A Southern Life

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 Night or The Epiphany. You can read more about Twelfth Night here and here. This is traditionally when the Christmas season ends. Carnival is celebrated by many with parties and balls. In New Orleans, it is often “Krewes” that lead the celebrations. While the celebrations are ongoing throughout the Carnival season, they all culminate on Mardi Gras day
Read more…

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.

Read more…

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 to imagine living anywhere else. There is just no other place like it.

Here are some of my favorites from back then and some that I have added since.

Huge, old oak trees

Read more…

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 on in the courtyard of the Salon. These were served before the program and there were many left, so in the spirit of true hospitality, the wonderful hostesses insisted that we take some home. I was handed a container of at least a quart of plump, juicy, brine, freshly shucked oysters to take home! This is enough for my husband and me to make two generous meals.

First up – fried oysters on the porch (shown above) with my husband’s famous french fries.
Read more…

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 will be just another Tuesday. Here it is Mardi Gras, a major celebration. Schools will be closed. No mail will be delivered. Banks are closed. People, of all ages, will be outfitted in costumes and masks. The city is adorned with beads and doubloons and boas and funny hats and colored wigs.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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. Here is the beautiful ballroom, decked out for the ball. Notice the fleur de lis napkin folds and the beads along side each place setting. Also, the cute light up martini glasses are at each place and were given as a one of the favors.

Read more…

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 when I first moved to New Orleans. Nyx will roll Wednesday night. People have asked me about that experience. So today, I am sharing the experience of being a part of a Carnival Krewe and riding in a Carnival Parade.

Read more…

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 many tourists, and it is certainly worth the short ride on the streetcar.

City Park is a 1300 acre oasis in the heart of New Orleans. The lake and bayous that meander through the park afford visitors with the opportunity to see incredible wildlife, including swans, geese, ducks and turtles. I saw all of these on my recent visit. You will see beautiful oaks dripping with Spanish moss, colorful flowers and lush, tropical green plants. The park is home to botanic gardens, an amusement park, a putt putt range, the Big Lake with paddle boats and canoes. It is also the home of Morning Call where you can rest and refresh with cafe au lait and beignets.

Read more…

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 in during the move), and have patiently waited. I actually can’t even tell you how many years it has been, I lost count. It has probably been close to the full 7 years and now, finally, it bloomed!

These plants are tropical, so I kept it in a pot, but it apparently likes the semi-tropical climate of South Louisiana. Once the plant blooms, it will continue to bloom, with most blooms in late winter to early spring, (according to what I have read). Read more…

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 it is when, traditionally, the Christmas decorations come down – and the Carnival decorations go up.

Here are some scenes from around New Orleans on Twelfth Nights past . . .

The Phunny Phorty Phellows start their party at the streetcar barn and then take the party on the tracks as they roll down St. Charles Avenue. Thirty years ago, a group revived an old organization that had been active from 1878-98.

by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune

The King Cake is decorated with the traditional colors of the Carnival season. Purple represents justice; green, faith; and gold, power.

The parties begin . . .

The King Cake sets the mood for the celebration.

and then their are the balls . . .

Here is one of my favorite centerpieces:

Here is how to make it:

So, it begins . . . here we do – Carnival 2016!

Want to celebrate Carnival where you are? Get some King Cake mix and throw a party. There is a baby hidden in the cake and whoever gets the baby throws the next party and you just keep it going until Mardi Gras which is on February 9th this year.

Wondering where to get your Carnival supplies? Starting Wednesday, January 6th, check back here at asouthernlife.com. I’ll have king cake mix, beignet mix, carnival pins, beads, masks and more here for you to purchase. Can’t wait to open the new estore at A Southern Life!

What’s new where you are? I’m linking to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch today.

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 cool (50’s – 60’s) with the possibility of a little rain. That shouldn’t keep you from enjoying this beautiful city! There are plenty of things to see and do while you are here. There are many events planned for the Sugar Bowl and also events that are not related to the Sugar Bowl. You won’t even have time to notice the weather.

There will be fireworks over the Mississippi River and you can watch the fleur de lis drop over Jax Brewery at the NOLA New Year’s Eve 2015 event. It begins at 9 p.m. and is free and open to the public. It includes live music from: Like Winslow King, Cyril Neville’s Swamp Funk and special guest Big Chief Monk Boudreaux.

There are plenty of options for watching the fireworks as well as many other events going on. Check them out at NOLA.com.

Also, be sure to check out the French Market and Jackson Square and the obligatory beignet and cafe au lait at Cafe du Monde.

There is a great little bookstore on Pirate’s Alley where Faulkner used to live. If you love bookstores, be sure to stop by there.

One of my favorite places on Chartres Street is Lucullus. It is a culinary antique shop. So much fun to browse. I have a great absinthe spoon that I bought there years ago.

This list could go on and on and on. New Orleans is a city that saturates the senses. There is music everywhere you turn. The smell of amazing food is everywhere, albeit, occasionally interrupted by some not so great smells. Have fun, and follow some of these tips:

I recommend that you just avoid Bourbon Street altogether, unless you are going to Galatoire’s.

If you are going to Galatoire’s, jackets for men are highly recommended. This is the case for many of the lovely dining options in New Orleans. There are also many casual options as well. Just be prepared.

If you are drinking (and even if you are not), PACE YOURSELF! New Orleans has brought down many with its carefree attitude towards libations. Really, just pace yourself. ‘Nuf said.

If you are in the French Quarter, you will be approached by panhandlers. I always refer them to the New Orleans Mission or Ozenam Inn. They already know about these places where they can get food and shelter and help, but they would rather have cash instead. It’s your call, but giving them cash is not helping them… just sayin’.

Get out of the Quarter – take the St. Charles Streetcar and see the Garden District and Uptown. Take the Canal Streetcar out to City Park. It is one of the most beautiful parks in the United States. The New Orleans Museum of Art is located there. Check out Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo.

Check out the Pontchartrain Lake. Lakeshore Drive on the lake offers some great dining options with views of the lake.I recommend The Blue Crab.

Uber is a great way to get around the city for places that aren’t easy to reach by foot or streetcar. No need to carry cash. You sign up in advance and everything is handled without money changing hands. You can choose our driver based on reviews by other riders. If you haven’t signed up with Uber, you can use my code –  christiw103ue – to get your first ride free (up to $15), and I’ll get a free ride too!

Hope everyone has a fabulous time! If anyone would like to add other tips, places to see or ask questions. feel free to do so in the comments.

Love ya,

Christi

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 can cause you to swoon in delight. It is that good!

Should one even attempt to make this delicacy at home? Can it be done? For help, I turned to Julia Child, the grand dame of French cooking. According to her, in the US, we don’t allow our bread to rise long enough to develop an interesting flavor and character. She contends that French bread making should take a minimum of 7 hours. It is basically the same recipe as any other French bread recipe, but the rising times are at lower temperatures and last longer. Instead of doubling the volume on the first rise, we give it time to triple.

Okay, I’m getting ahead of myself. Below is her basic recipe with my adaptation of the instructions. She says to do this on a dry day – as if that ever happens in New Orleans! Maybe, that makes a difference. Humidity is just part of life around here, so we have to adapt. New Orleans is supposed to be the city that care forgot; so, I’ll slow down and give it a try.

First the ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour
• Yeast
• Water

That’s it. Very simple ingredients to make very good food. Take a day, and see if you don’t agree it is worth the time. Of course, most of the time is passive – while the dough is rising. You can even stop and put the dough in the refrigerator between any of the risings and pick it up the next day or so. Just don’t let it go past a couple of days.

For the recipe below, I actually added a bit of rosemary and shaped it into round loaves. Delicious!

The French Quarter Festival is the intro to New Orleans’ jam packed spring season, and of course we were there!  In its 30^th 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 were enjoying the beautiful day.  Our strategy was to avoid the crowds by patronizing the smaller bands, and we discovered some gems.

We love our festivals for the quirkiness, especially the people watching.  But music is the heart of the event, so here’s some samples.  Sorry I can’t give much attribution to the “unofficial” groups who play for the love of music and the occasional tip.

Here’s Doreen’s, a Dixieland band with soul.  The trombone player was a character!

Read more…