Fabulous Affirming Day in NOLA
"I have found adventure in flying, in world travel, in business, and even close at hand... Adventure is a state of mind - and spirit." Jacqueline Cochran
Today I went to New Orleans on a “Joan of Arc” mission. Actually, I was just bringing him for a check up after his surgery. Our day started with a trip to Harlow’s Donuts, of course. Drew, my “Joan of Arc” mission, and I always have the best experiences together. So, when the little old man who was pushing 80 at a mere 5’1” called Drew “a little boy” while the man proceeds to flirt with the donut cashier, we knew this day held many adventures. Boy, were we right!!
The drive down there was pretty mild, filled with wonderful conversation. The fun really began when we enter New Orleans and got behind a school bus full of children who were around the age of 9 or 10. One of them looked at me made his forefinger and thumb like a gun and pretended to shoot me then took the same hand and made a very lewd gesture. I was appalled and took the wrong exit!
We were a bit early for lunch so decided to walk around the French Market. Which, by the way, I LOVE!!! We walked around for a bit and I didn’t see anything that I just couldn’t live without, mainly because I’m on a strict budget these days (haha) but then …. Something colorful….and dazzling caught my eye!! “Oh I must feast my eyes on such things closer.” I walked over to the table leaving Drew in my trail. Upon arriving to the very colorful tabled filled with handmade jewelry, the artist himself greeted me.
“Honey,” he said accentuating my being from afar with his hands, “YOU are fabulous!! Pick anything you like and I will make you a deal” Immediately, I was in love!!! I mean really who can resist being greeted with such an observation!?!?! I smiled and said “Oh well thank you!! Do you make these pieces?” He smiled and said “Yes. I am the Oscar of New Orleans, the artist of all these pieces.” Let me just tell you, this flamboyant guy had me “Honey”. He obviously thought of himself very important that he referred to himself as “THE Oscar of New Orleans”, so naturally I joined him in this belief!! (By the way: let me just say that there were other people that came to the table that did NOT have the greeting I did!! Hahaha!) We talked about prices and payments.
Oscar: “The big earrings are fifteen, the small ones are five and the designer pieces are ten.”
Faith: “Wonderful! Do you take debit cards?”
Oscar: “No, honey. I am keeping it old school. Cash, however, I will take a check from YOU. Or there’s an ATM across the street.”
I walked over to the ATM because I just HAD to support my new best friend and buy some of his “art to wear”. I got my money and scurried back. This time Oscar greeted me with “Honey, you get you something free, right now for all your troubles.” (I mean seriously, can I take him home in a box?!!? I thought)
I ended up leaving Oscar’s table with one pair of each earrings ALL for only $15. I love him!!! Here are the earrings I ended up with: (I know they are gaudy and big and don’t match and bright and I LOVE THEM!!)
After having to leave my new best friend, Oscar, Drew and I made our way to lunch at Emeril’s. Let me just stop here and say, everyone needs an experience like this day I had!! It was a grand adventure and I wish all of you could have been like little mini-me’s in my pocket to enjoy it with me. But since you weren’t you can read about it and hopefully still experience it….ok so We get to Emeril’s and we are swarmed with about five men who attend to us. One pulled out my chair, I sat, and another was ready with my “special black” napkin to lay it in my lap. (I say special black napkin because I was the ONLY ONE in the whole restaurant that did not get the white napkin at the setting. Must be because of my fabulous essence..HA!) Immediately the decorative silverware and plates are taken away and a waiter is ready to take our drink orders. I order sparkling water, because I am feeling extra fabulous! They bring my sparkling water to me and pour me a glass and I’m thinking “oh yes!”. However, as I look at the menu trying to catch my breath from all of the commotion upon our arrival I remember, “yes, I need to use the restroom, but I don’t see one.” Drew asks the next attendant, who happened to have the prettiest blue eyes, EVER, where the restroom is. He offered to show him and Drew said “Actually its for her.”
SO, then Mr. Blue Eyes says “Ah, yes, come with me, my lady.” and offers me his arm. Immediately I turn ten shades of red! I take his arm and as he proceeds to ESCORT ME TO THE RESTROOM he makes small talk with “It’s so nice to meet you today.” He releases my arm and stands at a gentlemanly distance away from the doorway. I go in and even in the dim lighting I can see that my face is a deep plum color from all the blood in my cheeks!! Then I start to panic, cause I’m trying to calm down and catch my breath because I am LOVING this, but I realize, “Oh he is waiting on me!! I can’t very well do my thang when there’s pressure!!” So I hurry through the motions and open the door to leave after smoothing down the front of my shirt and adjusting my scarf. I open the door and go to turn right to head back to my table. Then I notice there are four men standing there, one notices me and says to the others “Watch your backs.” (When I heard this I was like, um I’m not going to stab them!!) BUT, what happened next was they all did an about face movement and in unison said “Good day, my lady” as I walked by and was then escorted back to my table. In my head were these thoughts “OH MY GAH!!!! I could sooo get used to that!! My presence just demanded their attention as if I am in some Elizabethan Era!! WHAT!?!?! YES I love my life and I am fabulous, thank YOU, Oscar!!” I sat back down and apparently was absolutely GLOWING because Drew was really confused as to what just happened! As was I, however I loved every second of it!!
We ordered the lunch 3-course meal. I ordered this most intriguing starter. The Abita Root Beer Braised "Fresh Bacon" Salad with Citrus Slaw, Marinated Yucca, Heirloom Radish, Shaved Jalapeno, Goat Cheese and Pork Cracklings, was absolutely the most delightful thing I have EVER tasted!! I am so sad that I did not get to creep a picture of it because I would have framed it, it was so beautiful!! My main course was Sautéed Rainbow Trout with Artichoke Sweet Potato Hash, Blue Crab and Preserved Lemon-Fennel Compote followed by a dessert of Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. My taste buds were in heaven!! I did creep a picture of the fish.
Here's the door:
I won't bore you with the other adventures of the affirming day in New Orleans but I will include some pictures!
It's a staple when you go to NOLA:
He had never been!!
Did I mention I love New Orleans?
Took this with my phone WHILE walking! haha
The GPS took us home the "scenic way":
My ride home...Drew slept...I had GREAT Jesus time!
AND finally, the hail storm I drove in bewtween Opelousas and Alexandria. Wonder what life would be like if we could see life's storms ahead like this....
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343645502631415666" />
Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!!
Today I went to New Orleans on a “Joan of Arc” mission. Actually, I was just bringing him for a check up after his surgery. Our day started with a trip to Harlow’s Donuts, of course. Drew, my “Joan of Arc” mission, and I always have the best experiences together. So, when the little old man who was pushing 80 at a mere 5’1” called Drew “a little boy” while the man proceeds to flirt with the donut cashier, we knew this day held many adventures. Boy, were we right!!
The drive down there was pretty mild, filled with wonderful conversation. The fun really began when we enter New Orleans and got behind a school bus full of children who were around the age of 9 or 10. One of them looked at me made his forefinger and thumb like a gun and pretended to shoot me then took the same hand and made a very lewd gesture. I was appalled and took the wrong exit!
We were a bit early for lunch so decided to walk around the French Market. Which, by the way, I LOVE!!! We walked around for a bit and I didn’t see anything that I just couldn’t live without, mainly because I’m on a strict budget these days (haha) but then …. Something colorful….and dazzling caught my eye!! “Oh I must feast my eyes on such things closer.” I walked over to the table leaving Drew in my trail. Upon arriving to the very colorful tabled filled with handmade jewelry, the artist himself greeted me.
“Honey,” he said accentuating my being from afar with his hands, “YOU are fabulous!! Pick anything you like and I will make you a deal” Immediately, I was in love!!! I mean really who can resist being greeted with such an observation!?!?! I smiled and said “Oh well thank you!! Do you make these pieces?” He smiled and said “Yes. I am the Oscar of New Orleans, the artist of all these pieces.” Let me just tell you, this flamboyant guy had me “Honey”. He obviously thought of himself very important that he referred to himself as “THE Oscar of New Orleans”, so naturally I joined him in this belief!! (By the way: let me just say that there were other people that came to the table that did NOT have the greeting I did!! Hahaha!) We talked about prices and payments.
Oscar: “The big earrings are fifteen, the small ones are five and the designer pieces are ten.”
Faith: “Wonderful! Do you take debit cards?”
Oscar: “No, honey. I am keeping it old school. Cash, however, I will take a check from YOU. Or there’s an ATM across the street.”
I walked over to the ATM because I just HAD to support my new best friend and buy some of his “art to wear”. I got my money and scurried back. This time Oscar greeted me with “Honey, you get you something free, right now for all your troubles.” (I mean seriously, can I take him home in a box?!!? I thought)
I ended up leaving Oscar’s table with one pair of each earrings ALL for only $15. I love him!!! Here are the earrings I ended up with: (I know they are gaudy and big and don’t match and bright and I LOVE THEM!!)
After having to leave my new best friend, Oscar, Drew and I made our way to lunch at Emeril’s. Let me just stop here and say, everyone needs an experience like this day I had!! It was a grand adventure and I wish all of you could have been like little mini-me’s in my pocket to enjoy it with me. But since you weren’t you can read about it and hopefully still experience it….ok so We get to Emeril’s and we are swarmed with about five men who attend to us. One pulled out my chair, I sat, and another was ready with my “special black” napkin to lay it in my lap. (I say special black napkin because I was the ONLY ONE in the whole restaurant that did not get the white napkin at the setting. Must be because of my fabulous essence..HA!) Immediately the decorative silverware and plates are taken away and a waiter is ready to take our drink orders. I order sparkling water, because I am feeling extra fabulous! They bring my sparkling water to me and pour me a glass and I’m thinking “oh yes!”. However, as I look at the menu trying to catch my breath from all of the commotion upon our arrival I remember, “yes, I need to use the restroom, but I don’t see one.” Drew asks the next attendant, who happened to have the prettiest blue eyes, EVER, where the restroom is. He offered to show him and Drew said “Actually its for her.”
SO, then Mr. Blue Eyes says “Ah, yes, come with me, my lady.” and offers me his arm. Immediately I turn ten shades of red! I take his arm and as he proceeds to ESCORT ME TO THE RESTROOM he makes small talk with “It’s so nice to meet you today.” He releases my arm and stands at a gentlemanly distance away from the doorway. I go in and even in the dim lighting I can see that my face is a deep plum color from all the blood in my cheeks!! Then I start to panic, cause I’m trying to calm down and catch my breath because I am LOVING this, but I realize, “Oh he is waiting on me!! I can’t very well do my thang when there’s pressure!!” So I hurry through the motions and open the door to leave after smoothing down the front of my shirt and adjusting my scarf. I open the door and go to turn right to head back to my table. Then I notice there are four men standing there, one notices me and says to the others “Watch your backs.” (When I heard this I was like, um I’m not going to stab them!!) BUT, what happened next was they all did an about face movement and in unison said “Good day, my lady” as I walked by and was then escorted back to my table. In my head were these thoughts “OH MY GAH!!!! I could sooo get used to that!! My presence just demanded their attention as if I am in some Elizabethan Era!! WHAT!?!?! YES I love my life and I am fabulous, thank YOU, Oscar!!” I sat back down and apparently was absolutely GLOWING because Drew was really confused as to what just happened! As was I, however I loved every second of it!!
We ordered the lunch 3-course meal. I ordered this most intriguing starter. The Abita Root Beer Braised "Fresh Bacon" Salad with Citrus Slaw, Marinated Yucca, Heirloom Radish, Shaved Jalapeno, Goat Cheese and Pork Cracklings, was absolutely the most delightful thing I have EVER tasted!! I am so sad that I did not get to creep a picture of it because I would have framed it, it was so beautiful!! My main course was Sautéed Rainbow Trout with Artichoke Sweet Potato Hash, Blue Crab and Preserved Lemon-Fennel Compote followed by a dessert of Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée. My taste buds were in heaven!! I did creep a picture of the fish.
Here's the door:
I won't bore you with the other adventures of the affirming day in New Orleans but I will include some pictures!
It's a staple when you go to NOLA:
He had never been!!
Did I mention I love New Orleans?
Took this with my phone WHILE walking! haha
The GPS took us home the "scenic way":
My ride home...Drew slept...I had GREAT Jesus time!
AND finally, the hail storm I drove in bewtween Opelousas and Alexandria. Wonder what life would be like if we could see life's storms ahead like this....
alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343645502631415666" />Thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed!!
Comments
1) your profile photo is CRAZY. was something wrong when you took it? 2) THE Oscar was great! 3) I kept waking up thinking "why are we listening to jesus music? where's celine?" until I assumed you were listening to Jesus music because we were about to die in the rain storm and you wanted to leave the world listening to Jesus music. 4) Emeril's was great. 5) Everyone deserves some high class attention in their life, whether it be at Le Pavillion, Emeril's or The Waldorf Astoria! 5) You must always blog about your daily adventures with your cell phone photos- it makes life better. 6) You will be the next Perez Hilton minus most of his skank.
You deserve the attn you got because you are indeed a fabulous person and friend. Miss you lots and love you more!!!
AHT