Category: New Orleans

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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.

  • Dinner at the Ball

    Yesterday, I shared my experience of being in a Carnival Krewe and riding in a parade. Today, I wanted to show you some of the tables from a Masquerade Ball. This is a fun event with everyone dressed so elegantly in their ball gowns and tuxes. Masks are required and must be worn until dinner.…

  • Let the Parades Roll!

    We are in the full swing of Carnival here in New Orleans. The beads are flying, the bands are marching, the floats are rolling, and it is truly something incredible to behold. As I mentioned in a past post, I was lucky to get to be a part of the  fabulous Mystic Krewe of Nyx…

  • Beautiful City Park of New Orleans

    One of my favorite things about living in New Orleans is taking the opportunity to be a tourist in my own town. There are so many things to see and do. I also love watching visitors enjoying this unique city. One of the places that locals enjoy is City Park. It is also visited by…

  • Bird of Paradise – It Finally Bloomed!

    I wrote some time ago (before I moved to New Orleans) about my bird of paradise plant. When I got the plant, it was with the knowledge that it may not bloom for up to 7 years. Sooo, I have nurtured this plant and moved with this plant (and broke the pot it was planted…

  • Mardi Gras Jambalaya

    Mardi Gras Jambalaya

        Mardi Gras Jambalaya Print Recipe Good and easy to put together with whatever you have on hand. I had andouille sausage, smoked sausage, and some leftover ham. CourseRice and Pasta Servings 6 people Servings 6 people Mardi Gras Jambalaya Print Recipe Good and easy to put together with whatever you have on hand.…

  • Let Carnival Begin!

    So this Wednesday is January 6th which is the date of Twelfth Night, also known as Epiphany. In New Orleans, it is the official beginning of Carnival season and we kick it off with a few parades and parties and the consumption of King Cake. Twelfth Night is the end of the Christmas season and…

  • Sugar Bowl 2016

    Lots of people visit New Orleans for various reasons. One of those reasons is to watch your favorite team compete in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. This year, we will be welcoming fans of the Oklahoma State University Cowboys and the Ole Miss Rebels. It looks like the weather will be a bit…

  • New Orleans “French” Bread

    New Orleans French Bread …served at fine dining establishments and hole-in-the-wall poboy spots… is crispy on the outside and soft as air on the inside. For home, I love the version that the local grocery store, Robert’s (pronounced Roe-bears), makes. Leidenheimer’s bakery is famous for their version. Driving by their bakery when they are baking…

  • French Quarter Fest

    The French Quarter Festival is the intro to New Orleans’ jam packed spring season, and of course we were there!  In its 30th year, it’s the largest free music festival in the southeast.  We hit the event rather late on its Saturday afternoon.  With rain the day before and more predicted, a whopping 303,000 people…