New Orleans, vacation 2010

My girls and I had a wonderful opportunity to get away for a long weekend.  I don't know how it came to be . . . guess it was a "bee" in someone's bonnet.  It worked out so that Erica, Johanna and I flew out of Kansas City and met Kristy in New Orleans.  It wasn't as simple as that as our flight left early so three of us drove to KC after work on Wednesday to simplify getting to the airport on time (we had to get up at 5 am, for gosh sakes!)  Kristy got to the Urbana airport easily enough but her flight got cancelled for maintenance to the airplane.  Kristy's ticket agent had to work her behind off to get Kristy to New Orleans only a couple of hours late instead of 4 or more . . . while Kristy was holding head in hand, moaning "I'm late; I'm late!"  But it all worked out.  Here are three sisters standing in the New Orleans International Airport, April 7, 2010.  And delighted to be here!

We (okay, me)I met Kristy coming off the plane with a piece of paper: 

FONTANA

it said.  Just like in the movies.

We all met her. I was the one with paper.

A shuttle ride to the car rental, then here we are.  Standing in the State of Louisanna.  In New Orleans, in fact.  Standing in the garden of our condo, Wyndham at Trend West.  Or Trend West at Wyndham.  I can not keep that straight!  But whatever . . . the condo was perfectly located beside the Street Car track that would take us to the French Quarter . . . or west to a residential/small restuarant area.  Yes, it would.  It would take us there when it was running on schedule.  And it did run on schedule sometimes.  And sometimes it didn't and then we walked a few blocks and found breakfast and Lottes . . .  or hailed a cab to get where we were going!  Either way, it worked. 

We were on floor Eleven.  I walked the stairs once, just to see if I could (I could!), but usually we took the old-fashioned elevator.  Most of our experience at this hotel was great!  Absolutely the best . . . except upon departure we had occasion to think otherwise . . . but that is story for another day.  You can see the Westbound Street Car Tracks in this photo.  Natives (and/or fitness conscience visitors) used the Street Car Median for jogging or riding their bicycles.  The joggers and bikers yielded to the Street Cars.  At least while we were visiting. 

One of the things I wished for, before going on vacation.

A 'sure enough', real life, Brass Band, marching down the street in the French Quarter. 

Folks were following along, throwing Mardi Gras beads and dancing in the street. 

And drinking.  Did I mention drinking in the streets. 

This is St. Charles Avenue, the Street our lodging was on.

In the French Quarter. 

Silverstein and me. 

We saw his brother Goldstein, later. 

And Whitestein, down the block! 

All with a cash box in front of them. 

Wanta photo?  You pay! 

This is a photo taken in the French Quarter. 
This is where all the sidewalk bars,
ghost tours, street attractions and Music Festival
attendees congregated!  The crowd grew so large,
the buggy drivers had to shut down and go home. 
Darn! 
We waited too long to look for a buggy ride. 

At the festival, we saw all kinds of art work.

Had the opportunity to try all kinds of new seafood. 
Nana actually did eat the crawfish; everyone tried them!

From the internet: 
Steps to Eating Boiled Crawfish


1. Remove the head - Hold the top of the crawfish with one hand,
 and place your other hand above the tail.
Twist so that the tail separates from the head.
2. Pinch the very end of the tail with one hand,
and pull the tail meat out with the other.
3. Enjoy the delicacy!

The Optional Part


Some people actually add another step to eating boiled crawfish.
When you remove the head from the crawfish,
if you want to savor every drop of spice,
you can suck the head before you discard it.
If you are a novice when it comes to eating crawfish,
you probably will want to skip this step.
If you're feeling adventurous, though, give it a try!

Kristy must be an old pro.  These are the exact instructions she gave us! 
And we did.  We ate crawfish and sucked the head.  Try it!

Where did all the people come from?
The crowds were larger than anticipated.

Meet Dancing Man!
He's a Dancing Machine!

We are on the Free Ferry, crossing the Mississippi to Algiers
looking back at the Music Festival Crowd on the other side.

More crowd and more art.

This is Laura, the plantation.  It is being lovingly restored.  It is a creole plantation and (as we learned) we know this because of the original color scheme.  The Creole's were brightly painted.  The "Americans" painted their big houses white.  The Americans were looked down upon for quite a long time. 

Laura's lawn and an ancient oak tree.

This is the "mother-in-law's" house. 

Fact is tho, she managed the plantation for about 60 years

and then, before turning the reins over to her granddaughter,  

built this huge house and demaned $75 grand a year to "consult". 

She was a smart, capable woman.  

Maybe a "tough cookie" is a good description!  

 

Oak Alley

This blows my mind!  The trees were planted 100 years before the house was built!

Maybe there was a smaller home up that lane before they erected this one, fit for a King?

Laura's lovely garden is a backdrop for this good photo.

I could write more . . . and should! 

but I might not ever get it posted

so here goes!  Enjoy.

Missing Persons & other related tales

I still haven't figured Blogger out since they changed the way we insert photos.  In a lot of ways it is better, easier -- but I still struggle.  I suppose it could just be me . . . oh no.  I hate to admit that. 

In the Title, it says "Missing Persons".  When I got home and pulled my photos off the camera, I didn't have a single one of two young boys.  In thinking back to the weekend, the images and memories of Jack and Joey are with their back to me -- running off somewhere.  Or on the 4-wheeler, taking a ride with someone.  I did have them in the cabin awhile Saturday and later in the golf cart at one point but it was raining and cold and I didn't stop to take their picture.  Not that the boys (or the girls for that matter) minded the cold or the rain. They all had blankets and were enjoying tearing around the lake -- and not a one asked to go home.  Finally, Nana, had to make an executive decision.  "We are going home", she yelped, soaked up to her knees and down her back.  Nana turned and ran --  with her tail between her legs!

 I'm sorry I didn't get photos of Jack and Joey but I am delighted that they both like the cabin and the outdoors and all things mechanical and male --  and I will get photos next time. 

These swings still always get a good work out. 

I will really be sad if, or when, there are no little ones

to swing in this good Swinging Tree. 

This old "Good Time Harley" has already been a lot of fun for us and is sure helpful to have a round.  It can Zip up to the cabin to get something forgotten or needed -- or it can carry 5 or 6 children from one place to another with only a little groaning and creaking.  I think this is a 1978 or '79 model, plus or minus 6 years.  No matter the age, tho, the Cart has about a trillion lake miles on it.  Five of Vi's grandchildren learned to drive on it and now five of mine are taking turns, learning.  Well, okay, 6.  Six! Now that Audri sat on my lap the other day and steered. 

A busy scene; if I hadn't cut off so many heads, this would have been a really good photo!

Chez Dana (with a little burger flipping from his FIL) served us up a great smorgasbord of shrimp, tuna, scallops, pork steak, burgers and hot dogs!  Oh, and one turkey sandwich.  We all found something we liked and new things to try and were well fed.  I was in awe of the variety. 

Morghan spent quite a little bonding time with Bella and will soon be of an age to babysit.  She is honing her skills and, of course, becoming more responsible every day.  Morghan Grace, is like her Mama and her Nana before her.  Morghan Grace loves her babies!  I heard her "hint" to her Mama the other day that she would welcome a new sibling . . . if that should ever be a possibility.   lol

  

And here is the Birthday Girl!

Madeline Mae, 7 years

Maddie, may your 7th year be a wonderous thing. 

Make a Wish, Maddie Mae!

And don't tell!

Those cupcakes were delicious --

and a great idea, especially while camping. 

I'm not sure what the attraction was here. 

But I think these are ring-side seats and that

something is going on over there!

Gabrielle says

Goodbye.  

Good Night!

The End!

Spring in northern Missouri

We have a Redbud in Mo.

One living, breathing, blooming,

Redbud. 

and one dead one.  Darn!

Himself and I had a good visit.

We swept and prepared the cabin. 

Meeting --

Next weekend.  You all come.   

I hiked the banks.  

I walked the roads and the little lake.

First time.

(more about that later). 

We rode to Lake Marie

and saw the new and the old cabins  

Home again,

and enjoyed the evening on the porch.

This trip, we soaked up sunshine

and relaxation by the yard.

Too soon

it came, to journey back home. 

Above, Pretty, delicate Sweet Williams.

Or as some say,

Wild Phlox.

Photos just do not do it justice.

Lonely

 

What is more lonely than a swing in Winter? 

Well, three swings, of course! 

Fruits of the Labor

Himself got the heater installed, hooked up to the propane, the pilot light lit and the heater going.  It will be Good!

Memorabilia

Sorghum Mill sign is one of Gramps' original that was put at corners directing folks to the Sorghum Days celebration.  Brother Gary gave this to me along with the big pulley.  The pulley was to be used to pull the bucket out of Pioneer Well at III.  Its original use was to pull the water bucket up from a well.  Wouldn't that have been fun! 

Can't wait

for these days, again. Warm weather. Cabin Days. Grandchildren fighting over who gets to drive next! What fun!

Too in Winter

Bleak! No other way to describe this wintery view of the lake and shoreline. Just plain bleak!

But then this snowy bridge below doesn't strike me as being so forlorn and desolate, like the picture above. The snow-dusted bridge just looks pretty!

Himself has ordered his Christmas present (he told me after it was ordered). He ordered a wall heater with a thermostat so I think I foresee some winter visits in our future!

We have gone down in the winter and stayed. We heat the cabin with the oven and electric heaters but his Christmas present heater will be more efficient, more cost effective and an investment in our future visits. We look forward to our future visits.

I've got to get my skis dusted off!

9 years ago

where has the time gone?

We were putting the houseboat in for the first time in 2000.

Look at this pretty, young crew member . . .

Weren't those fun days?

I do too have on skis!

This is what Himself and I were doing a year ago. I'm wondering if that is why we sold III, so we wouldn't have to go out and fall down again this year? However, I do mean to get the skis out and try it again. Guess this too will have to wait until after Christmas but then watch out! Walking trail, here I come! Are there any volunteers to go with me?

I do apologize for that hat on my head but I've always heard you need to weat a hat outside and this one is wool and warm. In fact it was too warm and I wore it only long enough for Himself to snap this action shot and sorry I wore it that long!

My grandbabies' cheeks . . .

Cousins. My grandchildren find a great connection with "cousins". I love it!
Next series of photos will be labeled "kissing cousins" . . . cuz I've got lots of photos!

Audri! ! !

Nana said " No Jumping on the Bed!"

At the cabin . . .

Nana is always after grandbabies for bouncing on the bed but if I were to look at statistics, we probably get more SMILES (Maddie is hiding hers!) from bouncing on the bed than we get injuries. (I just remember the injuries better, I guess!)

"went to the doctor and the doctor said "THAT'S WHAT YOU GET FOR JUMPING ON THE BED!"

And for eating Cheesies in bed, Jack!

Double Trouble

More fun at the cabin! I can't figure out what Gabby is doing. It looks as though she is sitting on the top of the stroller. But surely Nana wouldn't let her do that just for the sake of a picture? Well, maybe I would if PaPa was there to hold on to the stroller.

Another cutie!

Little Maddie Mae's big old eyes have always been blue but with her lovely dark hair now, I had forgotten that she had very little for a while. When I get a hold of her again, I'm going to kiss her cute cheeks for old times sake!

More cheeks!

This photo of Joey, Blue Eyes, is so cute! Don't you love his fat, little bow legs? I think this was Joey's first trip with Nana and Papa, photo dated July 2004.

Poor PaPa!

Ornery eyes!

Sweetie Pie

Pinch these cheeks! What a cutie! What fun.

Wheeling . . .

July 2002.

Youngters!

Kristy & Erica, is this the time you were driving around with the brake on?

Yes, I did have to bring that up. lol

Morghan Grace's first trip to the cabin

Look! this little girl looks suspicious! She's hanging on to that water pistol! She might need it. What is she doing here, at this little cabin, with two ol' fogeys? Picture is dated September 2000.

Isn't she adorable?

Winding Down Time

The new header photo was taken 363 days ago. Just about a year.

Last year, Autumn must have come later than this year as the trees in the photo are just beginning to turn.

Himself and I seem to spend his birthday at the cabin. That makes it easier to keep track of and he sure likes it there.

We will winterize, clean out the fridge, pack things away and enjoy some fine Fall weather. We hope!

Independence Day

This was a good time -- pontoon time on Twin Lake.

Wait! who is driving?

Why isn't Dana at the helm?

Oh, probably Craig or Himself.

Don't you wish we were just getting to spring?

Instead of Fall?

Oh, Stop Nana!

Don't wish our life away!

Some folks love Fall BEST of all.

Gramma Hof did. She loved autumn and cool nights and the smell of burning leaves.

As does Himself.

I will try to appreciate each season, more fully.

Live one day at a time!

Seize the moment!