July 16, 2012

KATIE'S RESTAURANT & BAR

I think I've mentioned this before but J and I do date night practically every Friday. We'll try a new restaurant, go to the movies, take a bike ride down to the lakefront, walk Billie Lu Bayou around City Park... The point isn't always to woo one another with a fancy night on the town (although that's fun too), but to continue creating new memories and experiences together. Right now date night competes with grad school and work. When we start having children and throw little ones into the mix, date night may have to be once a month versus once a week. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it though. For now, I love anticipating my Friday evenings with J :)

This past Friday we went to
Katie's Restaurant & Bar on Iberville Street. It's within walking distance of our house and we've always wanted to go. Katie's opened in October of 1984 here in Mid-City. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, Katie's took on seven feet of water. With little insurance money for repair, the owner worked four and a half years to rebuild the restaurant. In March 2010, Katie's opened its doors once more.

Our delicious meal...








P.S. - Guy Fieri from Food Network's Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives likes Katie's so you know it's yummy!

P.P.S. - Make reservations if you go.  If you don't, expect a wait.  The word is out and the place was packed while J and I were there with no sign of slowing down.


July 15, 2012

RICCA'S ARCHITECTURAL SALES

J and I went to Ricca's Architectural Sales yesterday (July 14th) when the weather got too bad for fishing.  Ricca's is right here in Mid-City, just a 10 minute walk from our house.  I've only been to a handful of these types of stores but I would say Ricca's is a bit on the high side.  J and I both felt items were overpriced.  Huge huge huge selection though with some really unique items.  When we become homeowners, I definitely want to incorporate some architectural salvage items into the house.











July 14, 2012

BAD DAY FISHING BEATS A GREAT DAY AT WORK

J, Bayou, and I went fishing in City Park today but weren't too successful.  We tried multiple locations all throughout the park but struck out at each site.  J just peeked over my shoulder and said, "you have lots of pictures of me fishing but no pictures of me with actual fish."  Haha.  I'm sure I'll get to post my husband with an actual catch one of these days.

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA
Why so serious?

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA
Billie Lu Bayou

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA
Love the Spanish moss.

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA
We saw an alligator in this lake!  We named him "Taco."

07/14/12 - City Park in NOLA

July 11, 2012

O MY SCALLOPS


So, whenever I get home from the beach, I tend to start planning my next beach trip.  In doing so, I found this cute beach house in Gulf Shores, AL named O My Scallops...












I'm in love with the name and bright decor!  6 bedrooms / 5 bathrooms (sleeps 18) is a bit much for just me and J.  Maybe I can talk some family or friends into doing a group rental next summer!  Any takers?

July 9, 2012

GIRLS WEEKEND

I got back from the beach yesterday.  I had a lovely girls weekend in Fort Morgan, Alabama with two of my very best friends from high school and college (Kiersten & Anna).  Are you wondering where our 4th partner in crime was?  Lauren is (happily) pregnant but (sadly) experiencing some not so fun pregnancy symptoms and didn't feel up to the trip.  We missed you, Lauren Lou!  Besides my ghostly white complexion drawing a few concerned stares, the weekend was incredible!  We jumped the waves, searched for seashells, ate delicious homemade enchiladas and guacamole (I think Anna & Kiersten are secretly of Mexican descent.  Their so called "tans" prove my theory even more so.), laughed about life, and took pretty pictures.  See for yourself...


July 6, 2012
Our first day there was dark and stormy :(  We went down by the water anyway.

July 6, 2012
Kier doesn't let any rain stop her from enjoying some beach time.

July 6, 2012
Look Mom & Dad!  Kiersten still has her Rogers Mounties shirt!

July 6, 2012
Anna, Kiersten, Lauren, and myself all turn 30 this year!  Yikes!

July 6, 2012
Anna's adorable nephew Caleb.

July 6, 2012
Anna's adorable nephew Jacob.

July 6, 2012
A nice passerby gave Caleb & Jacob some fishing nets.

July 6, 2012
Anna MIGHT get married at this house!  Well, on the beach in front of the house.  Her boyfriend Pete proposed just days before our girls weekend.  Anna excitedly accepted.  Congratulations you two!  This house has always been one of her favorite Ft. Morgan rentals so it's on her list of possible reception locations.

July 6, 2012
Just a closer up of the house.  Beautiful isn't it?!

July 6, 2012
Even in the dark gloomy weather, the beach houses pop with their fun colors!

July 6, 2012

July 7, 2012
Hello sunshine!  We had a beautiful day Saturday and enjoyed soaking up all the rays!  This is probably my favorite photograph of the whole trip.  Kiersten bought a really really really nice camera before the vacation and she let me play to my heart's content.  This was taken with the vivid setting.  And no, Kiersten is not topless.  And yes, she is reading one of my favorite books (The Unthinkable by Amanda Ripley).

July 7, 2012
It felt SO good squishing my toes in the sand.

July 7, 2012
The 3 amigos... me, Anna Banana, and Kierbiddagear.

July 7, 2012
Awesome clouds.

July 7, 2012
I could get used to this.

July 7, 2012

July 7, 2012
The roof of the condo building we stayed in.

July 7, 2012
Another one of my favorite photographs from the trip.

July 7, 2012
Aren't these shots obligatory?

July 7, 2012
Meet little Izzy, Anna's sister's pup.  Such an adorable dog.  She loved to give kisses!

July 7, 2012
Jacob & Caleb

July 7, 2012
Kiersten, Me, Anna

July 7, 2012
We ate dinner at Tacky Jacks.  This massive (fake) fish was out front.

July 7, 2012
It's me and the Beazley family!  I was so happy to see our old Maryland neighbors Mr. Tom, Mrs. Kappi, Kristen, and Dede.  Our families have been friends for 25 years and counting.

July 7, 2012
Top Row: Me & Jim (Dede's fiance)
Bottom Row: Michael (Kristen's husband), Kristen, Dede, Kiersten, & Anna

July 8, 2012
We hopped on the Dauphin Island ferry and started our trip home to NOLA.

July 8, 2012
Unfortunately, the area is riddled with natural gas rigs.  Ruins the view sometimes.

July 8, 2012
Is my shirt blinding you?

July 8, 2012
Say bye to the beach, Kier.  You've got a flight back to Denver to catch!

If you feel bad for J because he missed out on all the beach fun, not necessary.  He had quite a weekend himself.  Highlights include taking leftover dessert off someone's table at a restaurant (beacuase apparently the dessert was THAT good it could not be wasted) and attending a Loyola University bike auction.  See him for more details :)