ECO-CAFE & BISTRO

Straight from their website... www.ecocafeno.com

"At Eco-Café, we strive to be 'Fresh–Green–Friendly'.  Our location, 3903 Canal Street, was a 80 year old casualty of Hurricane Katrina.  We purchased the building in 2009 (having sat vacant and deteriorating since 2005) and refurbished it in a green – friendly fashion.  You will find many of the original features of the building still present including original wood floors, most original windows, and pocket doors."

J and I went to Eco-Cafe for breakfast this morning and it was delicious!  It was a beautiful morning and we thought about biking there but decided against it at the last minute.  Biking would have meant me riding a bike with no rear brakes.  I pictured myself braking too hard with the front ones and flying over the handle bars.  So the car it was.   While a majority of the menu items are healthy, we just had to try the fried chicken and waffles.  We both highly recommend it!  And the side of cheese grits was pretty amazing too.

All-natural, deep fried, chicken breast served in-between waffles,
stuffed with strawberries, and drizzled with honey

BONJOUR

We've been having more beautiful weather in NOLA!  Lots of sunshine and temps in the upper 70's/low 80's.  Unfortunately, J and I had to stay indoors and hit the books.  But look how nice our study space was....

Amazing, right?!  It's a local coffee shop Uptown called Rue de la Course.  Built in the early 1900's, the building was originally the Carrollton branch of Canal Bank.  I love that a majority of the original architecture was preserved.

So.... Getting back to our weekend....

We studied at Rue de la Course all Saturday morning until our tummies finally started to growl.  Then we packed up and headed over to Ecole Bilingue de la Nouvelle-Orleans (EB), a French-immersion elementary school, for a quick lunch break with friends.  It was the weekend of the annual Fete Francaise at EB, a free festival celebrating French culture, food and music.

Here is the school....

Having fun with Lisa & Adam....

My delicious lunch.... Mussels au bleu and Frites from Les Deux Papas....

Once we finished lunch at EB it was time to head out and get some more studying in before 6pm church.  Manley Miller, one of the Associate Pastors, preached that evening and we always enjoy his sermons.  Sunday morning and afternoon included more studying (no surprise there) and Life Group/Bible study later that evening.  A photo from LG/BS.... Look how cute Jumi & Megan are....

I actually took 3 shots with my iPhone and Jumi was so serious in each one!  Megan is pregnant (obviously) with a little girl that she and her husband Chase have decided to name Jude.  Josh and I are very happy for them and can't wait to meet Jude come June.  Megan and Chase are going to be wonderful parents!

Hope everyone has a GREAT week!  Until next time....

BBQ & PULL-A-PART

After 2 incredibly long months of a bitter winter (temps dropped down to the mid 40's... oh my!) the heat and humidity have finally joined us again.  To celebrate the sunshine, J and I barbequed with friends this past Friday.  We carefully ignited the gas ensuring all eyelashes and eyebrows remained intact and threw some meat on the grill.  An hour later and dinner was served... grilled hotdogs (my favorite) and chicken.  It was so much fun relaxing and catching up with friends.  Too bad school monopolizes our free time or we would do this more often!

One of my favorite pictures from Friday night....

Lauren, Avery & Bayou

I'll admit J and I were a bit jealous after seeing the photo.  Bayou is not typically a licker or kisser.  Guess Lauren won her over!

It is too boring to get into for blogging purposes but J's car has had issues lately.  No exaggeration it has been going on for months now.  With the help of some friends and family (thank you Avery, Preston & Grandpa!) he finally figured out a fix.  We headed west to the other side of the Mississippi River and visited Pull-A-Part, the "premiere do-it-yourself used auto parts superstore."  I had never been somewhere like this before.  Had no idea such a place even existed.  Junked cars as far as the eye could see.  You bring your own tools, pay a $1 admission per person, check the computer inventory to find the lot location of the car or cars you need, head out on foot into the vast and expansive metal cemetery, find the car, remove whatever parts you need yourself, and then make the hike back to the main building and pay for your items.  We got very dirty very quickly but I had fun playing macho mechanic with J for the afternoon!



CONE OF SHAME

Bayou had a little cut behind her ear that she wouldn't let heal.  So... for your viewing pleasure...

Poor Billie Lu Bayou :(

TYING THE KNOT

J and I had not 1, but 2 weddings to attend this past weekend.  Lauren & Madison were married Saturday, March 12th, in Oxford, Mississippi and Peyton & Dan were married Sunday, March 13th, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  J was actually in Lauren & Madison's wedding.  He and Madison have been friends since middle school and J & Lauren met during their undergrad days at Ole Miss.  J turned out to be quite the match maker, didn't he?!?  Dan and I met during undergrad at LSU and became instant friends.  He helped me through many a class and always knew where the party was.  I was relieved the weddings were on different days so that J and I could partake in both of the exciting events.  We pray both couples will have much love and joy in their lives together.  J's advice to Dan & Madison... "A happy wife is a happy life!"

Some photos from our weekend... 

Ajax Diner - Oxford, Mississippi
Southern Fried Catfish, Collard Greens, Matty's Mom's Meatloaf,
Fried Eggplant, Cheese Grits, Jalapeno Cornbread



Parrish's - Oxford, Mississippi
Columbia, Tennessee kids... Heather, Archie, J, Mary, Sam

Proud Larry's - Oxford, Mississippi
Me, little Miss Eden Jane (the happiest baby!!), Sarah



Oxford University Club - Oxford, Mississippi
Mr. & Mrs. Turner cutting the cake



Oxford University Club - Oxford, Mississippi
CONGRATULATIONS Lauren & Madison



Le Pavillon - New Orleans, Louisiana
Peyton & Dan exchanging vows



Le Pavillon - New Orleans, Louisiana
Delicious red velvet cake



Le Pavillon - New Orleans, Louisiana
1st dance as husband and wife....
CONGRATULATIONS Mr. & Mrs. Day

LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER

Happy Mardi Gras y'all!  Hope everyone has an opportunity to experience the food, music and culture that is New Orleans at least once in their lifetime.  Eat some king cake and have a fabulous Fat Tuesday! 

Cream Cheese King Cake from Haydel's Bakery - YUMMY!
www.haydelbakery.com



Bayou wearing her favorite catch from the Muses parade
http://www.kreweofmuses.org/

 

Mardi Gras 2001
Where it all began for J & Me

Mardi Gras 2006
Me, J, our buddy Kiersten

Mardi Gras 2008
J, our friend Lauren, Me



KYLE'S WINGS & BENJ'S HOMECOMING

INTRODUCING

UNITED STATES NAVAL AVIATOR

MR. KYLE BRIAN HUFF

My youngest brother, Kyle, earned his wings February 25, 2011 at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida.  We are SO proud of everything he has accomplished.  Next up, Kyle is heading to San Diego, California for approximately 6 months and then Atsugi, Japan for 3 years.  You better believe J & I are going to visit him in Japan.  Some pics from the wonderful weekend...

what Kyle will be flying

Kyle & Corrianne

J, Kyle, me



the whole gang from L to R
Aunt Laurie, Grandpa, Grandmama, Mom, J, me, Kyle, Grandmother, Nick, Corrianne, Daddy



Mom & Dad enjoying Pensacola Beach

My other brother, Benjamin, was not able to attend the winging ceremony.  He was finishing up a year in Iraq with the Army but has since arrived home safe and sound in Colorado this past Saturday, March 5th.  His wife and puppy dog were there to greet him with lots of hugs and kisses.  WELCOME HOME NOODLES!  J and I are SO happy you're back!

Benjamin & Ava

BUSY WEEKEND

J and I went to Whole Foods this past Thursday and walked away with oodles of fresh fruit.  We bought the most incredible grapes, apples, mandarins and mangos.  Friday night we stayed in and had homemade cream of crab soup for dinner.  I may have overdone it with the Old Bay seasoning because #1 it was really spicy and #2 the soup turned an orangey pink color.  Saturday afternoon J and I met up with our friends Adam & Lisa for Salvo's Seafood & Deli in Belle Chasse, Louisiana.  The restaurant is only about 10 miles/25 minutes south of New Orleans.  Salvo's has an all you can eat boiled seafood special that can't be beat.  The 4 of us had no problem devouring the shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, sausage, mushrooms, potatoes, and corn.  At one point I thought Josh and Lisa might be asked to leave for eating too much crab.  Yes, they ate THAT much.  I forgot to take pictures at Salvo's but there are some random photos below from Google Images that give you the idea.  Saturday evening we went to our first Mardi Gras parade of the season, Krewe du Vieux (http://www.kreweduvieux.org/).  The theme this year was 25 Years Wasted.  Mardi Gras will always hold a special place in my heart since J and I met during Mardi Gras 2001... BUT... I'm over the crowds, the smell, the pushing, the drink spilling, etc.  It's just not my scene anymore. I guess a parade or 2 every year is fine, but that might be my limit.  Sunday evening Life Group was at our house so friends from church came over and we enjoyed some jambalaya and lemon chess pie for dessert.  Are you asking yourself "how did they do all that, eat all that, and still find time for studying?!"  Well, that's the 1 thing J and I did not fit in this weekend and shame on us.  I guess it is back to living in the library starting today...

Oh, one last thing, when J and I were running an errand Saturday morning we noticed a new neighborhood had popped up in the Mid-City/Bayou St. John area (our favorite part of the city).  The houses are brand new but were built in classic New Orleans shotgun style.  If we planned on settling in NOLA and raising our family here, I would totally buy the light blue one!

DOES CARROT CAKE COUNT AS A SERVING OF VEGETABLES?

J has been on a health kick lately and he finally got me to join the club. Our meals last week consisted of fruits, veggies, nuts, whole grains, and water. Also known as the "Daniel Fast."

“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant food, no meat or wine came into my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”  Daniel 10:2,3

We have both been completely faithful to the diet for 7 days now.  Meanwhile, it has been difficult to subside the cravings for Port of Call cheeseburgers or the yearnings for cowboy rib eyes from Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse.  Heck, I think we would be overjoyed with a Buck Double from Burger King at this point.  I'm drooling right now by the way.  So while I wish this Daniel Fast could ultimately be a way of life, I think it's going to be more of a weekday thing and weekends will be a free for all!

I do want to share a "Daniel Fast" recipe with everyone.  It's an easy, delicious and healthy soup that was able to fill J up (no easy feat).  Adding shredded chicken and a dollop of sour cream would make the meal even tastier.

GEORGE'S HOMEMADE CILANTRO SOUP

• 2 bunches of fresh chopped cilantro
• 10 large carrots chopped
• juice of 1/2 squeezed lemon
• 15 brussel sprouts quartered
• 1 large sweet onion chopped
• 8 cups chicken stock 
• 4 tsp garlic salt
• 1 large can tomato or pasta sauce
• 1 or 2 fresh jalapenos chopped 

Add all ingredients to pot
Bring almost to a boil
Then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour

Not only have I been eating healthy for the past 7 days but I've also been exercising.  You can go ahead and pick your jaw up from the floor now.  I was such an excercise-aholic in high school and then never again.  What happened?!?  In high school I used to go to the gym at least once a day, sometimes twice a day, and would run a mile or two around the neighborhood in the evenings just for fun.  J found a great FREE app for our iPhones called RunKeeper that has helped me get back into the swing of things.  Yes, FREE!  And we love it!  I think the company should make their slogan "RunKeeper Rocks!"  You can pretty much use it for any outdoor activity... walking, jogging, running, skiing, snowboarding, road biking, mountain biking, hiking, etc.  The app tracks your route, distance, and calories burned among other things.  And did I mention it's FREE?  If you have the iPhone, download it today.

And speaking of iPhones, I dropped mine and broke the screen.  I actually happened to be using the RunKeeper app when it slipped out of my hands.  AT&T charges way too much to fix the screen ($199) so J found a do-it-yourself kit for $8 that we are going to try.  Hopefully my little baby will be up and running in no time.  You never realize how much you use and depend on your phone until you suddenly have to go without.



MARYLAND

MARYLAND

1996 - 2011

J and I returned home from Minnesota and found our Huff family cat, Maryland, had passed away in our absence.  I am so upset.  I feel as if I have lost a member of the family.  Maryland was almost 15 years old and had been with my family through 7 different moves.  Maryland, born in Maryland, went on to live in New York, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Minnesota, Tennessee, and finally back to Louisiana again.  She was quite the well traveled kitty cat.  A feisty firecracker at birth, Maryland remained so until the day she died.  It was common to see her instilling fear and sometimes even chasing the family dog.  Josh and I buried her this past Sunday, January 2nd, in City Park.  We picked a spot under an enormous oak tree with a winding bayou nearby.  Maryland was dearly loved and will be dearly missed.