Brought to you by:
The person who remembered her camera,
but forgot to charge her battery AND
didn't pack the battery charger, either!
You know how that made me feel,
all of you bloggers out there, don't you?
~;-{ ......................................
Still , I did snap a few pics
and was able to work up this post.
(above photo: Lee Circle at dusk
and Macarons from Sucré)
On the way down, 'les amis' took a
side trip off the beaten path, to check
out Breaux Bridge, Louisiana and we were
rewarded by discovering this charming
little town for the first time.
We dined on BBQ Shrimp
at Cafe Des Amis (above).
*Barbecue Shrimp is prepared with the head and shell on, cooked in a rich butter and garlic sauce. It is always served with New Orleans French bread, used to sop up the sauce.
Next, we sauntered down the street
and bumped into:
Lucullus Antiques
A highly regarded culinary antiques shop
with a flagship store on Magazine Street
in New Orleans.
The owner of Lucullus,
Patrick Dunne, is the author of ~
The Epicurean Collector:
Exploring the World of Culinary Antiques.
Mr. Dunne happened to be at his shop
this day, to our friends Sharon & Bill Stewart
(owners of "Stillwater Inn Restaurant")
great delight!
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About New Orleans:
We stayed at an apartment of of a good friend, who's place is located at the waterfront of Lake Pontchartrain. Much of this area was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. We drove around the worst parts, absorbing the destruction. Some of the roads are still war torn, there are boarded up homes, many cleared off lots for sale, but also there are houses that have been rebuilt. This community is slowly coming alive and being revived.
There WERE people out and about living and enjoying New Orleans, thankfully everywhere we went!
(photo above: detail from a wrought iron fence in the Garden District)
We drove to the French Quarter on Sunday evening. It looked lovely as ever. The weather was unseasonably nice (87°) as the sun set and not too humid.
It is good for the soul to wander around and take it all in. Absorbing the architecture, the history, the sounds, the intoxicating mix of people from all over the world, the flowers, the artists set up around Jackson Square, selling there work, and buskers play music on street corners. A sublime mix of life.
(Photo above: As the sun set,
in front of Jackson Square)
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On Monday morning, we parked on Constance Street and wandered around the corner to Magazine Street, one of the best shopping spots in New Orleans.
We devoted most of the day to strolling along different parts of a six mile stretch of boutiques, design stores, antique shops, restaurants, bars, boulangeries, small grocery stores, combined with interesting and old homes. It was heavenly!
The first thing I saw as I turned the corner
was this cool man wearing a construction kilt!
THIS was for sure worth one of my few
photos!! I asked if he'd like for me
to send him a photo, he said;
"Naw, I don't need a picture, I look
at myself in the mirror every morning". ;-)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~
The first shop we popped into was Fairy.
Aside from a great name, this boutique has a nice selection of clothing, shoes and jewelry. Elizabeth (the owner) was charming, can't you tell? Love the polka~dot awning too!
Next stop was , Pied Nu an elegant shop
filled with a gorgeous display of
home furnishings.
Upstairs, you will find a stunning collection of finery. One dress especially caught our attention, a breathtaking full length fitted caftan made of flowing white silk, a show stopper!
The Bead Shop is filled to the brim with every kind of beads imaginable, treasures from all over the world. Check out this hand beaded chair from Africa!
We walked by shops~
And went in shops~
Sharon tried on a chapeau.
While the guys had a beer.
We lunched at La Boulangerie,
at 4600 Magazine, next......
We found ourselves in the enchanted
world of Sucré !
And am I GLAD we did!
My kind of Heaven!
Sharon treated me to some excellent
gelato. She tried Chocolate with Raspberry
and Earl Gray Tea, I had Coffee!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
For Dinner:
we dined at:
Herbsaint was a total ten!! The ambiance,
the food, the service, all perfection.
A most memorable dining experience!
(Herbsaint Restaurant)
Hope could be felt in the air of New Orleans,
both by the people who live here and
those who were visiting! I wish her my
very best and look forward to coming back
soon. Won't you meet me one day here in the
Crescent City?
Thank you for your kind birthday wishes!!
This truly was a great one!
xox
Constance
(photos above: Birthday roses
and another gift I found on
my birthday in Nola, sweet!)
