Ringing in 2011

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Beignets for Breakfast

Margo (My Up-tight Northern Alter Ego):  "Oh my...aren't beignets nothing more than deep fried dough?"

Marti (My Southern Self):  "Why yes, yes they are!  Unless of course, you are lucky enough to be from the South..then they are beignets."

Truth be told, these little bite-sized chunks of love weren't plated until almost 11 pm tonight.  However, I have been in a very 'Nawlin's' frame of mind the past week or so.  Some weeks a girl needs a little more pampering than others.  Wouldn't you agree?

New Orleans is much much more, but on the surface, it is a sensual city of instant gratification.  It offers many, many ways to indulge your every guilty pleasure...food, drink, music, and that's just the beginning.  I may never have a breakfast as memorable as the chicory coffee and beignets I had in the French Quarter many years ago.. 

The memories of the sights, sounds and tastes of NOLA come back to me at the most unpredictable and unlikely times.  It is definitely a "total immersion" kind of thing.  Like taking a bath in pure, leave-me-be-I'm-having-a-moment, pleasure.  Wait - they have a name for it - MARDI GRAS! 

I haven't visited since Katrina, and don't have any immediate plans.   But, every once in a while, I feel an undeniable tug towards the Big Easy.  Today, it was beignets.  Yesterday, it was ACME oysters.  Tomorrow, who knows? 

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Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the warm, gold and olive Christmas decor is giving way (slowly but surely) to wintry fresh, white and silver. 

Hope your New Year is off to a Sweet Start!