spring buds.

Remember I mentioned the Hydrangea and Easter Lily buds? 

Easter Lily

Hydrangea

Now they've blossomed!

Erin's 30th Birthday Surprise Party

Last weekend at this time we were all sneaking around, cooking and baking for the surprise party Trey planned for Erin...

I'm making such a crazy face because those cakes are HEAVY!
(I baked them, too. They're blondie cakes iced with chocolate dream frosting,
with dollops of peanut butter around the rim of the cake.
The "3" and the "0" are made with pretzel m&ms.) 

Way to go everyone for keeping it a surprise!

The laughing bunch: Uncle Lee, Mom, Aunt Maria, Aunt Janet.

Happy 30th Erin!

French Quarter Fest

A couple weekends ago was the French Quarter Fest. It's a fabulous festival (and one of the top money makers for the city). There's no entrance fee, and there is an extraordinary amount of absolutely amazing food. And thank goodness this time I ordered some very good food: Cochon de Lait Po'boy, Shrimp and Alligator Sausage Cheesecake, some very tasty spring rolls, Barbecue Shrimp with Roasted Garlic Bread Pudding, Blackened Crawfish Cakes with Crawfish Cream Sauce and of course for dessert, Strawberry Creole Cream Cheese Bavarian, Chocolate Marshmallow Smores, and Buttermilk Drops. I ate all of this by myself!! Just kidding, Mom, Aunt Janet, Erin, Trey and I + some of their friends, shared all of these treats.  

Erin and I French Quarter Fest-ing.

We walked around quite a bit, but did have a seat by the river for a little while, the breeze off the Mississippi was nice and cool. While we sat we listened to Ovi-G and the Froggies. 

The Hat Ladies (- me) + Erin. 

the Natchez on the Mississippi.

It's been one whole month...

now, how many more days until I get to see Ray?

Parasailing at Wildwood, NJ, Summer 2010

St. Patrick, St. Joseph, Isleño Parade

It's been a while since I've posted. I've kept busy lately working through the grad school decision-making process, helping Dad out at the gallery, spending time with Erin during her birthday celebration week, and, of course, all of the festivals and parades that are going on this time of year in New Orleans. 

Mom and Aunt Janet at the parade!

The St. Patrick, St. Joseph, Isleño parade was my first parade in St. Bernard and let me tell you, they know how to do it. Plenty of good food and family. There was a huge smoker for cooking chicken and sausage, red fish caught outside my Uncle-Jr.'s house, oysters... YUM. They weren't just throwing beads at this parade either. They were throwing cabbages, onions, carrots, parsnips, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, lucky beans, Ramen noodles, even handing down bags of ice to parade-goers... not sure what that was about.

Erin and Trey dressed festively for St. Patrick.