The Smell of Summer After She Rains

A lovely Louisiana weekend.
Sweltering. Sultry. Sticky.
But still a wonderful weekend.

Friday night we went to a typical New Orleans hot spot for dinner, Jacques Imo's. I went in with a bit of a negative attitude since I'd heard a few tidbits that made me think it wasn't going to be my type of place. I wish I could say I'd been pleasantly surprised. We arrived at 6:30 (my bus had been 30 minutes late and I didn't get home til 6pm, ick), so the hour wait wasn't a surprise, but we were ravenous. So we had dessert first at the gelato place down the road. Good, but after Creole Creamery, a little flat. The tiny bar and outside street were crowded with heavy drinkers and people feeling the need to curse with every other word. We were seated in a loud room with tables squished together. Since the food is typical cajun, apparently they decided to make it feel like you're eating on a back porch on the bayou (at least they had air conditioning).

We started with a crab and alligator sausage cheesecake. This is like a quiche, but with gouda and brie cheese. Hands down the best part of the night. Oh, and the tiny corn muffins that they bring as your bread basket. Then came the spinach salad, covered in some sort of vinaigrette that made it inedible (and I like vinaigrette). We chose red fish in a crab chili sauce for the entree. It was alright, but not spicy. The red beans and rice were ok, but had no heat. The most frustrating part was the wait staff. Apparently there aren't really assigned tables so they wait on everyone. Well, we eat slowly, and were leaving the last few bites of fish. No fewer than FIVE staffers attempted to clear our plate, and two actually had their hands on it before waiting for our response. Absolutely unnecessary.

Deep breath. So after dinner we finished Season 1 of Twin Peaks. Disturbing, and B tells me I have to wait at least 3 months to watch Season 2, because he's waited two years for it to come out on DVD, and the least I can do is wait the amount of time that TV viewers would've had to wait. I say no.

Saturday. Farmer's Market day. Purchases included peaches, wild blackberries, tomatoes, tomatillos, and pupusas. Tonight I'm making salsa and I'll use it in my black bean soup.

Sunday was church and look-at-scooters day. I really like a Yamaha Vino (looks like a Vespa) in gunmetal grey that's a good bargain. The buses have been so off-schedule recently and it would be nice to have another option. Also did a lot of house cleaning and organizing. Right now am going through my photos to try and condense (do I really need doubles of photos five years old? Am I really going to give them to anyone?) I wish I had a scanner--that'd be a project!

The week ahead is full with a coffee date with a new friend, community group, B going to DC and me preparing for Ireland. I leave next Wednesday--so soon!