Overflow Hotel & other Hotels near the Hilton

The Lafayette Hilton, headquarters for our 68th Annual Conference, is"Sold Out" for the conference dates. Early action by a big crowdplanning to come has booked up every available room, our block plus!Do not abandon hope! Mary Lynn has arranged for a first round of"Overflow"rooms at the nearby HOTEL ACADIANA, 1801 West Pinhook, 2 blocks West ofthe Hilton, (337)233-8120, Group # 106729, $99 + tax S/D, currently"blocked"until May 26,

Don't hesitate! Don't wait!

Hotel Acadiana
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.46 mi / 0.74 km
• Located in Lafayette’s Oil Center, this hotel is a mile from Vermillionville, Girard Park, and Lafayette Regional Airport. . 1-800-551-2409

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lafayette South
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.18 mi / 0.29 km
• This hotel, located in Lafayette’s business district, is within 2 miles of Louisiana State University at Lafayette. 1-800-551-2409

Courtyard by Marriott Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.46 mi / 0.74 km
The hotel designed by business travelers, Courtyard surrounds you with all the comforts that make business and pleasure travel easy. 1-800-551-2409

Americas Best Inns Lafayette
Lafayette, LA Distance: 0.54 mi / 0.87 km
Lafayette Americas Best Suites Is Located In The Heart Of The Business District-It Is Situated 3 Miles From Lafayette Regional Airport- ...
1-800-551-2409

Ramada Inn Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.55 mi / 0.89 km
• This hotel is three miles south of downtown Lafayette and two miles from Lafayette Regional Airport. 1-800-551-2409

•La Quinta Inn and Suites Lafayette
Lafayette, LA
Distance: 0.61 mi / 0.98 km
• Located in downtown Lafayette, this hotel is one mile from the Acadian Mall, four miles from the Cajundome, and 20 miles from Avery Island.
More lodging info
Same great rates plus expert advice. 1-800-551-2409

Golf Tournament - June 23rd!

The Golf Tounament will be held on June23rd at the Farm Golf Club.

http://www.thefarmlinks.com/playindex.html

The registration form is included to the left

in Southwest Fest Links.

Cajuns in Heaven!

Gabriel came to the Lord and said, "I have to talk to you; I have some Cajuns up here in heaven who are causing some problems.
They are swinging on the pearly gates. My horn is missing. Barbecue sauce is all over their robes. Hamhock, spareribs, and crawfish shells are all over the streets of gold. Some folks are walking around with one wing. They have been late taking their turn in keeping the stairway to heaven clean.
There are watermelon seeds all over the clouds. They have eaten almost every animal up here! Some of them aren't even wearing their halos, saying it is messing up their hair."
The Lord said, "I made them special, as I did you, my angel. Heaven is home to all my children. If you really want to know about problems, let's call the Devil and see how he is dealing with them."
The Devil answered the phone, "Hello? Dang, hold on." The Devil returned to the phone and said, "Hello, God, what can I do for you?"
God replied, "Tell me what kind of problems you are having down there with the Cajuns you have there."
The Devil said, "Wait one minute," and puts the Lord on hold. After 5 minutes he returned to the phone, and said, "Okay, I'm back. What was the question?"
God asked again, "What kind of problems are you having down there?"
The Devil said, "Man, I don't believe this . . . . Hold on, God." This time the Devil was gone for 15 minutes. The Devil returned and said, "I'm sorry, God, I can't talk right now. These coonasses have done put the fire out and are holding a benefit crawfish and shrimp boil to install air conditioning."

Look Out "Skeeters"

It's about that time folks-- so thought I'd send out this reminder!!!!

Prepare to be repelled!!!!!

Use Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets...Best thing ever used in Louisiana..just wipe on & go...Great for Babies

Bob, a fisherman, takes one vitamin B-1 tablet a day April through October .

He said it works. He was right.Hasn't had a mosquito bite in 33 years. Try it.Every one he has talked into trying it works on them.Vitimin B-1

( Thiamine Hydrochloride 100 mg.)

If you eat bananas,the mosquitos like you,

- something about the banana oil as your body processes it.

Stop eating bananas for the summer and

the mosquitos will be much less interested.

This is going to floor you, but one of the bestinsect repellents someone found (who is in the woods every day), is Vick's Vaporub.

Plant marigolds around the yard, the flowers give off a smell that bugs do not like,so plant some in that garden also to help wardoff bugs without using insecticides.

"Tough guy" Marines who spend a great deal of time"camping out" say that the very best mosquito repellant you can use is

Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil mixed about half and half with alcohol.

One of the best natural insect repellants that I've discovered is made from the clear real vanilla. This is the pure Vanilla that is sold in Mexico. It works great for mosquitoes and ticks,don't know about other insects.

When all else fails--get a frog !!!

Boudreaux and Mabel

Boudreaux done got old and his childen dun put him in the old folks home near Breaux Bridge, Louisiana where he dun met a lovely lady dat were from Waco, Texas. Now Boudreaux being a fine upstanding Catholic, he didn't want to do nutin dat were aganst his religion, no. So he dun propose marriage. Now both Boudreaux and Mable were in their 80s.

Mable went and told everyone at the Senior Citizens home the good news. Irene, Mable's best friend, told her that since she was very wealthy and the person she was about to wed was, well to say the least, not worth much, she should insist on a Prenuptial Agreement.

Mable was sitting on the porch swing with Boudreaux and she told him she would marry him providing he would sign a prenuptial agreement.
Boudreaux dun told Mable a'll sign agreement, you bet, cause I luv you so much.
Mable got out her pen and paper and started:

She said: I want to keep my house down in Texas with all the oil wells.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my shak on the bayou.
She said: I want to keep my Cadillac, BMW and Lexus.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my pick em up truck.
She said: I want to keep my yacht that that is moored near my summer home
in Padre Island.
He said: That's fine with me. I'll keep my pirogue.
She said: I want to keep all my jewelry.
He said: That's fine with me too.
She said: I want to have sex 6 times a week.
He said: That's fine with me. Put me down for Fridays.

PooPooism #49

_______________________________________
If life brings you Lemons, make Lemonade.

If life brings you Crabs.....

COOK SOME RICE!

Wise Words of Wisdom

By: Poo Poo Broussard

Cajun French Phrases

Common expressions you might hear around Lafayette:

C'est tout (Say too): That's all.

Fais-do-do (Fay doe doe): A dance. Literally "go to sleep" - a phrase whispered by French-speaking Cajuns to their children so the parents could join in the dancing.

Cher (Sha): Dear (a term of endearment).

Merci (Mare see): Thanks.

Pauve ti bete (Pove tee bet): Poor little thing.

Ça c'est bon (Sa say bohn): That's good.

Tante (Taunt): Aunt.

Nonc (Nonk): Uncle.

Lagniappe (Lahn yop): Something extra.

Boucherie (Boo sher ee): Pig roast.

Joie de vivre (Jhwa da veev): Joy of living.

Laissez les bon temps rouler (Lay say lay bohn tohn roo lay): Let the good times roll.

Allons (Al lohn): Let's go.

Lache pas la patate (Losh pa la pa tot): Don't let go of the potato or don't give up (a testament to the enduring spirit of the Cajun people).

Fais Do-Do (go to sleep)

Fais Do-Do

A communal dance held traditionally in rural dancehalls, the fais do-do attracted Cajun men, women, and children for long evenings of dancing and socializing. Adolescent girls attended under chaperons' watchful eyes, while young males were often restricted to a holding pen called une cage aux chiens, or "dogs’ cage" (unless they were dancing). Children were put to bed at the dance, giving rise to the term fais do-do (meaning "go to sleep" in Cajun French). Like earlier bals de maison, the fais do-do not only provided a source of entertainment, but a sense of community, and an opportunity for courtship. Often fais do-dos attracted young Cajun males bent on fighting — a traditional rite of passage and form of amusement for some. Popular dances at fais do-dos were the two-step and waltz, which along with newer Cajun dance styles like the jitterbug and shuffle still exist today. The fais do-do survives in Acadiana largely as an attraction at regional festivals, and it is usually held in public areas like parks and civic arenas. A commercialized version of the fais do-do also survives at Cajun restaurants that feature live Cajun music, such as Randol’s in Lafayette or Mulate’s in Breaux Bridge. Since the 1980s Cajun dancing has been popular worldwide, with particularly large followings on the east and west coasts (where dancers form clubs called "krewes," a word that generally describes groups of Mardi gras revelers).

1st You Make A Roux Part II- Gumbo

Gumbo: Chicken and Sausage

Chicken and sausage gumbo is a Cajun favorite, and although available in restaurants year-round, it is particularly popular as a homemade dish during the wintertime. Making a gumbo can be time-consuming (the roux alone can take about thirty minutes to prepare), but the final product is well worth the wait.

Ingredients:

Roux (oil and flour)
3 14½ oz. cans chicken broth
2 small onions
1 bell pepper
3 cloves garlic
3 stalks celery
Black pepper

Salt

Cayenne pepper
Filé (ground sasafras)
1½ lb chicken - seasoned
1 sausage link (about 1 to 2 lbs)
green onions
rice

As the saying goes, "First, you make a roux." Once this is done, in a large pot combine the cooled roux with chicken broth, then add water until the mixture reaches one inch from the top of the pot. Boil for 30 minutes, skimming occasionally to remove grease. Add chopped vegetables, and boil for another 30 minutes. Add seasonings, and meat (cut chicken, sliced sausage), and boil for 60 to 90 minutes, skimming to remove grease. Serve over rice, and garnish with chopped green onions. (By the way, leftover gumbo is almost always better than freshly made gumbo.) If Cajun sausage is unavailable in your area, try smoked sausage as a substitute. This recipe makes about 25 to 30 bowls of gumbo.

Note:

Some people like to add file powder (a thickening agent, pronounced "fee-lay") to the gumbo. If you do, start with a tablespoonful or two, added after the gumbo has cooked. If you add too much, or if you cook the file powder for a while, the gumbo will become gummy.

PooPooism #9

First You Make A Roux (roo)

Roux is an important basic ingredient in many Cajun dishes. Although it can be purchased at stores by the jar (in south Louisiana, at least), or made quickly in a microwave, the best way to prepare roux is the old-fashioned way: on the stove in a skillet. Despite the recipe's simplicity, it can take thirty minutes or longer to prepare. The key to making a good roux is to brown the flour slowly until it appears a dark copper color. But be careful — even a slightly burnt roux will ruin a dish. Although some variations exist among types of rouxs, the most common, basic recipe appears below:

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup vegetable oil

Combine the oil and flour in a skillet, and stir constantly over a medium flame. The roux should begin to congeal and brown. When dark copper, like the shade of an old penny, remove the roux from the flame, and allow it to cool until warm. It now can be used as the base for a Cajun dish, such as gumbo.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux at the car dealership!

One day Boudreaux went to the car dealership, he brought his best friend Thibodeaux along. He decide to test drive his new car first. So they were going down I-10 and Boudreaux told Thibodeaux to climb on to the trunk and see if his blinkers worked. So Thibodeaux climbed to the back and Boudreaux said "Check the left one first!," and then he turned it on. Thibodeaux said "Mais, Yes. Mais, No. Mais, Yes. Mais, No."

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux Play Golf!

Boudreaux decided to go play a game of golf with his good friends Thibodeaux and Guidry one morning. He promised Clotile that he would be home in time for lunch. Well, lunchtime came and went, and no Boudreaux. Mid afternoon came and went, still no Boudreaux. Suppertime passed, and Boudreaux finally shows up about an hour later. Clotile is, of course, just a little bit mad. "Boudreaux, where have you been ? You say you gonna be home by lunch, and here it is dark time, and you jus now gettin' home !" Boudreaux says, "Clotile, don' get on my case. My good fren, Guidry, died on de golf course dis morning." Clotile says, "Oh, Boudreaux, I'm so sorry. I can understan' now; makin' funeral arrangements for your fren, and all. I understan' why you late." Boudreaux says, "Funeral arrangements. What funeral arrangements? It was 'Hit de ball, drag Guidry. Hit de ball, drag Guidry. It took me and Thibodeaux all day to finish the game!"

Boudreaux's Birthday Present!

Thibodeaux: Boudreaux, did you get the parrot I sent you for your birthday?
Boudreaux: Yes, it was good!
Thibodeaux: You ate the bird!
Boudreaux: Of Course I ate it.
Thibodeaux: That bird spoke five different languages!
Boudreaux: Then he should have said something.

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux go hunting!

Boudreaux and Thibodeaux went hunting and got lost in the woods.
When Boudreaux began lamenting their fate, Thibodeaux said, "You know, I heard that the best thing to do if you get lost is to fire three shots in the air."
So they did that, and waited a while. When no rescue party showed up, they fired three more shots in the air.
Finally, when there was still no response, Thibodeaux said, "Well, I guess we better fire three more shots."
"OK, if you say so," said Boudreaux. "But somebody better come soon-- we're about out of arrows!"

Thibodeaux and Boudreaux At It Again!

THE NEWLYWEDS
Newlyweds Boudreaux and Marie are on their honeymoon trip from their little village on the bayou in south Louisiana. They are nearing Breaux Bridge when Boudreaux puts his hand on Marie's knee. Giggling, Marie says, "Mais, Boudreaux, we married now. You can go further than that if you want to." So Boudreaux drives on to Lafayette.

CRAWFISH 101

So how did the lowly crawfish gain such prominence in our culture? Well, actually, Native Americans in the area were the first credited with harvesting and consuming crawfish even before the Cajuns arrived on the scene. They used to bait reeds with venison (deer meat), stick them in the water and periodically pick up the reeds with crawfish attached to the bait. By using this method, the Native Americans would catch bushels of crawfish for their consumption. By the 1930s nets were substituted, and by the 1950s the now ubiquitous crawfish trap was widely used. The trap is still the current method of harvesting mudbugs.

Mrs. Charles Hebert owner of the Hebert Hotel in Breaux Bridge is credited with being the first to put crawfish on a menu in the early 1920s. By the 1930s, crawfish were seen as a good source of protein, especially for poor Cajuns, though it actually took some convincing to get the locals to eat them. Crawfish étouffée made its debut in the 1950s, and now is the quintessential Cajun dish. Étouffée is prepared in as many ways as there are Cajun cooks living in our area-each one an original.

Today, more than 1,600 farmers produce crawfish, utilizing over 111,000 acres of man-made ponds. Louisiana is the largest producer of crawfish in the world. St. Martin Parish, Breaux Bridge's home, produces the most crawfish in the state and has the most crawfish acreage in the eight-parish area known as Acadiana. Crawfish is now a multimillion-dollar industry. All of this from a relatively insignificant crustacean.

Old Boodro!

While on a road trip to PaTaSa, the elderly Boodro couple stopped at Prejeans for lunch. After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and resumed their trip back to New Iberia. When leaving, old Mizz Boodro unknowingly left her glasses on the table and she didn't miss them until they had been driving about twenty minutes. By then, to add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around -- in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses. All the way back, Old Boo became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive. The more he chided her -- the more agitated he became. He just wouldn't let up one minute! To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant. As Mizz Boo got out of the car and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, old Boo yelled to her, "Bebe, while you in dere, you might as well get muh hat and duh credit card."

Sharp Shooter from Breaux Bridge!

The best marksmen in the FBI was passing through Breaux Bridge La.. Everywhere he saw evidences of the most amazing shooting. On trees, on walls, and on fences there were numerous bull's-eyes with the bullet hole in dead center. The FBI man asked one of the townsmen if he could meet the person responsible for this wonderful marksmanship. The man turned out to be a Mr. Thibodeaux (no relation to Mary Lynn) "This is the best marksmanship I have ever seen," said the FBI man. "How in the world do you do it?" "Mais, it's nuttin to it," said Thibodeaux.. "I shoot first and draw the circles afterward."