What a week I had...I can't even begin to say how much fun I just had in New Orleans. Not having internet or a cell was the best possible thing for me, not to mention being completely spoiled and taken care of. The girls and I really enjoyed ourselves and have many, many funny stories about being lost in translation even though we were still in an English speaking country! We have quite a few new words to add to our vocabulary!
Here are some of my highlights from the week.
The Food
Of course. Every meal we ate was one to remember. My favorite thing to do when eating at a new place is to ask what is the most delicious thing on the menu and just order it, even if it's something I wasn't "in the mood" for. I can't say I've ever been disappointed doing it this way.
Our first meal was at this little grocery store/deli. I'm not even sure what I ordered, because I just kept saying yes...but it was possibly one of the best sandwiches I've ever eaten. We ate them New Orleans style on the electrical box outside the shop.
One my favorite places in the US is at any Whole Foods Market. The first time I was in New Orleans (I was 11) we went to the Whole Foods Market quite a few times and I loved it. Ever since then whenever I've been to a city in the US I'll hunt one out. I was not disappointed by this one. It was huge and heavenly.
There were many other meals, each completely different and every one unbelievably yummy. They definitely know how to eat down there!
The View
Our hotel was right downtown and the view was amazing. Just wow. That's the Mississippi river there, and yes, I spent the week repeatedly singing "Mississippi Man/Louisiana Woman" by Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty.
My Travel Buddies
You can't go wrong with these two...
We spent the week laughing uproariously (maybe that was just me) at every little thing. I'm sure we drove our Uncle mad but he took it pretty well!
1st Class
The perks of having Uncles that travel weekly...we got upgraded! We probably should have just stuck to economy class because now we are ruined.
Oh, but it was worth it!
Green trees!
Self explanatory.
These Musicians
One the first day we happened upon this group of guys playing near a park. Annie Rose loved them. Whenever we could hear them playing, she would ask to go listen to them. They are pretty amazing.
Phew. There you go, a glimpse into our trip. It was the perfect amount of time, as day 5 rolled around I was ready to come home. We had a fantastic time and I would definitely list this holiday in my Top 5.
Have a great Monday, everyone!
On Thursday I decided spur of the moment to head out to Sage Garden Herbs on St. Mary's road, I absolutely love it there, and despite the cooler temperatures of late I needed a 'green' fix. When the lady asked if I needed help finding anything, I told her I was just here to see the plants. "Oh," she said "I know exactly what you mean!"
The meal turned out very well, it brought back some great memories to those who hadn't had a Nana meal for years, and was extra special for those of us who had never had one before. I'm sure she was looking down smiling that night!
Last summer I came across a recipe for salt water taffy, it was a very simple recipe with ingredients I mostly had in the house already. The recipe sat on the counter for a few days, then got moved to one of my recipe books and by that point I had totally forgotten my excitement in making such a treat. Yesterday I was organizing recipes and notes and came across the recipe, all folded up and tucked away. So, I seized the day. I gathered the ingredients and I just did it. I didn't think about things I could be doing that would help shorten my to-do list, I just played in the kitchen. Despite the fears that I added too much spearmint extract, and the fact that I started the project 40 minutes from when I was supposed to be meeting Zach, and that I started pulling the taffy when it was far too hot, resulting in some tender fingers, it made me happy to see the little candies wrapped up and ready for giving. 
