westward ho

The Stud and Mr. F sent me to Utah over the weekend for the best birthday present ever...much needed time with family. My mom and I are now living out of suitcases and a rental car, driving all over the state to catch up with loved ones, reconnecting with each other, and making some really good memories.  The only things missing are the Tall Guy and Mr. F...

spring

Believe it or not, spring actually happened here in Floria.  I think it's about over, but the difference between now and a month ago is astounding.  While everything has been green since our arrival in February, buds are now sprouting everywhere and anywhere.  Dormant trees burst with blossoms, plants explode out of their pots, and life starts anew.  

Even though we've been living in Cyprus, a totally different climate than I grew up in, the flora of Central Florida totally bewilders me.  Where I planted wildflowers, hydrangeas, and hostas in the Midwest, here  I'm seeking out hardy succulents, gardenias, bougainvillea, and lantana.  It's so foreign to me and to my sensibilities, but I'm learning to love it and am savoring the tropical abundance.

thankful

It's almost uncanny how often I forget about this little segment and how valuable it becomes to me just when I need it most.  This past week has been extremely emotionally trying for Mr. F and me.  I was wallowing in frustration when I started thinking about all of the things I have to be grateful for.  The clouds parted for a moment and things didn't look so bleak.

I am thankful for...

the kind retiree of a volunteer at the Catholic thrift shop who wished me a happy mother's day, not knowing if I was one or not.

a local friend who tells me every Friday that she's been praying for Mr. F.

new friends.

wildflower seed packet stamps, just waiting for me to use them.

sitting around a fire, roasting marshmallows with five wonderful people, wondering how three hours could pass so quickly.

a husband, who, even though things are very rough right now, keeps working hard at finding a job.

the promise of a new sister!!!

beautiful stationery.

a busy mom who took the time to answer a slew of questions for me, not realizing how much peace of mind those answers gave.

the insight of someone who has been in my shoes before, who lovingly sympathized.

a new pen that reminds me of my grandmother.

vitamin D.

the guy at the UPS store who waived charges for some scans when technology totally failed me at home.

finding a jar of lingonberries at Publix.

my brother's determination to be good.

Sister's smiles in the photos we see from her time in London.

for the mommas

thrifting

Went in search of furniture, found these instead.  $4 for brand new Easy Spirit espadrilles? Don't mind if I do!

DIY calligraphy card

This card was made for my brother, who never reads this blog so I can post this without any fear of him seeing this too soon.  He was just awarded an aviation scholarship by a major airline.  As if he wasn't a big enough deal to begin with! I'm daily learning I'm not cool enough to be his sister.  All the cool in the family went to him.  All of it.  Anyway, he's still on the other side of the country where I am unable to shower him with praise and lots of hootin' and hollerin'.  So I decided to truly go postal on him (get it? Postal?) and send him a shout out.  

The thing is, all I had were some wedding cards and a set of blank folded notes from the clearance section at Target.  While I loved the colors of my discount paper, they still didn't quite send the whole message I was going for.  They needed some sprucing.  

If you are looking for an easy project, this would definitely be it.  It took me longer to take the photos, edit them, and write this post than to actually make the card.  The card took a max of five minutes.  Two of those were spent hunting down my felt tip pen.  It's just so easy.

What you'll need:

1. a blank notecard of whatever size and shape.

2. a pencil and eraser

3. a felt-tip pen

1. Grab your blank notecard and pencil.  Lightly write in cursive what you want the card to say.  

2.  With the pencil, create a bubble effect to the letters, loosely following your original lines.  For more of a calligraphy look, add chunkier sections next to thin lines.

3.  Grab your felt tip pen.  I like using a fine point as it gives me skinny, skinny part of letters.  Trace your pencil lines and then fill in between like in a coloring book.

4.  Give the ink a few moments to dry then take eraser and remove remaining pencil lines.  If you do this before the ink dries, there will be smudging.  Think mascara dripping down a face in a rainstorm kind of smudging.  It's not pretty, so just give it a second, okay?  Okay.

And that's it.  Really.  Honestly, trying to explain how to do this is more complicated than actually doing it.  So go hit the clearance section for blank paper and make some cards people!  

eating through the big easy

I should have guessed how important food is to New Orleans after watching several Food Network shows stuffed to capacity with the things dreams are made of.  But I didn't.  Eating is apparently a N'awlins tradition.  And eat we did!  If you like seafood, this is definitely the town for you. But if you're like me and cringe at the sight of shrimp, let me tell you, there is plenty of everything wonderful to be had in the Big Easy.  Here are a few of my favorites from our trip.

First, Cafe Beignet.  This little cafe introduced me to the world of beignets and life will never be the same.  Actually a chain, Cafe Beignet has locations on Bourbon Street and a block over on Royal.  We frequented Royal more often but enjoyed the Bourbon Street location one evening as we listened to live jazz en plein aire.  Aside from the beignets, which are killer, they have some great little sandwiches and venues that are just oozing with character.  Did I mention the beignets? Dang..they're good.  We may or may not have planned our departure around when Cafe Beignet opened in the morning..

Next up, Commander's Palace, a New Orleans institution.  I admit, I was underwhelmed.  My family, however, left with tighter pants and euphoric compliments.  Looking back, I think my dissatisfaction stemmed from the fact that I was more hungry than the entree I ordered could handle.  Mind you, if you ever wondered what Meyer lemons and asparagus would taste like in a risotto, boy howdy do I have the meal for you!  At our table we also had quail, veal, and a hefty serving of lamb, all cooked to perfection.

What you really have to get here is the bread pudding souffle.  Oh gosh, is it good!  So good, truly every other person in the dining room ordered it.  Except me.  I ordered strawberry shortcake, which was absolutely divine.  Heads up, you must make a reservation to eat here.  And be dressed appropriately.  We learned both the hard way.  Absolutely no shorts allowed.  Ladies, I'd recommend nice pants or an easy dress.  Also, it's pricey.  Worth it, but pricey.  If you really want to splurge on one meal though, I HIGHLY recommend...

Mr. B's Bistro.  Oh. My. Gosh.  This is hands down the best food I have ever eaten in the history of me eating.  I had this ginger crusted pork chop that was glazed in heaven and served with a side of angels. Oh my golly...  Divine is the closest word to what that pork was.  Not only was my meal good, everything was good.  We shared tastes all around the table, except Dr. Dad.  He ate it too fast and was considering seconds by the time we were passing around forks.  What's so amazing about this is we ended up here on a total fluke.  No, really!  It was our first night and the skies opened up pommelling us lowly, exhausted travelers with soaking rain.  We had gone walking in search of food and ended up at Mr. B's purely because it was the first place we came to with tables inside, that wasn't an IHOP or McDonald's, and it looked dry and warm.  Best surprise ever when we walked in and saw mahogany covered walls and tables covered with crisp white linen.  We feasted like kings, drank hot cups of delicious herbal tea, and then rallied for the walk home with scrumptiously scrumptious desserts.

If ever I go back to New Orleans, I will make a mad dash for Mr. B's.  In fact, I blame Mr. B's for my lackluster opinion of Commander's Palace.  After tasting perfection on our first night, nothing could ever taste as good.  It was truly the best food I have ever eaten.

So tell me, have you ever been to New Orleans?  Where did you eat? What were your favorites?