I live in beautiful north Louisiana . . . the area known as Sportsman's Paradise. With miles of forestland, including the Kisatchie National Forest, rolling hills, and the beautiful Ouachita and Red Rivers meandering through countless bayous, it is indeed a paradise.

Louisiana is a unique state in so many ways, and I love that.  Rich in history and heritage, there is a wonderful and diverse mixture of cultures and traditions, which seem to compliment one another perfectly. I don't think you'll find friendlier people anywhere.

Louisiana's Motto: Union, Justice, and Confidence
Our State Bird: The Brown Pelican
State Flower: The Magnolia
State Wildflower: The Louisiana Iris
State Tree: The Bald Cypress
State Insect: The Honeybee

Our winters are short and usually mild, though we do get an occasional snowfall or icestorm way up here 'in the north'.  The summers are long, very hot, and humid to the point of feeling tropical.  The moody Gulf of Mexico is usually our weather-maker, and it contributes to the subtropical climate.  Yes, we are legendary for the high humidity, but the way I like to look at it is . . . how great it is for our skin!


Our Native Fauna and Flora
Louisiana has a large and varied wildlife population. Everything from deer and fox, to bobcats and black bear, not to mention our abundant aquatic life, both fresh- and salt-water. More than one-half of North American bird species either live in Louisiana or migrate through it. And yes, we do have alligators.


We like to say that there is always something blooming here. We are incredibly blessed with some of the most beautiful and unique native flora. Just a few examples of what can be seen thriving along the road-sides, in the forests and of course, our own gardens . . .

Louisiana is sometimes called the 'Land of Festivals'.  At almost any given time, there is a celebration going on in at least one parish or community. With our love of history, music and food, there is always something playing and cooking. Of course, Mardi Gras is the most famous, but it doesn't end there. Just some of the things we celebrate with special festivals are our sugar cane, dogwood, rice, peaches, corn, soybeans and strawberries. Our music inspires some of the biggest festivals: jazz, Zydeco, blues and country.  And our cooking inspires even more, with festivals held for jambalaya, boudin, catfish, crawfish and pralines. From the magic of the Mardi Gras Indian street chants, to the blues music played straight from the soul, we celebrate a true 'joie de vivre' ( joy of living ) throughout the state of Louisiana.

I was so motivated by a King Cake I baked during Mardi Gras, I made a page on just the King Cake!  So, if you feel like a taste of Mardi Gras, try it out.