January 6th 2023

Well, it's another Carnival season,

and

Mardi Gras is on 2/21/2023.

As a native of Louisiana, and 

born in New Orleans,

I just don't like the crowds

and the way Mardi Gras has 

changed.

It's always been a raucous celebration

but not the violent things

that have been going on in the

city that I love.

I wish that people could see

it the like it was,

a great legacy that families shared

and good times were had by all.

What makes New Orleans special

are the shared experiences,

the culture and foods that we've grown

to know and love.

That's where the King Cake comes in.

Kings Day, the feast of Epiphany,

when the 3 Kings brought

the Christ child gifts.

It's celebrated by the Catholic church

on January 6th.

It is also Twelfth Night, or

the beginning of Mardi Gras season.

Here,

 we celebrate the days

until Ash Wednesday

and Lent begins.

King Cake parties are held

and whomever gets the baby,

has to have the next party.

It is a fun, and very tasty

treat before Lent.

So, I intend to partake of

several King Cakes this season!

**********************

The recent freezes cost us some plants.

The ornamentals near the front door all died.

The Broccoli and Cauliflower

bed mostly didn't make it.

We have some seedlings ready to plant

to replenish the bed,

so we are hoping there's no more freezes!

2 Broccoli heads lived through the freeze!

Most of my herbs are gone too.

We will replant in the spring.

The Chicory made it too!

This is the Beet and Carrot bed.

The veggies that are mostly

underground can withstand

lower temperatures.

We harvested a few beets before the freeze.

The lighter colored one has white stripes inside.

They all taste the same,

delicious!

The Onions and Garlic.

Greens that have a small amount

of leaf damage.

Mustard Greens for the hens.

The Paperwhite blooms died, 

but the plants survived.

The Aloe Vera plants didn't do very well.

They are mostly water and the

freeze crystalized inside the stems

so that destroyed a lot of the leaves.

We cut off the dead parts and will replant

what we can. 

Aloe reproduces quickly, so

all is not lost.

 

My entourage.

Minew

Ethel

Lucy

Happy New Year from

the menagerie!

Hope this year is wonderful

and brings everyone

many blessings.

Much love from our

Backyard Farm!

💚💙