Located in Jackson Square in New Orleans is the St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral dominates the skyline as you walk around the square or along the waterfront. We had visited during the holidays, so the interior of the church was decorated for Christmas, adding to the beauty of cathedral. Although there has been a church on the grounds since 1721, the St. Louis Cathedral was constructed between 1789 and the initial completion occurred in December of 1794. There were many enhancements to the cathedral over the years, including the addition of a clock and bells.
Jackson Square, Andrew Jackson’s Statue, and the St. Louis CathedralThe Cathedral OrganThe Altar DisplayThe Baptistry
In 1964, the St. Louis Cathedral was dedicated as a minor basilica by Pope Paul VI. There is a statue of Andrew Jackson across from the cathedral to commemorate his triumph over the British which occurred there. The ceilings of the cathedral have wonderful artwork, which is quite beautiful to see. One of the most fascinating features within the cathedral is the Scallop Shell Pulpit that allows the voice of the speaker to bounce off of the soundboard and back towards the congregation.
St. Louis CathedralOrnate CeilingScallop Shell Pulpit The Cathedral Interior
Although the cathedral has actually been rebuilt three times, it is the oldest continually active cathedral in the United States. Needless to say, there are many places to see when planning a visit to New Orleans, but seeing the St. Louis Cathedral should certainly be on your itinerary. You will likely find many different performers and people selling local art in the courtyard outside of the church entrance.
At the Edge of the ParkWalking into Jackson SquareLooking Up at the Clock TowerNativity Scene Inside the CathedralStained Glass WindowJoan of Arc Statue
Shrimp is one those versatile items that can be cooked in a variety of ways. It is also something that is found in cooking throughout the world, especially those places that are near the coast. We have certainly made many different shrimp recipes throughout the years, but here are just a handful of them to give an idea of how many different styles of meals work well with shrimp.
Plated Portions of the Shrimp Frittata
Easy and Delicious Shrimp Frittata– One of the things that you can find throughout your travels is some variety of a frittata. They are light, easy, and can be adapted for the cuisine of almost any country. We really enjoy fresh seafood when we travel, so we decided to do a shrimp frittata that was not only easy, but extremely delicious. The use of lemon and fresh parsley also helps to brighten up the dish and make it even more luscious. Frittatas, like a good quiche, can be a meal on its own, but we decided to pair it with some green beans and red peppers.
Pumpkin-Sage Shrimp
Sautéed Shrimp with a Pumpkin-Sage Butter – During the autumn season, we are always looking for creative ways to use seasonal products such as pumpkin. Mixing butter with pumpkin and sage is a savory way to give flavor to seafood, especially shrimp or scallops. We decided to sauté shrimp with the infused butter and it made for a delicious meal. Not only was it tasty, but it turned the shrimp a nice orange color was perfect for this time of year.
Shrimp and Grits with a Fried Soft Boiled Egg
Our Take on Shrimp and Grits – Creating a Hollandaise sauce with a Louisiana pepper sauce to serve with the shrimp and grits turned out nice because it gave a little bit of a lemon taste to the shrimp, but it still had some heat. We also used some Old Bay Seasoning on the shrimp, a little reminder to our east coast roots. Adding cheese to the grits also made them a little more hearty and added to the creaminess. The centerpiece was the soft-boiled egg that had been breaded and fried and added to the entire meal.
Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Angel Hair Pasta
Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Angel Hair Pasta – Shrimp Fra Diavolo (Brother Devil) is an Italian inspired dish that is spicy and delicious. We served it over a bed of angel hair pasta, but when we had leftovers a couple of days later, we simply served it with a side of garlic toast. If you don’t want it too spicy, you can reduce the amount of red pepper flakes, but this meal is meant to pack some heat. It is one of those easy and yet elegant dinners that can be done on a weeknight or served for a weekend dinner party. It could probably be done with another type of shell fish, but shrimp really holds up well to the flavors and is easy to cook.
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As people slowly start to travel once again, one of the most popular ways to get around is buy car. Taking a road trip is a great way to get out and see new places without necessarily exposing yourself to large crowds. Most places are open for dining with limited seating, but any travel is better than no travel. When traveling by car, especially with limited options of places to stop, there are plenty of items that can make the trip a greater success. In no particular order, here are some of the things that you should consider packing on your next road trip.
Packing Cubes: Organizing your clothes so that you can group outfits together or separating out clothes makes every stop along your way easier to get back on the road more quickly. It can also be a great way to separate out clean clothes from dirty clothes. In addition, especially with rolling, you will likely fit more clothes into smaller bags taking up less room in your car.
Collapsible Water Bottle: Staying hydrated while traveling is always important, but taking a bunch of disposable water bottles is not only not environmentally friendly, but just takes up room. Even better than a plain old water refillable water bottle is one that collapses when not in use. It is easy to toss into a bag and then pull it out when you reach your destination and decide to go for a hike.
Personal Water Filter: Having a water bottle is only half of the equation. Having a personal water filter allows you to have fresh water even when you’re on the road or perhaps a trail. Whether filtering tap water or water from a stream or lake, it can be an essential item when hitting the road for multiple days.
Laundry Sheets: We have used these many times during our travels and take them on every trip with us whether internationally or taking a road trip. Whether you want to reduce the amount of clothes you are packing or just be prepared for life’s unexpected messes, having these strips to wash your clothes is extremely handy. The thin strips contain enough soap to wash at least a couple of clothing items and the entire container sits in the palm of your hand.
Hand Sanitizer Sheets: While hand sanitizers have become an every day essential item, they can be even more important when hitting the road. These hand washing strips that don’t require water are also small enough to fit easily in your pocket or glove box and can be great to wipe your hands clean wherever you are.
Emergency Road Side Kit: An emergency road side kit with Jump Cables, First Aid Kit, Tow Rope, Safety Hammer, Reflective Warning Triangle, Reflective Safety Vest, Tire Pressure Gauge, Safety Gloves, Mechanical Flashlight, Tire Repair Tools, Utility Knife, Screwdriver, Rain Coat, PVC Tape and Cables Ties provides more than just the knowledge that you are prepared in the event that something goes wrong during your road trip.
First Aid Kit: If you’re not going to go the length of buying an emergency road side kit or want to create one of your own, having a first aid kit with you is an absolute must. Obviously no one expects something to happen, but being prepared just in case is well worth the little effort that it takes to make sure it is with you on the road.
Road Atlas: Although most people rely on the apps on their smart phones, there are times when you don’t have connectivity and you don’t want to find yourself getting lost. Sometimes old school without technology is just the safest back-up to have at your disposal.
Portable Trash Can: Whether grabbing snacks from a cooler or stopping at a fast food restaurant to get a bite to eat while on the road, having someplace to put your trash is something that most people don’t consider. When you spend hours in your vehicle going from one location to another, the last thing that you want is to have a bunch of trash at your feet. It might be a simple comfort, but the impact is surprising.
For Those Who Are Traveling With Pets
Dog Harness: Just like you wouldn’t travel without putting on your seatbelt, having a harness for you furry family member is also a must. Not only will it keep them safe, it will keep them from wandering around the vehicle. It also can provide a sense of calm for dogs who get anxious when traveling in a car.
Travel Bags For Dogs: Organize all of your furry best friend’s essentials in one central place! This dog bag is perfect for dogs of all sizes. It comes with a front magnetic sleeve pocket, a water bottle holder, a zippered side pocket, an internal zippered mesh pocket, and a removable internal divider to hold everything in place.
First Aid Kit For Dogs and Cats: Just like having a first aid kit for yourself is a good idea, having one for your pet family members is an equally good idea. Always better to be prepared just in case.
Water Bottle For Pets: Having a water bottle specifically designed for your pets is perfect for traveling on the road or hiking on a trail. Your pets need to stay as hydrated during travel as you do.
