NOLA News

Happy Friday! I have a good deal of catch up to play since my last entry. We made our trip to New Orleans last week. Wow. It was a great time. Steve and I needed a few days to enjoy one another and escape the distractions of work and life. Mabel's original foster Mom, Patti offered to babysit her for us and Adam adopted Cody for a few days. I can't thank either of them enough for their kindness and care. I am an over-protective mother, and I cannot relax on vacation knowing my kids aren't in good hands. Huge thanks to Patti & Adam!

So the trip was tons of fun...too much so at one point. We arrived Thursday afternoon, eager to explore and emerge ourselves in the Cajun culture. We first filled our bellies with Po Boys from Mike Serio's- a local institution probably more well known for the owners college sports obsession and connections than the food. The sandwiches were decent, but the company in this little shop was the memorable part. Mike and Steve bonded over the expansive collection of college football helmets hanging around the shop. All the while, a severely drunken patron- or friend of the owner staggered around running his mouth- and profusley bleeding from a wound to his ankle that went unrecognized by anyone but us. Needless to say, it put a damper on my appetite, but it was an experience. We headed for the River Walk where we got fudge and strolled next to the Mississippi.


Thursday night we found ourselves on Bourbon Street. It was overwhelming...and tacky beyond belief. We started at a bar called the Back Door that had live music and strong drinks. I had my first hurricane- and it went down easy, too easy! After a couple of drinks there, we strolled to Pat O'Brien's for their famous hurricane. It tasted similar, but was served in a much larger glass. By the time I finished that cocktail, I was good an tipsy. It would be at this time that in Charlotte I would cut myself off, but when in Rome...

I woke up in the morning (not feeling like P Diddy) with an atrocious hangover. The previous night's events started to surface. I may or may not have taken several test tube shots. We may or may not have decided to go to a strip club. I may or may not have befriended a stripper named Dez. I may or may not have thrown up in a box on Bourbon Street while Steve ate hot dogs. Damn hurricanes.

Friday started out rough for me- I was weak, achy, and fighting a gruesome hangover all day. I rallied after a McDonalds breakfast sandwich and we decided t take the streetcar down St Charles to the Garden District. The bumpy ride and the breeze through the open windows were just what I needed. It was a gorgeous day so we strolled around Audubon Park, enjoying the spanish moss and glorious southern foliage.

We had a great creole dinner (I can't remember the name of the restaurant) and cocktails at Pirate's Alley. I of course was still on the mend, so I nursed mine slowly and only had one. We took an evening carriage ride. Our tour guide, Jose was quite possibly the world's worst story teller, but it was a nice scenic ride.

Saturday we began our day with a swamp tour of the honey island swamp. I have a slight obsession with gators, so my excitement for seeing them in the wild was unbridled. Unfortunately, the water was too cold for them, so we only caught a glimpse of one for a quick second. But the other swamp creatures (turtles, birds, etc) were neat. And, the flora and fauna- and natives were also really interesting. Following the tour, the owner was nice enough to bring out a captive baby gator and I got to hold her. They are magnificent animals.
Once back from the bayou (it was about 45 min away), we took a much needed nap and then spent Saturday just walking around, watching street performers, and eventually catching the kickoff Mardi Gras parade, Krewe du Vieux. It was cool, but as a claustrophobic person, it was insane.

Sunday we got a really good breakfast, relaxed, shopped, got our fill of oysters on the half shell and took a walking ghost tour. This time our tour guide was awesome. She was perfectly eccentric and intelligent. We heard some great tales of horrors from hundreds of years ago, including the Delphine LaLaurie story. So cool!

Our trip adjourned on Monday, which was welcomed by both of us. Steve had limited internet access there and it was killing him. Our feet where achy and we had had our fill of seafood. All in all, it was a great time for both of us! I have found a love of beignets and the saying "Who Dat"

We quickly got back into the swing of things- selling a house, going to school, work, etc. Life is busy! Weekends are very welcomed, however, it seems even Saturday and Sunday are hectic right now.

Tonight the two of us are taking a road trip to Raleigh to see the Penguins play the Hurricanes. We went last year and it was one of our first experiences as a couple. We decided at that point to make it a tradition, so here we are again :) GO PENS!

Tomorrow, if the weather is nice I would like to take the dogs for a long walk, maybe organize the attic, and grill out. I think the chore list for getting the house on the market will dominate the next month or so, but it will be well worth it when we have our new place!

Post Super Bowl of Jambalaya

We are already a week into February. I can't believe how time flies. To think that spring officially begins in a little over a month is crazy- and fantastic. I hope that Punxatawney Phil keeps his promise this year and we have an early spring.

This past weekend was Super Bowl weekend- and the stakes were high with the Steelers playing the Packers. I was SO ready to revel in the glory of the Steelers 7th Championship, but it wasn't our year. The heartache was lessened by the fact that we still have 6 rings, and I have lived to see two championships. Hopefully the Stairway to Seven isn't too far away. I would like to keep our lead of most Super Bowl wins.

In 2009, I had the fortunate experience of going to Tampa to be in the middle of the Super Bowl madness when the Steelers last won (see pic left- Julie, Me, Lydia, and Megan upon arrival in Florida).

It was a crazy, fun, unforgettable time. Unfortunately, I couldn't get to Dallas this year, but Steve and I decided to throw our own party. We had a great bunch of friends join us. Our house was quite full, but I thin everyone had a good time.

I insisted on keeping the menu true to my Pittsburgh roots- and/or at least black and gold.
We had black & yellow bean dip- that is low fat and delicious! Recipe is below. Other apps included chicken ball pate; sausage dip, made by Julie; guacamole and pimento cheese double-dip; and pepperoni bread, made by Allison. Our main dish was actually mastered by Steve. I have to give him credit, he is far from a culinary whiz, but he delivered a recipe for pulled pork that was really yummy. We put a pork butt in the crock pot and poured over it 2 jars of pepporcinis & the juice. We let it cook for 12 hours. It was de-lish! We also had cheesey pierogi casserole and coleslaw. For dessert I made Paula Deen's banana split dessert. It was a huge hit! See all the recipes below.

Sadly, the Steelers didn't win, but being surrounded by such good company made it a little less painful- as did the 6-pack of blueberry beer I was drinking :)

Tonight is a bigger night for Steve. Duke plays UNC. I will be cheering for the Heels (after I attend my favorite weekly pilates class)Coincidentally, my Gram happens to be a huge Duke fan thus fostering a great little rivalry between them. Of course it's all in good fun- however Steve really does have an unhealthy hatred for the Blue Devils. He downplays it well as not to scare my eighty year old Gram.

Speaking of Gram, she successfully went through having a pacemaker put in last week. Even though it's a fairly routine procedure, it was scary. She was in good hands of great surgeons, and God of course! Our prayers were answered and after staying one night she is back home and resting. Thank you, Jesus for your care taking!

Next Thursday Steve and I leave for New Orleans. I did some online searching today and I am super stoked for it. The food, the history, the jazz- oh man! I predict falling in love with this place. I am a fierce travel planner and I am debating whether to book tours before we get there, or wait and feel it out. My overly prepared side is of course chomping at the bit to call and make reservations, but my rational side is telling me it isn't necessary. Let's see how long I can hold off before I give in and get planning.

Another item on my to-do plate is the selling of my car. It marks the end of an era. My little Honda coupe has been a faithful companion since I graduated college, but the time has come to say goodbye. Steve has two cars and has offered to let me adopt the 4-Runner while he drives his Honda that is paid off. I will miss La-Fonda (named after a Napoleon Dynamite character), but I am hoping to score $6000 or so for her. That will be a nice little nest egg for us to use in the months ahead.

Well, Mabel is harassing Cody and I had better break it up. Below are the aforementioned promised recipes...

Banana split dessert

Pierogi Casserole (see pic of my casserole of champions

Black and yellow Salsa

1 20 oz can black beans- rinsed, drained, and slightly mashed

1/2 c. canned corn

1/3 cup salsa

1/4 c water

2 tablespoons of chili powder

1/2 c shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese

green chiles- to taste

Combine first five ingredients in small baking dish. Cover with cheese- and place chiles on top as you would like. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.