Author: Emily Gautreaux

Happiest Countries To Visit

Are you looking for your next vacation destination? Why not consider visiting what this feature article from Travel + Leisure considers to be one of the happiest countries in the world? These positive and welcoming destinations from Travel + Leisure’s list are sure to leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. From stunning natural landmarks to mouthwatering restaurants, these countries offer something for everyone. In this blog post, we will explore the happiest countries in the world, including Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Iceland, New Zealand, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. So pack your bags and get ready for a happy adventure!

Norway

There are many factors that contribute to a country’s happiness, such as economic stability, social support systems, and quality of life. Norway consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world due to its strong welfare system and high standard of living. Norway is a country known for its stunning natural beauty, from the fjords to the Northern Lights. But what makes Norway truly unique is its focus on happiness and quality of life. In fact, it has consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world. One reason for this may be their emphasis on work-life balance. Norwegians value leisure time and prioritize spending time with family and friends over working long hours.

Denmark

Denmark, known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant culture, is one of the happiest countries in the world. The country boasts a high standard of living and a strong social welfare system that contributes to its citizens’ overall well-being. One of Denmark’s most notable landmarks is the Little Mermaid statue located in Copenhagen. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll along Nyhavn Harbor while sampling traditional Danish cuisine in some of the city’s best restaurants.

Denmark also offers ample opportunities for outdoor activities like cycling through lush green forests or taking a dip in one of its many pristine beaches. For those looking for something more laid-back, there are plenty of cafes and cozy shops where you can relax with a cup of coffee. The Danes are renowned for their positive outlook on life and their love for hygge (coziness), which makes it easy to feel at home during your visit. So if you’re looking to escape from the stresses of everyday life, Denmark might just be the perfect vacation destination!

Iceland

Iceland is known for its stunning natural beauty and unique landscapes, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking adventure and relaxation. The country is home to numerous glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, and waterfalls that can be explored on foot or by car. One of the most popular attractions in Iceland is the Blue Lagoon.This geothermal spa offers warm waters infused with minerals that are believed to have healing properties. Visitors can soak in the lagoon while admiring views of the surrounding volcanic landscape.

Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its stunning natural landscapes, delicious chocolate, and efficient transportation system. It’s one of the happiest countries in the world, ranking fourth in the 2021 World Happiness Report. When it comes to vacationing in Switzerland, there are plenty of options for outdoor activities such as skiing or hiking. The Swiss Alpsoffer some of the best ski resorts in Europe with breathtaking views. In addition to exploring nature, Switzerland has an abundance of restaurants offering traditional dishes like cheese fondue and raclette. Don’t forget to try their famous chocolate too! Switzerland is also home to several iconic landmarks such as the Matterhorn and Jungfraujoch.

New Zealand

New Zealand is a country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands, the North Island and South Island, as well as numerous smaller islands. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, New Zealand offers many exciting opportunities for outdoor adventures. New Zealand also boasts some great cities such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch which offer plenty of restaurants, shopping centers, and cultural experiences.

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Arkansas Adventures Await

Whether you’re a nature lover or a history buff, Arkansas has something for everyone. From stunning state parks to charming small towns, this hidden gem in the South is full of surprises. If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and unwind for a few days, this travel blog post from Southern Living has got you covered. Keep reading for the top picks for the best weekend getaways in Arkansas that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. So pack your bags and let’s hit the road!

There’s nothing like a weekend getaway to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. If you’re looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, look no further than Arkansas. This southern state is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the country with everything from the Ozark Mountains to the Ouachita National Forest; as there’s no shortage of natural beauty to take in. And if you’re looking for a little culture alongside the nature spots on your trip, Arkansas has  you covered; so whether you’re looking for a relaxing weekend at a spa or an action-packed adventure in the great outdoors, you’ll find it all in Arkansas. Here are some of the best weekend getaways in Arkansas:

Eureka Springs

Nestled in the Ozark Mountains is the unforgettable Victorian town of Eureka Springs. The town’s downtown district is registered on the National Register of Historic Places, and the rest of Eureka Springs is home to historical sites, including the 1866 Crescent Hotel & Spa and the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway. There are also many outdoor activities to enjoy in the area, such as hiking, biking, and canoeing, so there’s always something for you to get up to.

Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro is a charming small town located in the southwest corner of Arkansas. This historic town is home to many interesting shops, restaurants, and attractions, but the most popular attractions are Crater of Diamonds State Park, Diamond Springs Water Park, and Lake Greeson. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and water activities at the above locations, so with so much to see and do, Murfreesboro makes for a great weekend getaway destination.

Siloam Springs

The wonderfully refreshing natural spring waters of this town were once rumored to have medicinal qualities when the town was first settled, but nowadays they are still excellent at allowing visitors to relax and decompress from external stresses. When visiting Siloam Springs, many find refuge in surveying the creative businesses and restaurants found along the town’s Main Street and the 5-acre, mixed-use Memorial Park.

Ouachita National Forest

If you’re looking to escape and reconnect with nature, there are few better spots in Arkansas than the Ouachita National Forest. This massive forest spans over 1.8 million acres and boasts a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts. From hiking and camping to fishing and canoeing, there’s something for everyone in Ouachita National Forest.In addition to its many recreational opportunities, Ouachita National Forest is also home to some of Arkansas’smost beautiful scenery. With its towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and lush forests, it’s no wonder this place is such a popular weekend getaway destination. So whether you’re looking to relax or explore, make sure to add Ouachita National Forest to your list of places to visit in Arkansas.

Arkansas is a great place to explore and have fun on the weekends. Whether you’re looking for outdoor activities, relaxing spa treatments or something unique and cultural – there’s something to suit all tastes in this wonderful region of the United States. We hope this article has given you some ideas and inspiration as you plan your next weekend getaway! So pack your bags, grab a map, and enjoy all that Arkansas has to offer!

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Online Mathematics Master’s Degree at Nicholls Ranks Nationally

It was recently announced via this news release from Nicholls State University that the school’s online mathematics master’s degree was highly ranked among the top online master’s programs in the nation. Nicholls’ online mathematics master’s degree was ranked among OnlineMastersDegrees.org’s Top 31 Degree Programs, where it came in at number 21, placing it in the top 6% of the regionally accredited postsecondary institutions. According to the news release, the online mathematics program at Nicholls had earned this “top honors for overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success.”

As per the Department of Mathematics at Nicholls, “the faculty of the Department of Mathematics at Nicholls State University is dedicated to preparing students to adapt to the needs and demands of a technologically oriented society. This new Master of Science in mathematics is uniquely designed to serve teachers seeking professional development.”

The Department of Mathematics’s curriculum for their newer, educationally-focused Master of Science in mathematicsis designed to strengthen the content understanding of secondary math teachers enrolled in the program so that they are enriching their knowledge of logic, mathematics, and technology. In addition to these areas, the program also enriches their knowledge and understanding of curriculum and instruction methods.

In order to rank the online degree programs, OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD) analyzed over 7,000 accredited universities through the use of data that was pulled from the individual schools and from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. The data science team at OMD then applied a proprietary algorithm in order to rank all qualifying schools for each of the different master’s degrees specialities.

OMD had originally started back in 2020 in order to support online learning at the master’s level, so that the option could become more viable for those wanting to go back to school for a higher degree but might not be able to physically attend classes on a traditional campus. The site’s user-friendly interface and research-based content work together to assist students in finding scholarships, resources, financial aid, and to connect with accredited universities and colleges across the country. As a result, OMD has become a one-stop-shop for a potential prospective student’s cursory google searches when questioning how, where, and when they can apply for a Master’s degree program.

Because of this, it makes the online mathematics program at Nicholls State University all-the-most equipped to meet a prospective student’s inquiries and needs by being on this nationally-ranked list of the best online degrees in the nation. OMD’s list is accompanied with several resources to help a student decide if an online master’s degree is the right step for them, and this includes a list of the benefits of earning an online master’s degree in mathematics. Some of the benefits include: being able to advance in your career while studying, having the opportunity to learn advanced concepts, and setting yourself up in for the ultimate degree.

OMD also explains that with an Online Master’s Degree Program, you’ll be able to learn by writing, “every master’s in mathematics online program has a similar set of core courses that everyone needs to take at the graduate level. Beyond that, there are electives, which students can use to create a unique concentration or fit into a concentration already laid out by the school. Below are some of the more common courses you can expect to encounter. Keep in mind that some schools require a capstone project or thesis, while others require an examination. Students learn about the qualitative behavior of solutions on nonlinear differential equations, bifurcation methods, strange attractors and chaos, fixed pointed and periodic orbits. They also learn how these systems apply to fields like engineering, biology, physics, chemistry, and more.”

For more education-related information, click here.

Classic Louisiana Roast Beef Po’ Boy Recipe

There are few better Louisiana dishes than a classic roast beef po’ boy, and thanks to this delicious recipe from Louisiana Travel, you’ll always be a few steps away from enjoying one of the most legendary sandwiches of the south.

The roast beef po’ boy is a classic Louisiana sandwich that is thought to have gained popularity in the 1920’s and 1930’s, when French Quarter restaurants began serving it as a cheaper meal for workers. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that the roast beef po’ boy became a mainstream sandwich, when it was featured in national magazines and cookbooks. Today, the roast beef po’ boy is a popular sandwich at many Louisiana restaurants. This culinary delight consists of thin slices of roast beef, garlic mayonnaise, and pickled vegetables on a French baguette.

Ingredients

  • 4 loaves of 6-8 inch French bread, split lengthwise
  • 1 beef chuck roast, 2.5-pounds
  • 1 cup of beef stock
  • 1 cup of chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup of mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon of hot sauce
  • 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup of diced onion
  • ½ cup of diced carrot
  • 1 cup of shredded iceberg lettuce
  • 1 large beefsteak tomato, sliced
  • 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper

Directions

  1. You’ll begin this delicious, classic Louisiana recipe by cutting small cuts into your roast, about 3 inches apart. Be sure to take care and not pierce through to the bottom of the roast. You want the incisions to allow for the roast to “breathe” while cooking. Additionally, you should insert your garlic slices into the cuts to infuse the herb into the roast during the cooking process.
  2. Season both sides of the roast with both salt and black pepper. Then, take a large Dutch oven and place it over high heat. Heat your vegetable oil over high heat inside the Dutch oven until it’s spread throughout the bottom and close to smoking.
  3. Use kitchen tongs and carefully add the roast to the Dutch oven and brown it well on all sides. Once it’s evenly browned, remove the roast and place it on a plate while reducing the heat to medium.
  4. Add your diced onion and carrot to the pan, scrape up any roast bits from the bottom of the pan, and cook until the diced onion is tender–which should take approximately five minutes.
  5. At this point, add your browned beef chuck roast back to the pan. Pour your beef and chicken stock into the pan along with your hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring the contents of the pan to a boil.
  6. After the pan is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the Dutch oven. Simmer this for about 3 hours, until the meat is properly “fork tender.” Shred the beef with two forks.
  7. Lastly, use a spatula to spread mayonnaise on the cut sides of each loaf. Spoon your roast beef with gravy over the bread and top the loaves with lettuce, tomato, and any other preferred po’ bot toppings.
  8. Enjoy!

Note:

There are a few key toppings that really make a roast beef po’ boy shine. First, you’ll need some type of mayonnaise or remoulade sauce. This will act as a binder for all of the other ingredients and help to keep the sandwich moist. Other traditional toppings include shredded lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, and onions. You can use any combination of these that you like, but we think the classic combo is always a winner. And last but not least, don’t forget the hot sauce! A few dashes of your favorite Louisiana hot sauce will really take this sandwich to the next level.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Rediscovering Gretna, Louisiana

Welcome to Gretna, Louisiana – the charming town that’s often overlooked by tourists when visiting New Orleans, but true locals to the state of Louisiana know that this city has so much to offer those who choose to give it a chance. Thanks to this detailed guide from Travel + Leisure, you’ll be able to experience this hidden gem at its absolute best. Gretna offers a unique blend of cultural history, culinary delights, and laid-back vibes that are moving at a different pace than the streets of nearby New Orleans. From picturesque streets lined with colorful homes to delicious seafood restaurants serving up Cajun specialties, this small town packs a big punch.

First of all, Gretna is one of the state of Louisiana’s largest national historic register districts, and this is because the city is filled with culture, history, and intrigue. The architecture and landmarks found in downtown Gretna’s historic district tell quite the story. Gretna is a small city located on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Louisiana. It is an outer suburb of New Orleans, and it is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish. Gretna is known for its laid-back atmosphere, and it is a popular destination for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Easy. There are plenty of things to do in Gretna, and visitors will find that there is something for everyone in this charming city.

One such location is the David Crockett Firehouse, which is both the home of the Louisiana State Fire Museum and the nation’s single oldest continuously operating volunteer fire department. The Firehouse dates back to 1859 and even displays its 1876 steam fire pumper, “pride and joy,” that’s still kept in pristine condition.

Another historically rich spot is the Gretna Green Blacksmith Shop, which is a snapshot back in time in and of itself. This classic blacksmith shop is based on a historic Scottish shop with the same name, and it has since become a prime spot for locals to get hitched, matrimonially speaking.

If you’re looking to get a glimpse of railroad memorabilia, then you should check out “the red caboose,” also known as the home of the Southern Pacific Freight Depot and the Illinois Central Caboose Museum.  Additionally, you can stop by the German-American Cultural Center to learn about the state’s history of German immigrant contributions. As the above list of one-of-a-kind historic spots shows, Gretna is abound with niche and culturally-rich destinations that would otherwise go overlooked if you only sought out nearby New Orleans.

Gretna is home to some of the best food in Louisiana. From Cajun and Creole cuisine to fresh seafood, there’s something for everyone in Gretna. Gretna’s restaurants offer a taste of Louisiana’s unique culture and history. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, you’ll find it in Gretna at the following spots: The Red Maple, Gattuso’s, and Rivershack.

So when is the best time to visit Gretna? Spring and fall are generally considered the best times to visit New Orleans as the weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds than in summer. However, Gretna is a great year-round destination – even in winter, you can enjoy mild temperatures and festive holiday celebrations.

Gretna, Louisiana is a great place to visit for those looking for a laid-back and quiet experience outside of the hustle and bustle of New Orleans. From its charming small town atmosphere to its diverse cultural attractions, there truly is something for everyone in Gretna! No matter what your interests are, you’re sure to find plenty of activities that will keep you entertained during your stay. So if you’re looking for an alternative New Orleans vacation spot, be sure to add Gretna to your list!

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

Discovering What Oxford Has to Offer for Visitors

Nestled in the heart of Mississippi lies a hidden gem that exudes southern charm, rich history, and artistic flair.  Whether you’re a literature lover seeking inspiration from William Faulkner’s old haunts, a foodie looking to indulge in delicious Southern cuisine, or simply looking to soak up some Southern hospitality, Oxford has something for everyone. In this comprehensive travel guide from Southern Living, you’ll be able to uncover all the best spots that this small but bustling town has to offer. So grab your walking shoes and get ready to discover why Oxford is one of America’s most beloved destinations.

Oxford, Mississippi is an impressive hidden gem in the American South that is home to a thriving arts and culture scene, delicious southern cuisine, and a friendly atmosphere that will make you feel right at home. Whether you’re looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Oxford has something to offer everyone. From exploring the beautiful campus of the University of Mississippi to browsing the unique shops downtown, there’s no shortage of things to do in this vibrant city.

Nature & Outdoor Spaces

There are plenty of hiking trails in Oxford, Mississippi to explore. The city is home to the beautiful and scenic Lake Trail, which is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a morning jog. For those looking for a more challenging hike, the Tanglefoot Trailhead offers miles of trails to explore. Visitors can also take advantage of the many hiking trails at the nearby University of Mississippi.

Other popular trails in the area include the South Campus Rail Trail which is a loop that takes hikers through some of Ole Miss’s most picturesque scenery. Bailey Woods Trail and the Thacker Mountain Rail Trail are also great options for enjoying nature close to home. Finally, visitors can explore the nearby Holly Springs National Forest, which has more than 200 miles of trails to explore!

Where to Stay

There are a number of great places to stay in Oxford, Mississippi, whether you’re looking for a luxurious hotel, a cozy bed and breakfast, or something in between. The Inn at Ole Miss is a beautiful 4-star hotel located on the campus of the University of Mississippi. This is a great option if you’re looking for luxury accommodations and want to be in the heart of all the action.

If you’re hoping for a cozier experience, consider staying at Little Gables Bed and Breakfast. This lovely B&B is located just steps from the historic square in downtown Oxford. You’ll enjoy Southern hospitality at its finest here, with breakfast served each morning and plenty of tips on things to do in the area.

Where to shop in Oxford, Mississippi

There are many great places to shop in Oxford. Square Books: This local bookstore is a must-visit while in Oxford. They have an amazing selection of books, both new and used, and the staff is always happy to help you find the perfect book. Neilson’s: This shop prides itself on being “the South’s oldest continuously running store,” and it’s perfect for finding unique gifts for your friends and family.

Galleries to visit in Oxford, MS

There are many art galleries to visit in Oxford, MS. The University of Mississippi Museum is a great place to start. The museum has a wide variety of art on display, from traditional to contemporary. The gallery at the University of Mississippi is also worth a visit. It features rotating exhibitions of local and regional artists. Other galleries in Oxford include the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council Gallery and the Marshall County Historical Museum.

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