I hadn't been to Louisiana in more than 20 years, and OMG, it was great. Or as the Cajuns and Creoles say, "We passed a good time, yeah!"

 

It's the land of my parents' birth; it's the place where I went to college; and it reflects a unique blend of French, Indigenous, West African, and Spanish ancestry. Those cultures all play a role in the language, customs, religions, and food. Two of my four granddaughters came to see a real Mardi Gras. New Orleans is awesome, but a bit much for little people. 

I had to ship the bags of beads and other tossed parade giveaways home because we yelled, "Throw me something!" aggressively.  And they did. 

I teared up touring the University of Louisiana, Lafayette campus, because it was where I found my voice, literally and figuratively. I sang with a band, I won a pageant, and ultimately, I began my television career at the CBS and ABC stations in the city. 

 

Walking around the campus took me back to the fun and carefree world of college life.  https://louisiana.edu/

 

In Lafayette, I believe it's impossible to have a bad meal. Restaurants, arcades, markets, and even gas stations have the best Creole and Cajun flavors in the world. Boudin, etoufee, and other seafood creations like you've never had. Not even in Paris!

I was born in the San Francisco Bay Area and am a child of 1960s Berkeley, but it's the culture of my ancestors that has flavored my life. I've been inspired to showcase it in my books. Like Louisiana, my murder mysteries are spicy, humorous, and unique. I'm working my a** off to complete a new series. My new amateur sleuth uses voodoo to solve murders. 

 

Plitar, mes amis!

 

 

 

 

I've been asked the question a lot. Why are some people in South Louisiana called Creole and others Cajun? It's a long and colorful story — like most Louisiana stories. 

I found this video on YouTube, and it does a great job of answering this question, from the origins to today. 

https://youtu.be/JIfM0gQiBZs?si=69Nym2o0XXrI8ZXR

 

Some of it might surprise you! Pran plézi!  (Enjoy) 

Have you heard of a Revillion Dinner? It's a tradition that began in France and made its way to South Louisiana. It faded out for a time and was revived in the 1990s.  It's a feast, the night before Christmas, and the food... oh, mais, cha, awesome. Gumbo, lobster, oysters, foie gras, roasted meats, savory pies, and decadent desserts like Bûche de Noël, champagne, and canapes.  And don't forget the wine!

Check out my book,  The Holiday Murder Melange, and read about an amateur preparing a Revillion Dinner celebration while solving a murder.