New Orleans

Joe and I went to New Orleans for the weekend for a little getaway together, and for my birthday as well. Just the two of us. Something we haven't done since.. we had the boys. It was nice to be together talking about soulful stuff, silly stuff, food, places, art, music, beignets (spell check?), muffaletas,  and how much we missed the boys among other things. Even though we missed the boys like crazy it was nice to be able to go to late night shows of bands and artists. We walked so much that our feet and legs were very sore (oh lazy bums!)-no wonder why there are Reflexology Massage places all over the New Orleans. VERY SMART. 

Day 1.

Left Thursday afternoon and made it right for dinner. We ate at the Gumbo Shop and after dinner we walked some. Went for late night music and refreshments at Three Muses. Very cozy place.

 Day 2. 

Breakfast at??? Cafe Du Monde of course! For some yummy beignets and coffee. 

Went to the Saint Louis Cemetery which is full of character and history. 

Tomb of Marie Lavoe. Voodoo queen. 

 For lunch we went to Central Grocery to try what we found out to be the best Muffaleta in town. Yum, that was good!

We scouted around the French Market.

 

After walking for hours under a 100 degree weather, we had to take a brake at our hotel. Took a nap, woke up, got ready and headed out for dinner. One of Joe's friends suggested to eat at Bayona. We didn't. Reservations strongly suggested because it's a small restaurant. Joe's grandparents suggested Antoine's. We couldn't because it was reserved for a wedding reception and also, we did not have the right clothes to go there. I guess next time. We ended up at NOLA, one of Emeril Lagasse's Restaurants. The food and service were outstanding! 

After dinner we went to Preservation Hall to see the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Great atmosphere, and music in a super old place.

 When the show was over we went to eat Gelatto at La Divina 

 

Later that night we went to Blue Nile to see the Soul Rebels Brass Band. Great band, great music. But before the show started we hung out around and watched a young band tearing the block up with awesome music. It was sort of a block party. People dancing and singing everywhere. These guys stopped traffic! New Orleans is full of life, culture and flavor. Awesome city.

 

 

Long day, tired souls headed back to the hotel for a night of sleep and ready for the next.

Day 3

Happy Birthday to me :)

Breakfast at Cafe Du Monde. Oh yes, we did! My love got the trumpet guy outside and asked him to sing the Happy Birthday song to me. So sweet! And yes, I was a little embarrassed, but what the heck, it was my day.

Check the guy behind us doing the bunny ears ha! 

Went to Magazine Street area and ate at Mahony's for lunch. The po-boys were good but the wait was way too long! Onion rings were really good and super thin. After this we rode the street car down St Charles Ave. Stopped for some drinks at New Orleans Original Daiquiris-they have non-alcoholic flavors as well. Went to mass at Loyola Church-what a beautiful place!

After a long hot humid day of walking we went back to shower and get ready for dinner. We ended up eating at Red Fish Grill. Great service and they gave us a free yummy dessert for my birthday. How nice of them... 

Took a cab and went to Rock and Bowl! It was a fun place. Fun night we had bowling and watching and listening to Kermit Ruffins live. It was a great birthday!

Day 4

Our last day at the Big Easy. Yes we had breakfast at the place we did for the last three days. What an obsession! But they are so good and you might as well, since you are there. 

Went back to the French Market and got a few souvenirs and gifts for the boys. Joe also got me also got me beautiful piece of art for my birthday, a painting.

Checked out at the hotel and picked some lunch at Jonny's Po-Boys that we ate at Congo Park. After eating we got in the car and headed back home to see our little munchkins...

Note: I may have missed a lot of the things we did because we did a lot and it a bit difficult to remember everything and be so detailed about it. But I hope you enjoyed reading as much as we had fun ,and also some info maybe useful to you when you want to go and see the city. Also, pictures are few of what we took with my phone and camera; that's why some don't look very sharp. AND, I can scratch one thing of my list. My visit to New Orleans.

WHEW...! That was a long post wasn't it?

28

Yes, I am 28 today, but I feel a lot younger than that. To be honest sometimes I forget how old I am because I just don't care. Aging is unstoppable and I rather embrace it, instead of complain or worry about it.

I am thankful for this new year of life and the countless blessings that God has given me. I am healthy, happy and loved. I am thankful because I can see, walk, talk, think, move, jump, swim, run, dance, write, read, hear and I could go on and on. I am thankful for my life and everything that is in it.

I have been working on my bucket list, and I made a list of things I would like to do during the next year. I've been thinking about them for a while now, probably since I was in school, but didn't have the time or energy to do it. These are the ones that made the list in no particular order:

1. Go Para-sailing. Who wants to go with me?

2. Go to New Orleans

3. Make at least 5 paintings -keep them, give them or sell them- no matter the size.

4. Go somewhere with my siblings one or two days. Just the four of us.

5. Take a cooking class

6. Attend a Cursillo Movement weekend

7. Fast once a month with just juices, water and prayer

8. Run a marathon or half marathon, well, maybe just a 5k to be more realistic

9. Let my nails grow, seriously, I need to quite biting them, yikes! I know, it's embarrassing sometimes...

10. Write a note or letter to my family members, for no particular reason, just because

11. Finish the baby albums and baby books

12. Buy me a piece of jewelry, something unique and different, with a pearl on it, my birthstone

13. Make our Christmas stockings, I haven't found what I want.

14. Finish our living room gallery wall 

15. Do a gallery wall with all the kids arts and paintings

16. Volunteer 

17. Read 5 books. I already have plenty of good choices

18. See Matisyahu

19. Host a cookie-swap party during Christmas

20. Go vegetarian for at least two weeks, I did one, I bet I can do two

21. Have an art-shop day for my kids and friends' kids

22. Learn how to make key lime pie

23. Learn how to make the perfect French Toast and surprise Joe with it.

24. Learn basic Italian vocabulary

25.Get a henna tattoo

26. Donate blood

27. Watch a movie at a drive-in

28. Have our family portrait taken

I will try to do all these within the next year. And as I get them accomplished I will write about them and scratch them off the list. I better get started soon! :)

Patio dreaming

Create a neat spot like this to read outdoors

Get lost gardening and enjoy the day

Love LOVE this one! I wonder what kind of plant or ivy it is?

Nice, relaxing. Tea time? Yoga area?

How about breakfast out here?

Modern and fresh

Romantic dinner at candle light

Spend the night in here

Wine and cheese perhaps?

Room for family

sources pinterest, google

Motherhood

Look what I found browsing around the blog world

source

Happy Birthday Dad !

Today is my dad's birthday, and I'm sad and nostalgic because I can't spend this special day with him. I love him and miss him every day.

He is fun, sweet, super smart, talented, creative, awesome dad and mentor, playful, funny,  inspiring, has a great driven force to overcome obstacles and fight for dreams, etc. He is just great!

Distance can separate us but our spirits are close and he is always in my heart. That is why today I wanted to have a post all about him.

picture taken on 2006

Feliz Cumpleanos Papi! 

 

Te amamos con todo nuestro corazon, te pensamos y te recordamos muchisimo. Que las mas grandes bendiciones del cielo caigan sobre ti, porque siempre has sido un excelente papa. Te mandamos abrazos de oso :)