𝓝𝓮𝔀 𝓞𝓻𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓑𝓮𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓲 𝓖𝓻𝓪𝓼

I have never been to New Orleans during Mardi Gras, only a few weeks before when the decorations are up and the little parades have begun. More civilized and quiet, if you can ever characterize the French Quarter that way, and more accessible.

The French Quarter, a city within a city, centuries old, was founded on the only dry spot of land for miles where the Mississippi River makes a sharp crescent, ruled over by Spanish and French and impacted by both. The city within a city has a life of its own and sometimes when the elements are just right, you can almost feel the past brushing against you. This happened to us one evening when the cold, foggy, damp had chased most visitors away, and finding ourselves almost alone we stepped out of a store into Jackson Square. The fog had washed away the tall buildings leaving only the spire of the Saint Louis Cathedral and misty streetlights as they would have been on a dark night so long ago. The ghosts were surely out that night and I believe we could almost see them swirling around in the mist as they walked quietly past.

The Place D’ Armes staff gave me information on its history. The Hotel is made up of several building parcels on Chartres and St. Ann Street. None of the hotel’s buildings pre-date 1794 as two great fires swept through the city in 1788 and 1794. Nearly all the hotel’s buildings are believed to have been constructed between 1820 and 1880 with two buildings being built in the 1960s. It has the largest courtyard in the “Quarter” including several big trees, a fountain, and a swimming pool all beautifully landscaped and lit at night. Just sitting in the courtyard is an activity in itself as you let the last light of a well-spent day wash over you.  

My goal during our visit was to have fun, eat, shop,  and also to see as many of our customers as possible. We were joined by Anne and Nick Costas, great traveling companions who put up with so much!  We drove. It’s not that far from Seguin, eight to ten hours, and on the way we stopped at Tabasco on Avery Island. They are our customers, too.  I had never been to Avery Island, it is out of the way a little. Leaving I-10 and heading south we were able to see the place where Tabasco is made. We didn’t have time to go on the tour as we were headed to NOLA and dinner at Commander’s Palace, certainly a not to be missed extraordinary dinner which we all loved.

The grounds of Avery Island are pristinely manicured. It was a perfect day in January, not in the least cold and clear. Any time in the winter is great for New Orleans, as long as it is not during one of the big festivals or Mardi Gras. I am not there for Bourbon Street and prefer Royal with all the shopping, art galleries, antique stores,

etc. Bill and I agree this is our sort of fun.  We always stop behind the Cathedral to see what street artists are selling as well as around Jackson Square. Truly, within a few city blocks the world is your oyster with live music, food, shopping, history, crazy, and more. Sprinkle in a few ghosts and there is no place better.

Our customers for New Orleans include; Creole Delicacies, three stores, Granddaddy’s General Store, part of Café du Monde, The Roosevelt Hotel, The Monteleone Hotel, Adlers, Perlis, Merry Christmas and all That Jazz, The Historic New Orleans Collection, Jesuit College Prep, and Our Lady of Prompt Succor all to be found in our store locator on our website. I was able to visit about half of those and see some of the wonderful stores and people that carry our ornaments, some

all year long. The Restaurants were delicious starting with Commanders Palace where we sat at the most beautiful table on the second story the room was decorated in wonderful, over-the-top décor and the food and service were spectacular. Brennan’s for a late brunch the next day, finishing off with Antones and Muriel’s. Yes, of course, we went to the Café du Monde, where my black was appropriately sprinkled with white.  I tried, and why did I wear black? 

We had planned to visit another one of our customers, Oak Alley on the way home, but as usual, we were ready to get back and that day got very cold ahead of the arctic blast that gave New Orleans the first real snowfall in one hundred years. I am sure all the beautiful, delicate ferns that I photographed popping out everywhere from bricks in the courtyard of our hotel were frozen solid and I would bet pipes were breaking right and left. We were glad we had gotten out when we did. I wish them the very best in the cleanup that was needed after the ice and snow melted. 

Thank you New Orleans for never changing, holding on to that wisp of an idea, and knowing who you are. We who love you, are drawn back again and again recognizing something fleeting in the beauty that ever plays across your face.