sliding into my 30s...

I can't believe it, but I guess it must be true. I'm 30! The big three-zero. It might have been an excellent form of denial or just a really good idea, but Jennifer and I celebrated our big day by playing lawn games, grilling, and slip-n-sliding with friends and family! It was a really good day. If this is what 30 looks like- I think I'll just stay put, thank you.

{dork alert:: I got super excited when I did well in croquet. 30 going on 13?}

{cutie-patooties!}

{Chessi made this amazing homemade cheesecake with gingersnap crust. I could have eaten the entire thing! And how gorgeous is her display?}

{Justin, Katie, and I took out the Hobie kayak. Unfortunately, it was right as the water got choppy! It was quite the work out for Katie and I to pedal the kayak with the two of us; I don't know how Justin did it all by himself with a sail!}

I like that I am continuing to try something new on my birthday. Last year I went on a hot air balloon ride and did the Shreveport-Bossier Film Trail!

 

What would you say is the best thing about your 30s? And if you haven't yet met 30, what are you looking forward to about it?

Blue Southern Comfort Foods...

Thanks to Chris Jay and his 20x49.com blog, Katie and I found out about the new restaurant Blue Southern Comfort Foods on Louisiana Avenue. I couldn't put it better than Chris, "Blue is small, off-the-beaten-path, and lacking in signage, but food lovers should make the effort to seek it out." And so we did -seek it out - that is. After passing the building the first time, we parked and made our way through the blue door into the tiny but quaint dining area.

Katie ordered the pulled pork over cheese grits with a side of broccoli casserole. Although the main dish was good, we both agreed it needed a sauce or gravy to make it great. 

 However, the Blue Burger is where it's at! A perfectly cooked patty topped with shredded gruyère and homemade bacon marmalade on a sour dough bun...i mean, come on! This combination was a perfect mesh between sweet and salty. I'm a fan. Gullo's may be Katie and my next food adventure!

What's your favorite burger place?

New Orleans lady...

Remember this little trip to New Orleans? 

My post holiday work (and over)time has been spent planning for our conference this weekend in NOLA. It is back to the beautiful Windsor Court for a weekend of neurosurgical festivities with Katie-bug!

{This is some of the work crew at our department holiday gathering. I've said it before, but it really makes a huge difference liking the people you work with. Everything is more fun!}

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend, and I also hope that you don't mind me sharing my Christmas and New Years pictures with you next week! Better late than never :) and who doesn't want to pretend it is still the most wonderful time of the year?

a cozy cookie exchange...

Every month when I show up for book club I am amazed at it's growth. It never looks exactly the same- the faces or the houses. Each month a new girl hosts the conversation, and practically each month someone invites a newbie to the club; it is an ever evolving group of entertaining ladies. I find myself talking about this little group of ours to other people in my life in between our once a month gathering, realizing just how much I look forward to our meet ups. I was telling Katie one day (who is also in the group) how book club always seems to come up randomly in conversation when people ask 'what are you up to' and how I feel like such a dork when it happens... her response, "well, you have to be a little bit of a dork to be in a book club in the first place!" So true, so true.

This month we read "Up for Renewal." This is the first time, in over a year that we have been meeting, that I haven't attempted the book. I don't know where the time went, but all of a sudden- we were meeting and the only thing I had time for was to make my 3 dozen cookies for our second annual cookie exchange!

{my cookies are the 'dipped in snow, smurf wafers' on the right. Nutter butter, white chocolate, with sprinkles- They were a no-baking-required hit!}

{a plate full of cookies and a tall glass of wine- could you ask for anything more?}

{sweet Kathryn is eating for 2 ;) }

{our gracious hostess, Beth Ann, led us in discussion about the influence of women's magazines, our relationships with our mothers, opinions on dating younger men, and other riveting topics.}

{before we left, we all filled a bag with an assortment of delicious holiday treats. As a side note: I reluctantly recommend this bottle of Sebastiani Merlot 2006, because I want to have it all for myself- it was perfection. When Rich got home from work, which cookie did he try? That's right- my smurf wafer. I don't need to describe how amazing it is- I mean, his face says it all.}

watching those tigers play...

For those of you that are an LSU Tigers football fan, this hasn't been the most impressive season in history, but it certainly hasn't been the worst. I was lucky enough to be invited by Katie's lovely family to the LSU vs.Washington game at the beginning of the season. They are in the Stadium Club, which means endless plates of food and soda pop, plus clean restrooms with an attendant- big bonus at a football game in my book- OH, and we had great seats!

Katie and I both agreed that it doesn't matter how many times you have seen the LSU Tigers play, in the pregame show when the band hits "BAA-BAA-BAAA-BAH!!!" you get goose bumps every time.

It was truly an honor. Thanks for having me!

The Big Easy...

During a recent work related trip to New Orleans with Katie, I stayed in one of the nicer hotels I have ever been in, Windsor Court. We were surprised to learn upon arrival that we had been upgraded to the club level suites. (a perk of planning an upcoming meeting at their establishment)

I took pictures of every inch of the room. I plan to some day decorate my home in this color scheme.

The meeting space is exquisite. I told Katie that had I not already put down deposits for my wedding in Shreveport, we would be relocating to Windsor Court as our reception venue.

 Notice the painting that Katie is displaying for you. Care to guess what it's value is? I'll just go ahead and tell you. It is a 1.5 million dollar Van Dyck. The hotel itself is basically an art museum!

Their 4-star chef recently left the hotel restaurant, so what did they do? Hire a 5-star chef! This will be the chef de cuisine for our conference in January and I can-not-wait.

In the lobby they serve high tea every day. Unfortunately we missed it, but after our tour ended we hit the road toward Luke on St. Charles Avenue for a late lunch.

A flamenkuche is basically a pizza on uber thin crust with thick cut sweet bacon topped with cheese and onion. Filling and delicious. Katie and I both agree that the pork pâté is interesting on toasted bread with side options to top it with watermelon, pickles, mustard & gelée. I have definitely never seen it on a menu before. Props, John.

We walked around stopping in a few local shops, meandering through the colorful streets of NOLA until we found ourselves at the Green Goddess. Katie appropriately ordered "The Katie" and I got the "Glory for your salvation" - cucumbers muddled in ginger syrup, Pimm's No. 1, Koval Jasmine liqueur, Creme de Cassis, Flor de Cana 7-year aged Nicaraguan rum, Hibiscus liqueur, Orchard Apricot liqueur, fresh lime juice, and topped with ginger beer. Yep, that is all in that white cup I am holding there. Lizette did her thing, and I did mine ;) After taking a breather at the hotel for a bit, we hit up the complimentary club level lounge. I was most definitely feeling like a princess at this point.

Then we meet up with Griff and Alex and taxied to Magazine Street for our night out on the town.

Before leaving NOLA for the LSU game in Baton Rouge, we had to stop at the Rum House for their famous Caribbean inspired tacos. Check out this menu for their combo options. (We both ordered the Two Dat which allowed us to pick 2 types of tacos and 2 different sides) If you haven't been in the Rum House, RUN to the Rum House!!!

{next up- our day spent at Tiger Stadium}

just a couple a lucys...

A couple of weekends ago, my parents along with Tison, and I experienced our first couples date together. A first of many to come I'm sure. We piled in mom's car and hit the road toward East Texas. On the west side of Marshall in Harleton, Texas lies a vineyard named Enoch's Stomp where acres upon acres of rolling hills are covered with grapes on the vine. I'm awfully glad this fifth generation grape grower found his way from South Africa to America. The evening was filled with wine tasting, dinner, grape stomping, and vineyard touring. It was extremely hot, especially after Mom and I completed the grape stomping competition, but the atmosphere reminded me of A Walk in the Clouds.  Remember that one?

My coworker and friend Katie and her roommate Britney met us there.

After dinner the grape stomping competition began. My mom and I split the 10 minute stomp in two. I can tell you, it is a real workout stomping for 5 minutes straight. and don't get me started on the pressure! Mom and I are competitive!

I really thought we had it, but alas. Someone out stomped us. Isn't the color of that grape juice disgusting? Who wants a glass?

There was some confusion with the purchasing of our tickets, but when Dad upgraded Mom and I, a perk was getting t-shirts! Thanks, Dad. (even though you called me and Mom a couple of Lucy's)

All in all, it was a wonderful first date with my parents. ;)