A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-17-03...Louisiana - "Come as you are, leave different."

Mama_Bear

[Mama_Bear]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, dansangel, dutchess, Aquamarine, FreeTheHostages ~

It's FRiday and we hope you will join us as we take a cyber-tour of another great state in this Union of ours. As we discover and spotlight each of our 50 states we also salute the proud FReepers who call their state 'home'.

Over the past few months the "Finest" hostesses have each profiled their home states (Dutchess will be spotlighting Michigan soon), and I will be presenting the other states in random order. Please FReepMail me if you would like to participate in spotlighting your state. I would love to have your input on what you would like to see highlighted.

These are the states we have presented to date:

05-23-03 Alabama 06-27-03 Maryland 07-11-03 Vermont 07-25-03 Utah 08-05-03 Texas 08-22-03 Nevada

08-26-03 Washington DC 09-05-03 Tennessee 09-17-03 Florida 09-19-03 Minnesota 10-03-03 New Mexico 10-14-03 Georgia

Come along with us today as we head down south and tour the "Pelican State".

Jambalaya
Possum Rag
LeDance De Mardi Gras
House of the Rising Sun

How Louisiana came to be...

The Louisiana region was settled by Indians in prehistoric times, at least as early as 6,000 years ago. At the time of European exploration in the 16th century, there were more than 10,000 Indians in Louisiana. However, authentic recorded history of this area doesn't actually begin until 1682. It was then that Sierra de La Salle, the French explorer, reached the mouth of the Mississippi, claimed all its drainage basin for France, and named the area Louisiana to honor Louis XIV.

Many flags have flown over what
is now the state of Louisiana....

No other state has a more varied or colorful past than Louisiana. The state has been governed under 10 different flags beginning with Hernando de Soto's claim of the region for Spain. La Salle later claimed it for Bourbon France and over the years Louisiana was at one time or another subject to the Union Jack of Great Britain, the Tricolor of Napoleon, the Lone Star flag of the Republic of West Florida and the fifteen stars and stripes of the United States. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Louisiana became an independent republic for six weeks before joining the Confederacy.

Earlier, in 1803, Louisiana had become a part of the United States because of the region's importance to the trade and security of the American mid-west. New Orleans and the surrounding territory controlled the mouth of the Mississippi River down which much of the produce of the mid-west traveled to reach market. To get the vital region in American hands, President Thomas Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase with Napoleon.

With the acquisition of Louisiana, Jefferson nearly doubled the size of the fledgling U.S. and made it a world power. Later, 13 states or parts of states were carved out of the Louisiana Purchase territory.

The state flag of Louisiana... The design consists of the pelican group from the state seal, in white and gold, and a white ribbon bearing the state motto, "Union, Justice, and Confidence", on a field of a solid blue. This flag was adopted in 1912.

Baton Rouge became the capitol of Louisiana in 1846 and remained so until 1862 and the onset of the Civil War. The capitol changed locations several times and Baton Rouge was designated the permanent capitol in 1879. A bit of trivia.....the capitol building is the tallest of any state capitol - it is 450 feet tall with 34 floors.

What comes to mind when you think of Louisiana? Southern Belles and beautiful plantations? Bayous, alligators and crawfish? Mardi Gras and Bourbon Street? Mint juleps, shrimp boats and Jambalaya? Because I love food, especially spicy hot food, when I think of Louisiana, my thoughts turn to Cajun cookin'- or, is it Creole cookin'? And, what's the difference anyway?

Well, according to this website, "ABOUT LOUISIANA CUISINE"......"Most Louisiana chroniclers claim the answer is simple. Many Creoles were rich planters and their kitchens aspired to grande cuisine. Their recipes came from France or Spain as did their chefs. By using classic French techniques with local foodstuffs, they created a whole new cuisine, Creole cooking."


"On the other hand, the Acadians, pronounced (uh-CADE-ee-uns), later contracted to "Cajun", were a tough people used to living under strenuous conditions. They tended to serve strong country food prepared from locally available ingredients. It was pungent, peppery and practical since it was all cooked in a single pot. Thus Cajun cuisine was born.

There is one rule that both the Creoles and Cajuns agree upon and that is that there is no one rule and no one recipe when it comes to matters of food. There are hundreds of different recipes for gumbo, jambalaya, turtle soup and they are all right because no one is wrong. Privately, they know that everything they cook is original, because their kitchens are kitchens of "ad lib". They are experimenting, creating, changing, always trying to make it taste better."

"When the taste
changes with every
bite and the last
bite tastes as good
as the first,
....that's Cajun."
- Paul Prudhomme




So, there you have it, that's the difference between Cajun and Creole cuisine. :-)

Famous Louisianians
Louis Armstrong musician, New Orleans
Geoffrey Beene fashion designer, Haynesville
Truman Capote writer, New Orleans
Kitty Carlisle singer, actress, New Orleans
Van Cliburn concert pianist, Shreveport
Fats Domino musician, New Orleans
Bryant Gumbel TV newscaster, New Orleans
Lillian Hellman playwright, New Orleans
Al Hirt trumpeter, New Orleans
Mahalia Jackson gospel singer, New Orleans
Dorothy Lamour actress, New Orleans
Jerry Lee Lewis singer, Ferriday
Huey P. Long politician, Winnfield
Wynton Marsalis musician, New Orleans
Jelly Roll Morton jazz musician, composer, New Orleans
Huey Newton black activist, New Orleans
Paul Prudhomme chef, Opelousas
Cokie Roberts journalist, New Orleans
Kordell Stewart football player, Marrero

"Laissez les bons temps rouler"
(lay-say lay bawn tawn roulay)
"Let the good times roll,"
(the motto of many Louisianians)

Finally, this profile on Louisiana
would not be complete without at
least a brief mention of Mardi Gras.
Click here for the history of "Carnival".

See you there!

The following websites provided
historical information and graphics....

"The 50 States - Louisiana"
"The History of Louisiana"






Have a nice FRiday
and a relaxing weekend!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 10-13-03...Military Monday 10-14-03...Relax - You're in Georgia Now 10-15-03...Junk Mail Blues 10-16-03...John's Two Cents

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45MAN danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[The Thin Man]

LOL! I know I can always count on you dutchess.

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! I know what you mean. When I saw/heard fat teddy
talkin about Bush LIES LIES LIES, I hit the moon too ! ...

I long for the day we see him like this ...

"I'm melting, I'm melting..."

[Pippin]

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!!

[Mama_Bear]

Won't work. Claiming you made a mistake by not making a mistake would only make me look foolish. :-)

Darn! Well, I tried, but you seem determined to get no satisfaction whatsoever out of my post today. :-(

Okay, I'll do your work for you..........how about this......."Many Creoles were rich planters and their kitchens aspired to grande cuisine."

Shouldn't that be grand? I mean, considering this post was written in English.

Will that do?

[The Thin Man]

Shouldn't that be grand?

No, it shouldn't! Now you're being patronizing. Anyway, it's too late, my day's already spoiled. LOL!

[Mama_Bear]

No, it shouldn't! Now you're being patronizing. Anyway, it's too late, my day's already spoiled. LOL!

LOL!!! You are so funny!.

Gosh, I guess I should count my lucky stars that LadyX isn't here to witness this. She would not be pleased, I'm sure.

BTW, I think it SHOULD be "grand", but I could be WRONG........although I doubt I could be WRONG today if I tried. You'd insist I was doing it on purpose. LOL

Sulk on, TM. Enjoy endure your day. ;-)

[Mama_Bear]

Hey TM. Keep your chin up. I'll be posting two threads next week. That certainly should make up for all the lack of mistakes today :o)

LOL!

Bless you for giving him something to look forward to, seeing as how I have ruined his day beyond repair. ;-)

[Aquamarine]

Have you ever see Spanish Moss growing in the trees? It's always an exciting thing to see in the South cause you know you're getting close to the ocean. It's very elegant.
The Story of Spanish Moss

[Mama_Bear]

I know you are not able to sit at your computer to get your pings, but this will be here when you return.

I am keeping you wrapped in hugs.

((((((((Louie)))))))) get well soon!

..........

[Mama_Bear]

No, I haven't. I went to the website you linked and found the fascinating information on Spanish Moss. Isn't it odd that it only grows in trees and nowhere else, even though it is not a parasite?

I learn so much on the Finest thread!

When I was doing research on Louisiana, I came across some beautiful photos and information on the plantations there. Many have been preserved and turned into Bed and Breakfasts. I wanted to include them in my profile, but there just wasn't room.

This is a pretty one....

And another....look at those beautiful trees!

[Mama_Bear]

More on plantations.....isn't this grand?

Nottoway Plantation

At the edge of sugar cane fields, Nottoway stands overlooking the Mississippi River. This enormous mansion, completed in 1859, reflects an unusual combination. Greek revival architectural elements blend with innovations that were the fanciful desires of the original owner. Not only is the floor plan irregular, but the house contained many elements that were innovative and rare in the mid-19th century, such as indoor plumbing and hot and cold running water.

The white ballroom, with it's elegant triple archway, plaster frieze-work and Corinthian columns provides a spectacular setting for these important events. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph designed the room with the weddings of their seven daughters in mind. Six of the founding family's daughters were married here in the nineteenth century.

Today it can be the setting for your wedding.

[dutchess]

Hi Lori. Back again. Interesting thing about some of the plantations. We toured several a few years ago. One in particular is privately owned and refuses federal funds because by accepting fed funds requires them to remove certain "remnants" of slavery that occured on the property such as "slave schools". The private association felt that it was important that this part of history be preserved. (apparantly the fed thinking is that schooling slaves shows some positives by slave owners and we can't have that. Sounds pretty PC to me!)

[dutchess]

I know I can always count on you dutchess.

Anything for you TTM!

Bless you for giving him something to look forward to, seeing as how I have ruined his day beyond repair. ;-)

Hey...whatever it takes make our friends at the Finest happy :o)

[dutchess]

Oh...Lori..I stopped and talked to our butcher at the local grocery store yesterday. He said that there is not such cut as Tri-Tip and it's just another name given for a Sirloin Tip Roast. (?) I tried to explain it's big on the west coast...Do you still have a link to the cow thingie showing where it comes from??? I think you posted something last year.

[jwfiv]

Good afternoon to all the Finest.

Mama_Bear, a really beautiful thread today....the pic of Nottoway Plantation...what an amazing building...wow.

I've never been to Louisiana, never seen Spanish moss glowing in the light of a full moon...but, someday...)

Miss Calpernia, I've never eaten turtle soup, either.

I was 'snowed in' yesterday, missed being present at the Finest Coffee House....it's been quite a week for some of us.

I send Get Well Wishes to Wolfie and Russ and dear LadyX..

Miss Pippin, I share your opinion of Ted Kennedy, woman-killer and horse thief that he is....I switch the channel when he, or any looney toon, comes on to lie to me about Dubya, the War, the economy...can't stand the pain of it.

JH2, your Two Cents from yesterday was another gem...thank you...more than once, your invaluable coin has lifted my spirits and helped me keep things in the proper perspective.

Meekie, that pic of Dorothy Lamour came near giving me cardiac arrest...good grief, whatta dish...)

Hoping all Freepers have a very fine day...may the Good Lord bless you all with His Grace.

Semper fi.

[Mama_Bear]

(apparantly the fed thinking is that schooling slaves shows some positives by slave owners and we can't have that. Sounds pretty PC to me!)

The history revisionists strike again. Good, bad or ugly...truth is truth and fact is fact. Unfortunately, 'they' will continue to distort the facts to reflect what could have been, should have been or would have been, rather than what "was". Sad.

[Mama_Bear]

Do you still have a link to the cow thingie showing where it comes from??? I think you posted something last year.

I have no idea if it is actually a Sirloin Tip Roast, but there most definitely IS such a thing as a Tri-Tip. LOL.

I will see if I can find that 'cow thingie' and send you the link.

Also, I haven't forgotten what I promised...it just isn't cool enough yet. :-)

[Calpernia]

It was your fault! That thread got pulled for your unprovoked signs of virtual affection! :))

[Mama_Bear]

tri-tip roast = tri tip roast = triangle-tip roast = beef loin tri-tip roast = sirloin tri-tip roast   Notes:    This is a very flavorful cut that's great for barbecuing as long as you take pains to keep the meat from getting too tough.   The trick is to not trim the fat until the roast is cooked so that the juices can tenderize the meat.  When it's done, slice it thinly against the grain.  This cut is popular in California, but you might have trouble finding it elsewhere.  A steak cut from this roast is called a tri-tip steak.   Substitutes:  shell roast

Here is a link to The Cook's Thesaurus - Beef Loin Cuts

Scroll to the bottom and there is a picture of a Tri-Tip....although the ones we get are much thicker. We also get ours already trimmed so there isn't as much fat as in the picture. We have never had a problem with tri-tip being tough...but I think the marinading helps...and not over-cooking it. :-)

[dutchess]

Boy you are good Lori! I'm going to print out the link and take it to the butcher! Thanks!