Hi there friends!
I wanted to pop in with a quick hello and share some recent snaps of our NOLA vacation.
New Orleans is a Louisiana city on the Mississippi River, near the Gulf of Mexico. Nicknamed the “Big Easy,” it’s known for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American cultures. Embodying its festive spirit is Mardi Gras, the late-winter carnival famed for raucous costumed parades and public partying.
We experienced just all we could with families. I was thankful the boys are a bit older to take this experience all in. I do believe our younger son Jack saw his first set of BOOBS!~ In fact, I know it was. HAHAHA!~ The culture is quite carefree there.
Today, is all about doing what makes you happy. As tomorrow is never promised. Live with a grateful, happy heart.
***NOLA***
The days were hot and steamy, and at times almost unbearable. I would never recommend going there in the summer. The food was fabulous and the nightlife was entertaining. We were fortunate to find a few 13 and over Jazz clubs. Considering both our boys are Trombone players this was a real treat for them as well.
We enjoyed the 4th of July down by the river. The fireworks were pretty spectacular over the water.
Saw lots of street shows and happy feet a dancing!
Lots of beads thrown up and down and all around.
My sissie, bil and niece. This was on our first day. We all were actually refreshed and ready to take on the week. I can tell you by the end of the week we were swollen and dead tired. Not looking fresh at all.
I have not had a family photo of the 4 of us in quite some time. It was nice we were all smiles!
Our cemetary tour was cut short due to the heat. Not a shady burial ground at all. In fact, this day my sister fell a little ill and had to go back to the hotel to rest and re-hydrate. It’s no joke there with the heat.
The evenings were much more enjoyable. I loved all the lit up neon signs too. The people were a bit more aggressive and it is not a place I would recommend girls walking around alone. I personally just would not feel comfortable nor safe.
Vacations are always fun with the family. We also had two friends from home come along with us. They had a fabulous time and I am sure we all made memories that will last a lifetime.
I am feeling happy, refreshed and grateful for life and the experiences I have been blessed with family and friends.
I even made some pretty free printables for you today. I feel thankful for all my friends and readers here that support me and always brighten my day.
XO
I even created some pillows and other home decor over at Society6
I made a variety of colors hoping one will suit your taste and decor. Simply download, print and frame.
If you are new here, welcome! Hope to see you back again.
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It sounds like you have had a great vacation. I have been through there but never stopped in to sight see.
You are not kidding about staying hydrated. It has happened to me a couple of times.
We just got back from Charleston. Even though we are in Texas the humidity was a killer. So hot.
I love the printable.
Katie
Great Katie! Enjoy. Yes, Charleston can get pretty brutal too.
Looks like a fun time, Debbie! I love NOLA! Thanks for the printables…this is what I told my husband about how I felt going into 2016. These are perfect!
Wonderful Shenita!
So glad you had a fun time even with the heat! Your family portrait is a great pic. You’ll have to craft a frame and display for it! Thanks for the printable, too!
Hugs,
Kris
I really wanted to warn you about the heat, but didn’t want to put a cloud over your trip before you even began! New Orleans is definitely a trip everyone should make in their lifetime, spring or fall is much more comfortable. So glad you had a good family trip. The food and drink is wonderful, right? You did visit the market and get beignets and coffee I hope, and tour the Cathedral? Music everywhere. Great city. I think I need to plan a trip in the fall…. thanks.
Yes, to all of the above Linda! I was warned before hand how hot it was. Thought we were tougher than that though considering we lived in S.Florida for 9 years and now in South Carolina. Let me tell you, nothing as hot as there. It was still awesome!
Yes, New Orleans is a very interesting place. The WWII museum is awesome — all inside so it’s nice and air conditioned. There is a great restaurant there that has some Louisiana cuisine — shrimp poboy is awesome.
The heat and humidity along the Gulf Coast is brutal this time of year. Even though we haven’t had any rain in a month, the humidity is really high and we are experiencing heat advisories every day.
Glad you enjoyed New Orleans.
The food was awesome!! Yes on the poboys:) YUMMY!
I have had the opportunity to visit New Orleans many times as I had an uncle through my first marriage that lived in Mobile Alabama which is only a 3 hour drive. However it has been 30 years when my girls were teens. It was quite the experience! I am sure it has changed since then. I remember the sights and smells and the wonderful food! It was August and I didn’t think there was any place on earth as hot and humid as that. I remember taking 3 showers a dsy. So glad you had a great family vacation. Thanks for the printables!
I took 2:) We weren’t in the rooms long enough for the 3rd one lol.
Thanks, Debbie! You made my day!
Hi Debbie,
We live in northwest LA, but still have the same awful humidity which increases the heat index dangerously and terribly. We definitely love our air conditioning in our homes and vehicles.
My husband is a retired electrical lineman; he still laughs when he hears someone say “oh, you get used to the heat”. He said you NEVER get used to it; you just have to suffer through it!! (And he’s a bass fisherman, too, so he’s still out in it for the first half of the year.)
Glad y’all had a good time though! I was born in Natchez and have lived in Louisiana for most of my life, but I’ve never been to New Orleans. My sister has family in Covington, so if they go into N.O., they always go to the Café Du Monde.
Blessing to you and your blog. I do love it all!!
Barbara
Thanks so much Barbara! I would agree with your hubby! I could never get used to it.
Good Afternoon Debbie,
Your blog is so pretty and it makes me as happy as these cute, cute printable’s!
We lived outside of New Orleans years and years ago in Destrehan and I remember very well the heat, humidity and the overwhelming nearly nausea feeling at times.I am sure the heat index was extremely high.
Glad that you all took breaks to get out of it.
Love the photo of you and your family!
Great to meet you and I will be back:)
Jemma
Thank you Jemma! Same to you.
I don’t get visiting as much as I should but I am so very very happy I did today, you guys look so happy on vacation and your boys!! Who replaced them with these young men,, oh my ,,, where does the time go,, such a beautiful family,
best wishes from Canada
Hi Laurie, it is so nice to see you! Hope all is well. Yes, they sure grow up fast.
I’m so happy y’all had a wonderful time in NOLA!!! It’s one of my favorite places on Earth and one of the first trips my husband surprised me with. I’m with you, though, that summertime is NOT the time to visit. It is hotter than hot. Thanks for the printable! Have a great week.
Always enjoy your posts… the stencils are beautiful. Glad you enjoyed our state – I live in Baton Rouge, just a short drive to New Orleans… I think your descriptions of the sights were a bit mild. The place is known for raucous behavior! NO once was a beautiful place — now its pretty trashy… we were there a couple of weeks ago and walked from the Saenger Theater to our restaurant 2 blocks away and passed a bunch of homeless…. and nasty streets… I’m very disappointed. But it still draws… Yet the heat is unbearable…. Nice pics.
Jeanie, I don’t want to trash anyone’s city honestly. The people are happy to be there and I am happy we went. Now will I go back?? You didn’t ask that LOL!
Hi Debbie,
It has been years since I visited New Orleans but it was a great time. I was there 4 days and remember the nightlife and excitement on the streets at night. We enjoyed the French Quarter and took some wonderful pics there. So glad you and your family had a good time! Also…love the prints! Thank you!
You are welcome Char!
Thank you for sharing your family and vacations with us. I love reading about real people. That makes me happy and trying to do things that make me happy,my family,and friends.Friends are so important.Thanks again. Peggy
Awww..thanks Peggy!
Words to live by and loved seeing your vacay pics and the pic of your family!!!
WOW Debbie what a great vacation; your pics are wonderful. Happy faces!!! I love that!!! I’m also excited for you starting your stencil line. Thank you for the printables today. I really like all of your ideas; stencils are so easy and anyone can make them personal with their choice of background and paint colors. Have a great week.