Destinations Diva

      Growing up in southern Louisiana, with my roots in the heart in Cajun country, I learned to make gumbo, étouffée, Couvillion and fricassee by watching my mom.  Each of these recipes have common ingredients—the "trinity," which is chopped onion, bell pepper and celery, as well as garlic and most have a roux, which is flour cooked in oil to the desired color.  For gumbos, you want a dark roux.  For étouffée and Couvillion, you want a "blond" roux.  And I learned early that you NEVER EVER walk away while cooking a roux.       While we were dating, I learned that my husband's favorite soup in the world is Creole Turtle Soup from any of the Brennan's family restaurants in New Orleans.  I did not care for my first taste of it and  I  think the  reason is that while it has all of the main ingredients in any Louisiana stew or soup, it has a more eclectic flavor profile.  In creole cooking, butter is often used in roux.  The recipe also uses a large amount of

    After the long shutdown in 2020 and the cancellation of so many  events, we were overjoyed to attend the Mardi Gras Celebration at Universal Studios Florida.  Due to social distancing, the 2021 event has been altered, but in a good way!  While the theme park made the decision not to offer nightly parades as in the past, Mardi Gras is still being celebrated in full force.       The annual event, Mardi Gras, has always been a  festival of color, music, performers, parades and food.  At the 2021 event, almost all of these elements are still in place.  In the past, the Mardi Gras activities were located mainly in the New York and Production Central areas in the park.  This year, Mardi Gras has grown to cover every area of the park.  The event has been so popular, that it has been extended through April 11, 2021. Fantastic Eats and Where to Find Them at Universal Orlando 2021 Entertainment and Street Performers     As you approach the Universal Studios arch, you'll hear Zydeco musi

  Top 5 Reasons to Travel Solo to Universal Orlando      On my journey as a Universal Orlando travel writer, I often travel to this vacation destination alone.  As I walk around the theme park resort area, I have often felt that I'm the only one here by myself.  However, I've learned through some of the Universal Orlando Facebook groups, that traveling solo is actually quite common!       In my case, my spouse is not a theme park junkie as I am.  He works a full time job and would rather hike in nature in his spare time than go for the type of  entertainment which is offered at theme parks.  This even prompted my to write my second book, Escape from the Mouse Trap , a book offering other activities in Orlando besides theme parks.       I now know that lots of travelers not only travel solo to Universal Orlando, but actually prefer this style of travel.      Listed below are the top 5 reasons to travel solo to Universal Orlando: 1.     The decisions are yours!     When you decid