Only in New Orleans could I find out about St. Catherine….and the upcoming parade in her honor.  In the French tradition ladies who come together every year for this event will once again don their finest chapeaux and join in the annual St. Catherine’s Day Hat Parade.

“Catherinettes, Paris, 1909” by Agence Rol – Bibliothèque nationale de France. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catherinettes,_Paris,_1909.jpg#/media/File:Catherinettes,_Paris,_1909.jpg

St. Catherine is the patron saint of milliners and single women.  “Catherinettes”, as her French followers are known, make all sorts of wonderful hats in shades of yellow and green.  Some of the hats are outrageous and others more simple in nature. The French Catherinettes are women who have not married by the age of 25.  Hats are donned for the day as a pilgrimage is made to the statue of St. Catherine to pray for suitable husbands.  I love what wikipedia lists for the prayers:  The French say that before a girl reaches 25, she prays: “Donnez-moi, Seigneur, un mari de bon lieu! Qu’il soit doux, opulent, libéral et agréable!” (Lord, give me a well-situated husband. Let him be gentle, rich, generous, and pleasant!”) After 25, she prays: “Seigneur, un qui soit supportable, ou qui, parmi le monde, au moins puisse passer!” (Lord, one who’s bearable, or who can at least pass as bearable in the world!”) And when she’s pushing 30: “Un tel qu’il te plaira Seigneur, je m’en contente!” (“Send whatever you want, Lord; I’ll take it!”).

So this coming Sunday, November 22nd, at 10:00, all of the lovely women with their wonderful hats will meet to share champagne, bringing a bottle is encouraged, march together and enjoy the music of Bart Ramsey and members of ZaZou City.  It promises to be an unforgettable day AND it will be my first ever parade in New Orleans, Lord willing and my new knee will cooperate!

I cannot wait to meet this fun loving group of women and share in the celebration!  St. Charles Avenue at Pleasant Street is the gathering place with this year’s theme “The Hat Pack” setting the scene for a wonderful party!

Melissa | Out&About | 11 18th, 2015 | No Comments »

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Nothing can top Halloween in New Orleans!  When it comes to celebrating holidays this city is famous for over the top decorating, parties and PARADES!

This is a city full of lively people who know how to have a great time.  Halloween is, perhaps, at the top of the list for yards that say BOO!  Louellen Berger’s home on St. Charles is a perfect example of how New Orleanians like to do it up right!

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It would be impossible to judge a costume contest as one out does the next!  When it comes to holiday style you’ll find it on every corner.

Krewe Of Boo

This year the weather may not cooperate but will that stop the Big Easy?  NO WAY!  Plans are already in the works to move indoors and continue the celebrating.

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Safety is always at the top of my list for this night of celebration.  So plan your route, keep your children together and, if need be, assign a designated driver.

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Most of all have fun!  It’s important to celebrate and this holiday, above any other, provides a time to do just that, no presents necessary, just enjoy!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 30th, 2015 | No Comments »

I’m entering week two of rehab after having a full knee replacement on my left knee.  Thank God for my physical therapist, Victoria, who comes to my home to push, pull and stretch my knee to its limits!  It’s all part of recovery.  Keeping myself entertained while still on narcotic pain killers is a bit of a challenge.

I try to write and my eyes begin to close….heavy lidded….naptime!

I’m not a big fan of television, but we recently installed Apple TV and I’m quite happy with my choices, thank you!

I’m loving the PBS series, “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries” on Netflix.  I love the main character and find myself relating to her sense of style, fashion and love of mischief, not to mention mystery.

Ah….to live in the day when women truly dressed like ladies.  I’m sure most of the women of her day did not have the sheer guts to self express in the way Phryne Fisher does.  In case you don’t know you pronounce this saucy characters first name, “Fry Knee”.

If you haven’t seen this series you must find some time to sit back, have a cup of tea and enjoy.  And let me know if you don’t feel like finding a vintage outfit you can kick up your heels in…and of course, an extravagant boa!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 27th, 2015 | No Comments »

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I have always loved the lily.  Especially the pink stargazer variety that you see in the picture above.  But did you know that the symbol, Fleur De Lis, is fashioned after the lily?

If you begin to trace the symbol back to its origins you’ll find that it all began in Egypt with the lotus.  The blooms would open by day and sink beneath the surface of the water at night, thus symbolizing rebirth.

This replica of an ancient Egyptian hieroglyph shows how the image we call the Fleur de Lis might have begun.

The Fleur de Lis as we know it today came from France.  When the French claimed Louisiana it was in the name of King Louis XIV that they did so.  The Fleur de Lis was a symbol of the monarchy, almost completely obliterated during the French Revolution.

In current day Louisiana you see the Fleur de Lis everywhere.  Flags, wrought iron fences, Saint’s helmets…on and on, the Fleur de Lis can be seen all over the city of New Orleans and throughout the state.  It has long symbolized the Holy Trinity in the Catholic church and has also been credited to be a symbol of Mary Magdalene if stories that she traveled to France are true.

I’ve been collecting all sorts of Fleur de Lis for several years now.  I love the shape, the symbol, the fact that my nickname is “Lis”, although the “s” is sounded.  And what a surprise to realize there are bronze Fleur de Lis embedded in the glass tile backsplash of my new kitchen.  I believe I was destined to live here in the New Orleans.  My adventures here are just beginning and I cannot wait to share them all with you!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 19th, 2015 | 3 Comments »

People watching is one of my favorite ways to pass time.  I also love to window shop.  Finding an area that is unique and different from the usual mall shops that can be found in most cities is always a challenge, except in New Orleans.

I strolled down Magazine Street like a child with a new toy.  Everywhere I looked my eyes were met with something whimsical, beautiful or edible!  Color and creativity collide in every window enticing one to walk through the door to see more.

If you’re hungry there are plenty of eateries that provide outdoor areas for dining.  You’ll find food from every ethnic group, served up in large portions with just the right libation to accompany your meal.

If it’s antiques your after you’ll find them on every block, beautiful chairs, artwork, accessories and more!

Items for that special man in your life can be found at Aidan Gill.  I’m loving this bag that has a tag reading “Thank You For Giving A Damn”.  Bow ties and other fineries can be found within this shop, what a treat in today’s world where t-shirts and denim have become the norm.

I especially loved “Razzle Dazzle”, not only because I believe a bit of sparkle perks up any day, but because there was so much eye candy everywhere I looked it was over the top!  These folks don’t think of decorated trees for Christmas only.  There are trees lavishly decorated for every occasion throughout this colorful shop…ideas are overflowing in my mind.

You’ll find all sorts of shops to delight and entice you when you spend a day on Magazine Street.  And you might just find a bit of sage advice….if you happen to be a man with a barn!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 16th, 2015 | No Comments »

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Anytime one undertakes a major move there are adjustments to make, shifts that occur and events beyond one’s control.  Our move to the New Orleans area has been no different.  It is a process, beginning to put down new roots, meeting new people and connecting.  I believe this gets more difficult with age since we tend to be more protective of ourselves and our privacy.  But I have always been one to reach out and I continue to do so.

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I’m enjoying the little bit of exploration my knee has allowed me.  Whether it is driving down Magazine Street in New Orleans….

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Or the charming little town of Covington that is near our home.  New things to see, festivals to attend and restaurants to try.  It is a lovely place to be.

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Crossing the vast causeway every other day or so to enter into New Orleans is always a time to reflect and be at peace.  It’s the longest causeway in the world.  At 24 miles long it spans Lake Ponchartrain, which seems more like a sea to me than a lake.  There is something about living on or near water that is essential to my well being.

www.tammanytrace.com

I have plans to discover and walk the extensive path of Tammany Trace that skirts the lake and the railroad system on what is called the North Shore.  I’ll have photos and words to share.

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I’m feeling more connected, more settled with the passing of each day.  I’m thankful that you enjoy this blog and that you look forward to more posts I’ll be sharing!  Have a joyful week and let your lights shine!

Melissa | Out&About | 10 12th, 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 »

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 »

New Orleans has long been known as a mecca for music.  From jazz to rap, you’ll find it here.  Last Saturday evening we visited a local establishment, The Recovery Room, just across Jefferson Highway from the Ochsner Medical Center.  I’ve long wondered about the place and what it might be like.  My curiosity was cured when we walked into exactly what I expected….the perfect local hangout, pool tables and all.

We went to hear the band of a friend play and we were not disappointed!  Five Card Stud performed some of the best classic country music I’ve heard live in a long time.  Lead singer, Daniel Rongey, has a George Strait quality that the famous songster even commented on when he heard Daniel perform years back.

Other members of the band include Jason Schell, also of “Refried Confuzion” fame, Clay Diamond, Ron Clark and Matt Hughes.  The group provided toe tapping music that would defy anyone to just sit still!  We heard a bit of the blues, some classic rock ala The Allman Brothers band and a ballad or two to slow things down.  The band also performed several of their own compositions that impressed us all.  Five Card Stud is definitely helping keeping country music alive and kicking in NOLA!

Here’s a sample of the band’s work if you’d like to have a listen!  I suspect we’ll all be hearing more about Five Card Stud!  Visit their website here:  http://fivecardstudlive.com/…Like them on Facebook too!  If you’re in New Orleans and want to hear Five Card Stud live you’ll find them at Rivershack Tavern 8/28 at 8:00pm and at Colby’s Cocktails on the 29th at 8:00 pm as well.

Melissa | Out&About | 08 25th, 2015 | 4 Comments »

New Orleans has a charm unlike any city I have ever visited.  Our decision to move here has left me homesick for the smell of salt air and the comfort of friends, but new beginnings, or so I’m told, are a good thing.  Within this historic city are many parks graced with old oak trees, draped with Spanish moss.  Palm trees and plenty of other vegetation flourish in this hot, muggy climate.  I’m always reminded of a Tennessee Williams story when I feel my skin begin to glisten with moisture as I walk out the front door.  It’s different than the climate on the island but a climate I am familiar with having grown up in the Houston area of Texas. I also wonder how people survived this place before the invention of air conditioning.  Maybe that history of survival is what enriches the lives of lifelong residents?  They do possess a joie de vivre like none others!

Mr. T. and I discovered Coliseum Park while walking to pick our granddaughter up after school this past week.  It is a quiet park, except for the lone trombone player who practices his scales under the shade of an oak tree….note after note with plenty of repeats and starting over!  Music is definitely the heartbeat of this city.  I have never been in a place where a band or musician can be found on any corner and certainly in a park like this.

The fountain is cooling as we wait for the school bell to sound and the gates to open as throngs of students begin to gather in the large school yard area.  I am reminded of the inner city schools in New York City as little smiling faces recognize a parent, friend or grandparent there to greet them at the end of a long day.

Miss E comments that the nail polish on my toes matches the crepe myrtle blossoms that have fallen on the sidewalk as we make our way to the fountain where her grandfather sits waiting for us.  Of course I had to take a picture to share with you all.  New beginnings!

Melissa | Out&About | 08 24th, 2015 | No Comments »