By TERRY R. CASSREINO
NEW ORLEANS, La. (Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010) – Weeks of balls and parades come to an end tonight at midnight when Mardi Gras gives way to Ash Wednesday.
I’m exhausted. From parading Saturday night in Endymion to taking my wife and children to parades in New Orleans and suburban Metairie, I find myself drained from all the driving, the toting around of the parade ladder and this year’s unusually cold weather.
Oh, and by the way, it was COLD. When I staked a spot at 7:30 a.m. this morning in Metairie for today’s parades, the temperature was a cold 35 degrees. It warmed to 45 today – but was still one of the colder Mardi Gras in memory.
Hey, but we all still had a great time.
And because pictures speak louder – and better – than words, I am sharing below a slide show from Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras. As always, click the photo for a larger version. Enjoy.
Copyright 2010 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Lundi Gras 2010
Mardi Gras 2010
A little about Mississippi, a little about Louisiana, a little about New Orleans and A LOT about our adoption story. This blog and our adoption story is dedicated to Camryn and Matthew Cassreino so that you both will know. Copyright 2021 by Terry R. Cassreino
Showing posts with label Mardi Gras. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mardi Gras. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Mardi Gras 2010
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010) -- I'm still exhausted.
After a full day of activities with the Krewe of Endymion on Saturday -- including the parade that night and the Endymion Extravaganza following in the Superdome -- Pam and I didn't get home until 2:30 a.m.
This year's event was spectacular. The crowds were simply amazing, literally wall-to-wall all along the parade route that took the procession through Mid-City and into downtown New Orleans.
In my six years of riding in Endymion, I have never seem the crowds that large.
While I don't have a nice representation of photos showing the floats, I am posting a slideshow giving you an idea of the enormity of the crowds. And they were huge. I hope you enjoy this -- and have a great Mardi Gras in 2010.
Copyright 2010 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
NEW ORLEANS (Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010) -- I'm still exhausted.
After a full day of activities with the Krewe of Endymion on Saturday -- including the parade that night and the Endymion Extravaganza following in the Superdome -- Pam and I didn't get home until 2:30 a.m.
This year's event was spectacular. The crowds were simply amazing, literally wall-to-wall all along the parade route that took the procession through Mid-City and into downtown New Orleans.
In my six years of riding in Endymion, I have never seem the crowds that large.
While I don't have a nice representation of photos showing the floats, I am posting a slideshow giving you an idea of the enormity of the crowds. And they were huge. I hope you enjoy this -- and have a great Mardi Gras in 2010.
Copyright 2010 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Monday, February 23, 2009
It's Carnival Time -- everybody's having fun
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
SLIDELL, La. (Monday, Feb. 23, 2009) - Weeks of parades and Carnival balls reach a climax on Tuesday when residents across Southeast Louisiana hit the streets to celebrate Mardi Gras 2009.
My trip to Slidell, which began on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, also reaches a climax when I take my family to Mardi Gras - including my two children for the first time. They will enjoy the day in much the same way I did as a child: dressed in full costume, watching parades and catching beads.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, I hit the streets of downtown New Orleans riding in the Krewe of Endymion's annual parade. Below is a short slide show/photo gallery fro the past few days; I'll have more photos after Mardi Gras.
SLIDELL, La. (Monday, Feb. 23, 2009) - Weeks of parades and Carnival balls reach a climax on Tuesday when residents across Southeast Louisiana hit the streets to celebrate Mardi Gras 2009.
My trip to Slidell, which began on Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, also reaches a climax when I take my family to Mardi Gras - including my two children for the first time. They will enjoy the day in much the same way I did as a child: dressed in full costume, watching parades and catching beads.
On Saturday, Feb. 21, I hit the streets of downtown New Orleans riding in the Krewe of Endymion's annual parade. Below is a short slide show/photo gallery fro the past few days; I'll have more photos after Mardi Gras.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Happy Mardi Gras
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
SLIDELL, La. (Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009) -- As we prepare to head to the Thursday night parades in New Orleans, I've included a brief slide show/photo gallery for your enjoyment. I'll post a few more before Fat Tuesday. Here goes:
SLIDELL, La. (Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009) -- As we prepare to head to the Thursday night parades in New Orleans, I've included a brief slide show/photo gallery for your enjoyment. I'll post a few more before Fat Tuesday. Here goes:
Monday, February 9, 2009
Endymion float show previews the Feb. 21 parade
MADISON, Miss. (Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, 9:32 a.m.) – When the Krewe of Endymion hits the streets of New Orleans on Saturday, Feb. 21, you'll witness one of the organization's best parades in recent memory.
My family and I had a sneak peek at the krewe's floats during an open house at the Endymion den Saturday, Feb. 7. The theme: "Tales of Sleep and Dreams"; floats depict nightmare tales and storybook themes.
All were depicted in minute detail on parade floats decorated with intricate papier mache props. They should look incredible when fully lit and traveling down Canal Street on parade night.
Below is a photo gallery slide show from the open house. Don't forget to use the button in the bottom left corner of the slide show to toggle captions. And click the photo to enlarge in a new window.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Cassreinos enjoy Slidell parade on Sunday
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
MADISON, Miss. (Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, 7:57 a.m.)- Before I post a photo gallery from my family's trip to New Orleans for a weekend of Carnival events, below is a news report that appeared Sunday night, Feb. 8, 2009, on WGNO-TV ABC26 in New Orleans. It features our family. Check back later for photos.
Press play below; the video airs immediately after a brief commercial.
MADISON, Miss. (Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, 7:57 a.m.)- Before I post a photo gallery from my family's trip to New Orleans for a weekend of Carnival events, below is a news report that appeared Sunday night, Feb. 8, 2009, on WGNO-TV ABC26 in New Orleans. It features our family. Check back later for photos.
Press play below; the video airs immediately after a brief commercial.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
A weekend of Carnival parades
SLIDELL, La. (Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, 6:15 p.m.) – Covered plates of steaming hot beef tenderloin, steamed green beans and roasted potatoes tumbled from the waiter's tray and fell on top of a woman sitting at my table.
The plate hit her head and hot gravy fell on her husband's arm. While their formal clothes prevented serious injury, it still cast a strange feeling over the early part of the Krewe of Endymion's Coronation Ball on Saturday in New Orleans.
The food was good; the entertainment also was good. The Nobles and the Top Cats were great, but the Bag of Donuts – a strange looking band – was unmistakably bad.
These guys were horrible. They couldn't sing. Their humor was infantile.
The night was capped by a midnight parade through the Hilton ballroom, featuring the St. Augustine Marching 100, St. Mary's band and mini floats with maskers. It was a nice touch to whet our appetite for the Feb. 21 Endymion parade.
On Sunday, our attention shifted to the Krewe of Slidellians parade. The parade allowed Pam and I a chance to try out our parade ladder for Camryn and Matthew. It was a success.
Below, you'll find a photo-gallery slide show from the weekend.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Preparing for the Endymion Coronation Ball
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
MADISON, Miss. (Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, 1:57 p.m.) – After a long week at work in Jackson, much of it tying up loose ends as I leave the Mississippi Democratic Party, I'm ready for as weekend in New Orleans celebrating the Carnival season.
And guess what?
That's exactly what my family and I plan to do. Pam, Camryn, Matthew and I will pack up our car later today and head to Slidell for the weekend. Pam and I will then attend the Krewe of Endymion Coronation Ball on Saturday.
We'll stick around for Sunday and another cheesy, cheap parade in Slidell – but, hey, Matthew should enjoy it since it's his first – catch the Super Bowl and then return home Monday morning.
Finally, I'll kick off my new business enterprise on Tuesday morning. I'm still putting together the final touches, but I'll post my news release on this blog for everyone to read.
As for now, gotta go. I'll file a blog update with photos and a story later this weekend.
Copyright 2009, Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Enjoying a Carnival weekend in metro New Orleans
SLIDELL, La. (Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009, 3 p.m.) – A relaxing weekend in Slidell and New Orleans, highlighted by a trip to the Endymion den for my krewe throws, ended far too soon today.
As you may know from earlier posts, I ride in the Krewe of Endymion, the largest Carnival parading organization in New Orleans. I had to stop by the krewe den on Saturday to pick up about $500 worth of krewe-emblem throws I bought for the parade.
Among the items: Krewe cups, krewe beads, stuffed animals, Endymion footballs and Endymion Frisbees. My mom's house in Slidell is overflowing with junk for me to throw on the six-mile route Saturday, Feb. 21.
Camryn, my 3-year-old daughter, had a great time. She waited at the krewe den with me and my mom and then had a rare treat of a peek through the large doors of the den at floats still under construction.
Today, Camryn, my mother and I joined my sister and her family for the Krewe of Claude parade in Slidell. As expected, it was awful: Cheesy floats, two bands and not much else.
How bad was the parade? Well, they used rental floats from Barry Barth – floats that were small, narrow and just plain hideous. It also didn't look good when the third float was numbered 10 and the fourth was numbered 22.
But my daughter didn't care. She just wanted to see floats, see marching bands and catch beads.
Next up: A trip to Slidell on Saturday, Jan. 31, for the Krewe of Endymion coronation ball that night at the Hilton in New Orleans and another cheap Slidell parade on Sunday, Feb. 1.
The real stuff kicks in the weekend of Feb . 14.
Below is a photo gallery slide show from the weekend. If you see a photo you like, click it and you'll open a larger version. And use the button o the left corner of the slide show to toggle captions.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Matthew makes it through the night with his foot brace
MADISON, Miss. (Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, 7 a.m.) – Matthew made it through his first night wearing the foot brace required to correct his right club foot.
I'll try to take a photo of the brace and post it later. But essentially the brace is one long bar with two open toed shows o n both ends; we tie the shoes tightly on Matthew, his feet become immobile and he sleeps with them all night.
It's rather sad and I felt bad putting them on. But Matthew didn't fight. He didn't protest. He allowed me to put the shoes on his feet. And as awkward as they were, he slept through much of the night.
One month down
As I write this, it's been a little more than a month since Pam, Matthew and I have been back from China.
Catholic Charities, which is our social agency in charge of our home study, visited the house this week for the required one month report. We have a six-month and then one-year report before we are totally on our own.
Catholic Charities completes the report, forwards a copy to Holt International Children's Services and then, I believe, Holt sends a copy to the China Center for Adoption Affairs.
Mardi Gras approaches
Camryn, our daughter, and I will head down to New Orleans early Saturday for a quick trip in which I'll pick up my Krewe of Endymion throws for our parade on Saturday, Feb. 21, in New Orleans.
I'll visit my mother and family, Camryn will get to spend some time her aunt, uncle and cousins. And I'll also have time to get excited about Carnival season.
Few times of the year rouse my interest like Carnival and Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I don't know what it is about it – probably the feeling of carefree escapism it creates – but I love this time of the year.
Pam and I plan to head down for weekend parades in February, as well as, of course, the Endymion weekend celebration.
I'll chronicle our visit to Mardi Gras this year with stories photos I post on this blog. So, don't forget to check back often.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Enjoy new Cassreino photo gallery
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
MADISON, Miss. (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, 7:52 p.m.) - As I prepare to drive south to New Orleans this weekend for Mardi Gras business - I will pick up my Endymion krewe throws on Saturday - I thought I'd post a quick photo gallery slide show.
This isn't anything too spectacular, just a few slice-of-life shots. I'll try to throw together some Carnival photos from the upcoming weekend and post them Sunday or Monday. Keep watching this blog. Until then, enjoy the slide show below.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
DIRECTIONS: Click photo to enlarge. Toggle photo captions with button in left-hand corner of photo gallery slide show.
MADISON, Miss. (Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, 7:52 p.m.) - As I prepare to drive south to New Orleans this weekend for Mardi Gras business - I will pick up my Endymion krewe throws on Saturday - I thought I'd post a quick photo gallery slide show.
This isn't anything too spectacular, just a few slice-of-life shots. I'll try to throw together some Carnival photos from the upcoming weekend and post them Sunday or Monday. Keep watching this blog. Until then, enjoy the slide show below.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
DIRECTIONS: Click photo to enlarge. Toggle photo captions with button in left-hand corner of photo gallery slide show.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
NEW: View photo gallery, Mardi Gras in New Orleans
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
MADISON, Miss. (Sunday, Jan.18, 2009, 5:03 p.m.) – It’s Carnival time in New Orleans.
And with parades just weeks away, I thought I’d post a new photo gallery here to the blog. This one features some Mardi Gras photos I’ve gathered over the past three years.
These are some of the nicer ones, a small sampling of the literally hundreds I’ve snapped.
As we get closer to Mardi Gras and I start attending events – the Endymion Coronation Ball, the Endymion float show and New Orleans area parades – look for more photos.
Until then, enjoy.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
DIRECTIONS: Click photo to enlarge. Toggle photo captions with button in left-hand corner of photo gallery slide show.
MADISON, Miss. (Sunday, Jan.18, 2009, 5:03 p.m.) – It’s Carnival time in New Orleans.
And with parades just weeks away, I thought I’d post a new photo gallery here to the blog. This one features some Mardi Gras photos I’ve gathered over the past three years.
These are some of the nicer ones, a small sampling of the literally hundreds I’ve snapped.
As we get closer to Mardi Gras and I start attending events – the Endymion Coronation Ball, the Endymion float show and New Orleans area parades – look for more photos.
Until then, enjoy.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
DIRECTIONS: Click photo to enlarge. Toggle photo captions with button in left-hand corner of photo gallery slide show.
One month since we returned from China
By TERRY R. CASSREINO
MADISON, Miss. (Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, 5 p.m.) – Today marks one month since Pam, Matthew and I returned home from China.
And it’s been an incredibly hectic month. I returned to work at the Mississippi Democratic Party. And we’ve tried to settle into a normal day-to-day routine at home.
Pam is still on maternity leave and will likely stay that way through the month of February. Meanwhile, Matthew continues to adjust well at home; he turned 22 months last Thursday.
On Tuesday, Pam and I will take Matthew to an orthopedic specialist to examine his club foot. Our pediatrician said he believes everything is fine; our orthopedic specialist should tell us if he needs any special shoes.
Check back today because I’ll be posting a new photo gallery – one for Mardi Gras.
With Carnival season in full swing, I thought a look back on Mardi Gras these past few years is appropriate.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
MADISON, Miss. (Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, 5 p.m.) – Today marks one month since Pam, Matthew and I returned home from China.
And it’s been an incredibly hectic month. I returned to work at the Mississippi Democratic Party. And we’ve tried to settle into a normal day-to-day routine at home.
Pam is still on maternity leave and will likely stay that way through the month of February. Meanwhile, Matthew continues to adjust well at home; he turned 22 months last Thursday.
On Tuesday, Pam and I will take Matthew to an orthopedic specialist to examine his club foot. Our pediatrician said he believes everything is fine; our orthopedic specialist should tell us if he needs any special shoes.
Check back today because I’ll be posting a new photo gallery – one for Mardi Gras.
With Carnival season in full swing, I thought a look back on Mardi Gras these past few years is appropriate.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Carnival time in New Orleans
SLIDELL, La. (Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, 8 p.m.) – It’s Carnival time in metropolitan New Orleans.
After a day of Mardi Gras shopping Harahan, La., we knew the Carnival season is upon us – workers already have started installing reviewing stands along Veterans Boulevard in Metairie.
Today was another successful day: More Mardi Gras shopping capped by a visit with my aunt and two cousins in Metairie – who met Matthew for the first time.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Ole Miss impresses in Cotton Bowl appearance
SLIDELL, La. (Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, 5 p.m.) – Ole Miss pulled off an impressive Cotton Bowl win over Texas Tech.
Pam, Camryn, Matthew and I arrived at my mother’s house in Slidell in time to catch the game live on Fox. The three-hour trip from our home in Madison went very smoothly.
Camryn and Matthew sat quietly in the back seat o f my Ford Fusion watching videos on our portable car DVD player (thank God for the DVD). Neither Camryn nor Matthew complained at all. Pam and I were surprised.
After the first quarter, Camryn and I headed over to Mardi Gras Imports in Slidell where I paid for my layaway order of beads for the Krewe of Endymion. Then, I spent the night packing them for my parade next month.
Our good friend Linda St. Martin visited my mother’s house to meet Matthew. And my two sisters and their children stopped by also for a visit.
Copyright 2009 by Terry R. Cassreino. All rights reserved.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Attention turns to New Year's Day
Nope, we won’t be hitting the clubs or the party circuit on New Year’s Eve. It’s possible we might travel to
Actually, if I do travel to
I ride in Endymion, the largest Carnival organization in
I already bought the majority of my beads; now I need stuffed animals and other throws. And if we head to
The parade, of course, is just one part of the next two months. Pam and I will attend the Endymion coronation ball on Jan. 31, the open house at our den Feb. 7 and the Endymion Extravaganza the night of the parade Feb. 21.
We also plan to take Camryn and Matthew to
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