Everywhere Else It's Tuesday
Happy Mardi Gras! I lived in the New Orleans area my entire life until my move to Texas 2 years ago, and I had never been to a New Orleans parade until this year! Boy, have I missed out! A party unlike any other, that’s for sure. The Parades The days leading up to Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day) are the busiest for sure, but parades start on January 6th. On Mardi Gras weekend, you can see parades back to back from the same location. The floats are gorgeous and unlike anything you’ve seen. The masked riders throw beads, balls, light up toys, stuffed animals, and more. We even got light up Spock ears! You really just never know! Parade viewers go crazy for the stuff, so even though you don’t really care about all the junk they throw from the floats, all of a sudden you find yourself begging for anything and everything! The marching bands are another big highlight! You see a ton of local high school bands, but bands from all over come to march. The loud beating of the drumline and fancy moves by the band members really make it all so exciting. Then there’s all the other crazy things that you’d never think you’d ever see in your life! Ladies in clawfoot tubs, men in motorized recliners, a middle-aged men’s dance group, and the list goes on and on. Staying at a hotel on the parade route and purchasing grand stand (bleachers) tickets is the way to go. You can go inside the hotel to grab a bite to eat, get a drink and use the restroom whenever you want. It’s also very family friendly. Also, make sure you get Mardi Gras shirts, glitter, feathers…really anything that is festive so you feel like you fit in for the festivities! Extravaganza, Balls, Concerts The Endymion Extravaganza is the biggest party! There are a couple parades where they end inside with a big ball/party. I was able to go to Endymion, and WOW! My husband got to ride on a float in the parade, and he said it was amazing. The Extravaganza is a formal event. Men not riding wear tuxes and women wear gowns. Depending on the level of ticket you buy, you can either bring your own food/drinks or you have it all waiting for you if it’s included in what you purchased. The parade literally rolls through the Superdome or Convention Center and everyone goes NUTS! The floats almost look like they explode when they enter the building! The riders and throwing handfuls of glowsticks, beads, cups, etc. You definitely have to watch your face and your friends’ faces because it can hurt! The floats of Endymion are all lit up and they are gorgeous. There’s always a big concert with a showcase entertainer. This year it was Darius Rucker, and he put on a great show! Everyone is dancing and have a great time. The event goes on until 3AM! So, if you can’t tell, we had an unforgettable experience. I’d highly recommend traveling to NOLA for Mardi Gras so you can experience the biggest party in the world for yourself! You won’t regret it! Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler 💜💚💛⚜️ -Rebecca
The Great Reshuffling
In 2021 we saw a great migration of people looking to relocate to a new state, and this trend still remained strong in 2022. Data from the US Census Bureau and U-Haul illustrates the big shift or reshuffling. Where are people moving from? The top 5 states people are leaving and renting one-way U-Haul trucks are: CaliforniaIllinoisMichiganMassachusettsNew York According to the US Census Bureau, for the third consecutive year, residents of California and Illinois looked to resettle elsewhere at a higher volume than any other state. Where are people moving to? The top 5 states people are moving to: TexasFloridaSouth CarolinaNorth CarolinaVirginia Texas topped the list with the greatest population growth in 2021 and 2022. Florida followed behind in a close race. What is the cause? There are many different reasons for making a move. The pandemic started a new revolution of being able to work remotely. Many people no longer had to live in highly populated cities near their employer, and now they had the freedom to move any where. It's no secret that you can get more bang for your buck in the South than in other areas of the country. It will be interesting to watch this trend over the next few years!
The Best Fudge!
When I was teaching, one of the best days each year was finding this fudge on my desk sometime in the days before Christmas break. You always knew it was coming, but it was such a surprise when it would arrive. A happy dance always followed the discovery! One of my favorite coworkers would make this with love and give it to all the teachers. It was the perfect pick me up to help you make it to the holiday vacation. This recipe is so special to me because not only is it amazing, it brings back so many happy memories. Enjoy! ♥ Rebecca
