Staycation 2011 - Day 1 & 2

We opted for another staycation this year.  I thought I would share a few pics.

We took a trip to the Bonnet Carre' Spillway this weekend, the Spillway structure is 1 1/2 miles wide and the flow of water through the bays is amazing.

Angelo Brocato's

We brought along a picnic lunch, but made a quick stop at Angelo Brocato's for dessert.  We all opted for gelato - St. Joseph Chocolate Almond for me, Pralines and Cream for DH and Sweet Cream for DS.

The Greek Festival

Another quick stop at Whole Foods

Crossing Lake Ponchatrain on the way home.

The north shore of the lake much bluer,
but you can still see the effect of the river water.

The south shore of the lake - muddy from Mississippi river
water from the Bonnet Carre' Spillway

A quick dinner of grilled pizza -
lots of veggies for DH and me
and pepperoni and cheese for DS.

Oh, did I mention another quick stop at the LNS Acadian Corner

to pick up a little fabric and my first silk threads for a new project?

Day 2 was spent attending church, lunching at Olive Garden, a quick trip to the Home Depot, adding to our vegetable garden, watching DS run through the sprinkler and having burgers with grilled garden veggies for dinner.

Summer Vacation Has Begun!

We are in our first week of summer vacation and while our summer plans are very low-key, we are very much looking forward to enjoying this summer.

I am working on a special stitching project as a gift, so I cannot post any photos of my progress, but  I will be picking up a couple of WIPs later this week and will post my progress, meager though it may be.

Hurricane season starts June 1st, and we are praying for a very quiet season and that the recent devastating tornadoes are not an indicator of the season.

I have been grateful for the unusually cool Spring we have had this year, just a few weeks ago, we were dipping down into the 40s at night and experiencing highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s.  The last two weeks have seen more 90 degree temps and an increase in humidity. 

How ironic that we are in the middle of a drought, having received only 30% of our usual rainfall for this time of year, while, the diversion of the Mississippi River at the Bonnet Carre' and Morganza spillways are flooding some communities just hours away with up to 15 feet of water. 

The opening of the Bonnet Carre' spillway has inundated Lake Ponchatrain with river water.  The lake is now almost completely filled with river water, this is no small task.  I think this will ruin our plans to go fishing and crabbing this summer, it will also cause an algae blooms later in the summer.

Our garden is really coming along, we will be planting our second wave of tomatoes, eggplant and squashes to stretch out our harvest.  Since my first planting of chives, thyme, parsley and cilantro were a bust, I will give it another try.

Blueberries!

Genovese, Purple Opal and Sweet Basils

Our Watermelon Patch (with a broken tomato branch that DS is trying to root)

Creole Tomatoes!!

Cherry Tomatoes

Our first eggplant of the season!

There are a over dozen squash growing just this one plant.

Sweet Mint - I am tasting lots of mint tea this summer!

I am also making plans for our fall garden with broccoli, cauliflower, mirliton (chayote/vegetable pear), pumpkins, butternut squash and potatoes.

A Great Weekend, Followed by Media Monday #7

Friday

 

After a brutally cold, wet and dismal few days (did you know you could have snow flurries with thunder and lightining at the same time???), the sunnier and warmer weekend started off with Dinner and a Movie with my DS.

MENU

Despicable Me-atloaf

Vector Veggies

Moon Mashed Potatoes

Cinna-Minion Apples

Saturday

We attended Lady Lions Alumni Day at SLU and the ceremony retiring the jersey number of Robin Roberts.  She is just as wonderfully warm in person as she is on "Good Morning America".  Robin's family was there for the big event.  Her sister Sally Ann is a longtime anchor for New Orleans WWL-TV and lead everyone in singing "Happy Birthday" to their mother who made 87 that day.  I watched the clips on GMA this morning.  DS wanted me to let you know you can catch a glimpse of us as the camera pans across the crowd.

Sunday

I finished my Mardi Gras scarf before going to Mass and just in time for the first parade of the season.  The high temps just reached 60 and there was hardly a cloud in the sky.  We get another cool front tomorrow returning high temperatures to the 40s with another warm up for next weekend's parades.

We came home to some wonderful slow cooker BBQ pork sandwiches with beans and cole slaw on the side topped off with a slice of king cake I picked up from Nonna Randazzo's Italian Bakery and Cafe.  Though they do not use the traditional purple, green and gold decorations, their cake is yummy with maybe a little citrus peel (?) in the light, sweet dough.

On the Stitching Front

I have a huge project on my plate for the next 3 weeks, but I plan to set aside time each day to do a little stitching on my WIPs for the Flippin' January Challenge, so check back for and update.  I am going to kit up some knitting for a take along project (school pick-up, etc.) so I can have them all done by Thanksgiving for Christmas presents.

Media Monday #7

Here is a little of what I have been reading, watching and listening to:

 Sherlock - Season 1 - * * *

What would it be like if Sherlock Holmes lived in the 21st century instead of the 19th?  It is a fresh take on Conan Doyle's most famous character.

The Courageous Heart of Irena Sendler  - * * * * *

During the Nazi occupation of Poland, thousands of Jews were kept in ghettos, Irene and her collaborators placed Jewish children with Polish families.  She saved 2,500 children before she was turned in to the Gestapo.

Dr. Who - Season 1 - * * *

A quirky (and sometimes creepy) sci-fi trip through time and space.

I also finished The Sandbagger's series by watching Seasons 4 and 5 (I hate cliff hanger endings at the end of a series) and I have been reading cookbooks like novels - something about the cold weather just makes me want to read about food.

Stay warm and keep stitching!

King Me!

It is the start of Carnival season (beginning with the celebration of Epiphany on January 6th).  This will be the longest carnival season since 1943. 

Want to order your own king cake?  Here are links to a  few of my favorite king cake bakers that ship around the country.  Prices (including overnight shipping) are in the $40 - $60 range.  It is expensive (at least $20 goes toward the shipping), but well worth it and a medium king cake will feed a crowd.  The packages also include a little Mardi Gras lagniappe like beads, doubloons and cups.

• Manny Randazzo's  - https://www.randazzokingcake.com/ (my personal favorite)
• Haydel's Bakery - http://www.haydelbakery.com/
• Randazzo's Camelia City - http://www.kingcakes.com/
• Nonna Randazzo's - http://www.nonnaskingcakes.com/
• Frances Bakery - http://www.francesbakery.com/

King Cake Facts

• The original king cakes were simply cinnamon laced (traditional), the additions of fruit, nuts and cream cheese fillings were introduced about 30 years ago.  I prefer the traditional, but enjoy the praline and lemon (DS loves the apple).  Many love the cream cheese, but it is too rich for my taste.
• Early king cakes had a bean or ceramic baby/figure instead of today's plastic baby.  A popular tradition, if you find the baby in your slice, you must host the next party.  (Always check under your slice to check for the baby before you take your first big bite.)
• In September 2010, Haydel's Bakery set the Guinness record for the world's largest king cake by building a king cake that circled the Superdome (of course it was done in black and gold sugar).
• The Randazzo family bakery was a major local bakery, when the Randazzo parents passed, the children, grandchildren, cousins, etc. all opened their own competing bakeries with their "version" of the original king cake recipe.  They are all very similar, but in a side by side tasting they are subtlety different - but all delicious.)

Did I whet your appetite for more New Orleans food?  Planning a trip to New Orleans and want to know where to eat?  Check out local food critic, Tom Fitzmorris' blog http://www.nomenu.com/joomla1/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=184&Itemid=77

Skechers Moonrock Sandals
Photo from Skechers website

 Guess I will have to purchase some new toning shoes and clothes to help offset all those king cake calories. ; )  

I purchased the Sketchers toning sandals last summer and they really did work - I recaptured a little of the tone in my calves, thighs and butt without any additional effort other than wearing them during my ordinary daily activity - they were also very comfortable for running errands or working at home.  It gives you an extra boost even if you make no extra effort.  I am planning to buy a pair of the walking shoes and begin walking with DS while he begins his cross country conditioning.  I am currently researching various brands, including Reebok, Avia and New Balance.



Life is Good! (Photo Heavy)

Sampler by Rebecca Scott, dated November 1, 1790:

Two things, the needle and the book we find,

help to accomplish all the female kind.

The shineing needle draws the fine spun thread

bedecks the person and adorns the head.

Since neatness gives the charms that all commend

The needle is the female choiest friend."

Well,  my needle is my "choiest" friend this week.  I have not had much time to stitch, but the small momemts I have struggled to find have been precious indeed.  I have not had much time to read lately, but I have several books on the nightstand just waiting for me to make time for them. 

The weather this week could not be better for stitching and reading.  We have switched from higher than normal temps to lower than normal temps.  We had near freezing temps for a short time during the last two nights.  I hope to crank up the oven this week to do some baking.

Well my birthday present from my DH and DS has arrived, they are both so wonderful, I am very blessed to have two such wonderful and thoughtful guys.

New linen (1/8 yard each)

28 count Country French in Cappuccino

28 count Country French in Antique Gold
32 count Belfast Linen in Putty
32 count 100% Linen in Tumbleweed



Buttermilk, Cidermill Brown,
Crystal Lake, Liberty,
Old Hickory, Onyx, Rhubarb,
Schoolhouse Red, Wrought Iron,



Avocado, Blueberry, Cherry Wine,
Cranberry, Dark Chocolate,
Gold Leaf, Mulberry, Nutmeg,
Oatmeal, Peacock,
Pink Azalea, Tarnished Gold,
Tropical Ocean



    New threads from The Gentle Art

from the Simply Shaker and Sampler Threads collections.

New charts

A Baby A Manger (c) 2010

by Cherry Wood Design Studios

and

Love One Another  (c) 2009

by Little House Needleworks

And best of all . . .

In addition to these lovely stitching items, DS wrote a booklet "What I Love About You" -- I will treasure this always and will keep it close at hand during those potentially troubling teen years.

My guys are wonderful!

And while he was at it,

DH added these for our upcoming anniversary.



Bean Sprout, Desert Mesquite,
Magnolia Blossom,
Manor Red, Ribbon Red





Aztec Red, Bark, Bullfrog,
Collards, Dolphin, Dried Sage,
Juniper, Liberty, Straw



More threads from

Crescent Colors

and

Weeks Dye Works

A New Chart
Annie Ellsworth Sampler (c) 2009
by Beehive Needleworks

I also was able to purchase the two JBW charts I was looking for - THANKS to Michelle for finding them for me.

It was a beautiful Sunday here in the Deep South, we attended Mass, enjoyed our local Veteran's Parade and then took my mother out for lunch on the lake.  Hope you like these pics of our day.

Lunch at
Rip's on the Lake, calamari, fried crab fingers, seafood platters, grilled shrimp salad and a great view.

A great breezy day for sailing along the longest (25 miles) bridge in the world and the pelicans are enjoying the cool weather, too.

And to top it off, the Saints won against Carolina.

Hope you had a great weekend, too!

Stitching At Home with Jane Austen and the Saints

I am still stitching The Sampler Girl's "At Home with Jane Austen"

and I have enjoyed every stitch.

(I have not finished the "n" in Austen.  I ran out of thread and am

waiting for another "spot" of Plum Paisley before I reload my needle.)

Except the stitches I missed!

I finished my first roof row 2 stitches too early.

The entire house is off by 4 threads (2 columns).

I will have to take out the entire house, picture frame and little trees. 

(The key is okay, but I will double check it to be sure.)

Good thing this is such an enjoyable design to stitch.

Are you ready for some football?

Tomorrow night is the first regular season game for the Saints.  The entire downtown

is going to be one big NFL amusement park:

• 
  
  Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift will be performing in Jackson Square,
• 
  
  a 7-float parade will wind its way from the French Quarter to the Dome,
• 
  
  the NFL set up an exhibit on the Mississippi River next to Jax Brewery and
• 
  
  the new Champions Square next to the Dome is hosting a party for fans without tickets. 

The game will effect regular Thursday schedules for everyone:

• New Orleans public schools will be releasing students early (to avoid additional traffic congestion),
• downtown workers (without tickets) will be leaving the office early (same reason),
• I will pull out my fleur de lis UFO from last season to finish stitching during the game(s),
• DH will come home early (everyone else will want to finish up early to watch the game), and
• DS will get to stay up a little past his bedtime to make it to the half-time dessert. Oddly enough he has no tests or quizzes scheduled for Friday.  Coincidence????

We will be enjoying a dinner of red beans and rice, seafood gumbo, and crawfish cornbread before the game

and watch the game with frosty mugs of Barq's root beer with mini beignets at half-time.

Who Dat, Who Dat,

Who Dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?!?!

Still at home with Jane Austen

I am still stitching away on "At Home with Jane Austen" by The Sampler Girl.  It is a pleasure to stitch.

I was stitching on it during cross-country practice

and I miscounted by one thread, so I had to do some frogging.

Well, we are all breathing a sigh of relief that Earl will not impact the Gulf Coast and praying that it stays as far away as possible from the East Coast.  The Atlantic is pretty active and it looks like potential storms are just lining up across the tip of Africa.

Emergency Preparedness Tip #3:  Have an emergency plan in place and make sure your entire family knows the plan.

Having evacuated by car a few times, I can tell you that preparation makes all the difference. Think of your morning commute, leaving 10 minutes early can make a 30 minute difference in your arrival time; did you travel by car with the kids this summer ("Are we there yet?", "He keeps touching me!", "I'm bored."), any annoyance you may have felt will be magnified 200% when you are in an emergency instead of vacation.

An emergency, such as a hurricane, gives you advance notice and you have a few days to make a plan.  However, in the event of a tornado, forest fire, chemical spill (highway, railway or plant), earthquake or terrorist attack, you will have no time to plan.  Your family may be scattered across town at work and school.  If you do not have a plan, you may not only waste precious time, you may be putting yourselves in greater danger.

Plan what you will do if you are separated during an emergency.

• Choose two places to meet:
• Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, such as a fire, earthquake or tornado
• Outside your neighborhood, in case you cannot return home or are asked to evacuate
• Choose an out­ of­ area emergency contact person. It may be easier to text or call long distance if local phone lines are overloaded or out of service. Everyone should have emergency contact information in writing and programmed into their cell phones.  Make sure your emergency contact person knows your emergency plan.

Plan what to do if you have to evacuate

• Where will you go and how will you get there - Decide where you would go and what route you would take to get there. Be aware of any evacuation plans enforced by your local government (if I wait for the mandatory evacuation to be issued, I have to take an alternate route).  You may choose to go to a hotel/motel, stay with friends or relatives in a safe location or go to an evacuation shelter if necessary.  You may need to make your hotel reservation days in advance to be able to stay in the location you prefer.
• If you can, leave early.  This is especially important if you live near a large city or if there are few travel routes from your location.  Traffic will be very heavy.  Would you rather leave work a half day early and arrive at your destination within 2 or 3 hours or spend 12 hours in bumper to bumper traffic going 5 - 10 miles per hour? 
• Drive your planned evacuation route, if it is unfamiliar to you, and plot alternate routes on your map in case roads are impassable.  Do this in advance and keep a copy of the map in every family car.
• Keep your tank full, in case of an emergency there will not be time to stop for gas.  Keep all your other fluids (oil, radiator, etc.) topped up, as well.
• Keep your car in working order, you do not want to break down during an evacuation - tow trucks may be unavailable or may take hours to reach you. 
• Keep an "emergency kit" in your car:
• clean water for overheated radiators (do not put cold water into an overheated radiator - you will have a bigger problem)
• a quart of oil (more if you tend to have oil leaks)
• tape to repair broken hoses
• jumper cables
• a good jack
• an inflated spare (have you ever tried to change you tire and found a flat spare?)
• if you can change your "bicycle" spare to a full size spare, I highly recommend it
• Fix-a-Flat
• camera - in case of an accident, you can take photos of the scene and damage, exchange information and move on, do not hold up traffic, local law enforcement will have better things to do than respond to a "fender bender" and it could take an hour or more before they can get to you
• snacks and water for the passengers
• books and quiet toys for children
• be prepared to turn off DVD players, a/c, CD, etc. if they are causing your car to overheat or draining your battery - driving 5 - 10 miles an hour for hours on end is hard on a car's engine
• blankets
• rain gear (stash a few rain ponchos from the Dollar Tree in the glove box)
• if you have kids, make an emergency "potty" plan - if you have boys, an empty, large mouth jar with a tight fitting lid will do, if not, consider a potty chair or a camping toilet or a "pot" -- believe me, you will not want to pull over and they will have to go eventually
• poster/cardboard and a thick marker - in case you have to abandon your car leave your name & number on the dash or if you have to make a sign (Need gas/jumper cables/ etc.) to solicit help from fellow drivers
• Think of your last car trip vacation - what items were the most helpful or what do you wish you had thought to bring?

NEXT TIME:  Planning ahead for kids and pets during an evacuation.