Ponderings and Contemplations. And Mudslides

So this weekend we're heading off to the beach. Originally I think it started as a "Niki called off her wedding, let's make her feel better," kind of deal. But now I am in such a great place in my life, there's no reason to sit around and mourn for the past. So it's turn more into a "My unicorn kite is going to kick your $120 kite's bee-hind, Hillary's bday bash, Erik better make those friggin mud slides because I'm bringing the Big Gulp mug," type of thing. I AM SO EXCITED. Speaking of being in a good place, I really am. I've been taking some really good photos lately, if I say so myself, and I feel myself slowly returning to my roots. Albeit my mom would complain my "Hippie" roots, it'a a nice place to be, recognizing your old self, you know? And speaking of roots, I also am a radiant shade of blonde which makes my whole head sparkle and my heart swell.

Am I rambling? Perhaps. Lin just said I needed to update my blog and by God, i don't want to turn into a Jacob. Overall, life is going just peachy. Work is busy busy busy but it makes the days go fast and the job security go up. Lastly, my friend Sara D. and I did the first race I've done in like 80 bagillion years on Sunday. Granted it was a 5k but you have to start somewhere and it was awesome. It made for the start of a perfect day. Life is good. I have no idea what tomorrow will look like, where I'll be or who I'll love or what I'll do, but surprises are nice sometimes. Especially since Mom and Lin can't keep a secret from me to save their lives.

Lucky I was an A+ Student!!

So last night I get a call from one of my oldest and dearest friends, Molly Raftery. We met in the 6th grade, when, as the new student, it was discovered she made straight As. So did I, so OBVIOUSLY we must be best friends. She's been a blessing in my life ever since. So anyway, Miss Molly calls and asks me, if, she flys me out to Hawaii and puts me up at the Four Seasons, will I be her wedding photographer!! Can you believe? I am soooo honored and sooo excited and cannot wait to be part of her special day!! I GET TO GO ON A HONEYMOON ANYWAY THIS YEAR!! Thank you my dearest Molly for making my year. I love you so much and am so blessed to have you as a friend!!

Though not nearly as far away, Philadelphia is another a beautiful place. We took a short 3 hour road trip last weekend to visit our friend Shannon who lives in the cutest neighborhood right downtown. It was a whirlwind trip but so much fun and I'm already making plans to go back in June. Here are a few pics of our short weekend....


Posing with Rocky in front of the Philly Art Museum


Coffee Shop Details in Philly


Brancusi Sculpture at the Museum


All the girls!

Anything to Make a Buck

Oh, and I saw this in the Winn Dixie. LSU Water? Is this like Kabbalah water? You can't help but getting caught up in Tiger Spirit however, being down here. I got myself an LSU cap at Walmart for like $3. Does it matter I didn't go there? No. I know about 50 people that did and saw Mike the Tiger (or one of his various versions) on more than one occasion. Drinking the water though? Not so much.

How I Managed to Eat 5 times in 3 Hours. Or Life in the South.

So I think my journey through Mississippi (and a brief trip to Mandeville) via my stomach is finally catching up with me. Last night we had crawfish (YAH!) at a place called the Dock in Biloxi. This morning we woke up, went for a run that burned off the first .25 pounds of my meal from last night, and headed for a quick visit to the Northshore. Sally and I grabbed a salad from Coffee Rani, then managed to squeeze in PJs, Fat Tuesdays, and Walmart and Target (some things never change) in less than 2 hours. Oh and how could I forget Papa Sam's, my favorite snowball stand EN EL MUNDO!!. We also got to swing by the old house in Mandeville which looks exactly the same, although that was about all in Mandeville that did. We then took a drive past SSA and the lake front. It was definitely a whirlwind day. When I met back up with the fam, did the fact that I had consumed 4 different things stop us from going to Morton's for fried oysters, shrimp, catfish and of course, more crawfish? HELL NO. Afterwards we grabbed yet another daiquiri for the road and now I sit in the hotel room feeling more-than-slightly ill and looking forward to a week of Slim Fasts. Mom laughs at me, with a look that says, "You have another 18 hours before the plane takes off, we've got a good 3 more meals left!"


Salad Rani. Lettuce and 8 pounds of cheese. YUM.


So my ever-so-brief high school boyfriend wasn't behind the counter serving like he was circa 1996, but PJ's is still delicious!


Who doesn't follow up ice mochas with White Russians? Besides those who are avoiding a future of diabetes of course...


Half cupcake, half wedding cake, A WHOLE POUND OF SUGAR.


Once my sugar shelf was filled to capacity, we moved on to the fried shelf. It was empty, thank goodness, but not for long!


Me and my beloved mudbug!!

Lin and I were wondering how we ever managed to live in Louisiana for some 18 odd years without weighing 400 pounds. My mom chimed in, "Um you didn't try to eat every single thing Louisiana has to offer during a 3 day weekend." Oh, yeah.

Who Doesn't Love a Beer Called Southern Pecan?

Maybe someone whose taste buds have been permanently removed by too much Bud Light, but as far as I'm concerned, I have one word...YUM. In addition to my Lazy Magnolia Brewery ale (which I have to mention I LOVE SOUTHERN PRICING!! My beer was $1.75!), I also enjoyed a lunch of Crawfish Etouffee followed by delicious bread pudding at Mary Mahoneys, a restaurant on the beach that's been around since the mid 1700s. I had a work teleconference this AM that extended until noon, so my morning run didn't happen, but I think i'd have to run a half marathon anyway to burn off all this food. It's not enough to stop us though; we're about to head off to $20 all-you-can-eat crawfish and some more Southern Pecan. Tomorrow Sally Sinor and Cafe Rani or Semolina's. Plus it's 70 degrees, does life get any better?


A little crawfish etouffee...


Followed by a warm bread pudding...


And the best bargain this side of the Mississippi!

The Gastro Journey Continues

Hey. The only Sonic in Virginia is way out in someplace like Ashburn. Who lives out there?? (Stein!!)

I Left My Heart (and Stomach) in the South

So Lin, Mom and I are taking a trip to visit my MawMaw in Biloxi with a brief day jaunt to Mandeville. Is it such an awful thing that instead of agendas full of museums or jazz bars or any of the numerous cultural experiences the South has to offer, that we've completely and totally planned our trip around eating? Smoothie King for an early lunch, Shrimp Poboys for a late lunch, Daiquris for an early dinner, crawfish etouffee for a late dinner...you get my drift. I cannot begin to describe how much the food of Lousiana and Mississippi are part of my DNA, part of my actual essence of being. So I will show you the pictures. For the next few days, you can go on a visual gastro journey with me. You might not benefit from the delectability, but you won't come home 10 pounds heavier either...


Everything tastes better fried!


58 ounces of fruit is healthy, right?