Last week, Karrie and I were preparing a huge garage sale for mom's (and our) junk......in that time we received a package...and not just any package - a winning package! We won "the booby prize" from Natalie at Curly Wurly Gurly - don't you just love that name! Anyway, Natalie had sooo many people signed up for her contest, she felt guilt and decided on giving away a small prize to another lucky winner (what a lucky month for The Summer Kitchen Girls! - see Fun In A Box). Yesterday I finally got to open it up (Karrie's on vacation this week, see, and I need to entertain myself somehow!!)
Inside this festive package was....pure heaven! Have you ever had beignets? Have you ever had them from Cafe du Monde in New Orleans?? Well, let us tell you......
Here is a picture of those lovely hot and delicious beignets from Cafe du Monde........I can't wait until Karrie gets back from vacation so that we can partake in them (mow them down)!If they look so incredibly delicious to you, you can hop online and visit Cafe du Monde. Not only can your order the beignets, but you can get their coffee, and lots of other merchandise. You can also find out about the history of Cafe du Monde. They have pictures of the store now, and pictures of it "then" - it's a neat history lesson that you might enjoy!
So - since we are on the subject of one of my favorite cities....let's take a visit, shall we.......
If you are looking for somewhere to eat in New Orleans, check out Mulate's restaurant. Not only do you get great Cajun food - but you get great Cajun music and dancing. This is just a happy place - lots of toe tappin' music that makes you see what being Cajun is about!
George Rodrigue is an artist in New Orleans that we became familiar with back in 1996. We loved his paintings of Cajun life and especially the vibrant and famous Blue Dog. Some day - a dream of mine - is to own a Blue Dog painting - how fun is she? There are so many to choose from. This one is my new favorite - "Falling for You" . If you like Blue Dog - you'll love seeing all of the other works of art - with Blue Dog, and without, at George Rodrigue's website hereBelow, in the next post I found a clip when George Rodrige was on the CBS Sunday Morning News - check it out, only be sure to turn the music off on the left hand side here - or you will hear George, the interviewer, and Bing - or whoever else is singing at the moment....which we've found to be a bit confusing!!
St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square is a popular tourist spot in New Orleans. It is also nice because - if you're traveling with kids, there is plenty of room for them to run around! It is a beautiful church, and it still holds services. When people see pictures of the cathedral - they think of New Orleans.
As I was doing some research about our New Orleans post, I ran across this artist's site.
Heather Elizabeth Designs has all sorts of jewelry with pictures of New Orleans in it. I fell in love with the cathedral necklace - isn't it cool? I really liked the back of it too.....and then I found out about that writing on the back of that necklace. On her site, she tells about her great great grandparents love letters to each other. It is really a very sweet story and I love how the letters add a nice touch to her jewelry. To read about the letters click here. You will be enchanted - and perhaps, you, too, will have to purchase a "piece of history"......we can be such suckers for a story that is associated with something can't we??
Of course you can't talk about Louisiana, unless you talk about Tabasco sauce. This is a staple at our homes....how about yours? At times I think we need a big ol' gallon sitting in the cupboard - if you do too, pick your own up at Tabasco.com
Last, and defiantly not least - you'll need some music from New Orleans......may the Summer Kitchen Girls suggest one of our favorites - none other than Harry Connick Jr. ? If you like Harry, and have never attended one of his concerts - you have missed the best entertainment of your life! His band is one of the best sounding (and entertaining) that you'll ever hear - really.....you should make it a point. 
These two albums were released at the same time last year - we have them downloaded on the store's ipod and play them in the mix. Pop on Amazon.com and play some clips and hear it for yourself......and....don't forget to "Let The Good Times Roll!"
