Hey, y’all! The “y’all” is due to me currently being in New Orleans. Which reminds me, we have to spend today getting Eliza’s car serviced, so apologies if I’m slow to respond to comments.
So, about New Orleans. I’ve been here more times than I can count. And among the many things I love about the city is how in my wanderings I always discover something new. I’ve meandered through the Garden District (where my new Vintage Cookbook Mystery series is set) a bazillion times, yet somehow missed these gorgeous homes…
I also missed this incredibly kind water gift to thirsty locals, tourists, and doggies – who even get treats in the mailbox…
I’ve spent countless hours in the French Quarter. Was this old ad always there or was it recently exposed? Either way, it’s new to me…
Also new to me is this necklace featuring St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square, which I bought at the state museum gift shop, housed on the bottom floor of the 1850 house, which I’d never seen until two days ago…
I could share a ton more pictures of delightful new discoveries. But the most important new sight I had on this trip is the one that brought us here… Eliza graduating from Loyola University when she walked up onto this stage to receive her diploma for her degree in Finance and Marketing from the school’s College of Business.
While so many sights in this city will be forever emblazoned on my brain, none will induce the overwhelming emotions of this moment. Go, Wolfpack! And Go, Eliza!
(Sidebar: If you’re wondering why I’m not sharing a picture of our new grad, it’s because she insists on photo approval. Can you tell the kid was raised in Hollywood?)
Readers, what new things have you discovered about your favorite place, home, vacay, or otherwise?
Chicks on the Case 
Congratulations to your whole family, Ellen! What a wonderful event to celebrate and best wishes to Eliza as she begins this new chapter in her life!
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Thanks so much, J.C.!
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I’m so glad you’re there and I know you will have a wonderful time! Glad you made it for Eliza’s graduation. Tell her congrats from me!
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I will! Xoxo
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Thanks so much, Kaye! I will.
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Nola , one of my all-time favorite places. Can’t wait to go back. I have a street car necklace like your cathedral one. Congrats to Eliza. Is she leaving New Orleans?
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I know you love it here as much as I do. And now I want a streetcar necklace! I’m afraid she’s leaving. 😦
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Congratulations to Eliza (and you) from another mom of a recent college grad. Very exciting!
I recently learned that Buffalo has dozens of tunnels (not necessarily a system, but more than I imagined) under it. You bet that will be part of an upcoming book!
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Oh Liz, that is so cool! Perfect for your series. New Orleans has them too except Colleen Mooney already used them in one of her books and I feel like I’d be copying.
And congrats on your daughter’s graduation!
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Can’t wait to read it, Liz!
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Love the post and the pictures. We lived near NOLA for one fascinating year. I gained 10 lbs. 😏
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Mary, it took you a whole year to gain ten pounds? I can gain 5 in a week!
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I found one of my (new) favorite places is the Blue Ridge Mtns., NC. OMG- stunning! I didn’t want the trip to end. I also have been in quite a love affair with NYC. Always something new to see there.
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Tracy, my reply went to the wrong place. See below
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Where is that?
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The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina right up against the Tennessee border or New York City? I’m not sure what place you’re asking about, Madeleine. Both are fabulous in vastly different ways.
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Thanks for sharing those jewels, Ellen. I can never get enough of NOLA. Congratulations to your daughter, and I’m right there with her on pre-approval of photos!
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Mary, lord knows when I’ll see those damn photos!
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Congrats to you and Eliza! (No more tuition is a sob-inducing revelation.) I still find new things about my little town, even though I’ve lived here for 32 years. And despite the fact I grew up at the base of Pikes Peak, I didn’t go to the top until 2010 or so. (I did, however, know it was there!)
Those old houses are gorgeous!
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I love Colorado. And the houses here are incredible
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Yay for Eliza! Happy for you and your family! (And that necklace is pretty…)
I’ve never been to NOLA but one day… Would love to have you as a tour guide, El!
I’m always finding new spots near me. Funnily enough, I read this article during shutdown about these amazing places to check out and couldn’t go. I did end up exploring this nearby creek, where I saw tadpoles hatching, though.
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I’d love to be your tour guide! And there’s a creek near you? In SoCal? Jealous!
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Jen, count me in as your tour guide!
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There are these hidden nature gems–so great to find!
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Yes, the first time we went to NOLA, Houlihan’s had Oyster Happy Hour at 10 cents each. We ate three dozen in the late 1970s.
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Take a Gray Line Bus tour. Great and worth the money and then you can see places to go later.
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Madeleine, those tours are a great intro to any city
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New Orleans is the best! And check out the WWII Museum. It is a must-see.
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Agree a million percent. It’s an incredible museum
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Best wishes and congratulations to Eliza!
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Thank you so much, Karen!
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Tracy, I love both of your favorite places!
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Huge congratulations to to Eliza! And such a beautiful moment for her proud parents!
I’ve had some wonderful times in NOLA–my two favorites being 10-cent oysters and 50-cent beer back in the early ’80s, and walking around the historic cemeteries on the outskirts of town. (As for your new necklace, my sister just sang in a concert in St. Louis Cathedral two weeks ago!)
Allez, Eliza!
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Ooh, how many oysters and how much beer did you have?
(Wow for your sister!)
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I remember oysters and beer that cheap!
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Congrats to Eliza! Glad you are having a wonderful trip. Good luck with the car servicing.
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Thank you! I pray none of you has to rent a car these days. It’s like making a mortgage payment. Even for one day.
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Ellen, I love your new “finds”—and huge congrats again to Eliza!! I swear, feels as if she JUST applied to colleges. Very best for her happiness and success. I am posting from one of my favorite places, Brooklyn. Sadly, although I’ve returned here a lot lately, my daughter and her family will be moving soon so this trip is bittersweet. There are always lots of new things to discover here (especially amazing new restaurants) as the neighborhood is always changing, but…I find I still love the old things best. Go (Brooklyn) Dodgers!
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I have relatives who used to live in Brooklyn–such a wonderful place to visit!
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My brother and late dad would appreciate the “Brooklyn” Dodger reference. I’m sorry you’ll lose Brooklyn. That’s a rough transition to Jersey.
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Congratulations, Eliza! So glad you had a lovely trip and thanks so much for this post and the great pics.
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Glad you liked them. And congrats!
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Thanks for sharing a bit of NOLA with us, El — it’s always a fun visit!
Major congrats and best wishes to Eliza! I loved their “second line” style recessional Video on your FB!
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I loved it too! My only disappointment is they never told the grads to turn their tassles. I don’t know why.
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Sending warm congratulations to Eliza and her proud parents – it seems like she just started school! How do four years go by so quickly? Wishing her all the best as she begins the next step. Must say, photo approval? My kind of girl!
I think we need to set up a writers retreat in one of those wonderful old houses and you can be our tour guide, Ellen.
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I know! I can’t believe it’s over. And oooh… writers retreat in one of these houses sounds GREAT!
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Congratulations to Eliza! What a huge milestone, although I feel as if she just left for college not too long ago. Best wishes to her with whatever she decides to do next!
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Thank you! And I feel the same way. Like she just started. I can’t believe how fast we got here.
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With all the years going to NOLA, we never found nor heard of City Park nor the original Art Deco Airport until we just happened on them a couple of years ago. So many treasures out there and always great to discover them. Just ordered Muffulettas from Central Grocery through Goldbelly’s for the 2nd time. They are fabulous and freeze well and last us a long time as they are huge, and we cut them into quarters and share those for lunch heated up. We like them hot. Gambino’s bread! We finally went to Domisile’s for oyster Po’boys on Ledenheimer bread.
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We went to Domalise’s last week! And got oyster po’boys! And that art deco airport… We took a drive out there one of our trips and I took a million photos.
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GORGEOUS photos, Ellen, and huuuuuuuuuuuge congrats to Eliza!!! Seems like just yesterday she graduated from high school!
I find that I learn so much about my hometown when I play tourist. Plus it’s always fun if microbrew tasting is involved.
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I have never been to New Orleans but I have the rather interesting experience of moving back after 15 years away to an area I spent many years living in. So many things are familiar but a bit different at the same time. How’s the saying go? You can’t ever go home again. Well, not to the exact home I remember anyway.
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