Saturday, September 14, 2013

New Orleans Bridal Shower Luncheon

One of the reasons I was away from blogland for a while (aside from being a lazy slug) was my eldest daughter's wedding.  Anyone who's planned a wedding knows that it is not a one night affair.  There are MANY pre wedding parties and events to host and/or attend....and the planning...and shopping....and DIY projects...and waiting for RSVP cards to arrive...and organizing gifts.  It is SOOOO much fun, but man, it does keep you busy.

Anyway, I thought I'd revisit the New Orleans Bridal Shower which was in June of 2012.  I say New Orleans because there were also several Mississippi wedding events, since that's where the groom is from.  If I can find some decent pictures, I'll do separate posts on each of those. They were FUN!

But back to this one, it was held at Ralph's on the Park which is a gorgeous restaurant overlooking New Orleans City Park.


Of course, you can't have a New Orleans Bridal Shower....or really any event in New Orleans, without a bar!  Your choice of Mimosas and other champagne cocktails, red or white wine, Brandy milk punch.....all on a gorgeous balcony overlooking City Park.


Speaking of bars and balconies....you just knew that's where I'd find the Bride and her maids....


But I digress.....the favors were small almond scented soaps bought locally from Bayou Soap Company (check out their Facebook page).  Oh my, did they smell delicious....like wedding cake.


They were super simple to decorate....a length of lace ribbon, a length of raffia, secured on the back with a round sticker with the phrase "From Megan's Shower to Yours" and the date.  Super simple.


Over a bottle or two or three of wine at my house the day before, the groom's mom and one of the bridesmaids did the floral arrangements...hydrangeas, roses and calla lilies.  I cut some ginger lily from my yard to help give the bottom of the vases some interest, and we filled the others with pearls.   We also sprinkled Mercury glass candles on the tables and around the room. 




Another fun thing was "Date Night" suggestions.  Each table had a frame explaining what to do, and cards and pens for the guests to share their suggestions.



The cards were then placed into a tulle filled Apothecary jar located on the gift table.

A good way for guests to get to know the story of the bride and groom is by playing the "Left/Right game".  There was a gift on each table.  At a designated time, the Maid of Honor got up and read the comical story of the bride and groom....how they met, their courtship, engagement, etc.  Each time the words "right or left" were used, the gift was passed around the table in the appropriate direction.  At the end of the story, whoever held the gift got to keep it.  It was hysterical.


We also played the "What's in your purse game?"  Talk about getting to know people better....who knew someone would actually have extra underwear!

The bride decided to be traditional and open her gifts at the shower.  And man, did she have some gifts to open!


The dutiful Maid of Honor (baby daughter) kept track of each gift.


and the cake......


Oh man....the cake was from Ambrosia Bakery, a Baton Rouge bakery that my daughter fell in love with while a student at LSU.  It was traditional white wedding cake with Pecan Praline filling.  My husband, being the devoted Dad he is, made the 2.5 hour round trip trek to Baton Rouge to pick up the cake.  No, those girls don't have him wrapped around their finger at all....noooooooo.

All in all, I think a good time was had by all. 



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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Haleakala Sunset - Maui

While I was away from blogland, one of the trips we took was to Maui this past April.  Now this post may bore some of you, but I'm doing it anyway. You see, I'm a neurotic trip planner.  While we were planning this trip, I did a million few google searches on things to do and see.  

So this post is for fellow "thorough" trip planners like myself who may be googling as we speak.  Glad to be of service.


One of the MUST SEE things on Maui is experiencing sunrise atop Haleakala volcano which forms 75% of the island.  The summit looks down into a massive depression 7 miles across, 2 miles wide and 2600 ft. deep. 



So, sunrise atop Haleakala was our plan....until we realized that we'd have to wake up at 2:30 a.m. and make the drive.  After still more google searches, we decided sunset HAD to look pretty cool too...right? I mean, other than that little east/west thing, how different could it be?

We made the 2 hour trip to the top of the summit.  In just a few hours, we went from a sunny 85 degrees on the beach, to cool rain on the drive up, to crisp 30's high above the clouds.  Luckily, thanks to my OCD thorough google searches...see I told you....we were prepared and had warm clothes...shout out...Who Dats representing in Maui. 


Haleakala's summit is 10,023 feet.  At this altitude there is no greenery, only these beautiful Silverswords.  Sadly, digging them up and packing them in your luggage is seriously frowned upon.


Let me tell you something else....when you basically live a zillion feet below sea level (I mean, people from New Orleans are almost amphibious...seriously) trying to climb rocks at 10,000+ altitude is HARD.  Our legs felt like lead and we could NOT breathe.  That's my PSA to all of you....go slow.  Now is not the time to go running, trying to beat your husband to the top....ask me how I know?
Anyway, we bundled up, struggled to breathe and waited for the show...it did not disappoint.  I can't even begin to put this experience into words....just....WOW!!!




and then the sun disappeared slowly into the clouds


 


The plus to going at sunset, aside from not having to get up BEFORE the butt crack of dawn, is once the sun makes its exit, you can watch the stars come out....and boy do they come out.  We opened up the top on our rental convertible, cranked up the heater, reclined our seats and watched as the sky lit up.  We even saw the Milky Way belt, which for my Star Wars/SciFi geek husband was a bucket list kind of thing. 

So, if you ever find yourself in Maui....and I sincerely hope you do....Haleakala is a must do.  If you're a sunrise kind of person, God bless you, but if sunset is more your speed, don't feel like you cheated yourself, not even one little bit.  As I previously said...and quite eloquently I might add...WOW!!!

Mahalo


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Monday, September 2, 2013

Honey, I'm home!


Yep, after a looooooooong lapse, I've decided to resurrect my blog at the urging of friends and family.  I certainly never meant to take such a long...um....vacation, but sometimes life just gets in the way...both good and bad things.

While I've been gone, I've had my eldest daughter get married


my youngest daughter graduate from college


taken a few vacations



 

and, of course, done a few projects around the house


Also had an "oops" moment that resulted in a broken nose and stitches for me.  Like I said....been busy....not all of it good. 

I'll revisit in greater detail some of the things y'all missed and I look forward to sharing some fun things I have on the horizon....our monthly Supper Club, more house projects, new recipes, my upcoming Mardi Gras ride in the Mystic Krewe of Nyx, and whatever else life throws at me.

I hope you'll join me as I continue my Crescent City Ramblings.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

LSU - 2011 Homecoming on "The Row"

Steve and I headed to Baton Rouge last Saturday for LSU's Homecoming Festivities.  I love walking along sorority row to see the decorations. 

It was a cool, slightly overcast day, but it never rains in Death Valley on a Saturday, so we knew we were safe.

Of course, I had to start with the "Mad Hatter".  We love Les!!
For homecoming, each sorority pairs with a fraternity to make decorations.  The decorations are placed outside the sorority house the night before Homecoming.  It always amazes me how creative these kids are and how HUGE the decorations are year after year.

Enjoy!






Wait...that Golden Girl and Les look vaguely familiar to me.




  

It's the Honey Badger and a Golden Girl...or is it???

Me and Devan...and Mike the Tiger

Dad, Devan and Mom.  She's already a Junior...where did the time go?

The ZTA house...our favorite!

Now, these are true fans!!


...and of course Mike!!


The clock tower...which plays the alma mater on the hour.


Hmmmm....looks like appropriate transportation for visiting teams.

It was a special Homecoming...being No. 1 in the nation and all...(bwaaa haaaaa)...who knows how long this ride will last?

In the meantime...

GEAUX TIGERS
LSU #1

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Exactly one year from today

These two


will say...


...and these two families will be
over the moon with love and happiness
(and probably champagne)!!


Let the wedding countdown officially begin!!