That's what we've been told down here is the reason for a celebration of some kind every weekend. I've really not seen much in the way of January blahs here, but really more of a catching our breath between Christmas and Mardi Gras. We left our Louisiana Christmas tree in place, transformed with beads and lights that remind us that there's a big party on the way. A trip over to the city today to celebrate my 39th birthday (again!?) met with the usual great people-watching and fabulous food. Why is it that the 25 mile journey across the bridge seems like we've taken a short bridge over to a new country? Church at Christ Cathedral on St. Charles Ave. was so very special (even if we were late, as always, for church). Afterwards, we socialized a bit with a really neat couple who just seemed larger than life for their ages. Bob and Jan Carr. After google-searching them back home, we've learned they have been involved in New Orleans radio and TV for decades with their own talk shows. They even out-talked me! I really hope I'm half that cool when I'm their age!
Our first ever visit to Commander's Palace was all that we'd expected and more. I still can't tell you what my favorite food was today. Duck and Oyster gumbo, turtle soup, shrimp w/tasso, stuffed quail with pepper jelly/chicory glaze, creme brulee, bread pudding....well...again, it's all about the food. I left my table knowing I'd been to one of the city's famous restaurants. It's now 10:30 and none of us have even mentioned being hungry tonight.
Speaking of food, king cakes are still messing up our dieting plans, but crawfish are in now so that's a great little low-calorie delicacy for the week's menu. I can cook 'em in my new huge stockpot that Santa brought (yes, huge) over my new birthday gas burner. I can even cook in the rain with my new birthday stylin' rubber boots (another necessity down here). Bayou girls love their boots, so the love for boots that was passed down from my mom just fits right in. Leather, suede, rubber, heels, flats, it doesn't matter. It's boot season around here.
Kids and Paul will enjoy MLK day and I'll be at work. I'm learning so much so fast and it's so fun that I'm really not complaining about missing this holiday. Did you know that those platforms out in the Gulf have names? Enchilada, Longhorn, Blackbeard, etc. Another whole new world for me to explore.
I'm dusting off my mask and workin on my best 'Throw me somethin' mister!' The kids have no idea what kind of fun is just around the corner. I can hardly wait myself!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Hillbillies OFF the Bayou...and Mom Jumps Back Into the Workforce!
2009 is here and it seems the whole world is hoping for an improvement over 2008. Down here in south Louisiana, the king cakes are rolling out just in time to trip us up as we do our best to keep our health and fitness resolutions, and our Christmas tree has been transformed into a Mardi-Gras tree for the upcoming winter months. The humidity has Ellie Grace's hair looking fabulous along with her 'metal-free' smile, while all the hairspray in the free world won't do a thing for mine. Our favorite Colts are now out of the playoffs, so we can focus on our second favorite Titans. We're proud of Vanderbilt, but miss seeing the Vols in a bowl game. Thank goodness for Pat and the Lady Vols so that we can still feel the orange blood pumpin' in our veins.
Ellie's made her stage debut in Lousiana in 'The Nutcracker'and then we packed up the animals and the rest of the sleigh and headed north...and further north. Santa found us in Winchester, but after the stockings were empty and the eggnog sucked dry, we drove to Ohio for more family, fun, skiing, and yes, some very emotional moments as we visited Paul's mom and found her health failing even worse than we had prepared ourselves for. Words cannot describe the helplessness that we feel, particularly living so far away right now. Life comes at you fast, and sometimes it's the family moments that can leave you mad, sad, and glad all at once as you try to find your way in the world.
Today find us all back on a schedule. The kids returned to their 'day jobs' at school, Paul returned to his ever challenging project, and I started a job at an oil and gas engineering consulting firm just minutes from the house. Real engineering...no safety net. Scary but fun, the day flew by as I brushed off some skills that I hadn't used since college. Can't wait for my first helicopter ride out to the rigs in the gulf! Yee-hah!
Jacob's LA stage debut should be this spring, as he has made it thru the first screening for the Talented Theater program at his school. Production of Fiddler on the Roof...we've done that one before! Zeke's driving lessons continue on Dad's old Datsun 510 when we're in TN. He's about got the clutch thing figured out. He's surfin' the net in search of an old 'Z' car...the only object of his affections that we can see evidence of so far.
A choice few lines from a 2009 Blessing Prayer by W S Coffin reads:
'May God give you grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love;
So may God take your mind and think through it;
May God take your heart and set it on fire.'
I liked it. I had to share it. Enjoy and have a blessed year!
Ellie's made her stage debut in Lousiana in 'The Nutcracker'and then we packed up the animals and the rest of the sleigh and headed north...and further north. Santa found us in Winchester, but after the stockings were empty and the eggnog sucked dry, we drove to Ohio for more family, fun, skiing, and yes, some very emotional moments as we visited Paul's mom and found her health failing even worse than we had prepared ourselves for. Words cannot describe the helplessness that we feel, particularly living so far away right now. Life comes at you fast, and sometimes it's the family moments that can leave you mad, sad, and glad all at once as you try to find your way in the world.
Today find us all back on a schedule. The kids returned to their 'day jobs' at school, Paul returned to his ever challenging project, and I started a job at an oil and gas engineering consulting firm just minutes from the house. Real engineering...no safety net. Scary but fun, the day flew by as I brushed off some skills that I hadn't used since college. Can't wait for my first helicopter ride out to the rigs in the gulf! Yee-hah!
Jacob's LA stage debut should be this spring, as he has made it thru the first screening for the Talented Theater program at his school. Production of Fiddler on the Roof...we've done that one before! Zeke's driving lessons continue on Dad's old Datsun 510 when we're in TN. He's about got the clutch thing figured out. He's surfin' the net in search of an old 'Z' car...the only object of his affections that we can see evidence of so far.
A choice few lines from a 2009 Blessing Prayer by W S Coffin reads:
'May God give you grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love;
So may God take your mind and think through it;
May God take your heart and set it on fire.'
I liked it. I had to share it. Enjoy and have a blessed year!
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