to be thankful for in your life?

If you made a list of all the things you are grateful for, would that list be very long?

When you look at the world, can you find many things to be grateful for?

Do you feel like your appreciation for life and other people has grown stronger as you get older?

Do you frequently experience moments where you appreciate someone or something?

Do you appreciate a wide variety of people in your life?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, you probably have a strong sense of gratitude. If you answered no to many or all, you could take steps to bring more gratitude into your life.

Types of Gratitude

Gratitude can be categorized into three types:

As an affective trait: This type is linked to a person’s general disposition. Some people naturally experience more gratitude than others. However, research hasn’t shown a clear connection to any Big Five personality traits such as conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extroversion.

As a mood:  It can fluctuate over time. People might go through periods of feeling more or less grateful.

As an emotion: It can be a brief feeling experienced in the moment, often sparked by a specific experience.

How to Practice Gratitude

Developing a sense of gratitude isn’t complex or challenging. It doesn’t require any special tools or training. And the more you practice it, the better you will become and put yourself into a grateful state of mind. Here’s how to do this:

Observe the Moment

Take a second to focus on your experience and how you are feeling. Take stock of your senses and think about what is helping you cope. Are there people who have done something for you, or are there particular things helping you manage your stress, feel good about your life, or accomplish what you need to do?

You may also find the practice of mindfulness, which focuses on becoming more aware of the present moment, a helpful tool.

Write it Down

You might find it helpful to start a gratitude journal where you jot down a few things you are thankful for each day. Being able to look back on these observations can help when you are struggling to feel grateful.

Savor the Moment

Give yourself time to really enjoy the moment. Focus on the experience and allow yourself to absorb those good feelings. Concentrate on the sensations and emotions you are experiencing in a given moment and think about the things you appreciate.

Create Gratitude Rituals

Pausing for a moment to appreciate something and giving thanks for it can help you feel a greater sense of gratitude. A meditation, prayer, or mantra are examples of rituals that can inspire a greater sense of gratitude.

Give Thanks

Gratitude is all about recognizing and appreciating those people, things, moments, skills, or gifts that bring joy, peace, or comfort into our lives. Show your appreciation. You might thank a person to show you are thankful for them, or you might spend a moment simply mentally appreciating what you have.

Expressing your appreciation for others is an important component that can affect your interpersonal relationships, particularly those with your partner. People with high levels of gratitude experience sharp declines in marital satisfaction when their partner does not express gratitude in return.

SOURCE: VERYWELLMIND.COM

ROSEANNE!

Today is Roseanne Barr’s birthday. She was born in 1952 and recently she announced her return to television. I found an article on USMagazine.com that details 25 things we might not know about her.

1. After a long day, I decompress by watching wild animal videos on YouTube.

2. The most common thing fans say to me on the street is, “You raised me; you were like a mom to me.”

3. Some keepsakes I’ve taken from previous sets include drinking glasses, shot glasses, soap dishes, plates, wigs and costumes.

4. My secret talent is that I can burp the alphabet.

5. My first car was a ’73 Gremlin.

6. The most famous person in my phone book is Barbra Streisand.

7. My favorite meal to cook is bouillabaisse.

8. The most starstruck I’ve ever been was the night I sang for four presidents with Tony Bennett.

9. My favorite item in my wardrobe is my vintage Chanel suit.

10. My favorite movie is Network.

11. My favorite room is my bedroom.

12. My celebrity crush growing up was Paul Newman.

13. My favorite book is A Confederacy of Dunces.

14. A song that brings back the best memories is “Fight the Power” by the Isley Brothers. It reminds me of being a ’60s radical.

15. My go-to karaoke song is “Lose Yourself” by Eminem.

16. I’d love to see the Great Wall of China. I heard they have good Chinese food over there.

17. My favorite guilty-pleasure TV show is Meet the Press.

18. My favorite snacks are cheeses!

19. My favorite thing about portraying Roseanne [Connor on Roseanne] was writing the jokes that everyone would repeat at work on Monday.

20. I prepared for my first comedy special in 17 years with a lot of introspection, writing, worry and prayer.

21. The comedian I looked up to the most was Lenny Bruce. He was my dad’s favorite.

22. My advice for up-and-coming comedians is: “Don’t bother.”

23. My alternate profession would be a librarian.

24. On a typical Sunday afternoon, you’d find me in bed watching the internet or in the kitchen cooking, just like every other day.

25. My most embarrassing moment was one of my first times performing — I was so nervous, I peed my pants when they introduced me.

SOURCE: USMAGAZINE.COM

Happy National Ohio Day!

If you’re planning on visiting Ohio, Trip Advisor recommends the following sites!

The National Museum of the US Air Force

The National Museum of the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum, housing more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts across more than 19 acres of indoor exhibits. Originating in 1923 as a small engineering collection, the museum presents U.S. air and space history through themed galleries such as Early Years, World War II, Korean War, Cold War, and missile and space galleries, plus an outdoor Air Park and Memorial Park with large aircraft and monuments.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Headquartered in a boldly designed building on Lake Erie’s shore, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a 150,000-square-foot museum featuring ever-changing exhibits documenting the history of rock and roll, from Elvis to our days. You’ll see hundreds of original artifacts, from Jimi Hendrix outfits to The Beatles’ handwritten lyrics. Experience the excitement of a Rock Hall induction night at the Power of Rock Experience or have your very own jam session at the Garage.

Cedar Point

More than just an amusement park, Cedar Point features hotels, restaurants, beautiful grounds along with an impressive variety of thrill-rides.

West Side Market

Built in 1912, this thriving public market offers fresh produce, meat, dairy products and a delicious variety of prepared foods.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 11,000 animals representing nearly 600 species from around the globe, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Course. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also operates the Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio.

SOURCE: TRIPADVISOR.COM

What Shall We Bake Today?

Since last month was Halloween, I imagine there are a lot of people who bought pumpkins–some for jack-o-lanterns, sure, but some just for decorations. So I figured this month we’ll explore recipes using pumpkin. A long time ago, I cut, cleaned, and cooked pumpkins which I then pureed for recipes. Cans are MUCH easier…LOL The first recipe is Pumpkin Coffee Cake.

Ingredients

For the streusel:

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

6 Tbsp. salted butter, melted

For the pumpkin cake:

Baking spray with flour, for the pan

1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pie mix)

2/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

For the cream cheese drizzle:

2 oz. cream cheese, cubed

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

For the streusel: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, walnuts, brown sugar, and pumpkin pie spice. Stir in the melted butter. Cover and refrigerate the streusel for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 day.

For the pumpkin cake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with baking spray. Line the pan with parchment paper, leaving a 1-inch overhang. Spray the parchment.

In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, sour cream, granulated sugar, vanilla, and eggs until well combined. Add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, stirring until just combined.

Pour the batter into the pan, smoothing the top with an offset spatula. Remove the cold streusel from the refrigerator, and use your fingers to break it into dime-size pieces. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the batter.

Bake the cake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan.

For the cream cheese drizzle: In a medium heatproof bowl, microwave the cream cheese until very soft, 10 to 15 seconds. Whisk in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and 1 tablespoon water.

Using the parchment overhang, lift the coffee cake from the pan. Drizzle the cream cheese drizzle over the cake. Let set for 15 minutes before slicing.

Enjoy!