Hernandez Family

Mama Mabel's Brother's and Sisters

Left to right

Uncle Whitney, Mabel,Aunt Bella, Aunt Bessie, Uncle Roy

Great Nephew Colin
as an Egyptian in his schools Christmas program. He did great and he knew all the songs in the program.

Colorful houses at Christmas time

One night we went to a small street where some people were having a contest on best decorated houses. This house was all lit up but what made it special was that all the lights blinked to music! We sat outside in the car for the longest time watching the light show it was Awesome!!

Merry Christmas!

 
We had a wonderful Christmas with our Southern family. We enjoyed a parade, driving around checking out the Christmas lights and delighting in one house that blinked all their lights to music! Enjoyed Dominoe games with Jeannette & Bill, and the Square dance party. Was Glad that Dad & Mabel enjoyed the Holidays. Dad's health wasn't very good and by the 29th he had to have a Blood transfusion. We tried to keep his spirits up though. Dan got spoiled rotten by Mabel as usual.
Enjoyed spending time with neighbors and family. Met new members of the family and rejoiced seeing some of my Aunts & Uncles.
A stray cat tried to adopt us and we fed her...I'm such a pushover with furkids. When we left we had to say good-bye to her. Tugged at my heartstrings but the boys took a vote and said no way was she coming onboard full-time with them. So hope she finds another home soon. They get mad at me for always feeding the wildcats.
Had a great Christmas at Derek & Shannon's house, got some nice presents. Pigged out on some great food. 

Crystal Rice Heritage Farm

Back in 1890 Salmon Lusk Wright developed the world's best seed rice.
He did not like the rice in Louisiana so he developed his own that was clear hense the name Crystal Rice Plantation.
He developed the Blue rose rice in 1912. Many of the rice you see in the grocery stores were developed from the Wright's rice seeds.
2nd generation of Wrights went into the vitamin business and developed rice that would hold vitamins. This formula is still used in many products on our shelves and the Wrights are asked for the formula all the time.
3rd generation had all the collectables.
In 1995 Crawfish were introduced to the crops of rice to produce a unique crop rotation like no other in the world. Truely a match made in heaven.
The farm is now run by the 4th generation farmer Jeb Wright.
http://www.CrystalRice.com 

This is Mama Redell, she was our tour guide and she also teaches cooking classes that not only demonstrate cooking but also education on the Cajun cuisine that has made Louisiana famous for it's food and diversity of heritage. Being Acadian/Cajun who not only can cook but loves to speak the language of her grandparents ( Cajun French). Mama Redell has a passion for the music of the past and present.

crawfish pots that catch the large crawfish out in the rice fields. Fish are used for bait to attract the crawfish. 

Rice seeds used for the rice plants. Here is what a crawfish looks like if you have never seen one. 

Blue Rose Museum

Francine Wright's Blue Rose Museum is a treasure trove of worldly collectables ranging from fine China, crystal and silver to furniture and Acadian/Creole history. Mama Redell gave us a tour through the Wright home. 

I loved the workmanship on the design of this bed, it had a dresser that matched it.  

Francine Wright loved China so she collected alot in her travels. Here are some beautiful China. 

Beautiful dining room! 

Topsy Turvy tea kettle used in the 1800's 

Salmon Wright III had a passion for collecting, driving and working on cars. Among his many cars are alot of Mercedes. He had two 300SL Roadsters, 1937 Packard, 1964 cutlass Oldsmobile to name a few.

Putting on the Ritz...Dan & Jenny at the Salmon Wright Classic Car garage 

Tommy & Jill hamming it up at Salmon Wright's Classic Car Garage

Jenny & Jill being Silly over at the Crystal Rice Plantation Heritage Farm.
Ready for Mardi Gras now! 

Big John's Restaurant

One night we headed to Big John's in Abbeville Louisiana who's famous for serving crawfish. Everyone had no less than 3 pounds each...some even more ! We had 10 people in our group and we were having a ball laughing and enjoying each other and stuffing ourselves with Crawfish. Only two did not eat the crawfish. Dan had catfish/shrimp/oysters combo and another gal could not each seafood so she had a Burger. Had a great time and will go back there again when we go to see Betty again. 

OK I did it.... I sucked the head of a crawfish " Mudbug". Mine were lightly spicey so they didn't burn my fingers. Afterwards my fingers were all wrinkled though! We really had fun that night . 

Tommy, Jill and Maureen ready to eat crawfish 

Betty ready to eat a bunch of Crawfish. There are alot of spices that sometimes can burn your fingers so she's ready.  

Sorting the crawfish and washing them before cooking. 

Crawfish ready to be cooked 

Noel Acadien Au Village

Noel Acadien Au Village....Acadian Village in Lafayette Louisiana

Acadian houses all decorated for Christmas 

La Chapelle du Nouvel Estoir...New Hope Church