New Orleans

Many, many, MANY moons ago, I sojourned to New Orleans with a suitcase and a dream to get on "American Idol". Sadly, I did not make it. I was immediately cut and by the time I'd gotten through the audition process, I was deliriously tired. After I cried my only-been-asleep-for-about-forty-five-minutes-the-night-before eyes out over breakfast at a local restaurant, I was slightly consoled (and intrigued) by the restaurant patrons bellied up to the bar eating oysters.

After breakfast, I slept.

After I slept, I hung out on Bourbon Street where I slipped into a bar and happened upon a singer with a blue wig on and a whole lotta blues to sang. That is not a typo, she was SANGin', from the belly of her soul. I drowned my sorrows in every note she belted out. I skipped from live music bars to top 40 bars and as the magic of New Orleans melted into me, the sadness of the auditions began to slip away. 

The last bar I went into that night was The Funky Pirate where Big Al Carson was rocking the place. Not only could he sing his butt off, he was funny, entertaining and engaged the crowd in a way that made a roomful of strangers turn into an intimate Friday night jam session with newfound friends.

When I returned to New Orleans many years later, I realized I'd only seen a fraction of even the historical section of the city and I'd seen it through very sleep-deprived and soul-crushed eyes. I had more time to see the sights the second time around and when I really saw New Orleans, I fell in love with it. New Orleans is one of my favorite U.S. cities. This is why I was beyond excited to travel there this past spring with my husband. 

Here is our trip in pictures. (A small sample of them, anyway.) Enjoy!

Beautiful local art in the hotel rooms

Our view from dinner just a street or two away from Bourbon Street on the night of our arrival. Note the beads hanging from the wires.

The scene on the table in our hotel room the morning after the first night on Bourbon Street

Absolutely perfect lunch by the water

You cannot leave New Orleans without patronizing Cafe dú Monde. Often, musicians will be playing just outside the cafe. It is truly a divine experience.

Thomas and I joked that you couldn't get away with ditching your bill here. You would clearly leave a trail!

I always go on a tour via mule ride when in New Orleans. Each tour guide has something different and unique from the last tour guide to point out to you.

But first, let us take a selfie

I'd never been to any of the plantations in Louisiana and was determined to get out to the Oak Alley plantation this visit. I'd seen the plantation in brochures and of course, it is an awe-inspiring sight with the huge oak trees (all around 300 years old), but the history behind the plantation is what really drew me in.

We toured cabins that were recreated to look like the original slave cabins on the plantation and they all included historical displays inside.

On the walls of the recreated cabins were names of slaves drawn from inventory records.

Inside the plantation house

The front of the plantation house. The trees are so large that the house almost disappears. See it way down at the end of the line of trees?

We spent a few nights on Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street is more than just drinking and partying. The architecture and history of the buildings that line Bourbon Street and nearby streets are beautiful and fascinating. So much art, history, music and culture makes this city unique and full of color.

Even the outside of hotels have beautiful structures! 

And of course, you have to eat at Mother's. Wonderful hospitality, delicious food and a style all its own.

We were in New Orleans for my birthday. The tour guide from the mule ride recommended  Irene's, an Italian restaurant, and said it was one of his favorite restaurants. For my birthday, we decided to dine at Irene's!

Thomas checks out the menu

Inside the restaurant

Good wine menu advice

I don't even care that I took a picture of my food. Totally. Worth. It.

For dessert, the wait staff came out and sang me one of the heartiest renditions of "Happy Birthday" I ever remember and a complimentary piece of cheesecake with Grand Marnier sauce drizzled over it. Absolutely delectable.

No trip to New Orleans (or birthday in New Orleans) is complete without a haunted historical tour. Ours began here around dusk on my birthday.

Our tour guide

Lots of spooky stops and stories

Looking inside a haunted ballroom 

My birthday in New Orleans was spectacular. I should mention that it began the night before in a bar on top of a mechanical bull. You'd think with as many bachelorette parties as I'd been to, I would have rode one of these things before, but no--first time! 

Last day (morning) in New Orleans

Cheers to another great time in New Orleans!

The pictures here are just a fraction of the sights we saw and things we did. If you have not been to New Orleans, I highly recommend you add it to your bucket list! 

Cheers,

Samara

Six Months Old

Our little buddy is HALFWAY THROUGH his first year of life!

Jackson Nazir Morgan

Six months old on 6-18-14

Milestones and Memories

1. First and Second Tooth

So, on the VERY DAY we left for a trip to New Orleans sans Jackson, my mom called me while we were in our connecting flight city to tell me that GG (Great Grandma Mary Jo) discovered his first tooth popped through! And, the day was on May 18th--his official 6 month mark. Believe me, I had a moment of mom guilt for not being there to feel this tooth. But, even if I stayed home and never left, the possibility of missing something important exists for us all. 

On day two of being away from the baby, my mom called me while I was in Jackson Square (oh, the irony) to "report" that Jackson's SECOND tooth just came in. I thought, "dogggone it!" While I could not be there to, I don't know...feel the tooth..I was happy to hear of my sweetie's progress.

2. First Father's Day

My family started doing a Father's Day brunch a handful of years ago and this brunch was a great way to celebrate Thomas' first Father's Day and Jackson's first time of celebrating his dad!

As usual, my family had a TON of food. (This is just a small sample of all the food that was present.) 

Thomas' presents...

After brunch with our extended family, we went on a picnic, just the three of us. 

This is one of my absolute favorite pictures of Jackson. 

Daydreamers.

Like father, like son.

 3. First Rainstorm

This wasn't the first time it rained since Jackson was born, but, this was the first hard rain we received where Jackson was old enough to be aware that the stuff falling from the sky was pretty darned interesting.

4. Growing, Growing, Growing!

As much as I do not miss the sleepless nights and I am enjoying the growing interaction between me and my little buddy, it is pretty sad to see how much he is growing. Time is just slipping away so quickly. 

It seems like every time I turn around, I'm packing up clothes that no longer fit. 

Le sigh. Sniff, sniff.

5. Becoming Quite the Little Artist

I know I sound like a broken record I'm sure, but Jackson's school is amazing. They always do art projects for holidays, but they also randomly send them home with little works of art like the ones below. I love that my buddy is having so much fun while mom and dad are working. (And the best part is the mess is at school! Score!) 

6. Memorial Day Weekend and 6 Month Pictures

This Memorial Day weekend, we actually just hung out together and had no big plans. It was so nice to not have a jam-packed schedule and to just have extra time to hang out with Jackson.

Apparently Sears and Olan Mills no longer are in business for photos in our area when we needed to take six month pictures for Jackson. Luckily my mom and one of my nieces had recently gotten pictures taken at a relatively new spot in town called Portrait Renovations. We were able to get in and out quickly, had our pictures before we left and we did not spend a fortune. It was perfect. This is a picture of Jackson in outfit number two. Before he had a meltdown. Between outfit number two and three. I don't blame you, kiddo!

7. First School Pictures

Our little guy looked so dapper for his very first school pictures! You can't see the adorable tie in this picture due to the way he was positioned, but he was seriously ready for the cameras. :) 

Cheers,

Samara