Looking over the “Live From The Met” series’ upcoming schedule I noticed that Georges Bizet’s wonderful opera, “The Pearl Fishers” is on the list.  My mom reminded me of the beautiful duet from the opera, “Au Fond de Temple Saint”.  Wanting to hear this wonderful piece I searched YouTube to find two of my favorite artists performing it together, Placido Domingo and Andrea Bocelli.  The two tenors together, although Mr. Domingo performs the baritone part, create magic together.  Isn’t that what music is all about?  Creating magic that touches the heart and heals the soul.  I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I did!  And don’t forget to say thank you today for all of the blessings in your life.  Have a wonderfully simply Sunday!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 09 27th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

Aquista What?, you might ask.  When we first arrived in the New Orleans area and began house hunting our son-in-law, who is a fellow foodie, mentioned a family owned market on the North Shore named Aquistapace’s. (pronounced a-qwi-stah-paces)  He said it was a great little local market, nothing like the well known chains in the area and that he thought I would enjoy it.

On my first outing I was simply driving around looking at different places of interest, but did not find it.  The subject came up again in conversation when mention of the store having the finest wine, beer and liquor selection in the state as well as a huge selection of imported cheeses and specialty items I knew I had to make a bigger effort!

I was not disappointed!  I “googled” directions to the market and set out to discover what turned out to be exactly what I’ve been looking for since moving to the area.  Fresh flowers, lovely produce, an amazing meat department and wine…wine….and more wine at amazing prices.  One shopping cart, situated in the liquor section offered fifths of Stolichnaya “Sticki Honey” vodka for $5.99.  Of course, I had to try it, and I have to report it is delicious served over shaved ice with a twist of lemon.

The cheese department delivered all sorts of extraordinary selections and samples for tasting!  Goat cheese, montrachet, ages goudas and more filled two large refrigerated display cases on one side of the store.

I especially loved this cheese.  It is a raw, organic cheese, Melkbus 149 Truffle, from the “gouda” region in the Netherlands that has bits of shaved black truffle blended in.  My daughter tasted a sample and came running to me with this statement, “Mom, I’ve just tasted heaven.”.  I had to give it a try and I have to report that she was RIGHT!  Slightly creamy with the pungent flavor of black truffle and a hint of walnuts exploded in my mouth!  I recommend you find this cheese in your local market and, if they don’t carry it, ask them to order it for you.  It will be worth it….trust me!

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Now to discover where to get the best, freshest seafood and fish nearby.  Do I have any readers in the Mandeville, Louisiana area out there?

Melissa | food & entertaining | 09 25th, 2015 | 1 Comment »

Living in the New Orleans area is like living in paradise for a foodie like myself.  Jambalaya, gumbo, sauce piquante, shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp.  One of my favorite cookbooks, entitled “Cooking Up A Storm”, is open on my kitchen island, ever at the ready.  This book is a rich collection of recipes passed down through generations through the “Times-Picayune” newspaper that were lost in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.  In honor of the ten years of recovery this wonderful city has experienced since that great storm the book is being released in a hardcover version.

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New Orleans is a city full of high energy.  The people celebrate each day in ways I have never experienced.  There is a sparkle in their eyes that speaks to survival and commitment to the city they love.  The French Quarter is a tourist mecca that provides the heartbeat for a city that, like Manhattan, never seems to sleep.  Uptown, The Garden District, The West Bank…..so many places to find and discover.

I’ve got red beans started on the stove top in my new kitchen.  I’m using a ham hock to season the beans, the cajun “trinity” which consists of diced onion, green pepper and celery and “Tony’s Cajun Seasoning”.  “Tony’s” has been in my kitchen and used on an almost daily basis for more than thirty years now.  It provides just the right amount of heat and pure deliciousness to any dish you want to add a bit of “zing” to!

Life is good in the Big Easy.  I’m finding my way through kitchen boxes, getting cabinets organized and surfaces cleared so that I can dive right in to cooking my way through “Cooking Up A Storm”.  Yes, this is paradise…..even though I still have not discovered where the movers put the hardware to my practically new refrigerator when they removed the doors.  I was told it was being placed in one of the hydrator pans.  I’m going with the flow and deciding whether it’s just time to go and find a new one or expect a miracle!  Ever the optimist……good Wednesday to all!

Melissa | Out&About | 09 23rd, 2015 | No Comments »

Not our boxes…but this does some justice to what we’re dealing with!

I’m a bit late getting this post out to my readers.  Apologies to all!  If you saw what I am dealing with here in our new home you would completely understand!  I’ve decided to approach it all with a sense of humor, leaving the overall feeling of “will this ever be finished” behind!

I have no pictures to share that would do our situation justice.  Sufficeth to say we are blending two complete households into one.  Included in that are about six sets of fine china…..a huge art collection….and glasses.  I have never seen so many glasses in my life.

Looking on the bright side I have to say that when Skylar decides to spread her wings and find her own “first” apartment she is all set.  I have now begun to make boxes for that event with label “Skylar’s First Home”.  I have mixed feelings about that statement but know it is an inevitable event that will help her on her way as she begins working and enjoying life in the Big Easy.

Skylar is loving it here as are we all.  A couple of minor glitches that always seem to occur during a long distance move are being dealt with in a positive manor.  We are a family, connected in every way and moving forward each day with baby steps.  We love our new home and neighborhood.  We miss so many things about the island, but being only forty minutes away from our family here is so wonderful!

I’ll keep you posted as things progress!  Soon, I’ll be back in the swing of cooking, creating and writing about it all.  Life is a process and the attitude with which we approach it defines what we experience!  Here’s to a fabulous Monday filled with happiness for all!

Melissa | Home&Garden | 09 21st, 2015 | No Comments »

Life is settling down and we are settling in at our wonderful new home here in Louisiana.  I haven’t had much time to be a tourist but will, hopefully, get to that as more unpacking is accomplished.  I’ve been slowed down a bit with the collapse of my left knee….not the best timing but new beginning and new knee upcoming then things will be on an even keel.  You just never know what lies around the corner!  And there is the fact that I will be practically bionic!!!

If you have enjoyed the show “House” you may or may not know that Hugh Laurie is quite the musician.  I’m sharing his performance of “St. James Infirmary” with you all today.  It is pure New Orleans and his talent is amazing!  More to come on the interesting places and things I’m finding here and look forward to sharing with you.

Wishing you all a relaxing Sunday and a wonderful new week!

Melissa | Out&About | 09 20th, 2015 | 2 Comments »