Cajun Night Before Christmas!

This morning we headed out to River Road.

We had beignets and coco at our favorite lil shop.

Houmas House is featured above.

It's one of the plantation homes along the River Road

Ohhh soo yummy!

Oh the excitement...ha!

Below is a shot of the little coffee house.

Next door they have the sweetest little shops.

Inside one of them had two of my favorite books.

I can remember reading this one to my baby dolls...

In a Cajun accent of course ;)

This books just plain makes me laugh.

It's so true here.

Another shot of Houmas House all decorated for the Christmas season.

Beautiful!

One of our traditions here is the bonfires on the levee.

The levee is this dirt wall to hold back the Mississippi when it spills over.

The bonfires are built to light the bayou for Papa Noel.

This way he can see to deliver all the goodies ;)

Most of the bonfires are built in the traditional fashion but some sport neat themes.

A little cabin like this one above  was built in memory of a lost loved one.

It looks like it may rain tonight so many were preparing theirs with diesel and paper.

This one was built to replicate an air boat.

A 4x4 truck here.

They don't look all that big but trust me...

some of these are many stories high!

It never gets old riding down the road to a view like this.

Oh the anticipation of tonight!

As soon as the sun sets the signal is given and all the bonfires are lit.

The homes on the opposite side of the road were already lined with families.

Gumbo pots over burners were getting a head start.

And finally...

This stop always make my Christmas Eve drive complete.

Below is the Manresa House of Retreat.

It was once a school that my Grandpa attended.

HUGE!

Every year they set out the manger and it is just perfect.

They are all life size and it just takes my breath away.

Do y'all have Christmas Eve traditions?

xo Susie