NOLA

Well, we did it.
We took a little getaway and left the baby with Grandma. (Thanks, LuLu!!)

And we all survived, and even had a gloriously good time. Ben and I got to sleep in past 6:30am, and Kaelyn reportedly had Mickey Mouse pancakes and all the playtime her little heart could handle.

Ben and I headed off to New Orleans last Friday night, our Christmas gift to each other cashed in.

Jackson Square

I want a balcony that looks like this. With beignets on the side, please. 

And for the record, we really were there together. I say that to say this: what I am about to show you is a rare find.

Rare as in the only one.

This would be the only picture we have of the both of us together during our visit to the Crescent City:

Speaking of rare finds, when you go down to this awesome little Cajun nugget of foodie heaven, here are the places we dined that I cannot recommend highly enough.
I had gotten several suggestions from friends, stalked UrbanSpoon and blogs to try to plan out where we would feast, but when it comes down to it people, just ask the locals.

The first place we grabbed breakfast was great, but the least of my favorites. The name escapes me. (Don't get me wrong, we still devoured the New Orleans style french toast, and crab cakes benedict.) But after walking around and taking a carriage tour, we stopped in Cafe Du Monde for a mid morning pick me up - Ben's first experience with the powdered sugar piled beignet.

We had two orders, one for him, one for me. (I assured him some things just aren't worth sharing). After more French Quarter walking, we had the luxury of going back to the hotel room for a nap before heading out for dinner. That's right. A nap. In the middle of the afternoon. Luxurious. 


We picked the Crescent City Brewhouse for dinner. Neither of us really drink beer, but we'd been told to check this place out. By the end of the night I was lingering in the back by the kitchen door hoping I could shake hands with the chef. That boy is going places.
Service was so friendly, awesome deco, and whatever you do, get the Angry Mussels. Menu reads, "Plump black mussels sautéed with onions, garlic, scallions and steamed with black forest beer. Finished with a chorizo butter." Also served with a loaf of warm french bread for dipping.  Mama mia. 

For brunch the next morning (brunch?!?! when is the last time we did brunch?!) we headed to Muriels, where everything was perfect from start to finish. From the croissant bread and whipped butter at the beginning, fresh to order squeezed orange juice, the jazz trio playing in between, to the Alligator and Poached Egg Hash (trust me, yes, alligator) for me and Shrimp & Grits for him. And when I say Shrimp, capital letter needed, I mean shellfish the size of my palm, and lots of them. Insane.
Also, the place is allegedly haunted (which is good for Ben. Bad for me.  He refers to me as the Doubter. I call it I'd Rather Not Know) and if you ask your server, they'll tell you the story. Then be sure to tour the upstairs part of the restaurant. Amazing.

That night we hopped over to the Royal House Oyster Bar, a little bit of a dive that was packed- always a good sign.

The dessert. People. Listen to me.

Bananas Foster Cheesecake.

I heard angels sing.

Our dinner was fabulous, oysters (naturally), seafood pescatore, and whatever the house special was that night. But dessert was divine.

In between all of the food, we tourned the Katrina Exhibit at the Louisiana State Museum (in a word, powerful); the Garden District (they just don't make houses like the use to);

 the St. Charles Streetcar (very popular at 2pm. FYI the limit to how many people those things hold is as many as you can pack in. ),

 the oldest practicing Catholic Cathedral in the US (there was suppose to be a wedding in there later that afternoon. I seriously considered reinacting Wedding Crashers);

oh, and we swung by Brad and Angelina's just to say hi (unfortunately they had to leave for the Golden Globes, but they hate that they missed us!).

I ooh'd and ahh'd at the antique chandelier shops (one of which reportedly has a pricetag of $525, 000. I'm hoping that means the house that comes along with it is out back), and Ben, ever the considerate teacher, took lots of cultural pictures to make a slideshow with to show his class so they could learn about the great city.

And yes, I know you are wondering.
We did hit up Bourbon Street.
See?
We got down right wild and crazy!

At the hard partying time of 8pm. Pretty much just to say we hit up Bourbon Street. About the only thing appealing for me there was the hot dog vendor on the corner - those street vendor hot dogs are the bomb.


We loved every relaxing minute. Getting to spend time like that just the two of us together is definitely a treat; I'm hoping we have started a Christmas tradition! It was a trip with cherished memories, and if you've never been, don't hesitate. Everyone should have a taste of the Big Easy.

The icing on the cake at the end of the trip was walking out to the waiting area at the airport, seeing Kaelyn, and hearing her high-pitched scream as she ran towards us. Now that's a priceless memory.

Vacations rock,
xoxo dae

It's all about exposure

Once upon a lifetime ago, I led a blissful and ignorant existance in another country that I completely took for granted.

I was surrounded by beautiful architecture, cherry blossoms, and an endless supply of fresh fish. Raw, if you so choose.

I did not choose for a long, long time.

I was between the ages of 8 and 16.  No third grader realizes at the time that they are in one of life's greatest opportunities, right? I was too busy playing the new big grey box Nintendo and putting my hair up in a Scrunchie because, you know, I was cool like that.

Please don't judge me.

I miss Japan, and everything that goes along with it. If I could take back each time I passed up the amazing plethora of food that was offered to me.... stupidstupidSTUPID.

By the time I came to my senses, I had one good year left of appreciating my surroundings before the only thing that came close to fresh fish was Long John Silver.

May our children learn from our mistakes.


Kaelyn got a head's up on food culture from Uncle Mike this Christmas:

LOVE. It.





She dug right in, brushing up on her ohashi skills. Look at this kid. A little wasabi in the soy sauce, she's a natural!

She played and played with this set, and then Dad got in on the action.
Wait. You can eat with sticks? Coolest Dad EVER.

Now, we gave her the real deal a few days ago, and lets just say that I think she liked how the wood block version tasted better, but by the time she's 16, she'll be eating the good stuff like its no one's business.

Big love and sushi rolls,

dae

Bullets

• Potty Training is another term for How To Drive Your Mother Insane.
• I haven't had a piece of fudge in 6 days. I'm beginning to get the shakes.
• My rearview mirror blew up in my face while driving down the road the other morning. It sounded like a gunshot. I ducked. True story.

• I watched Live to Dance last night. I liked it. Lots. Is that wrong?
• Ben and I are going on a trip - no kids allowed! - in a couple weeks. What am I looking forward to the most? What every girl married with kids dreams of.... SLEEPING IN. Oh, and the food. Lots and lots of not-cooked-by-me, no-dishes-in-the-sink glorious food (other than time with Ben, of course).
• I celebrated the New Year by completely reorganizing and cleaning out the attic over the weekend. We bought a deepfreeze. And a steam mop. It was awesome. Top that, people.
• I highly recommend the Vanilla Chai and Dunkin' Donuts. When did Dunkin' get so darn good??

That's all. Nothing of any importance whatsoever. Thanks for tuning in!
xo, d