Last weekend was a big, fun, family-filled time for us...we had a birthday party for my great-aunt Rudy, who turned 100 on February 15, in Slidell. Several relatives (and friends) drove down from Oklahoma to go to the party and hang out with us in the French Quarter. I forget how much I love the French Quarter until I'm there, and then I just want to keep going back. Without further ado, here's the 100-year-old lady:

If she looks awesome, it's because she is. She made a short speech at the party, which she closed by saying, "I don't lean on anyone. You lean on me."  I love it that she got a personalized boa and parasol. I wanted to stand up right then and start a second line, and I think it might've happened, if this gal hadn't crashed the party:

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I've had dozens of cherishable moments living in New Orleans.  They happen all the time...how can they not in a place where a parade or a song can spring up at any time, for any reason at all?  This summer is a precious and tense time, because we're losing animals, coastline, food, and traditions.  We're celebrating everything and keeping one eye on the weather channel.

The past few weeks have been filled with marvels for me.  Truly, it's way too hot to do anything outside or even go anywhere, but we keep doing and going, and we keep getting rewarded for it.  For instance, the New Orleans Oyster Festival, which was held June 5-6 in the French Quarter.  We went on Sunday afternoon, after the rain cooled the air down.  And it was actually pleasant--so pleasant that we decided to find something fun to do in the Quarter after the festival shut down at 6:00 p.m.  More on that in a minute.  First, the food:

Turtle soup from the Court of Two Sisters.  Turtle soup is delicious.  I know it sounds bizarre to some folks, but trust me--it tastes like really really rich chili.

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