There are all sorts of things to see around the Jackson Square area, and we passed these two guys performing in the pedestrian mall. If you give them money they will move. Otherwise they appear to be statues.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Cocktails at Four
Based on glowing reviews on Trip Advisor, we signed up for a cocktail tour of the French Quarter. We met several nice couples in our group... some Bears fans from Chicago, some Hawkeye fans living in Texas, and some folks from Ohio. The woman from Ohio and I had both read about this tour online, and had heard how great the tour guide Joe was. When the groups were divided, we both made sure we were in Joe's group, and he definitely lived up to our expectations. Here is Joe on the river pier giving us some background before starting the tour.
Our first stop was Tujague's. It is the second oldest restaurant in the city, and still has the original bar and mirror, which has never been resilvered since the mid 1700's. Joe told us many stories of the history of the bar and restaurant. Here is the bartender, Paul. Joe warned us about his grumpy demeanor, but he was really quite pleasant to us and graciously allowed me to take his picture. He is making us one of his specialties, Tujague's Lemonade. It was in this bar that the famous sweet cordial coktail, the Grasshopper, was invented.
This is the dining room at Tujague's. Here, the ladies came to dine before the men allowed them to join them in the bar. Meals are still served here. There are no menus, just a choice of 4 entrees, along with bread, shrimp remoulade, soup of the day, a "taste of brisket" (delicious), and bread pudding for dessert. We ended up going back there for dinner after the tour and enjoyed it for ourselves. The soup was amazing, and Jim thinks it was his favorite meal in New Orleans.
The next stop was Muriel's, one of New Orleans' most beautiful and elegant dining and drinking establishments. It is one of many French Quarter locations which are said to be haunted. The story goes that one of the former owners refused to leave after the restaurant had been sold, and ended up committing suicide in one of the upstairs rooms. Joe told us that even today, the waiters often set the table and serve dinner to the ghost, just to appease him. Of course the story goes that when the table is cleared, some of the food has been consumed. Believe it. Or not.
Here, she is making a Fleur de Lis, a martini type drink. The other drink they offered was a Pimm's Cup, served with a slice of cucumber.
I expected the carriages to be pulled by horses, but obviously I was wrong. I was told that they use mules because they tolerate the heat better.
Behind St. Louis Cathedral is St. Anthony's Garden. Legend says that it was here in this very garden that pirates held duels with swords. At night, the shadow of the statue reflects on the building.
As Joe was telling us the story of Pirate's Alley Cafe, a rat ran right across the alley and back again. Sort of added to the authenticity of the pirate stories. :)
Just as exotic, was the bartender and the drink she made, the "Green Fairy." It is made from absinthe, which had been banned from the U.S. for the past 97 years, and only legalized in 2007.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Once a Princess, Always a Princess
We celebrated Jennifer's 24th birthday with dinner at St. Elmo's Steakhouse. We had a group of nine to help make it a festive occasion.
At St. Elmo's, dinner starts with the famous shrimp cocktail. Here is one little shrimp left in the bowl. The sauce is delicious and potent. You need a glass of water nearby to keep your eyes from watering!
Mine was the more petite portion, a juicy filet. AND red skinned mashed potatoes! Yum!

Jennifer poses with her birthday girl portion of cheesecake, which she traded to her dad for the cheesecake with hot fudge sauce below. A girl has to have her chocolate!
Here is the whole group: Jim, Dustin, Jennifer, David, Adam, Jon, Andrew, and Darci. Shylah was working, and we missed having her along.
At St. Elmo's, dinner starts with the famous shrimp cocktail. Here is one little shrimp left in the bowl. The sauce is delicious and potent. You need a glass of water nearby to keep your eyes from watering!
Jon ordered one of the chef's evening specials, the bone in ribeye. Now that's a slab of meat! Yabba dabba doo!
Jennifer poses with her birthday girl portion of cheesecake, which she traded to her dad for the cheesecake with hot fudge sauce below. A girl has to have her chocolate!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Book Club Monday
Our book club met on Monday as usual at Somethin's Perkin'. Our book for this week was The Glass Castle, by Jeannette Walls. It had been recommended to me by my old dance teacher, Madelyn Anderson Ferris through Facebook. Her comment was, "you can't make this stuff up!"
I borrowed this short review from a blog called Smackamack, and I thought it gave a good synopsis of the book:
Our group enjoyed the book, and were especially moved by the fact that despite everything, Jeannette Walls refuses to condemn her parents. We decided that we had difficulty being equally nonjudgmental. We admired her for her ability to tell the story of her wildly original family with humor and compassion, and how her strength and perseverance allowed her to live a more conventional and successful life.

"The Glass Castle is a memoir written by journalist, Jeannette Walls. Jeannette writes about her unique childhood, sharing her fond memories of her father and mother. She tells how they refused to conform to society’s ideas of responsibility, leaving their children to fend for themselves for even the most basic of needs, such as food and shelter. Jeannette tells her story in a straightforward fashion that is not touched with anger or self-pity, belying events that often shock her readers with her almost innocent presentation of the facts. The Glass Castle is an astonishing memoir that will leave the reader both stunned by the tragic circumstances of Jeannette’s childhood and awed by her strength."
Our group enjoyed the book, and were especially moved by the fact that despite everything, Jeannette Walls refuses to condemn her parents. We decided that we had difficulty being equally nonjudgmental. We admired her for her ability to tell the story of her wildly original family with humor and compassion, and how her strength and perseverance allowed her to live a more conventional and successful life.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Eagles Win!!
It was a great Saturday, as we got to jump on the bandwagon and watch Evan's Zionsville Eagles play in the Indiana state soccer finals. The day started out a bit damp and cold, but the weather improved as did the level of excitement. In attendance for the morning game were proud dad Ted, Nana (pink cast and all), Boomie, Jennifer, David, Jim and Susan. Of course Evan's sweet and beautiful sister Dara was there cheering him on as well.
Here is Evan lined up for the morning game announcement of the starting players. It's been a great ride for these seniors, and while they are intense on the field, you can tell they really enjoy playing together.
The finals took place at Kuntz Stadium in downtown Indy, across from the old Busch Stadium. Here, you can see the scoreboard with 1 minute left to go in the semi final match against Lake Central. This team had previously beaten the Eagles, and I don't think those boys were going to let it happen again. It was a hard fought match, with Harrison Petts connecting for the only goal of the game.
After the game, the team posed for a picture. They were happy with their win, but knew they weren't finished yet.
Cheryl and her daughter Samantha made it in from Tampa for the final game.
Dara and her friends combined Halloween and team spirit for some costumed fun.

Evan is ready to go. We're leavin' it all on the field. That's right.
Announcing the starting lineups for the final game. Evan waves to the crowd...
and to the student section behind him.
One more game, guys. One more game.
The final game was between the Eagles and Fort Wayne Homestead. Homestead got an early goal, putting the Eagles behind. They were able to tie it up, then get another goal to lead 2-1 at the half.
Here, Evan heads (or shoulders?) the ball.
Celebrating the second goal, before half time.
Late in the second half, the deal was sealed on a penalty kick by Harrison Petts. Game, set, match, Eagles.
Evan celebrating on the sidelines. We're gonna do this!
Final scoreboard: Homestead 1, Eagles 3. Can you say State Champs!??
Celebrating with the Zionsville student section. If you look closely, you can see Evan doing the Kuntz Leap! :)
Zionsville's team leader Harrison Petts was awarded the Mental Attitude Award. Here he is being interviewed by Fox 59 Sports. He will play soccer at IU next year.
Awaiting the presentation of State Champion Medals.
Dude, these medals rock!
Hoisting the trophy. Evan is to the right of the trophy.
Evan pointing to the trophy as if to say, "That's right, this is ours!"
Zionsville Eagles. 2009 State Soccer Champs. Boo-yah!
A hug for Dad.
A proud little sister.
A night to remember. Proud father and son. Priceless memories.
Here is Evan lined up for the morning game announcement of the starting players. It's been a great ride for these seniors, and while they are intense on the field, you can tell they really enjoy playing together.
Here, Evan heads (or shoulders?) the ball.
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