So, anyone planning on attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans? I'm taking a road trip to get there and have rented a tiny apartment in the French Quarter for a more locals experience of the festivities. Of course, the Parade of St. Anne will be the high point!

Yes, Abby! Basil and I have been tooling with this year's Gras...e-mail us, please.

Daddy and I are not going this year - it is simply too soon after a big travel jag for us, and Fashion Week to boot. We will miss St. Anne terribly..Please remember to leave something at the river for Dean, if you make it to the end of St. Anne!

What are the dates this year?

Fat Tuesday is February 5 - that's about as early as it ever is..

Greetings from chilly New Orleans! I've ben here just about a week and it's been pretty damp and cold. Hopefully it will warm up soon. They say this is the earliest Mardi Gras since 1918 or somesuch. It's been fun so far: saw the Krewe of Barkus parade yesterday...yes, all dogs! The theme was Indiana Bones and Raiders of the Lost Bark. It started out in the big park on Rampart, a riot of doggie treats and silly wagons. Fun! Saw four parades on Saturday and caught about a ton of beads. It was different seeing them off of Canal. And our first full night here we saw the Krewe du Vieux parade, then attended their Ball. It was a blast! Oh the costumery!
Yesterday we checked out a sale of creative costumes by local artists and the lovely fashion show of same...I wish I'd had a few hundred to plunk down on the yummy stuff.
Well, that's the latest from the French Quarter. Hope to run into you and Basil, Mr. Joe! Look for me in my green velvet finery on Fat Tuesday, marching with the St. Anne parade! And Chi, I'll be sure to leave a swatch of spectacularness in honor of Dean when we arrive at the river.
xoxoxoxo
A

Not this year...I just started a new job. You're looking at the executive chef of the New York Stock Exchange, baby.. However, I'd have fits of withdrawal if I didn't get to the quarter at least once a year. Lou and I are going for the French Quarter Festival in April. I am addicted to the Earth Cam which is showing all different balconies . We're having a Mardi Gras feast here at home this evening.
Laissez le bon temp roule!

To Abby and all our friends in NOLA - we miss being there TERRIBLY! Have a great day, and for all of us here, a picture of King Zulu as he rolled this morning...

Happy Mardi Gras everybody!