Oh Duck Dynasty!

It was only a matter of time before my curiosity would get the best of me... I held out for a while, but this week I was flipping through the channels and stumbled upon the latest redneck phenomenon: Duck Dynasty. What the hell?! There are soooo many men with loooong bushy hair and beards to match! I have only seen a few episodes, and most not in their entirety but my conclusion is that a tight-knit family of Louisiana's finest made millions by doing something they enjoy (making duck calls) and now choose to spend their money on hair-brained ideas that sound fun while also annoying the hell out of each other! It certainly makes for some interesting viewing. I haven't picked a favorite yet, but Si is up there due to his happy-go-lucky, lovable idiot demeanor along with possibly Jase because of his delicate blend of sarcasm mixed with matter-of-fact sensibility. Guess I'll have to keep watching and see which one grows on me more! Hehe! 

Here's a little clip for anyone who hasn't been fortunate enough to see this nugget of television gold:

How Is It Nearly December?

Thanksgiving consisted of me making a box of Stove Top stuffing, going to see the newest Twilight movie by myself, and then wrapping myself up in my fleece snuggie and watching Hatfields & McCoys while lying on the couch. Wonderful :) I mean, of course I would have prefered to be in Virginia with loved ones enjoying family traditions, but since I had to work Friday and traveling for one day wasn't an option, I suppose my day wasn't too bad.

 

While I did not join in the madness that is Black Friday (that somehow seeped into Thursday night too this year?!), I did venture to Target after work, once the crowds had subsided. I wasn't going for anything in particular really, just regular life things: conditioner, deoderant, Christmas cards, etc. and I wanted to look for a new book to read. There was no stampede to dodge, or long lines to wait in, or caddy women trying to steal my stuff, just plain ol' regular shopping. Sigh. That's the way I like it!

 

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us I am on the slippery slope into holiday hell at work. Whoopie! In a month it will be over and I will be able to breathe for about 4 days then the insanity of Mardi Gras will begin. My immune system must know this is all coming because it already went caput on me. I spent the entire weekend fighting off a cold/sinus/allergy/idontevenknowwhat by sleeping a ton, drinking hot tea, and keeping a steady stream of medicine in my system. I am still not feeling my best, but hopefully on my way back to 100%.

PoBoy Festival Time Again

It is that time of year again...The Oak Street PoBoy Festival was Sunday. The weather was great! Sunny, about 70 degrees, slight breeze. Beautiful. Along with the wonderful atmosphere there were plenty of wonderful poboys to be had! 

We stood in a line that stretched further than the length of a block for an hour and twenty minutes to get one of the coveted GW Fin's Fried Lobster PoBoy (AV and I split one) and OMG it was delicious!! This is Brie, AV, me, and our "line buddy" Mark.

 My only other sandwich was a Cochon de Lait from Saltwater Grill. It was super yummy too! Some lovely ladies joined us--me, Amy, and Lulu.

 It was rather crowded this year but I think it was because the Saints game (which they totally dominated against the Raiders!) was at 3:00 so folks were grubbing before kickoff--I know I was!

Life Lately With AV

There has been a looooot of AV time recently--at work, at home, everywhere. 

Brie, AV and I went to Creole Creamery and per usual I got the sampler. It was not a winner. Not at all. From left to right: Pink Champagne with Hibiscus, Apple Crumble, Black and Gold Crunch, and Pear/Ginger Sorbet. 

No taste, no taste, tried-and-true, and too strong. Blah.

Selfie in the work truck (we were stopped at a red light) on our way to deliver a life-size gingerbread man to the Lakeside Mall. Spreadin' that holiday cheer!

 My nails have nothing to do with AV but I just had them done and I like them! I went with a deep purple for fall.

Another 3-person outing resulted in this platter of sushi! Man I have been craving Kyoto! It has been so long.

A few more days of 24/7 AV then he will be off to Texas for Thanksgiving with family before continuing his traveling adventures. After being around him so much these past few weeks I guess I'm going to miss him some. Haha!

Chilly Willy

The temperatures have been dipping loooow at night recently. We are still resisting turning on the heat, but last night I broke down and whipped out not only my slippers but had to turn on my heated mattress pad! It was glorious...until my alarm went off and I had to face the cold hard truth: our house does not have heated bathroom floors :(

A Christmas Questionnaire in November

I know it is a little early, but I saw this on a fellow blogger's site and felt compelled to fill it out myself! Even though it is nearly 80 degrees outside and does not feel the least bit like Christmas I am hoping to escape reality for a moment and pretend I am at home for the holiday!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Gross: neither. If I had to choose I guess Hot Chocolate, but I would not enjoy it!
 
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? When I was a kid he just sat them under the tree: that's how you knew the difference between gifts from him v. gifts from family.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Growing up we had both depending on my mom's choice each year. I prefer all white.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? We have in the past, but it is not necessarily a real tradition.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Since not living at home I have had sparse decorations but I put them up towards the beginning of December--never before Thanksgiving. Mom...well... she prefers to wait until about 2 weeks before Christmas.
 
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? My Maw-maw's turkey salad is delicious!

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? One year when I was probably 8 or 9 years old we put a tree up in the basement and all sat around and listened to Christmas records on my parents old record player. It was night time and there was a fire built. It felt like no one had anything else in the world they needed to be doing.
 
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I honestly do not remember when I found out. I don't recollect it being a traumatic event either. Just part of growing up I suppose. I don't remember telling my little brother either...not sure how he found out.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Nope.
 
10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? Living on my own I have not had a tree to decorate but my mom's tree = a lot of Hallmark ornaments, ones my brother and I made as kids, some from my mom's childhood/younger adult life, random gifts from people over the years.
 
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I like the first snow of the season when it is happening, and then I want it to all go away and never come back! When it semi-melts and becomes a slushy mess I hate it. (Haven't had this problem since living in New Orleans!)
 
12. Can you ice skate?  I have never tried--but would like to.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Oh goodness...I don't think I could pick a favorite. I enjoy/appreciate all of the gifts I have ever received.

14. What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and laughing.
 
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Mom's Rum Cake: now that is a tradition!

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Though I have not been able to do this in a few years, I always enjoy participating in my home town's "Christmas Basket" program. A few Saturdays before Christmas locals show up at the Virginia Horse Center early in the morning and begin an assembly line of packing boxes with food, toiletries, and toys for local needy families. It is always nice to see so many people work hard to make it happen. Young and old, students and families--there is always a good size crowd that volunteer their time and energy to help provide for those less fortunate.

17. What tops your tree? Not sure where it came from, but an ivory crocheted angel.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. I enjoy putting effort into gifts and in an ideal world I would I be able to come up with a fun theme each year to wrap/present each gift!

19. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? I could stand to eat one during the holidays then I am good for another year.

20. Favorite Christmas show? The Family Stone

21. Saddest Christmas Song? Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer

22. What is your favorite Christmas song? I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

Well that was fun! Now I feel like listening to Christmas tunes all day.

Let the Madness Begin

November. It is finally here and now the Holiday Season (i.e. Sucre's Busy Season) is upon us. All week I have been working on the final organizational touches of the Packaging Room attempting to utilize every square inch of the limited space we have. Our large shipment of branded packaging has been trickling in with the remainder arriving around Thanksgiving. With the assistance of placing blurbs on our Facebook page I have been able to avoid Craigslist and am building up the seasonal work force quickly. Last year I remember spending countless hours pouring over resumes and cover letters, scheduling and conducting interviews, then finally settling on a group of people from the long line of weirdos I met. (We all know how much I looooove hiring people as referenced here and here!) Well not this year. No sir. If you send in a decently competent response to our ad, are available during the days/hours I need help, and show up when I ask you to then you've got a job! My hope is that everything is going to come together in the coming weeks and we will work like a well-oiled machine to pre-package all that we can and be as prepared as possible for the madness that hits in mid-December (that is three hyphens in one sentence!). Sigh. I might as well go buy a few cases of RedBull now and stock up!

4 Roommates, 3 Festivals, 1 Day

Saturday = Festival Day. Brie, Evan, AV and I stopped in at the Scandinavian Festival on Prytania Street to see what it was all about. AV and Evan enjoyed some open-faced sandwiches consisting of salmon, beef, liver pate, etc. There was a mini craftshow type area that had some unique items for sale (the creepy troll looking thing being one of these "unique" items).

 

After we took in all of the sights at the Nordic event we continued down the river to the Caribbean Festival in Lafayette Square. Unforunately Festival #2 was a major bust. The flyer we looked up online looked sketchy, then when we drove by the turnout was laughable so we skipped that adventure and headed to the Bywater for Festival #3!

 

The Mirliton Festival changed locations this year but was still deep in the Bywater. As always we indulged in some yummy mirliton dishes (mine was a seafood stuffed mirliton with some kind of creamy dill sauce on top) while listening to local bands play. Most food/music festivals tend to also have a crafts area. The sign below was one of the many gems I saw for sale.

 

 

The weather has turned warm again (low 80's) and it does not feel like November, but it sure does make for some nice festival weather!

NASCAR Legend Richard Petty

For Halloween AV channeled his inner NASCAR driver and went as Richard Petty. I think he pulled it off rather well!

 

AV on the left-Richard on the right

 

Here is Richard chilling with an Axe Murderer and Evan dressed as Roger Rabbit!

 

 

In my usual fashion, I had ZERO desire to dress up and partake in the debauchery. Instead I stayed in and watched scary movies all night!