Lafayette Style
(Alligator wearing a fez and sporting beads at Prejean's)
New Orleans Style
(Buskers a few weeks ago on Royal Street)
Natchitoches Style
(At the Krewe of St. Denis Ball)
And Jefferson, Texas Style!
(King Cake for Mieko and Garys party and The Children's Mardi Gras Parade celebrated yesterday)
Where ever you are in the world my friend, I wish you a Happy Mardi Gras!
xox
Constance
There’s something magical about the intense blue skies of New Orleans, Louisiana around the month of December. It is powerfully beautiful!
One holiday season (many moons ago), I recall dropping down to the Crescent City on Southwesten Airlines, when my parents lived there and being blown away by the pristine beauty of that intense sky.
Something happened that moment, the way the blue infused into me and I will never forget that experience.
Luckily, I’ve had the chance to enjoy Nola during subsequent Decembers and still revel in that same exquisite Sky Blue feeling. A treasure to hold in my heart.
Sometimes life can be perfect, seemingly run so smoothy, without any glitches. That’s how the past few days have felt for us. Maybe life has a way of handing you that gift, after you experience hardships? Who can say?
Will drive for food. Not Lazy!! That’s my husband and my motto. Typically we give each other the gift of dining out instead of other gifts.
During this trip, you might say we scored a 'culinary home run' ! On a scale of 1 - 10, our food experience was a 12!! If you have had the pleasure of eating out in this fair city, you know what I’m talkin’ about.
The unique history of melding many food cultures together, resulted in it’s own unique and fantastic cuisine. One, that's in a class of it’s own. I admire greatly the chefs of New Orleans for carrying on the tradition, and bringing it forward with modern and delightful twists. But great food can be found throughout the state of Louisiana, where people love to eat and aren’t shy about using their spices or having a good time!
Above image from Criollo, the new restaurant at Hotel Monteleone
So now it’s almost Christmas and I can’t believe that it has arrived so quickly!
Over in the past four years, we’ve invited our friends over for dinner on the 25th, and this year will be no exception, but now my mother won’t be with us.
I heard her speak to me in my mind a few days ago. Has that ever happened to any of you? It was a good thing, a happy gift.
For our party, Meiko offered to bring the turkey and we were ecstatic, as hers is super great! She brines her bird in saltwater, cider vinegar and brown sugar for sixteen hours. It makes the most tender turkey (not sweet or sour as the brine ingredients may suggest)!
I’m going to make everything else, which will kick my creative imagination into gear & pronto!
Thanks for taking the ride to New Orleans with me.
HOPE EVERYTHING IS HAPPY FOR YOUR HOLIDAYS, IN YOUR NECK OF THE WOODS and THAT YOU CAN FEEL SOME PEACE TODAY!
LOVE,
CONSTANCE
Here in a tiny cafe we sat nursing our coffee w/chicory, my husband and I and perk our ears we did, catching fragments of the unique New Orleans accent. Did you know that New Orleanians and New Yorker’s have a similar dialects? My mother has lived in both places and tells me she has heard that they were both influenced by German immigrates.
Shop fronts and wrought ironed balconies are festooned with purple, green and gold bunting, all glamed up.........it’s Carnival! The Mardi Gras season began on the Twelfth Night, and the celebrations becomes more and more exciting, with parades and balls beginning this weekend and running though Fat Tuesday. The festivities will end as lent begins, on Ash Wednesday. Streets are magically cleaned and the next day life goes on with the only evidence of the merriment, are strands of beads suspended from high trees and telephone wires. People in Louisiana, take their celebrating seriously, it’s a part of their culture and a spirit that you can feel in the air.
We meandered along the uneven cobble stoned sidewalks of the French Quarter. The backdrop was stunning blue skied days, punctuated by the glorious long shadows of winter. A slight chill is still in the air, but easily avoided by crossing over to the sunny side of the street.
Inspiration Galore!
A super discovery, was happening into Masquerade, the BEST mask shop in New Orleans. Each and every mask in this gallery is handmade. Meeting the vivacious owner, Marian (above) was a true bonus. She's an entrepreneur extraordinaire, as her shop features thirty-eight mask maker artists, from all over the U.S.
There’s also a nice selection of Venetian carnival masks not to be missed. It was fun and exciting hanging out and watching people try on different masks, reminding me of the days I worked for a milliner, how fascinating it was to see customers try on different hats and identities.
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On the way back we stopped by Gambino’ (famous for their Doberge and King Cakes) to pick up few. A sweet ending to a happy few days away, together.
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Hope you enjoy seeing and hearing about another part of the world because I do enjoy seeing yours!
xox
Constance
One of the best things about New Orleans is that it's the nearest place to where we live, where anything goes. Meaning: people can express themselves and be who they choose without worrying about what others think. No one looks twice or cares what you look like or what you are wearing and let me tell you, here you will see it all! It's been my experience, that port cities collect such a fine and colorful assortment of people from many cultures, all walks of life. I feel right at home and most myself in these places. Needless to say, there are characters aplenty and where else might you discover a life sized plastic virgin waving and blessing passers by from her balcony stationed above? It just seems apropos in the French Quarter.
There were other balconies that caught my attention. Peace Ya'll! Wish I could have caught this one, all lit up at night!
We bumped into three bands featuring 4 string banjo players (even a girl banjo player) and THAT would have made my father very happy, yes indeed! The instrament on the right is called a gut bucket. We used to have one of those. I know, I know, crazy but true!
There was a most excellent looking super red door that jumped out at me...
and this curious mannequin representing what? Who knows?
An elegant detail from the most gorgeous Supreme Court Building on Rue Royal caught my attention.
I must conclude by divulging a little secret about two of the most exquisite shops called 'Oh!'. The proprietor of these fine establishments is an extremely creative and tasteful man named Sandy Thigpen. The boutique on Royal reminds me of entering into a fantastic fairytale. It took my breath away being surrounded by the colorful dresses, sequined headdresses, fashionable chapeaux, the soft silk curtains dividing two rooms, not to mention the French boudoir dolls holding court upon two armories. A magical confection of a shop, yes! *Best yet, Mr. Thigpen owns two places in the Quarter, both specialize in Vintage Couture and fine lingerie and both called Oh!
In his second shop you will not only find more pretties, but meet the stylish and a most friendly lady named Marina.
Oh! Check it out! It's ooh la WOW!
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Oh! 829 Rue Royal / 504.524.8807 (Sandy)
Oh! 330 Chartres St. / 504.525.8880 (Marina)
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Hope you've enjoyed coming along for your stroll in the Quarter!
xox
Constance
Miss New Orleans is currently making her way to the vernissage at the Galerie dans la Cave in Cadrieu, France. Laury of Soar Dream France has masterminded the show:
I Know what it Means to Miss New Orleans
The curator lived in the Crescent City for many years, but fled to France during Katrina and made Cadrieu her new home after the storm. We met a few years ago though the magical world of blogging and our mutual appreciation for New Orleans. We hope to meet one day in real life, but in the meantime she has met one of my friends, Katia in Germany. It is indeed a small and wondrous world.
On the reverse side of the assemblage you will discover a hand written scroll with words that are quintessential New Orleans. If you've lived there or visit often, you will probably know many. If not, you must one day discover what they mean for yourself!
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Antoine's Chicory Cafe du Monde The Carousel The Brennan's Lucky Fava Bean Beignets Boudin Hurricane Beads "Hey Mista' throw me some beads"!! "Darlin" "I know that's right"! Commander's The Mississippi Lagniappe Mirliton Krewe's Montelelone King of Rex Streetcar Bourbon Street Herbsaint Absinthe Crawfish Etouffe Jambalaya Snowballs Fillet Gumbo Vieux Carré The Quarter Jackson Square Jazz & Heritage Fest Tulane Zulu Zydeco Turtle soup Kermit Ruffin's Louis Armstrong Voodoo Marie Laveau Ersta ~ Oyster Magazine Stree Central Grocery Muffalatta Brunch Ursline Pontchartrain Poboy Harrry Connick Jr. St. Patrick's Day Parade Tipitina's Pat O'Brian's Garden District Uptown Lee Circle Tabasco Crescent City Daubloons Olive Salad Bayou St. John Sazerac Big Easy Croissant D'or King Cake Grits n' Grillades Chicken Pontalba Adelaide Brennan Pascals Manale B.B.Q Shrimp Crawfish Monica House of Blues Napoleon House The Buddy Bolden Band Neutral Ground Dirty rice Wrought Iron Fences St. Charles Fleur de Lis The Saints Good Mojo Masks Humidity Katrina Riverboats Mardi Gras French bread Zydeco Hangover Party Saint Louis Cathedral Rue Royal Buskers Jean Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Laissez les bon temps rouler St. Louis Cemetery Zombi Pirogue Gambino's Doberge Creole Cajun Blue Dog Abita Galatoire's parade watching ladders Gris Gris Alvin Alcorn "Yeah you Right"! Jazz Funeral
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Have a wonderful & creative week and don't forget to let the good times roll!
xox
Constance
Dear lovely friends,
Right this moment I'm trying something I've never done before!! Writing a post on a laptop computer and it is blowing me away!!
We're back from New Orleans where is was sizzlin' hot but BIG FUN anyway. Above, a portrait of Marie Laveau at the Historic Voodoo Museum.
It's a small museum but quite interesting. Voodoo dolls are displayed in the Gris Gris Room. But the Altar Room and the Historic Hallway are fun to check out too.
Another discovery was Gallery Orange at 819 Royal Street. I met the cool owner, Tracy who sells the whimsically wonderful paintings of Sarah Ashley Longshore.
Gallery Orange also features other paintings, some by Guus Kemp a local Dutch artist and a nice collection of realistic and dreamy oyster shell paintings by Carlos Lopez. The paintings in the gallery and the owner both make me happy.
Further along in the Quarter, a nice detail from Restaurant Tortorici.
Little lovelies from Sucre on Magazine Street.
A chotchkie from the Krewe of Zulu spied at an Antique shop along magazine. My parents once attended the Zulu Ball, lucky them.
Buskers playing "You are my Sunshine"...... Love it!
Last, since it's been awhile since I've posted, here's what I've been working on! Some puppet heads are officially and finally in the works.
Hope you are ALL well!
xox
Constance
I ♥ New Orleans!
In the French Quarter, a bathing beauty spied during a courtyard renovation.
Hot sauce Galore!
Saluting The Hotel Montelone ~ A class act!
And inside the revolving Carousel Bar
These are the whimsical sconces, flanking the walls around the Carousel Bar.
Gnocchoi and panceta and grape tomatoes at Herbsaint~ A gold star restaurant!
An old sign for "The New Drink", Ginger Mint Julep. Sounds pretty good!
One of the fabulous passageways in the French Quarter, Court of Two Sisters.
The Central Market, where you can buy Muffalatta's and Italian specialties and delicacies.
Looking up at a flower clad balcony. Wrought iron fences are one of the signatures of old New Orleans.
The maid of Orleans, St. Joan of Arc, holding court at the corner of St. Philip and Decatur Streets.
Oysters at the Acme~
One of the things that amazes me about blogging, is that we have the opportunity to share different life experiences in various parts of the world with one another. For those of you who have never been to Nola, I hope you will get just a small glimpse of the unique magic of a city I adore! Visiting New Orleans fills my inspirational cup with delight and I look forward to going back next month to celebrate my birthday......but now that I've returned, I realize that Dorothy is right! There is no place quite like home, don't you agree?
Thanks for dropping by!
xox
Constance
Happy Energy
Smiles
Smart
Interesting
Confident
Creative
High Energy
Tolerates well under Pressure
Wife
Mother
Enjoys Family
Friend
Pretty
Foodie
Humorous
Open Minded
Takes Classes
Enjoys learning
Big Reader
Photographer
Generous
Thoughtful
Dignified
Positive
Grateful
Empathetic
Unique!!
It was a joy to meet Dutchbaby! She's all the above and it did not surprise me, not one bit. She was just exactly how I thought she'd be! And isn't it amazing the unique essence you discover while reading a blog?
Words and photographs are mighty powerful, don't you think?
Photo above: Thoughtful gifts from DB
Welcome 2011!
January is the month that makes life feel new with a pathway of possibility ~
Listen for a new song or an old song made new ~
Enjoy something delicious ~
Light a candle for a dear friend ~
Meet someone new under a beautiful chandelier ~
Take time to dance, even if it's alone in your own kitchen ~
See life through various sets of eyes~
Welcome the opportunity to create wonder and magic for a stranger ~
Buy a new cookbook or an old cookbook~
Take the time to celebrate a friend or loved one~
Be aware of your achievements, especially little ones for many small actions lead to big triumph's~
Embrace and celebrate these days of hope, for soon January will disapear into a memory and February will steal all her glory~
