Hot Dog!

Gourmet hot dogs (Thai dog and the Italian boot), a new party dress, a brisk walk in 58 degree temps, spending the evening with one of my most hilarious friends and planning a trip to Moscow in September. This Friday is really shaping up.

A Major Adult Moment.

Today I paid off my car.. one month early.

WAHOO!

No one takes me to bed and to the cleaners in the same night!

So when we wore gratuitous holiday flair for opening presents this year, my sister and I chose sweaters with shoulder pads.  The whole night we were making Dynasty references (poses, evil looks, etc.), despite never having actually seen the show.  As the Dynasty jokes remained long after Christmas, we decided to educate ourselves on the ways of the rich Carrington family as to actually understand the jokes we were making.

Thus the Dynasty weekend was born:

Mother dearest.

Sisters.  Bitter Rivals.

Contempt.

Cat fight!

There was food: cheese ball, bruschetta, and best of all: chocolate/caramel fondue.  Mom made this by combining chocolate chips, caramels, and sweet and condensed milk.  We dipped marshmellows; bananas; strawberries; angel food cake. 

At some point we changed into PJs since sharp sequins on your rib cage aren't conducive for slouching on the couch and stuffing your face.  Below is sister breaking down whether or not Michael was actually pointing at Fallon or flipping her off.

It was hilarous.

7 inches of snow.

..time for cute rubber boots!

Beep Beep, Who's got the keys to the Jeep

I don't drive a Jeep.  I do enjoy Missy 'Mistameanor' Elliot songs from when I was in middle school though.  What is she, on felonies now?

Driving home for Christmas, my metal key chain flew off into the crevice between the driver's seat and console, never to be heard from or seen again.  Then serendipitously, I got a family crest key chain in my Christmas stocking that very evening.  Except that it broke after only two days of use.  Fail.

I went several days without key flair before I realized I had a fabulous one sitting in my jewelry box.  My Great Grandma's return-to key chain for their cute little house next to the church on the hill that I vaguely remember visiting. 



Phone number 5.... as in they were the fifth phone in town?  That can't be it, but I don't know what else it could mean.

I love having this with me every day now.  I'm sentimental like that.  :)

Nawlins

Remember when it was so hot and muggy outside you couldn't breathe? Sigh. I do.  It's -7 degrees right now and as with all post-Christmas snowstorms, I'm over it. 

Back when it was warm I went to New Orleans for work, and thanks to work was able to gorge myself on local cuisine.  Remembering that helps to offset the regret for not becoming a teacher to get snow days.  

Fried goat cheese salad with mixed greens.  

Gumbo.  Extra stars for presentation.

The best part of traveling for work? Ordering fancy food from room service to eat on the bed while watching cable.   

I was watching 'Bringing Up Baby', and man was that girl spoiled.  What about his fiancee? 

Red Beans and Rice.

Frog Legs!!!!! I DID feel guilt about potentially eating a Disney character (hello, Princess & the Frog). Would it be cliche to say it tasted like chicken?

A pit stop from walking around to get self serve yogurt and look out over the river (FYI this was prime oil spill time and the 24 hour news networks were reporting from this riverfront). Two seconds after I took this photo I spilled all over my chambray dress. Messy eater, party of one.

 

Talk about serendipitous, a college friend of mine was traveling through New Orleans solo one of the days I was there.  Bourbon street it so much more fun with a buddy. 

Buttery oyster, fried pickles, fried alligator, the works.

Eggs benedict, my favorite breakfast.

Alligator Ravioli

Flight of moonshine.  Can you believe we did this for a work dinner? I can't.  Nevermind the fact that I was supposed to sip it politely isntead of tip my head back and down it.  I knew that.

The world's best BLT

Homemade salted caramel popsickle.  Mind altering.

You must visit this place in the warehouse district.  It's fancier next-door neighbor (same owner) 'Butcher' was equally phenomenal.

Is that a strip club sign in that picture? Eh, probably.  Oh New Orleans, I think of you fondly as I turn on the space heater next to me.

Delivery!

A circle's round, it has no end...

that's how long I want to be your friend.