Oysters. Raw. Icy cold. On the half-shell. Oh my. Just look at the size of those babies! I have to admit, before our trip to New Orleans I was not a particular fan of raw oysters. Sure, I’ve had them before when we lived in France. I remember them as being unchewable and tasting of salt water brine, and mostly let them slide right down my throat without ever touching my teeth. I remember them as being somewhat small. Nothing like the oysters to be had in the Acme Oyster House. Yum. Sheer ambrosia! Delectable, and definitely not chewy or briny despite their large size.

It’s just a tiny restaurant off Bourbon Street, but it was always packed with customers. We ate oysters there several times sitting at the bar, and they were delicious time after time. I wish we could have eaten there every day but we had other commitments. Next time I’ll plan to eat there more often. They can be very addicting! Now, now. I see some of you out there turning up your noses at the mere thought of eating raw oysters. To you I say, don’t knock ‘em ‘till you’ve tried ‘em. Acme’s oysters will turn those thoughts right around. Trust me.

Going on vacation is a good thing. I needed a break from the old routine of feeding dogs and scooping kitty litter boxes. It was fun to visit somewhere that I had never been before and eat out every night. We kept a pretty busy schedule and there wasn’t much down time. Unfortunately I didn’t get as much time to blog as I would have liked. Rick had the laptop with him for work during the day, and the only free time to blog would have been after dinner. And by then I was way too tired to think straight. So, I hope you missed me just a little bit.

As nice as our little ‘vacation’ was, it was just as sweet to come home. The snow covered, heavily wooded hills looked very good to my eyes. The dogs did very well for their first time being kenneled and they were very happy to see us. The kitties did well too, being cared for by the teenaged boy down the street. It’s nice to be able to crawl into my bathrobe and cozy slippers and not have to go anywhere at all. So, all is good.

Our weather in New Orleans was cold, grey, rainy and very damp. We didn’t see the sun except for the very first afternoon when we arrived. I did manage to get an annoying head cold while there, either from the damp, chilly wind or from stepping in one too many puddles, so I’m a bit under the weather today. My head is stuffed up and my brain is foggy. I think I’ll spend the day watching old movies propped up on the couch by several pillows, cup of hot tea in hand, blanket tucked up under my chin to keep the chill off [right now it’s 3 degrees outside].

For the next couple of days I’ll be recapping our trip with lots of photos, so be sure and stop by! Until then, try a sugary-sweet sample of pralines:

Here is my breakfast this morning. I walked down to the riverfront to have beignets at the famous Café du Monde. Need I say more?

As I type this entry in our room at the Astor Crowne Hotel situated at the corner of Bourbon and Canal Streets, I am getting a live concert. No matter that we are on the sixth floor; the jazz wafts upwards and our room faces out towards Bourbon Street.. It’s pretty loud, and I must admit, the performers are not very talented. Oh well. That’s New Orleans for you!

Well, here I am in New Orleans doing a little Mardi Gras shopping. You’ve always wondered what I look like; now you know. I might appear a bit wooden and stiff, but if you’d been walking the streets of the French Quarter all morning you might look much the same.

Today was grey and rainy so I did my walking early. New Orleans was not really awake before noon so I was able to take some photos without looking like too much of a tourist. Still, my camera gave me away. Several guys wanted me to take their photo [I didn’t] and as I strolled past one worker said “Welcome to New Orleans, baby ... “