Merry-Happy!!

Or is it "Happy-Merry"??  Either way, I hope that all my loved ones and friends have a lovely holiday evening and a fantastic December 25th (regardless of what you may or may not believe).  Our kind neighbours, S. and L. (the same most excellent people who took us to the New Orleans Saints game), invited us over for wine, drinks, and dinner tonight.  The husby opted out (he's really not one for socializing - and he had a new computer game) but I had a wonderful dinner and fun time.  

Of course, I'm really fucking weird like that - I enjoy meeting new people and eating delicious food (did I mention that S. worked as a sommelier for some of Emeril Lagasse's restaurants in the French Quarter?  And he has learned some cooking techniques from some world-renowned chefs??)...  so this was an opportunity I decided to not pass up.  Champagne with some highly-herbed goat's milk cheese, an awesome prosciutto, and a soft cow's milk cheese with a bit of a bite to it - looked like Brie, but on steroids (in a good way).  It was delectable.  For dinner, we had standing rib roast, garlic-y delicious mashed, and brussel sprouts sauteed in bacon and finished with freshly ground pepper and salt.  

Oh... and the fireworks have started (apparently, this will go on until New Year's Eve).  Unfortunately, our fickle Bow-Wow thinks it's thunder and she (all 95 pounds or so) is crammed under my desk, making funny "ro-ro-ro" noises and small growls every now and again.  ;0))

I thought I'd add some pictures of Christmas (or Holidays) here on the Point:

 ^^ Looking down my street to the lights on Canal Street and the French Quarter

 ^^ Decorated Double across the street from me...

^^ My neighbour's house - where the dinner party and drinks were... 

^^ The gorgeous standing rib roast that S. cooked.  Perfection!!

Be safe.  Be happy.  Be nice.  

x0x0

The Casey Jones.

It's okay if you berate the fact that I'm an Instagram whore.  I can live with it.  As you can tell, I'm no photographer - nor do I have a fancy-schmancy camera.  I only just realized that my iPhone 4S has a flash AND a zoom on it...  so, apparently after owning the thing for about 7 months, I'm just learning it's potential.  I figured the dog was just being uncooperative while I was trying to capture her pic for the most part.  Well, I was wrong!!  Go me.  Now I owe the dog an apology.  ;0))

This post is not about my shitty picture taking.  Oh, noes.  Not at all.  It is about our most local food store...  Casey Jones Supermarket.  Except, we call it The Casey Jones (and never with "supermarket" added at the end).  And you never just run to the market, you are indeed telling your loved one(s) or family member(s) or friend(s) "I'm going to The Casey Jones...  need anything?"  My friend K., who grew up in New Orleans (mostly on the Westbank), told me that you could hit up the ol' CJ wearing just about anything - and no one will notice.  She's absolutely, positively correct. 

As a matter-of-fact, this particular style of slip-on bedroom shoe (^^) seems to be THE choice of footwear after 5:00 PM (pink seems to be preferred, but I've seen them in many a different color).  I'm not going to go out on a limb and say that The Casey Jones is clothing optional, but I have seen men in overalls with no tee-shirt underneath with the sides gaping open (and having the utter and total fear of accidentally looking BELOW chest-level).  I've also been privy to view some people wearing their pants way below their boxers (or in one case, lower than their tighty-not-so-whiteys - brain bleach - or at least LAUNDRY bleach, please).  

However, in all fairness - the staff is wickedly friendly, nice and very knowledgeable, they do have a great variety of their own spices, feature items exclusive to Louisiana (Cajun and Creole brands), and almost every employee can tell you where to find what you're looking for.  To me??  That's priceless.

 ^^ Vantage point from my parking spot...

 ^^  Getting closer...  I do love this place.  :0))

^^  Nothing screams NOLA louder than a deer-head in front of an American Flag!!

Another weird New Orleans thing...  you are never just going to get groceries...  you are "making groceries".  As in "I don't have time tomorrow, I've got to make groceries before the holidays."

All hail The Casey Jones!!!

x0x0

Football??? Yes, indeedy!!

The New Orleans Saints game, to be more precise.  

Yes, this blog is supposed to be (mostly) about Old Algiers Point and the interesting architecture, things to do and see, different restaurants, and my general commentary.  However, since we've just gotten everything straightened out after the move (the fourth move in less than a year - IF you include temporary housing hell) and with the holidays coming up, I've just been...  well, slack (if you will).

In a way, though, this football game is, really, about The Point.  It's about the people who are our new neighbours.  It's about hanging out and getting to know them (all while having drinks and chats on their most awesome porch).  It's about generous, caring, interesting (hopefully good friends) who - quite simply - did a very kind and generous deed for the neighbourhood newbies.

L. works in a very interesting capacity for the Saints, her husband, S. (an alcohol distributor - did we score in the neighbour lottery or what???) is a die-hard fan who was happy to answer any questions I had (to include keeping a straight face even for the stupid questions - of which there were plenty), husby was patient and seemed very happy that I *finally* understood the "basics" by watching this live...  and the husby went to his first NFL game in style (L. drove, so we were able to get into employee parking and take "employee entrances" to get in).  We were also in a high-end section with way better bathrooms!!  ***DISCLAIMER:  for any of you men out there, you might (could) (maybe) possibly understand the appeal of a clean restroom - but I doubt it because you urinate standing up.  We ladies DON'T.  Therefore, a bathroom situation is VERY important.  //rant

Husby and I discussed going to a game once we had moved here, but with all the unpacking and settling in, the possibility of going to a game this season was at the end of the list.  I'm so happy he got to go - and even though I'm NOT a die-hard sports-fan (except for hockey and flat-track-roller-derby), I *really* enjoyed the excitement!!  It was SO NICE to watch it without three or four commentator assholes rehashing every play on the slo-mo cam.  :0))

So, thanks again to L. and S. - and here are some random pics...

^^ Our tickets.  Oh, yeah.  Keeping the stubs.

 ^^ The Mercedes-Benz Superdome.  Close up.  Gold, of course!

 ^^ I just love warning/safety signs here in NOLA.  I guess this gives you a 15-minute quarter of play AND time-outs to get you sober???  ROCK ON, NOLA!

^^  Before the game - no one in the stands yet.  

^^  The Clubhouse.  You could get booze, food, and chill out before going into the actual madness.

^^  All the Saints Players run out of this giant tube thing.  

 ^^  Drew Brees gets PYROTECHNICS.  **swoon**  Although I must admit to being a Darren Sproles fan...  he can run like the wind!!

^^  Halftime show.  A local high school band was featured, and they lined up in a Fleur-de-Lis format.  

It was very cool.  I didn't realise that halftime was only 13 minutes in a real-life game.  Asshat networks!!

All-in-all, it was a great weekend.  We even found a really traditional used-book store - I'm definitely going to do a feature on it sometime after the New Year.  

I hope everyone had a happy weekend!!  

x0x0