My birthday 2011

I got all kinds of great presents this year, I guess it was because I told everyone exactly what I wanted! Most of it was ghost hunting equipment. I also got a beautiful pair of earrings and an antique garnet ring. Last night we had dinner at Chateau Du Lac in old Metairie. It was wonderful. I had my first French 75 and it won't be the last. We both had the rich, beef broth-y French Onion soup, then shared the cheese plate and Belgian endive salad. He had the steak and I had the duck. For dessert (we were too full to eat it all) they brought out a ladyfinger/apricot/whipped cream shortcake kinda thing with a candle and sang happy birthday to me. Thank you to my sweetie for the lovely dinner and the surprise champagne.

Bayou Dularge

My partner in crime and I headed to the end of the earth this weekend. We left early, stopped in Chackbay for a photo op, then ended up in Bayou Dularge. We debated over driving across a very old wooden bridge and decided it would be best to park on the grass and walk across. Good thing we did because not three steps onto the bridge, Henry went down. A board was loose and Henry's leg went right through. He was ok thank God! So we continued on down the highway then it was time for lunch at Spahr's. The food is mostly fried stuff and seafood. The crab and corn soup was so creamy and full of crabmeat. We looked for gators in the bayou behind the restaurant but there were none to be seen. Not surprisingly, really, considering how hot it was outside.

Lumberton, MS

I love the country air. My partner in crime and I drove out to visit my dad. We always have fun, heck, usually we make whatever we are doing fun by being silly. We went to Campbell's and bought groceries cheaper than any store I have near my house, we drove around some back roads in Flat Top, MS and saw the cemetery up the street from my dad's. His squash, pears, blueberries, okra, etc. are almost ready so I see a return visit in my future. Here are some pictures.

Dauphin Island, Alabama

I have really done a great job with this vacation. As usual, I planned everything so we would barely have a spare moment to relax! The island is gorgeous, the water is clear and the food is fabulous. We had breakfast/brunch at the Lighthouse Bakery almost every day. Pelican Reef, Baudean's and Pelican Pub are great for lunch and dinner! We called in to get fishing licenses, they were $30 a piece, not $60 as reported in the rental house info book. We checked out the local parks and cemeteries and had planned to visit the dog track but it didn't happen. Too much to do!

Lunch at the Green Goddess

Went to the Quarter today because my sweetie was wanting some bangers & mash. I wanted to try a new dish, and I did. I had the duck confit hash with egg poached in seafood boil water. It's our new favorite dish. We both drank the Orange Julia, which is made with vodka, egg white and orange juice. The service was attentive and friendly. They are open late, which is great for tourists whose flights come in after the other restaurants close.

Maurepas WMA

We went on a trail new to us in the Maurepas Wildlife Management Area. It is beautiful back there. We saw many birds, berries, cypress and maple trees, flowers, animal tracks and lots of dragonflies. I highly recommend the trail. Here is the website for more info: http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/wma/2791 You can also go to www.ladayrides.com.

Hail storm and luck

I was stranded and could not enter my subdivision so I ended up at Chung's Bakery in LaPlace. They were closed but let me in. The owner made me some Korean sushi rolls and then gave me some dessert to take home. I had to rush out so I could get home while the water went down. When we finally were able to eat the desserts we were blown away. The cinnamon twist things and the chocolate chip squares next to them in the display case were FANTASTIC. My luck I was stuck and could not get home! Here is video of the hail storm: http://www.ladayrides.com/ then go to "hail storm"

Fun with Laura, Harold, Barbara and Henry!

Some visits are too short, especially when you live 32 miles from the action. I was so happy to see Laura & Harold. Barbara was a complete surprise but such a good one. We had lunch at Napoleon House, my favorite lunch spot with a beautiful courtyard in the Quarter. We sipped Pimm's Cups, had jambalaya, gumbo and muffalettas. Laura gave us an Alabama accent lesson which was a real treat. I giggle every time I watch the video. Afterward we peeked in a few shops then we parted because it was, after all, naptime. Visit Laura's website at http://fleurdelolly.blogspot.com for some gorgeous food pics and recipes included at no extra charge. :)

It's me again

I thought I'd try the blogging thing again for a while. Stay tuned for trips, recipes, festivals and more. As winter comes to an end I will try to post on here more often and hopefully entertain a few of you.