It’s New Year’s Eve!
What will you do to celebrate?
Have a champagne toast?
Attend an elegant party?
Kick up your heels and dance a bit?
Or stay at home, warm and toasty in front of a roaring fire?
Whatever you do, be safe and get ready for a spectacular time in 2014.
I have a feeling it’s going to be quite a year!
It’s diffcult to grasp the fact that only two days remain in 2013. I’m not sure where the time went, but go it has. If I were able to look into a crystal ball I don’t think I could have foretold what was coming!
In many ways 2013 has been a milestone year for me. I began writing this blog with the intent of learning about the Golden Isles, it’s history, places and people. To say that my life has been enriched would be an understatement.
Harrington Schollhouse Painting by Allison Cyle Tucker
Oh the places I’ve gone and the people I have connected with….I feel I have been blessed in so many ways.
The travel experiences have been totally unexpected.
St. Augustine……
Eagle Island…….
I’ll have so much news to share with you in the upcoming weeks. The Permanent Tourist is on a course that is very exciting. I think you’ll enjoy being along for the ride!
I thank you for traveling with me on this journey and continuing too.
I have a couple of special things to end and start the new year with, so stay tuned!
We’re home, safe and sound, from our time with family in New Orleans. Whenever we have the opportunity to gather, I’m always reminded that I am very, very lucky to have such a wonderful family to call my own now. The song I’m featuring today is short, but so meaningful to me. I am forever grateful for my life. 2014 is going to be a wonderful new year! Enjoy!
As promised, I’m sharing recipes for some of New Orlean’s most famous libations today. The Sazerac is one of the most well known. Originally mady by Antoine Peychaud this drink is found in all of othe finest drinking establishments. It began as a mixture of Cognac , Absinthe and Peychaud bitters. Over the years the rye whiskey has replaced the Cognac and Herbsaint has replaced the Absinthe. Still a delicious flavor of the South, I think you’ll enjoy trying this!
Sazerac
1 tablespoon Herbsaint
1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey, preferably Old Overholt or Sazerac rye
1/2 teaspoon Simple Syrup or on cube of sugar
4 to 5 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 lemon twist with the white pith removed, for garnish
Pour the Herbsaint into a rocks glass and swirl to coat the inside. Discard any excess Herbsaint. Fill the glass with ice to chill.
Combine the rye, simple syrup, and Peychaud’s and Angostura bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice. Cover and shake vigorously.
Discard the ice from the glass and strain the shaker mixture into the glass. Rub the rim of the glass with the lemon twist, add to the drink, and serve immediately.
Brandy Milk Punch
This is a tradition in our family. Served at Christmas brunch with beignets, smoked ham and egg strata….yummy and something we always look forward to in New Orleans!
This makes one cocktail, increase the amounts as needed.
2 ounces brandy
1 ounce Simple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 ounces milk
Freshly grated nutmeg, for garnish
Combine all the ingredientws in a cocktail shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a light dusting of freshly grated nutmeg and serve immediately.
Milk punch is best when mixed the night before and allowed to “marinate” in the refrigerator overnight. I think you’ll love it!
Eggnog Daquiris
We actually discussed the proper recipe for this traditional drink and we all agree that the best way to have an Eggnog Daquiri is to visit New Orleans and drive through one of the numerous Daquiri shops you’ll find throughout the city. By the glass or by the gallon let this be a treat, made by the real pros who serve them up every day! Drive through, choose your daquiri and enjoy!
Recipes for the Sazerac and Brandy Milk Punch are courtesy of the fabulous book, “In The Land of Cocktails” by Lally Brennan and Ti Adelaide Martin, Proprietors of Commander’s Palace. Find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Land-Cocktails-Recipes-Adventures-Cocktail/dp/0061119865/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1387907081&sr=1-1&keywords=in+the+land+of+cocktails
New Orleans is a magical place to spend Christmas. The lights, the colors, the food…it all adds up to a wonderful time!
Many traditions are celebrated, traditions that have stood for decades. I never heard of Mr. Bingle the snowman until we began spending Christmas here after Mr. T and I tied the knot four years ago. Mr. Bingle, designed by Emile Alline, an employee of the department store, Maison Blanche, in 1947. Puppet shows featuring Mr. Bingle brought delight to children for years during the weeks approaching Christmas Day.
His initials MB linked him to the famous store where he came to life. Now, Mr. Bingle has become a cultural icon and you’ll find dolls, collectibles of all kinds and life sized floats and light displays in which he appears.
City Park is always my favorite place to visit during the Christmas holidays. Riding the beautiful carousel horses, walking through the many pathways with their beautiful lights and displays is always a treat. A bit of eggnog daquiri is a prerequisite for making the tour each year.
My favorite is the area where huge oak trees literally drip with lights like shimmering beads of water flowing from the limbs. The delight in the eyes of children is plain to see and can also be found in the many adults making their way through the beautiful park.
And speaking of customs. Let’s talk about libations for a minute. Specifically a Sazarec. I’ll share the recipe and history in tomorrow’s post along with a few other drinks that are famous in the Big Easy…you won’t want to miss it!
It wouldn’t be Christmas in NOLA without a listen to the “Twelve Yats of Christmas”…all in good fun….take a listen and let your hearts be merry!
Being in New Orleans with family for the Christmas holidays is just what the doctor ordered for Mr. T and me.
We’re having a ball watching Skylar and Emmeline play.
The house is decked out in true Big Easy style….
Santas and angels abound…..
Every detail of holiday decorating has been seen too in perfect style.
Tchoups is happy to have us here. His name is pronounced “Chops”. It’s short for the name of a famous street in New Orleans that being able to spell correctly makes you a true “Yat”. Yat? it’s common for locals to say….”Where y’at?”….when asking where you’re going. Oh…just so you know, the correct spelling for the street this furry family member’s name hails from is Tchoupitoulas…..I’ll leave it up to you to pronounce it!
What a way to bring a very busy and challenging year to a close! We’re loving every minute of being here and it’s wonderful to share it with you!
Tomorrow I’m sharing a New Orleans tradition and the story behind it….in the meantime…..Merry Christmas!!!
We’re safely in New Orleans and YIPEEEE….it’s time to celebrate the holidays! There is no place like NOLA at Christmas time! I’ll be sharing places, faces and lots of deliciousness while I’m here!
One of my most favorite things to do is see the Christmas lights. The historic Roosevelt Hotel does it up right!
From the grand entrance…..
To the Sazerac Bar………
To the detail of antique brass accents…..
It is such a treat to be here! Two more days until Christmas!
When you open your inbox and begin this post we’ll be on our way to New Orleans for Christmas! We cannot wait to be with family and share this wonderful season of giving with them all. It’s been quite a year for us and we’ve taken the sweet along with the not so. I’m realizing that the difficult times have a purpose and the good times are to be savored and enjoyed. I found this Christmas playlist on YouTube. It was put there by someone known as “Friendly Howie”. Who ever Howie may be and wherever he may live….I’d like to say thank you. Beautiful photos of the great city of Prague and music await you when you click on the YouTube icon and then view the video in full screen!
Wishing all of you a magical Christmas, filled with love and gratitude! I’ll be posting from New Orleans……FUN!
Wouldn’t you love to find a little furry friend under your Christmas tree this year?
All clean and shiny with a big ribbon around its neck. The Humane Society of Coastal Georgia has just the right pet for you.
In their 12 Strays of Christmas program, see it here: http://www.hsscg.org/, you might find your little fur person. This little doll, Jada, was chosen right from under my nose…what a cutie!
Casper, a five year old male is simply adorable. I saw him in person at the WWEZ radio station just before taping The Permanent Tourist talk show this week.
Or maybe a feline is more to your liking! Take a look at CowCow and know that there are many, many cats and kittens to choose from. And during the month of December you receive 50% off on a dog adoption and free adoption on any cat.
Adopting a pet from the Humane Society is always a good idea. You’ll be adding a family member that keeps on giving unconditional love for years to come.
And before you go, take a look at Divot….what a dog! And look at that ear!
Christmas is a time for children. The wonder in the eyes of a child is something that cannot be equaled. The excitement on Christmas morning as gifts are opened and families share traditions, making memories that last for generations to come. But there are families who are less fortunate. Toys for Tots makes sure children in communities all over the country receive a new, unwrapped toy donated by those who care.
Toys for Tots, formed by the Marine Reserve, began in 1991. By supporting Toys for Tots hope is given to children who are less fortunate, hope for a brighter tomorrow.
In the Brunswick, Georgia area you can drop toys off from now until December 22nd at most local grocery stores and at the Marine recruiting office in the Glynn Place Mall.
Won’t you consider purchasing a couple of extra toys for children in need when you’re finishing up your Christmas shopping? Wherever you may be there is a Toys for Tots program. Bring the light into the eyes of a child in need this year by donating to this special cause.
(Note: Skylar, my beloved daughter, this post is for you and dedicated to all of those who serve our country so selflessly…OORAH!)
