Another Series Ends and New Orleans Food

Last night, my daughter, husband, and I watched the final three episodes of Angel. I enjoyed this series and I even cried a little at the end.

Then my daughter had to tell us how the story lived on in graphic novels and what has happened since the TV series ended. Kind of spoiled my image of Wesley and Fred being together again, so I'll try and forget about what she said!

Next week we begin Firefly. I'm looking forward to that.

Now, another story of our trip to New Orleans (because I can only remember them in bits and pieces and I don't wish to over-bore you!)

On our first night there, we wanted to go to a good restaurant that we wouldn't necessarily find on our own. So my husband asked the security guard at the hotel to recommend a good place (because the locals always know where the best places are). He pointed us toward Mother's.

We walked the few blocks (weather was soooo warm and luscious I could have walked farther and wouldn't have cared) and arrived at this small place where you go up to the counter and place your order, then they deliver it to your table in paper trays. Nothing elaborate, that's for sure. I almost wondered if we were steered wrong. The place was practically empty and we were second in line.

By the time we received our meal (which was excellent, by the way), the line was out the door and down the sidewalk. The place was PACKED. Talk about timing. Apparently, it's that way every night (we were there on a Thursday).

Mother's is a place I would definitely return to (they are famous for their ham, but we didn't get that – I mean, we can get ham at home!).

On Friday night we decided to eat on Bourbon Street (where all the crazies are, I swear). I decided to be adventurous and sampled some Cajun-seasoned food (Cajun shrimp Alfredo). I usually stay away from hot and spicy, but the waiter assured me it wasn't that hot. One bite and I smiled. Yum, yum, yum.

And on our last night there (Saturday), we returned to Bourbon Street for dessert. Yeah, the conference had a dinner, yeah it had dessert, yeah we ate it, but I had to have a beignet and we were leaving early Sunday. If I had known what a beignet was when we went out for breakfast on Friday, I would have gotten it then. More yums (and a very full stomach). The things are covered in powered sugar and if you're wearing dark colors (I was), be prepared to have them sprinkled white! Great pastries. Their taste & texture are very similar to funnel cakes – if you know what those are – but in a square puff.

While I did get my magnets at Hard Rock and Bubba Gump (they were across the street from one another), we didn't eat at either place (for a change). Well, I didn't eat at either. Apparently my husband did eat at Bubba Gump, but then he was on his own a lot, and he just wanted a place to eat and read.

Hope I haven't made you hungry now. Happy Thursday!

Pictures in Pittsburgh

Saturday was a great day. Sure, it was cold. It even snowed a little (thankfully, very little), but we (my husband, daughter, and I) had tickets to see the Penguins play Tampa Bay at 1:00pm in Pittsburgh.

We had breakfast at 7:00am and then headed on our way. Arrived in the city around 11:30am and then decided to drive all over the place (unintentionally) to find the parking garage we had used the last time (yeah, our memory really sucks). Thank goodness for the Garmin. We didn't get lost, we just saw more of Pittsburgh than we bargained for, that's all!

But see, that's why we like to arrive early. We just never know what stupid thing we'll end up doing. And we can be very stupid driving in Pittsburgh. I still don't know how my friend managed when she worked there. Oh wait, I remember now. She took the bus!

This picture (which I learned how to take on my awesome camera) was taken before the game started, but you can see we had pretty decent seats (Row X). The Penguins won (8-1 – blow out!!) and we got to witness Malkin get a Hat Trick. Fleury (the goalie) was hot. We certainly picked a good game to attend!

After the game, we had dinner at Hard Rock (my picture includes the incline - just to show it is Pittsburgh). I got my magnet (I also got some Penguins magnets at the arena – one for my car, even!) and my daughter got her collector glass. I had been at that Hard Rock years ago; back when my friend lived in the area and before I started collecting the Hard Rock magnets. I still have the T-shirt I got, though.

It really was a great day. The fact the Penguins won so easily sure made it better.

In other news, my new job is a major adjustment for me. I have to keep reminding myself that I've done this work in the past (accounting) and it's not rocket science! It's a new job and I just have to get used to it. The first day really was awful (If my head could explode, it would have) and unfortunately, I took it out on my husband (I'm amazed at how he can put up with me at times). The next day went a lot smoother and by Friday I was feeling a lot calmer. Let's hope I don't have a relapse.

Happy Monday!

My Magnets

My son can come up with some pretty great ideas. I was talking about my blog regarding the refrigerator and my magnets and he suggested I put something like that in my book. And as it so happens, I was coming up to a scene where I could do just that! So I put in a scene where the main character has a refrigerator covered with magnets - courtesy of his mother!

It also gave me the idea to post some pictures of my magnets (yes, I must be desperate finding stuff to blog about).

As you can tell from the black background, I've moved my magnets. This group are the magnets I've collected from various Hard Rock Cafes. I don't always eat at the restaurant, but if the city I'm visiting has one, I stop in to buy the magnet. Except for Pittsburgh. I ate there before I started my collection. But I'll be back in February (to see the Penguins play) and I'll pick up my magnet then!

As with the Hard Rock Cafes, I also collect magnets from Bubba Gump Shrimp. I love those restaurants and will be able to add to my collection this December, because I believe there's one in Charleston, SC (which is where we'll be leaving on our cruise).

My husband is a big fan of aquariums, and I enjoy going to some of them. My favorite is the Monterey Bay Aquarium in Monterey, California. If you're ever in the area, it's a must see! The biggest surprise for me was the Ripley's Believe it or Not Aquarium in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. I really didn't expect to see so much there.

On the front of my fridge, I have the lists of states we have lived in since my marriage, in the order we lived in them (along with some Pittsburgh stuff!). And that magnet on the left, under Arizona, is so true!!

As I moved the magnets from the old fridge to the new, I was able to group them around and left a lot of the older calendar ones behind (still on the old fridge). I'm sure eventually I'll fill this one up. There's definitely more space to work with!

It's fun collecting magnets. As a souvenir, they are cheap and portable (and unlike t-shirts, I can't outgrow them). 

I haven't collected magnets all that long (maybe 15 years - and when I've been married almost 32, well, it's not all that long!). It actually started when we could afford to take actual vacations. I used to collect t-shirts, but they wear out (and take up lots more room).

So, what do you collect as souvenirs? Do you display them?