there and back...

taken from my window seat on Southwest

Just returned from a week back home in Louisiana. Spent part of it with my cousin in New Orleans and part with my other cousin who lives on the coast in Mississippi. We planned to spend it all together, but first cousin came down with a miserable cold and wasn't feeling well... so she didn't go to the coast with us. But luckily, she was much better by the end of the week and we all got together Friday and Saturday.

But Cousin D and I went to Ocean Springs to walk and shop, then drove along the coast through Bay St Louis, Waveland, Gulfport, and Biloxi. I got to put my bare feet in the sand (miss that) and walk along the water (lots of live conchs and hermit crabs). We picked up shells and I simply reveled in the smell of the salt air and the feel of the sand and water between my toes.

When we were young, we spent many a summer at our Cousin R's place in Waveland; swimming in the Gulf, playing in the sand, running along the pier. There was a Dairy Queen (or Dairy something) in the little downtown section (long gone since Katrina) that had *the best* ever Chocolate Malts! And a combination gift/bait shop that had an alligator pit that we all loved.  There were 4 of us (3 girls and 1 boy cousin) and those summers were very memorable. It was a small house (but big lot full of pine trees) with only 2 bedrooms (which the adults used). The kids slept on cots on a screen porch. We loved it! (You could smell the pine in the air) We would spend the days swimming, chasing each other with the hose, and having watermelon fights.

Gil, Darnell, and I in Waveland, Mississippi

The house is gone now... but the land is still there. While we drove, D and I traced our old route from the house to the water - remembering landmarks along the way. At the end of the week we all met  for dinner at a local Seafood Restaurant and then to B's house in New Orleans to reminisce some more. And the next morning before I left we did the same with more family members. And luckily (although it was the 9th Anniversary of Katrina) the weather was fine the whole visit except for a bit of a downpour  (B and I got soaked loading the car) when leaving to catch my flight back.

All in all it was a good trip. And I truly enjoyed being with my cousins again. We may all be *old* now, but that doesn't mean we can't still enjoy the camaraderie we once shared. And I really appreciate all the effort and thought they put into making my visit such an enjoyable one. Next year we may do it again... possibly in Dallas!

In the next picture taken this past Friday evening, Gil is in the front and Darnell and I are sitting together in the back. My cousin Barb is taking the pic.. and while she was there in Waveland with us many a time, her dad was in the army and they traveled a lot. The blonde in pink on the right is Gil's wife, Sharon, and the dark haired young lady is my cousin Barb's daughter, Alicia,... and then there's Kenny, her husband and Braden, their little boy sitting across from each other.

And this next pic is Titan, my cousin in Mississippi's  little Yorkie. Isn't he adorable? He really isn't blue. For whatever reason the darker grey around his neck looks blue... (it was taken with my iPhone).

Now... on to other things. I'm back in Dallas. Classes have started. I missed the first week due to my N.O. visit, but went to the studio yesterday. Since our Instructor was busy with the Ceramics 1 class... they had projects done last week to critique, I just pulled out my Cinco Blanco clay and started throwing. Made 2 semi-large bowls and 2 smaller ones, 2 soap dishes, and one small clay box (out of leftover clay). By the time she came over to speak to me about our projects and syllabus, it was halfway through the session (which was fine as I was busy).

But after she explained what the projects are this semester... *Asian armour* to be reproduced in clay as well as researched.... I had pretty much decided that I wouldn't participate this time.  I'm not doing this for the credit, don't need the Art research, and not doing it just to keep busy. I really want to throw on the pottery wheel.  Some of our previous projects could be done on the wheel (the sets of dishes, mugs, etc.) but not all (the animal busts, chess set, etc.). However, the latter at least could be considered *usable* or functional to a point. I just don't want to spend all my time (and clay) on something like Asian armour...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend!

95th Birthday!... no, not mine



Beignets and Cafe Aulait - Again!  This time in Baton Rouge.


DH and I just returned from another trip to Louisiana. This time to Ethel, La... a little town outside of Baton Rouge.  DH's mom had her 95th birthday this past week.  She is doing well, still lives in her house, and gets around fairly well with her walker (when she remembers to use it).  Her mind is sharp, but her body is failing... which I guess at 95 is expected.  But as she says, "it's frustrating" because the things she likes to do (gardening, cooking, walking, taking care of her cats and the outside birds) has become increasingly difficult. She can no longer drive and dislikes being dependent on others. And she's "tired".

What can you say? I know all this is true and I feel helpless. She has wonderful family nearby that keep close tabs on her and try to involve her in activities, but as she says, she doesn't enjoy needing all this help. She does feel grateful that she has lived this long, but she misses her friends who have all passed on. I can relate (on the friends' issue).  I have lost my mom, dad, and both siblings over the years. And this past summer I lost a very dear friend.  She was 86 and had lived a long happy (for the most part) life.  But I still miss her.

BTW, the photo at the top is beignets and cafe aulait at a place in Baton Rouge. The cafe aulait was good, but the smaller beignets just didn't do the ones in New Orleans justice. We're LSU graduates (class of '68 ) and try to visit our old haunts whenever we're in town. (Usually eat at Mike Anderson's, but this time tried Pairran's- cajun for godfather.  Had poboys and gumbo!) LSU's campus is covered with huge old oak trees.  Most of the limbs touch the ground these days (whether this is from age or hurricanes I'm not sure). But I have to say that even all these years later, the campus is still beautiful.

We stayed at DH's brother's house outside of Houston on our way home so we could watch the LSU-Idaho game (score was 62-14) Saturday night.  Wasn't much of a game...




DH's brother's cat



"Pie fixes everything" dish towel

I found this dish towel in Fredericksburg, Texas when a friend and I were there visiting a few weeks ago.  Loved it!  Says exactly what my hubby believes.  Out of the blue when we are either sitting around watching TV or doing something around the house... he will say, "I need pie!"  It has become a mantra as has "Have you pilled Jack?" (another story, another time).  Told him that I plan to write these on our tomb stones: "I need pie" on his and "Have you pilled Jack?" on mine.

The tomatoes on the Aga are from my friend's garden.  Tomatoes are apparently doing well this summer. My daughter brought some up from her garden in the hill country and my friend brought these last week from just north of Dallas. Luckily for us, we like tomatoes. I especially like them broiled with a little seasoned breadcrumbs and butter on top. They can't compare to the creole tomatoes grown down in Louisiana, but they'll do.  I did miss those when we first moved to Texas... as well as creole cream cheese, pickled meat, and other delicasies that can't be found here.

We also picked the first figs from one of our trees yesterday. There's a trick to getting any figs from our trees. They produce a lot... but between the birds, squirrels, and box turtles... we have to be quick if we want even a few.  Of course we plant the fig tree for the little beasts, so we really can't complain if they take them all.  Our yard is a certified wildlife sanctuary... and we like it that way.

Hubby just brought me some fresh made sweet tea, so I've got to go for today.  I like my new made tea warm and fresh from the brew.