New Orleans Trip #3

So, I almost forgot I hadn't yet posted about our last trip to New Orleans.  It was our last trip of the semester and of course it fell immediately following Thanksgiving and immediately preceding our Christmas concerts at church...busy time.  Will had some really late nights leading up to the trip, so I got the unenviable privilege of driving...the entire way...by myself...while Will slept.  Blah.  But we made it safely, and I promptly went to bed upon our arrival.

This was the first trip so far that I went without a plan.  I had no definite idea of what I wanted to do.  Boy, do I know how to fill some time.  I wore myself out for not having a plan. 

I found my way to the Longue Vue House and Gardens in Mid-City. 
After perusing the house and grounds for a couple hours I went to the French Quarter to do some shopping and get some pictures. 

Saturday, after class, we went to the Krewe of Kringle parade on Canal Street before riding the street car to the Garden district and doing some walking down Magazine Street. 

Here's our trip in pictures:

Longue Vue House

Built in 1939, a local landmark. 
Interesting mix of antiques from all over the world and modern art.

 

Beautiful grounds with several water features and gardens.

French Quarter

One of my favorites of the Cathedral...I love the blue carriage.
We might have to take a ride next time. 

My other fav.

Parade

Complete with: noble NOLA police on elegant horses...

...sharply dressed high school bands showing some moves...

...tiny dancers in Santa hats...

 

  ...tiny, frightened horses in reindeer antlers...

...Elvis, in a Santa suit, on a scooter...Of course...

...floats...with beads, beads, and more beads...

...and a float with a crawfish as the star.

There's nothing like a parade in NOLA.  You can't believe how excited people get over anything being thrown from a float.  We enjoyed another good trip.  We're so glad to be going to school in a cool city, with plenty to explore.  Merry Christmas, Nawlins.  See you in February.

Food Finds - New Orleans

We like to eat.  There's no getting around it.  I have a serious taste for sweets and carbs.  My 6' 4" husband has a love for spaghetti, meat, meat, nachos, spaghetti, and meat. 

A lot of what we do when we are in a new place involves the local cuisine. 
With around 20 more trips to New Orleans in our future, and two meals per trip, I'm pretty sure we'll have a good handle on the local flavors and the places not to be missed.

On our most recent trip we visited The Gumbo Shop on St Peters St. in the French Quarter  and Nacho Mama.

The Gumbo Shop is about a block from the cathedral in the Quarter.  They serve Creole food which is less spicy than Cajun food.  The dining area is simple, with a slightly old world feel, and is very intimate.  If only based on our wait I could tell you that this is a local hot spot.  We arrived around 9pm and had to wait in the alley like entrance for about 20 minutes before being seated.  When we were seated, we were practically sharing a table with the couple next to us.  For this first time I stuck with simple and had red beans and rice with sausage.  Will had the combo platter with shrimp creole, jambalaya, and red beans.  It was good food, but a pretty substantial wait, even after being seated.  I would recommend it, but don't be in a hurry.

Night 2, Will's prof took us to Nacho Mama, not far from the seminary.  It's a casual atmosphere with big screens and a bar.  Will completely scorched his mouth with the unexpected spicy heat of the pulled pork nachos and I had fish tacos.  We enjoyed it enough, but probably won't be on our list of places to return to. 

These two meals were eaten with Will's profs and classmates, so after class let out on Friday night we decided to have a little date, just the two of us.  We found our way to Sucre on Magazine St. in the Garden District.  I can't help but saying, this one takes the cake for the weekend!  Fancy, handmade confections for reasonable prices in a hip setting, what more could you ask for.  With about 25 gelato choices, about 10 gourmet plated desserts disguised as works of art, a case full of individual chocolates, and the coffee and hot chocolate to accompany, it was difficult to decide what to get.  But when I saw dark chocolate and raspberry, I couldn't think of anything else.  A match made in heaven.  Will went for a slightly unconventional pairing.  His apple pie was topped with a cheddar and bacon crumble and was served with a scoop of butter pecan gelato. 



How pretty.  You too, babe!



Sooo me.  Rich, creamy, decadent.



My thoughts exactly.  MmmAzing.  :)

 Unfortunately, Will was underwhelmed with his apple pie.  The cheddar and bacon flavor didn't come through in the topping, so it wasn't as special as it first appeared.  However, the gelato was very good.  They had a carrot cake gelato that I might have to try next time.  I can say with no uncertainty, we will be visiting Sucre again in the very near future. 

To round out the trip we stopped at Central Grocery in the French Quarter on our way out of town and picked up a whole muffaletta for the road.  This is said to be where the muffaletta was invented.  Somebody must have put the word out because the line this time was out the door and down the sidewalk.  In the three times I've been, I've always had to wait, but never that long.  But it's well worth it.  I'm not a huge green olive fan, but the olive salad is very balanced, quite chunky.  The cheese is delicious.  This time the bread was slightly softer than before, and for me, that really put it over the top.  I doubt there will be a trip that we don't make a stop at Central Grocery. 



That completes our food tour for this time.  Much more to come.

Jamie

New Orleans.. the Background and Trip 1

A year ago, this weekend, Will took me on a getaway to New Orleans.  It was my first trip to "The Big Easy", and "easy" was exactly what we needed at that time.  Things at home were anything but, so the new scenery, cool air, and good food fit the bill.  To literally fit the bill, we stayed at the guest house at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. 

While there, Will expressed the feeling of a call to return to school and pursue his doctoral degree, but assured me it would not be at NOBTS. 

Fast forward about four months, we had hardly unpacked the last of the boxes from the move to our new home, and Will stumbled upon the new Doctor of Musical Arts degree at none other than New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He was quickly excited by the format of the program (long distance) and the content of the program (hymnology and music ministry).   Next thing I know we're in a race against the clock to turn in his application before the deadline at the end of that month.  This process also included studying for and taking the GRE.  By May, and by God's design, Will had officially been accepted to the DMA program. 

Let me remind you we are now living three times further from New Orleans and three times closer to Fort Worth than we were before.  Will received his MM from Southwestern in Fort Worth and at one time we believed that is where he would return to do his doctoral studies. 

However, the Lord had other plans, and at the beginning of this month, almost a year after our getaway trip, we made the first trip to campus for the in class part of the program.  This was just the first of many trips we will be making to NOLA over the next four or so years. 

I completely support Will in this new adventure.  I am thrilled that he is able to follow through with his dream and the call God has placed on his life.  I know for sure there is no better time than the present.  But, it is not without sacrifice on both of our parts. 

Our free nights and weekends (I sound like a cell phone ad), which were already somewhat few and far between, are now consumed with reading, paper writing, and musical analysis.  The monthly trip expenses require we tighten down on our budget a little more.  We've had to put some other things on the back burner.  Already, there have been some late nights and a very early morning. 

But, as much sacrifice it requires at this time, it could very easily require significantly more if we were at a slightly different place in life.  So, I'm thankful, and I am thankful that at this time I am able to make the trips with Will. 

While he gives presentations, listens to lectures and studies these...

I get to explore the city.  A few of my favorite shots...

Until next time,

Jamie