It’s been quite a week for us.  We began with what we thought would be a simple removal of basal cell cancer on Mr. T’s right cheek.  Four hours later and scheduling major plastic surgery on Thursday…well, you can imagine.  I am forced to marvel at the challenges we have been faced with.  I can honestly say I did not handle it all so well at first and then a shift occurred.  I began to be the space for the issues to move through instead of getting caught up in them and reacting with either negative or positive energy.  Maybe that sounds crazy to you, but it has worked for me and everything is smoothing out and going very well as a result.  I am feeling grounded and happy! At times I feel we are dealt a period of difficulty just to see how we will react.  It is a choice to be negative or positive.  I choose positive.

This is my favorite season, I feel alive again as the weather cools off a bit and everything feels lighter.  I’m sharing a lovely piece of Celtic music to help you begin your day today.  I’m getting back into the blogging groove and will have more to share with you this week.  Then, bear with me as I undergo the replacement of my left knee on October 19th.  Tying up loose ends is how it feels.  Tying them up, letting them go and making space for new beginnings!  Have a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, wherever you may be!

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 10 11th, 2015 | 2 Comments »

Change is challenging.  That’s all there is to it.  I have always been a very self sufficient, highly motivated person.  It’s who I am and survival has always been something I’ve taken in stride.  But there are times in anyone’s life when it seems like a vast mountain stands in the way of progress and security.  I find myself questioning what it really is all about and the answers come in different ways.  I’m featuring one of my favorite songs on this post because it speaks to me so clearly of what I know in my heart is the only way to happiness.  So, enjoy “Let It Be”, sung by Paul McCartney and have a very peaceful day.  As for me….I’m letting it all be and in doing so all IS well.

&nbsp

Melissa | Simple Sundays | 10 4th, 2015 | No Comments »

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!

Google Images

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.

Google Images

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 »

Since by my very nature I am pretty energetic, I don’t rely on several cups of coffee in the morning to get me going.  One is enough and that one is now Rouse’s delicious coffee & chicory.  Since arriving in New Orleans this is the coffee our son-in-law brews every morning…..to perfection.  Add some raw sugar or stevia and a bit of half ‘n’ half to create a little cup of heaven!

Chicory is an herb that flaunts a pretty blue flower when in bloom.  But the root of the plant is where the magic is.  Louisianian’s began using chicory to stretch ground coffee when naval blockades cut of the port of New Orleans during the Civil War.

Long known for its medicinal uses to cleanse the liver and heal gout, chicory was first grown and used to brew healing tea in Egypt.  It spread to France years later and made its way from there to New Orleans.  The taste is a bit different from other coffee but I have become addicted to the slightly sharp flavor.

Root and Vine Blog

Enjoy some coffee with chicory and have a beignet!  It’s a wonderful way to experience a bit of New Orleans, wherever you may be!  If you’re a reader in Coastal Georgia ask Dan, the manager at The Market at Sea Island for the special coffee and chicory blend this wonderful shop offers!  You might even ask him to see if the bakers at The Cloister might make a few beignets!

Melissa | food & entertaining | 08 26th, 2015 | No 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 »