The Big Easy Was Easy And Fun!

I just got back from 5 days in New Orleans, my first ever visit there. I had a lot of fun but still left things to do if I can get back there again. Above is a corner in the French Quarter. I loved the pink flowers. However, pink was not really the color of the hour. Around this time, pre-Mardi Gras, the only colors that count are purple, green and gold (or yellow gold).

Above is just one of many homes decorated for Mardi Gras. The variety of decorations is infinite. I stayed near Audubon Park, Uptown. There were many beautiful homes in the neighborhood. I will post more photos soon.

We got to watch the Mardi Gras Parade which heads up the Mardi Gras season. The Parade is called the Krewe du Vieux. I was wearing sneakers. The woman standing next to me in the street at the corner was wearing these beauties. And it wasn't a costume, just what one wears with jeans in New Orleans.

Some New Projects

Just what I need.

I have wanted to get matching upholstered headboards for my guest room where I have two twin beds. I would occasionally check craigslist for something to re-use but finding two identical ones with upholstery wasn't that easy. Plus I did not need mattresses or frames or stuff like that.

So about two weeks ago I happened to see what looked like I wanted, although the photo was not great. (See above.) The headboards were so inexpensive I wondered if they were substantial enough. I know there are some inexpensive ones made from heavy cardboard out there.

But I took a chance and drove out to the mysterious East Bay to a warehouse where they were being stored. They were much nicer than I expected. They were very well made and the color was not bad. Unfortunately they are covered with a vinyl, which I do not like (but it is a high quality vinyl). Also, I'm not crazy about the gathers around the edges, though I know why they did that.

So I will either be re-upholstering myself, making slipcovers for the headboards, or maybe I will hire someone to do it for me, as I only paid $20 total for the headboards. But in the meantime, here's how one looks.

Since I have some neutral fabrics around I will probably make slipcovers to put over the headboards and see how that works, for starters.

PINTEREST - IT'S THE RAGE!

Follow me on Pinterest.

It is fun to pin images I see on the net and save them in one place.

Dessert!

The brisket dinner was topped off by a wonderful apple cake/tart in a spring form pan that my brother made. I think we can credit our mother for all our cooking talent. She taught us well.

I have got to get this recipe. It was absolutely delicious!

Recipe

The brisket recipe comes from the New Basics Cookbook by Lukins and Rosso.

It's credited to Nach Waxman and can also be found at

http://recipes.online.recipeland.com/Nach-Waxmans-Brisket-of-Beef-47852

Enjoy and Happy Holidays for everyone!

Holiday Brisket

Photo by Max

Lego My Yoda

In the midst of the Union Square Holiday Ice Rink and the Union Square construction in preparation for the Central Subway (a boondoggle if there ever was one),
volunteers are constructing,
with the help of Lego employees, a 12 feet tall Yoda statue, similar to this model already in place.
Here are two views of the base on the statue, the red feet of Yoda.

Soon the Yoda will soar to the height of this ladder already in place to help with the final touches to Yoda's head. The diameter of Yoda's head is projected to be ten feet wide.

Notice the holiday tree in the background? Macy's is no longer using a real tree, opting instead for one which is assembled in sections, lights already in place. I guess it is more ecological that way and we saved a large fir in a forest somewhere.

Here's the link to the website which will eventually show a time lapse sequence of Yoda building.
http://www.legosantayoda.com/

All you Lego Fans, including those in my very own family, enjoy!