Ocean Springs Mississippi #MardiGras

Some of you who are readers of this blog were asking me to post more photos about #MardiGras. I have all the photos stored in 3 PC's so; I am posting randomly. These photos were taken in Ocean Springs , Mississippi and if my memory is right, this is the Elk Mardi Gras. There are two parades in Ocean Springs that I can remember, one in the morning and the other, at night time. The town supported both parades in fact; both events were crowded.

Mardi Gras is part of the tradition in the South; Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Other's call this event, Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras season culminates on the day before Ash Wednesday. Mardi Gras is a big celebration of dancing, fun, eating lavishly before fasting and religious obligations. Before Lent season begins, there are so many Mardi Gras parades all over these places.

Mardi Gras is fun because families and friends gather around for barbecue and have a good time. If you never been to a Mardi Gras parade, you should visit New Orleans. If you love big crowd, Mardi Gras in New Orleans is the best! Don't stay drunk at night in French Quarter okay?

I missed Mardi Gras events in Mississippi for two consecutive years now. Hopefully next year, we will be there! We will be moving to Mississippi any day now and we are just waiting for the final sale of our home. Hubby and I are excited! Thanks for visiting this blog always. Happy Fat Tuesday y'all!

By Ocean Springs in Mississippi

This was taken by the beach in Ocean Springs Mississippi. I love taking pictures of the sky, isn't it obvious by now, LOL? This place has the Front Beach and the East Beach. Hubby and I always hang out at the Front Beach. When I was working, hubby and his cousin would go fishing and crabbing. One time, hubby caught a dozen of blue crab and they were huge. Yep, hubby cook them and he ate them all LOL.

Mardi Gras Day Parade in Ocean Springs

There is a big parade which is scheduled in Biloxi today. Hubby and I thought Mardi Gras this year would start this week and onward but, it started early about last week of January. We did plan to visit Mississippi for Mardi Gras and see the parades in Ocean Springs (day/night), D'Iberville, Past Christian and Biloxi. Before we could book a trip, we found out that some of the parades were over. We missed the Mardi Gras in Mississippi this year. Oh well, maybe next year right?

Here are some old photos that I took when we live in Mississippi. My sister-in-law and other relatives lived nearby Porter and Jackson Avenue so; all of us would watch the parade along these streets. Shown in the picture above is a group called Shriners in their Model T miniature cars. Cute huh? Looking great grandpa :-)

Mardi Gras is a very interesting parade. There is always a surprise like the photo above.

We watch the parade at Porter Avenue. The building that you see above is Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. My husband said, originally this building is an ancestral home of the O'Keefe family and they sold it to a guy named William 'Willy' Frederic Dale. He turned it into a restaurant and bar then, towards the end of his life he sold it back to the O'Keefe. Presently, this building is an elegant funeral home in the area.

Clowns afre always present in Mardi Gras parades.

Every time there is a parade, some folks find this event the best season on their business.

Most schools participated as well.

The well-applauded participants in the Mardi Gras parade are usually the police officers, firemen and military either active and retired men in uniform.

Cheering crowd!

A representative of every organization is present as well.

Here comes the firemen and gorgeous firetruck.

Shown above is a float with little krewe members in costumes throwing some beads and trinkets.

Here is another Mardi Gras float with Krewe members throwing strings of beads, doubloons, cups, frisbees and other trinkets. From the floats, they throw some of those interesting trinkets, plastic toys and cups to the spectators lining on the streets of Porter Avenue. These goodies consist of colorful necklaces, bracelets, beads and they also throw coins called doubloons, which are stamped with krewes' logos, parade themes and the year. Have you been to a Mardi Gras before? You should try it sometime. You will like it for sure. Happy Fat Tuesday everyone! Thanks for stopping by in my blog today. See you again.

The Isle Hotel in Biloxi Mississippi

I took most of these pictures from the Front Beach of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. When we lived there for 18 months, the Front Beach is our hang-out place. We love driving down here and have a picnic at Fort Maurepas Park. When I was working, my husband and his cousin would go fishing in this area. The land across Front Beach area is the city of Biloxi and the huge building that you see here is the ISLE hotel and casino.The Isle hotel and casino is one of our favorites mainly for the ambiance and food trip. Not only that, this is the favorite casino of my father-in-law where his luck in this casino is unbelievable! Last September, we stayed in one of the rooms on this side facing the bridge that connects Ocean Springs and Biloxi! It was an awesome view!The picture below was taken while we were having a picnic at Fort Maurepas. The arrow shows the Isle Hotel and Casino across the waters. It's huge with 710 hotel rooms that includes 200 suite rooms.The Front Beach is beautiful. If you are planning to visit for the Mardi Gras parade, check out the Isle Hotel and Casino. You will have a good day ahead once you see the beautiful sight of the Gulf view. The sunrise and the sunsets in this place is truly spectacular and enchanting.From the Isle Hotel and Casino, you should check out the Front Beach in Ocean Springs. You will appreciate your awesome stay in the hotel if you visit this place and look at the hotel from this location.You should book early especially when you are visiting for Mardi Gras Season, Christmas Holidays, New Year, Valentines Day, Halloween, Saint Patricks Day, and 4th July. It will be sold out before you knew it! Speaking of Mardi Gras, we will be going there and we will be staying at the ISLE HOTEL AND CASINO. I will see you there, right? Thanks for reading.

Mardi Gras in Ocean Springs is Always Fun

I was checking on some pictures in the folder of my working pc and saw these Mardi Gras photos. I took these photos during a Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs, Mississippi in the Government Street. This was a chilly and cold season and though everyone was bundling up, the wind will really get into your bones.
There are so many beads they gave with awesome designs in fact, some of us got collectible beads. One of my cousins told me that when she comes back from her travels, she will provide floats and all of us will participate in giving out beads, sort of thanksgiving for the family. I am looking forward for that event. I remember the first time I went to a Mardi Gras parade. I was hesitant to bring a bag but, when I was there, everyone brought more than one bag for the beads.It feels funny that I was just standing there watching the fun atmosphere but, hesitant to raise my arms asking for beads. When I looked around, everyone was cheering and giving signals to throw 'em some beads. The more you cheered at them, the more they love to give nicer beads.There were two Mardi Gras parade in Ocean Springs that time, one in the morning and the other parade took place in the evening. The evening parade was fun but, the chilly atmosphere was even more brutal but, we enjoyed it. Most of us brought our snuggie even if we already bundled up. This year we will be heading to Mississippi and we will be witnessing the Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi, Ocean Springs and D'Iberville.

The Sunrise by the Gulf

This picture was taken from the balcony of our hotel room at the ISLE. The land mass is the beach line of Ocean Springs Mississippi.The sunrise is always beautiful here in Misissippi and I witness it everyday when I come home from work. I was working on a graveyard shift so, when I passed by the bridge heading to Ocean Springs, this sight is what I always love to see.

Mitchell's Housewashing

Have you tried tapping a company to pressure wash your house? This is common in the South after the Hurricane. Some houses that suffered minor beatings from the storm usually hire a professional to pressure wash their entire house. It does make a difference.There is a harmless chemical that they used which is friendly to the environment. We did hire a company to pressure wash the house of my Father-in-law. Make sure that when you hire this company, all the openings should be securely close. The windows, garage and also the pathway really looks new. If you live in Mississippi and wanted to hire a company to pressure wash the exterior of your house, just call this number: 875-9544 and leave a message. Mitchell's Housewashing has been serving the area since 1976.

The Activities Online

There are so many activities that we truly miss on living Mississippi. We miss Dad and our gardening moments. We miss the comfort of going to the beach anytime because it's just 5 minutes away from the house. We miss crabbing on the Pier and miss eating the fresh blue crabs. We also miss the company of our cousins and friends where we enjoyed having birthday parties and get together activities. But most of all, we miss going to Beau Rivage, Hard Rock and the Grand. These casino hotels are just awesome stablishments because their games are mostly popular as Poker Sites USA.

Did you know that there are Online Casinos for USA Players? In UK, it is legal to play an online games but here in the US, they are still fighting for its legality. Besides, a lot of Websites were being questioned because of the Best US Poker Sites. If you want to play games, make sure that they are approriate and the company is legal to open an online game.

There are certain cases that they just wanted to unwind. As for me and my husband, we love to play the machine and if we are hungry we move to the buffet area. How about you? Visit the link for more information!

Bittersweet Longing

We just heard a very good news today that the property of my father-in-law had a buyer and they already pay the earnest payment or the good faith deposit. Everyone is happy with the update but, at the same time hubby and I had a bittersweet longing for this place. The picture below is what we call, our lazy days in Mississippi. Everyday, would park the car at the front beach and just enjoy the sea breeze from the Gulf Coast.We heard that it was a young couple who bought the place. I miss that property. I had so much fun raking the leaves at the backyard, oh okay, I am just kidding. Of course, the yard was hard to maintain because it was huge. But, for the money that the new owner paid for the house, they got a good deal for that! Life is really amazing to note that parents work so hard most of their lifetime to buy the things they wanted most in life and when they die, the children inherit what they saved.

On the Bridge

At Mississippi- My camera was new at this time and I forgot to set the date that is why it's showing 2005. My husband pick me up from the casino where I work at 7AM. The weather was awesome and cool. I love the moment every time we pass by the bridge because I can see the Gulf Coast, the beach area and the sunrise!I think I took this picture because the sun shines different. There is no ray! The surrounding area was so calm and it was really cold during this time.

Road Trip Photos

I was checking some pictures that I had in one of my pc's and I found these. I would like to share these photos that I took during our road trip two years ago. When my father-in-law lost his wife, he lived alone for almost three months. He lives in this three bedroom house and it's just too lonely for him to live by himself.

My hubby asked my father if he likes the idea that we will move-in with him to accompany him in the house. At first, he was so adamant but, later on gave in and excited to see us.
We were traveling from Florida to Mississippi on the scenic routes. Florida is truly amazing! The beach is gorgeous and the view is fantastic! The only set back? I am using an ordinary phone camera at that time. These pictures were taken in the evening so, it's an awkward images.We arrived almost midnight on this very date. Lil did we knew that in less than two years, FIL will be gone forever. It was too soon but, hey, we did have a good time. I always blog about him during those months. He played the Wii Game at 89 years old :-) Unbelievable!
The picture above is in Biloxi, heading towards Ocean Springs. I was happy actually because we moved to a place that have the fascinating view of the Gulf Coast and almost a dozen hotels and casinos.
I will post more photos of my travel soon. Have a happy life everyone.

Me and Blogging Moment

One of those rare moments, enjoying my time under the old oak tree. Talk about inspiration? This is heaven! The place is so quite and surreal! While living in Mississippi for 18 months, I did enjoy the beauty of the Gulf Coast. Even in a stormy weather like this (as shown in the picture), you still can see the awesome sky kissing the horizon. (Smile) Okay! Enough for this dreamy description, there's truth to what I say though, right? Shown above is the bridge that connects two cities in the state of Mississippi, Biloxi and Ocean Springs. I took this picture when Hubby and I did our afternoon rides in Front Beach area. The blurry big building at the end of the bridge is Isle of Capri in Biloxi, MS. It is one of the hotel and casinos in the area. If you travel down South along Highway 90 at Beach Boulevard, check out the affordable buffet at The Buffet (one of the restaurants in the ISLE), enjoy the meals wholeday.

This is the signboard of Fort Maurepas Park, the location of the park which already inaugurated last October 5, 2009. The park is located at Ocean Springs Mississippi. It has a playground, sitting area for those who loves to relax under the old oak trees while enjoying the view of the beach. This is one of the best places that I love to hang out specially when I am blogging.

Favorite Place in Ocean Springs

Do you love to take pictures? Well, I do! It is a hobby that developed when I was in Elementary grades!I love to take pictures and whatever it is that I find interesting, I took a snap of it. Above is an example of the kind of caption that I am interested to capture. This is Ocean Springs in Mississippi showing the view of the bridge and the casinos in Biloxi area. We are on the Front Beach and since it was a nice day to unwind on the beach, I can't help but take few shots of this wonderful place.

At Night in Ocean Springs

This picture was taken on our last night in Ocean Springs. The sky just turned so strikingly beautiful. We were in awe as we gazed up the sky! It was already sunset when I took this picture. Isn't it lovely?

We bought some groceries at Walmart and as we drove back to the house, this was the sky...just perfect! As I close my eyes right now, this view is so vivid in my memory and I can't help but, smile!

Harbor Landing

When you appreciate the beauty of the places you visited, it is but normal to miss them. This was taken in Harbor Landing Restaurant in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.I love this place because of the view of the Gulf of Mexico. My favorite food is kicker, it's a side order and it taste spicy and so yummy. This place is also a yacht club. They have a huge storing facility at the other side of the building which house the boats. Today, I miss this place and the view of the beach.

Bus Hopper

There is a big difference of public transportation here from my country. In the Philippines, public transportation such as taxi, jeepney, shuttle van, motorela and trisikad are common on the streets. You will get to your destination on time without compromising to wait for how many hours. Right here in Biloxi-Ocean Springs, Mississippi, bus like this is one transportation that you would see in this area.

I never had the experience of riding this bus but some people like it especially those who loves casino hopping. If you have no transportation here, this bus can go the distance.