A Southern Life: my take on traditions, food, sights and more.

  • Happy Mardi Gras!

    Happy Mardi Gras!

    Everywhere else it is just Tuesday, but not in New Orleans! Here is a little bit about Mardi Gras and Carnival and Krewes and parades and well, the whole mystical, magical, crazy, fun season. Oh, and don’t forget the music! A Little Background The Carnival season begins on January 6th which is known as Twelfth…

  • Perfect Pie from Lord of the Pies

    Perfect Pie from Lord of the Pies

    I have known Chris Robbins for as long as I can remember. We go way back to when we lived on the same block as pre-schoolers. We grew up in the same little city of Ada, Oklahoma. We have both left our little home town but, I enjoy keeping up with what is going on…

  • Tiptoe Through the Tulips

    Tiptoe Through the Tulips

    The beautiful tulips at City Park reminded me of a table that my mother set using her “tulip dishes.” They are actually called Blue Rhapsody and they are by Mikasa.

  • Taking a Leap

    Taking a Leap

    On the last leap year, I wrote a post telling you about taking a leap of faith and moving to New Orleans. I showed you a few of my favorite things about New Orleans. Those things haven’t changed, but I have added so much to them. This is a fascinating city that makes it hard…

  • Lovely Lagniappe

    Lovely Lagniappe

    Who doesn’t love a little lagniappe? It is always nice to get (and give) a little something extra, which is the definition of lagniappe (pronounced lan-yap). Recently, I received a lagniappe from the lovely evening out at Le Petit Salon. If you read that story, you may remember, the oysters that were shucked and served…

  • Pan Roasted Oysters

    Pan Roasted Oysters

    Buttery, herby oysters, sautéed and roasted under the broiler.

  • Historic Plantation on the Market

    Historic Plantation on the Market

    This morning, I ran across this story in the New Orleans Advocate about the historic, Woodland plantation in LaPlace, Louisiana going on the market. What an interesting story it is! This plantation home, built in 1793 has fallen into disrepair in recent years and is looking for a new owner, who can restore it to…

  • A Secret Salon in New Orleans

    A Secret Salon in New Orleans

    The French Quarter in New Orleans has so many secret little courtyards and hidden jewels. One such jewel, that I am showing you today, is Le Petit Salon. If you have visited in New Orleans, you probably have walked right past and never knew it existed. Le Petit Salon is a ladies organization that was…

  • Valentine’s Day Wishes

    Valentine’s Day Wishes

    Happy Valentine’s Day! Love Much 🙂

  • Chargrilled Oysters For Your Valentine

    Chargrilled Oysters For Your Valentine

    Looking for a delicious and easy treat for Valentine’s Day? What could fit the bill better than some buttery, garlicky chargrilled oysters. Oysters are supposed to be an aphrodisiac, are they not? Okay, the garlic may cancel a bit of that quality out. But, these are delicious to share with your sweetie or even to…

  • Chargrilled Oysters Recipe

    Chargrilled Oysters Recipe

    Oysters grilled with butter, garlic and loaded with flavor.

  • Brunch on the Porch

    Brunch on the Porch

    The weather is beautiful here and I couldn’t resist setting up a Valentine-y brunch on the porch.

  • Happy Carnival

    Happy Carnival

    Mark Twain observed, “… I think that I may say that an American has not seen the United States until he has seen Mardi Gras in New Orleans.” It’s Monday morning in New Orleans and this Monday that means Lundi Gras! In the blink of an eye, Carnival will be over. In most places, tomorrow…

  • Yummy Yakamein – aka Old Sober

    Yummy Yakamein – aka Old Sober

    Sometimes called, “Old Sober” because of its reported ability to cure a hangover, yakamein is a yummy stewed beef soup, served over noodles and garnished with a boiled egg and sliced green onions. Hungover, or not, this is a tasty soup that can be made ahead and assembled as needed.

  • Yakamein Soup (Old Sober) Recipe

    Yakamein Soup (Old Sober) Recipe

    Stewed beef and noodle soup that will cure what ails you!