Today, I am sharing a vlog I made of last weekend’s visit to an area plantation home, Shadows on the Teche (and discovered a few secrets along the way)! My visit also included a stop in Houma, Louisiana for their Relay for Life event!
It was a jam packed fun-filled day to say the least!
Enjoy! :0)
Have you ever participated in a walk/relay/run for a loved one who has battled with cancer? If so, please share! I would love to hear about it!
Saturday – Six mile run with Heather (complete with an Easter Egg Hunt!)
Sunday – Rest Day/Easter Sunday
Monday – 4.26 mile run for Boston
Tuesday – 10 pushups, 10 sit-ups, 10 squats (5 rounds); short sprints
Wednesday – Rest Day
Thursday – 20 lunges, 10 pushups (5 rounds)
Friday – Building a patio – lots of physical labor
Hi friends! It’s Friday again!
This weekend, Jason and I are going to build a patio we’ve been scheming up for about a year - it’s an extension to our deck and I can’t wait to see the finished product. Our project was momentarily halted last weekend because we had to call a company to come over and mark our yard for electric lines. That’s all finished now…so this weekend, it’s on!
We are also having a crawfish boil with my parents that will be a lot of fun! Can’t wait!
Weekends are fun, I just wish they lasted longer! :0)
What are your weekend plans? Hope you have a fabulous one!!
Deep in the heart of Cajun Country lies a plantation home named Shadows on the Teche. Commonly known as “The Shadows”, this home is full of history and beauty.
Built between 1831-1834, this home was once owned by a family who produced and sold sugar cane. Now, this home is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation – the first in the Gulf Coast!
What brought me to this home? Well…back in the late 90’s, my family and I took a vacation one summer where we toured plantation homes, visited the capitol, etc. While researching plantation homes to visit on our vacation, I discovered a brochure for a home in New Iberia and the brochure made this home sound very intriguing. When the home was being restored, trunk after trunk of home information, letters, and secrets were found in the home’s attic. I kept the idea of visiting this home tucked in the back of my mind, just incase I ever made my way through New Iberia.
Finally, I got my wish!
(Keep reading, this is one secret you won’t want to miss!)
The Shadows is nestled among an array of azalea and camellia bushes, all blooming with life, color, and fragrance.
Named “Shadows on the Teche” because of it’s proximity to Bayou Teche – the bayou is practically in the backyard!
See that muddy brown water? That’s life here in Southwest Louisiana – hence the reason I don’t often visit “the beach”.
My favorite secret of the home is one I discovered on the tour that very day. While touring the home, we stopped in an art room – this room belonged to the final owner of the home and the last one in the family line (named Weeks). His wish was to preserve this home and keep the history alive. In the process, he invited famous icons to visit his home and place their mark on a door inside the home.
I browsed over the names and didn’t see many that I recognized, until our tour guide pointed out a name that was right at my height level. An inscription that read:
To “Weeks”
The Best Friend A House Ever Had
from
Mickey Mouse
Walt Disney
To say my heart stopped for a few seconds is an understatement. Walt Disney! THE Walt Disney…had stood in the very spot I was now standing…and in a tiny old Cajun town like New Iberia?! Shut the front door. No, really…I was awestruck.
Photos and video were not allowed inside the home – instead, I must have stared at this inscription the remainder of our time in that room. Incase it wasn’t “out there” on the internet, I wanted to remember it and truly commit it to my memory. Thankfully, I found this inscription easily and am now able to share it with you! :0)
Following the tour, I wandered around the grounds for a little while then continued on my way. I definitely left this home on a high note and completely enjoyed my visit. If you are a Disney fan and love Disney history…or if you are a history buff at all, this is a great place to visit, I highly recommend it!
Tell me a little history about the area you live! Any fun places to visit and see?
I love breakfast. Breakfast foods are an absolute favorite of mine – from eggs to bacon to bagels to English muffins to waffles and pancakes…ok, you get the picture.
I like to vary up my breakfast from time to time and throw new flavors in with each new recipe attempt.
When I was given the opportunity to try Sargento Thin Slices through Influenster, I jumped at the opportunity! Did I mention I also LOVE cheese?
I even got to choose my favorite flavors from their line of Ultra Thin sliced cheese – and only 40 calories per slice, too! Wahoo!!
Saturday morning after my run, I returned home and made breakfast for Jason and I. A new favorite of ours consists of eggs/egg whites turkey bacon, spinach, and cheese all piled inside a whole wheat English muffin. It’s pure heaven, I tell you!
I’ll leave you with the recipe!
Egg White, Spinach, and Cheese -
Whole Wheat English Muffin
Ingredients:
1 whole wheat English muffin (brand of choice)
1 tsp EVOO
1 egg (may substitute egg whites)
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used frozen)
1 handful of baby spinach or greens of choice
1 slice of turkey bacon
1 slice of Sargento Thin Sliced cheese (flavor of your choice)
Seasoning of choice
Directions
Lightly grease a small pan. Bring to medium heat on stovetop. Add onions and brown (about 3 minutes or so); add spinach or greens and allow to wilt (about 2 minutes). Add egg or egg white mixture to onions/greens mixture. Scramble until no longer wet. Add seasoning of choice if so desired.
Cook turkey bacon according to package instructions.
Toast English muffin until lightly toasted.
Once toasted, remove English muffin from toaster, add sliced cheese, bacon, and eggs – voila!
Serve and enjoy!
I chose Colby Jack cheese for mine complete with a cup of coffee.
Jason asked for Pepper-Jack cheese on his and preferred a glass of orange juice.
Both sandwiches had an awesome flavor, I wouldn’t say I liked one over the other! At only 40 calories per slice, I knew I found a favorite!!
Disclaimer: Although I received this Sargento promotion without cost through Influenster, I’m a lover of cheese and wouldn’t tell you it had a good flavor if it actually didn’t taste good. I did not receive any additional compensation for this review.
What’s your favorite breakfast item? Have you tried anything new lately?
Happy Monday! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! To all those running Boston today, I hope you have a great time, enjoy yourselves, and soak up the moment! Safe and happy running to you all!
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Saturday morning, my running group hosted its 2nd annual “GoHunt” – a group run coupled with an Easter Egg Hunt!
My morning began with my usual Saturday morning cup of tea (in an Easter mug, of course). I also found my bunny ears for the run!
We met up at our usual location and checked out the map – there were several mileage options, but my friend Heather and I decided on six miles.
We encountered our first set of eggs at a mileage cone. My strategy was to collect a few eggs from each stop – we were allowed 8 eggs per runner.
Eggs were also located at water stations along the course.
So many to choose, how to decide?
One hoppy bunny! :)
Back at the trailer, we gave the eggs to our running group coach who then delivered our prizes to us. Each egg had a number written on it with permanent marker – those numbers corresponded to numbers on a list. Some numbers listed zero prizes, other numbers included candy, GoRun sweatshirts, running items, GoRun “egg money” (basically a certificate off registration or a clothing item), etc.
I won two bags of candy and a Cadbury Egg.
I ate the jelly beans on my drive and all of the chocolate went into my freezer as soon as I returned home!
I never stopped this app while running – so it ran while we stopped for water, checked out eggs, etc.
For a video recap of our Easter Egg Run/Hunt from 2013, check out this youtube video below.
On Easter Sunday, Jason and I attended Church, had lunch with friends, then Easter dinner with family. Overall, it was a beautiful day!
At the beginning of the service, our church had a cross that was set at the front of the sanctuary. Everyone was encouraged to bring flowers from home (there were also flowers given out at the doors). During the service, we each placed a flower on the cross – in the end, we had a beautiful remembrance of the sacrifice that was made many years ago.
Beautiful.
I hope you all had a fabulous Easter weekend!
How did you spend your Easter weekend? If you’re a part of a running group, does your group host extra events such as this one? If so, tell me all about it!!
These little bunnies would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Easter!
Remember the reason we celebrate this beautiful day – because HE lives!! I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Easter!
Happy Good Friday! It’s a three day weekend for me – I plan on spending time on Friday and Saturday outside and getting work done around the house followed by Church and dinner with family on Sunday.
Saturday – Six mile run with Heather
Sunday – Rest Day/travel home day
Monday – 20 lunges, 10 pushups (5 rounds) 100 jumping jacks Tuesday – 3 mile run with Madalynn
Wednesday – After work dinner/rest day
Thursday – Accidental rest day – loooooooong day at work, came home and fell asleep on the couch
Friday – 10 pushups, 10 situps, 10 air squats (5 rounds); 3 minute jump rope
This past week was a fun week, despite long days at work (what is it about holiday weeks, seriously?).
I had SO much fun at Relay for Life in Terrebone Parish last weekend and have so many ideas to bring back to our committee! (Their luminaria ceremony ends with FIREWORKS! What?!) Can’t wait to share with you guys next week!
Madalynn and I took advantage of the beautiful weather on Tuesday and went for a run. It was her first run in a while but she enjoyed it! I could tell she was tiring out after the first two miles so I brought her back inside and finished the last mile on my own.
Roses are in full bloom!
My Wednesday night work dinner led me to a location with a beautiful rose garden! I literally took time to “stop and smell the roses”! :0)
Tomorrow, my running group is holding their annual “GoHunt” – an Easter egg hunt and run combined!
Check out the video below for a vlog of last year’s GoHunt! We had a TON of fun!! Guess I need to find those bunny ears!
I hope you all have a wonderful Easter weekend! Any plans?
Holidays are something I absolutely love decorating for in my home. A few “favorite” holidays are Christmas (of course), Fall, Valentines Day, and Spring/Easter.
With Good Friday tomorrow and Easter on Sunday, I thought it would be fun to give you a glimpse of my home decorated for the holiday!
I purchased this wreath at Michael’s a few years back. I fell in love with the colors!
These bunnies are on the entry way table and great guests as the enter the front door.
Dining room table, complete with a bunny and chick salt/pepper shaker.
These guys came from Target last year.
The candle on the coffee table is jelly bean scented (smells delicious, by the way) and is from Kohls (the candle holder as well). The bunny was a gift from a friend a few years ago.
Love these letters over the fireplace!
This flower is from Hobby Lobby and stands on the side of the television.
Bunny Mickey is also a gift from a friend several years ago…2009, I think!
Aren’t these guys adorable? Someone hand crafted them and brought them to our Relay for Life silent auction last weekend. I had to have a set!
This Easter basket is in the living room, on the side table next to the couch. I love this as it’s a reminder of Jason’s proposal of marriage to me. :0)
Anniversary flowers still looking great! These are in the breakfast nook area.
Decorative kitchen towels – these came from Kohls last year.
Last but not least, I accidentally purchased this wreath last year because I forgot about the one I was already using on the front door.
Now I have a back door wreath, too! :0)
Are you a decorator? If so, what holidays do you decorate for?
