New Orleans in June

In 2009, our road-trip plans included a swing through New Orleans in part to experience the delectable cuisine that this region had to offer.   Due to the job offer at the time, we detoured and never made it to the Big Easy.  As a reward of sorts to surviving our first home buying experience and our renovation to follow, we picked up two tickets South to visit the missed destination from two years ago.  Before we headed South, Kims father Rizalde and his wife Mila had also decided to make the trek to join us on our culinary excursion, making this a family adventure with like minded food connoisseurs. 

With Rizalde and Mila arriving before us, they had the advantage to scope out the area prior to our arrival and sample some of the world famous cuisine prior to use, admittedly, making me a bit jealous.  Staying at the W Hotel downtown, we were only two blocks from the French Quarter, making it an easy jaunt to the famous area of New Orleans.  Upon arrival, family hugs and celebration were at hand with a couple of cocktails to boot at the hotel.

Our first evening included a walk through the Quarter, one of many as I had  found out that the French Quarter is all about walking, walking, and more walking.  I found the area to be a bit dirty compared to Toronto and DC but in line with New York City.  Yes, I know, Katrina happened here big time but come on, it's 2011 and as the locals told us, the trucks of donated money to the region went to the 'tourist' areas to generate future growth but at least buy some vacuum trucks I have seen in other major cities.  Moving past the trash, we enjoyed an excellent first dinner in New Orleans with a locally recommended hole-in-the-wall place that is known for the best fried chicken.  Can't say the fired chicken was the best at all, even a bit over-done, but they did feature the best fried pickles I have ever experienced.  The night ended up with a tour back along the famous Bourbon Street, accompanied with stops at various bars to keep the to-go cups full as it is truly legal to have open container! 

The famous Bourbon Street did surprise me a bit as I felt like I was living a freshman-in-college dream.  Open container law, strip clubs, sex shops, topless women on the street, and live music emitting from every bar on the street.  Being 39 now, I was a bit over it but still found it entertaining to some degree while still maintaining a healthy understanding that those days of unlimited drunkenness and foolish public behavior are long gone.  While distracting my wife's wandering eyes from the gay bars featuring live dancers, we finished the night with some great desserts before retiring at 1am.

New Orleans provided my wife's father and his wife with a great opportunity to attend a time-share presentation, allowing us to experience a bus tour of the city, all parts of the city.  This opened our eyes to the famous 9th ward in New Orleans where Brad Pitt has a project and where little recovery money was spent, but after understanding why this would just return to another ghetto, the money was spent better elsewhere, democracy in motion.  In addition, it gave us some quick insight into the crazy history of New Orleans, prompting us to take a ghost tour and a visit to a true Voodoo shop.

The ghost tour itself opened our eyes to some crazy history and stories in the French Quarter.  Kim having an experiencing of seeing a ghost at a hotel property during a bathroom stop prior to realizing it's history, made the walking tour that much more interesting.  Hangings, slavery, rape, dismemberment, torture, and overall craziness were all parts of story during this tour.  The Blacksmith shop was quite interesting with being the oldest operating bar in the United States and a history of a child death on it's premises.  Our picture from the other side of the road showing a child figure and an adult figure in the foreground, made this trip well worth it and landed Josh's ass back in the seat of realism and some belief in the super-natural.

This ghost tour led us to a palm and tarot reading in the square.  If we did not believe in this 'junk' before as Josh did, this left us with way to many thoughts and beliefs to ponder.  Her accuracy was beyond explanation and left us knowing that there is something beyond and perhaps there truly is a Twilight Zone.  This evening also included a trip to an Absinthe bar which may have attributed to the experience with the traditional serving of the liquor, but in the end, I truly believe that there is more out there, call it supernatural or not.


Cocktails, family, great dinners of Frenchman's street, fantastic Jazz bands, and plenty of walking, made this excursion well worth it.  From visiting a scene from the Bond movie (Live and Let Die (see below)), to the famous beignet (Kim and father Rizalde), a true Absinthe bar, and great family time, we will hit this road again with the next stop being the Philippines.

One Year Reflection

On this day last year, it was Josh’s very first day at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside hotel. Yesterday would have been our first night in our new home, Norfolk. Though living at the hotel at the time, we felt the comfort that a home would give and an overwhelming range of emotions.

Taking in the area, one which we have never even heard of before, I hit the pavement running wanting to learn everything about Norfolk: where to go, what to do, and most importantly where to live. Flowing parallel with all this was a finding an outlet for my writing career to begin.



Josh and I felt quite overwhelmed—to say the least—but we were not going to let a new area, a new job, the distance from our friends and family, along with an infinite list of unknowns consume us. Little by little we introduced ourselves to Norfolk and allowed it to introduce itself to us. We met so many people, many who have remained close friends.

As Josh went to work during the day, I aggressively searched for what would be our first home. In doing so, I felt sad that our Keep Left road trip was over but was so excited that we were creating a new beginning for us. Over bottles of wine Josh and I laid out our plans, crunched numbers, and talked endlessly about here and now, and tomorrow; but looking back on all of those conversations we really could not have known it all. I was in search for a modest home on the beach. The thought had me teemed with delight, a house on the beach—how unforeseeable for a girl from Toronto. Thank goodness the first beach cottage fell through—it would have been a disaster. Instead we found a home that has two raised porches providing an unobstructed view of the Bay giving us sights of dolphins swimming through lulling us with its crashing waves at night. Not to mention second and third floor wood burning fireplaces—many long nights, romantic dinners, and so much more in front of them.

Oh and the blah, blah, blahs with our exes—like a pebble in each of our shoes. They tried so persistently to invade in our life with their juvenile plays and conniving attempts, awaiting the demise of our relationship. There are far too many instances to name, but they present a good laugh every now and then. We continue to wish them well in hopes that they will find their own happiness.

One year later, we could not be more in love. We continue to learn from one another and with each other and feel so fortunate to have found each other. As Josh always says, “Life could not be better.” Reflecting about the year that has passed last night, over another delicious dinner—experimenting with kale: tomato and red onion salad to start followed by kale, mushroom and blue cheese lasagna. It certainly works to our advantage to share the same pallet and willingness to experiment and invent new recipes—we realized how lucky we are. Our woes were resolved and our problems are minimal. We’ve learned to focus on our life and future together distancing ourselves from who or what could pull us down. We have truly learned to enjoy life and have executed that mantra each and every day. If you were to tell us one year ago that we would have all this, we probably wouldn’t have believed you, but we wouldn’t have put the idea past us. Coincidentally enough, just as it was last year, we are in search for a new home and are enthralled about buying our first home together. We initially gave ourselves a year in the area, but have realized that a couple of years invested into Norfolk will fetch a more than decent return—not just financially.

So as we cheers to the year past and the year to come, it’s been real—very.

HAPPY 6 MONTH ANNIVERSARY, BABY!

I promised you the best ride of your life in my vows, along with a constant, non-judgemental love that will beat all the odds.  It has been a fast and crazy ride to get to where we are today, but I would not change any of it one bit.  We swam against the current and did it our way the whole way!  You constantly show me a love that is patient, kind, and endless, and I hope that I show you how much all of that does not go unnoticed each and every day.  Being with you has taught me so much about myself.  It has also showed me to settle for nothing less than the best things in life.  You are truly amazing, Mr. Joshua Haugh! The way we are together is amazing. 

Things that I love about us:

Cooking.  We have both introduced the other to new dishes and ingredients.  In addition, we have created some wonderful meals together.

How we think so alike. 

How you are always on it without me even saying anything.

How we naturally meet halfway without even knowing it.

How we are ALWAYS a team. 

How we can go through three bottles of wine in one sitting with the best conversations.

How we can turn our kitchen into an 80's dance floor.

How we can be at any type of event, not knowing a soul, and then someone comes up to us and compliments on how in love we are.

How we can be anywhere and poke fun at anyone, anything, and everything.

How we can toss around through the night in bed but will always be holding one another.

How our kisses get better and better each time.

How Mylo, Paige, you and I are such a happy family together and we know that the bond will only get stronger.

I LOVE YOU!  So much more, each and every day.

Right Here, Right Now

In the hustle and bustle of our every day life, there are those opportune times where we are able to sit down to a great bottle of wine, listen to moving music, and take in how great life really is.  Right now, Diana Krall is workin' it out on the keys, Bonterra sauvignon blanc is a flowin', and the air is so heavy it is as though time is still.  The clichés may be all about us—walks on the beach at sunset, the ocean breeze, enjoying each other over a bottle or two of wine—but I don't mind it.  For many years I have thought myself to be the type to swim against the current, but for the first time, swimming with it may very well be the best thing ever to do.  How could we possibly ask for more than this?  Dolphins visit from time to time, the ocean is our ambient sound, the sand is like sugar, and our love is what brought us here.  Sure we could deal with more, who wouldn't?  But right here, right now, could not be any better.  Sometimes you truly have to take in all and everything that you have to realize how rich you are in life, love, and spirit!   

Haugh-Tide on the Chesapeake Bay

Waking up one morning, we peered out our bedroom window to find a pod of dolphins going by, not to far from the beach.  Wow, we never thought they would be so close, but how can we get closer?

Locating a kayak started out on craigslist.com, only to find that not that many people were selling since summer was only weeks away.  Deciding to check out Bass Pro Mills in Hampton was a great decision as it allowed us to get educated on kayaks from the store staff.  But no, once seeing the price tags, we need to find another solution.  So many extras you need to buy!  After giving craigslist another shot, we found the double kayak we had been searching for.  Strapping it to the roof of the VW, we made it home with our new boat, so excited to hit the water and have fun while getting a great core workout.

Freedom to go as we please on the water is a great feeling along with spending time together, getting that excerise the fun-way.  Trying out the crab trap, enjoying an ice cold beer, dipping your feet into the bay, or paddleing hard truly makes each trip out unto the water different.  Diving the front of the boat through waves I think was the best though, especially hearing the 'YEAH' screams of delight from my Canadian wife.  From a Toronto city girl, hitting the fashion district and sporting the best high heels that gather stranger comments by the minute, to paddleing on the Chesapeake Bay is something I thought I would not see.

See the joy on Mylo's face was another great moment, dressing him up in his body life jacket and matching hat, he almost looks like he should be Asian.  Sitting between dad's legs though, gripping the sides of the boat, Mylo has also now found the pleasure of the open water and all that the Chesapeake Bay has to offer.  Not only have we found a new sport, we have found another way to enjoy life, as that is what life is for, the simple pleasures that will be memories forever.—JDH

Y Not Pizza...Why Not?

In search for the best pizza and wings in town, enroute to the acclaimed Tattoo festival we headed to Y-Not Pizza for a sinful slice.  A great surprise located along Colley Avenue, it had a fresh ambiance with Italian tradition peppered through.  The al fresco dining, cool lighting, gelato bar, and indoor masonary accents, provide that ahhh.  With a wide selection, everything from pastas to paninis, there is sure to be a dish for everyone.  The New York style pizza reminded us of our stint in NJ and Manhattan, but the kicker was the gelato.  Sinfully orgasmic!

Tidewater Magazine Features Our Wedding

It is exciting to see our wedding immortalized on paper.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

There we are, teased on the front cover, and inside on page 13.
Click here to for the May 2010 issue

A Day-scape

Looking at todays date, this is yet another long awaited post.  When I look back at the last month or so, I realize how much Josh and I have done and accomplished with our home.  Our petit beach maison, is evolving into a refreshing retreat that we both so look forward to being in each day.  Work has been an uphill climb, for now, more than ever, we both feel like our roots are finally setting into Norfolk.  The friendships we have made are inspiring in their own ways, but all in all, are genuine.  It has certainly renewed my belief that there are sincerely nice people still left in the world.  And because of that, we have both taken on the pay it forward mantra to heart.

Below: Master Bedroom, a modern boudoir in the making; Upstairs Bathroom, nautically nifty with a DIY mirror, model sail boad, and canoe shelf that I white washed myself; Guestroom, the skies the limit in our travel themed room complete with antique working cameras and my magazine collection now in place.

Slowly working our way through the house, our wedding picture collection is now in place—above our bed, the upstairs bathroom is completely decorated, and the second bedroom is a wrap.  Thanks to a little help from our designer extraordinare who fashioned our window treatments.  With a few more projects to knock off the list, we have come to terms with the fact that we will always want to do something to our home.  Though we have done so much, I still find myself falling into a case of buyer's remorse sometimes.  Making your home yours has to be done slowly.  Going through the house room by room will allow you to grip your sanity, and your pocketbook.  I have also come to terms that breaks from time to time are essential and you just have to get out!   

With that said Josh and I were travelling on 17 North to Smithfield, to ham it up!  The thermometer on the dash said 90°F, and the smile on Josh's face screamed, "This is why we moved here, baby!"  Sipping on sweet tea—of course, it's the south!—we went from cityish to total country in a blink of an eye.  It reminds me of some parts of Mississauga.  At only a 40 minute drive, why have we not come to Smithfield before?

Above: The Pagan River

Driving down Main Street, country cliches are were all about, but I couldn't help but think that this is the quiantness that go-go-goers like us often forget about—but are working on. We parked the car, prepared for a leisurely stroll downtown, and Paige was already pulling to sniff the scents of purple wildflowers to only then pee on them.

Above: One of the beautiful homes seen along our walking tour; me standing in front of the home we wish we had.

Lunch would be the first order of business here, but the reason for me being here was to seek out this icecream shop to write about—that would be dessert.  After being shuned by The Station, due to their no pet policy on their patio, we turned right around, walking along the Pegan river to a charming restaurant we had passed before.  Gregorian and Victorian homes, with their tremendous details and touch-me-not façades provided that bite out of history that you cannot miss here in Smithfield.  With our map in hand that pointed iconic homes of influential people, we were on our own walking tour.

Above: Our tasty lunch that had our lips smacking all afternoon long

With our appetites almost englufing our brains—the beaming sun did not help—we sat at a garden table at the Smithfield Inn.  The shade was just enough, and the breeze was perfect.  A round of sweet tea and a water for Paige, she was the attraction by far, with the waitstaff visiting us to pet her.  Just as we do with all restaurants that we go to we ordered what sounded the most interesting: Mozell's yeast and sweet potato rolls with Smithfield ham—of course—to start with, a fried green tomato blt with pimento cheese spread for Josh and for me battered and fried pork chop and grits—these were fried too, I know, heart attack—smothered in creole sauce.  In the words of the annoying, yet nifty Rachel Ray, "Yum-o".

Above: Not worth all the hype, but ice cream's ice cream

Now full to our eyeballs we were on our pursuit of the much bragged about Smithfield Ice Cream Parlor.  As daring and curious as I am with food, I'm not the same way about ice cream.  Always vanilla for me, unless I go Asian and then it's green tea or ube.  To be honest, this raved about icecream was a mere distibutor of Hershey's ice cream.  There was no homemade recipe and hand-rolled waffel cones—speaking of which, nada on the waffel cones they "ran out".  This was certainly not writing about, we could have very well purchased a tub at Farm Fresh, and done this whole dance in our backyard.

Above: Paige in the backseat with the model sailboat Josh got for the restaurant at Wharf Hill Antiques

What was worth writing about—and I did—was Wharf Hill Antiques, a place where Barefoot Contesssa, Ina Garten bounces off the walls.  Walking into the dainty and fresh shop makes you imagine walking through a pair of French doors and saying, "'Hello, I live here."  All things beautiful in life are collected there, and we found the perfect accent for The City Dock Restaurant, a 2 and a half foot model sail boat—bravo!

Above: Sea birds enjoying the day just like us.

With the sun making its way down, we were on the ferry back to Williamsburg.  A different path home, but one we had not yet taken.  This is what you do on a Monday, Josh and I both thought.  What a wonderful life.  A quick trip across, we made our way past the Jamestown Settlement to only find the most off the beaten path antique shop that carried pieces directly imported from China.  Authentic and way out of our price range, the chairs, tables, armoirs and so forth painted this tranquil picture of what our home could look like.  But with my Bali furniture, we're almost there.  A quick walk past the bamboo and koi pond, and the excursion was over.  We were back in familiar territory—along with our GPS of course.

Above: While waiting to board the ferry.

Josh and I both realized that this is what moving to a new place is about—exploration.  We made the pact that when we do leave this place we would be completely satisfied that we did everything there is to be done, and that we would not leave thing, 'oh, we missed that'.        

Wine, Planes, and Automobiles

Last weekend re-affirmed our decision to move to Norfolk.  The air was filled with excitement, and the air was 78 degrees.  No better way to celebrate than with a new dress (thank you tita Anne), strappy sandals, a cute guy (Josh, of course), and a nice drink.  Since we were on our way to a wine, food, and fashion show—check, check, and check!

With the windows wide open, and Rockstar cranked up, we found ourselves in one of Pungo's treasures, (or maybe only treasure) the Military Aviation Museum. 

Dedicated to WWII, this private collection of navy and army planes, illustrates such a memorable time period.  The day's event showcased Echos of Time's elaborate collection of costumes bringing to life fashions from caveman to spaceman.

It was a quaint event in a quaint town, and I found a delicious, refreshing, and non-pretentious wine from Lake Anna, Totally White.

 

With the sound of a plane flying overhead, we thought of no better place to spend the rest of the afternoon than the Oceanfront. 

Catch 31 was a great catch, $11 martinis and the cool air directly from the ocean, was wonderful.  It was like being on a first date.  Watching the gapers and beach cruisers was plenty fun.  People with their dry towels—well of course, the water's still cold—with their look, not touch attitudes towards their beach experience.  Mind you there were plenty with bikinis, tankinis, and all sorts of other inis, incomprehensible really since the temperature at the beach was a mere 61 degrees.

 Two Type Tuna Tartar and Carpaccio with Arugala and Egg Salad

T

Fried Oysters with a Beurre Blanc Sauce

Rockfish with Mashed Potatoes, Creamed Spinach, Bacon, and Fried Oyster, with a side of Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
 
Come 7 p.m. we found ourselves at the back of a wine store in a surprisingly, contempo sexyish, fusion restaurant, Eurasia.  Words truly cannot describe this culinary dining experience.  Both lost for words about the experience in its totality, Josh and I would have to call it a culinary climax.  It was a beautiful experience!

JERSEY, BABY!

HITTING THE ROAD, JACK

Sometimes you really just need to get out of town. And so we did—to Atlantic City. ETA 11:30 p.m.

This will be the first time driving along the civil engineering marvel, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. This 4 lane (but of course there were only 2 lanes open) 20 mile bridge-tunnel is the only direct connection between Hampton Roads and Eastern Shore. We have a direct view of this HR landmark from our window, so it was nice to finally see what it was all about.

When we got to the half-way point, where the bridge curves, Josh brings up the point that if there were to be a collapse at this point, we would have to swim back to shore. What! A worthy observation, but not necessarily something I wanted to hear. “It’s true,” he says, “This bridge is connected to a tunnel, not a land mass.”

There was not much to really see on the other side of the Bridge-Tunnel really, but some interesting scents while driving downwind from Tyson Foods. I reminded me of my mom’s previous office in Brampton, ON that was located next to Maple Leaf Farms. It was a nasty smell.

"WE'RE THERE"

Time of arrival 11:30 p.m. Not bad. I just couldn’t wait to grab a drink and a bite to eat. Poor Josh, he drove the whole way. I did offer to drive, but after the night driving skills that I displayed during our summer road trip, I don’t blame him.

While walking into the hotel lobby, we immediately realized that we chose a dance competition weekend. Great. There’s nothing I enjoy more than tweens, little girls, and stage moms running around, “Like oh my god!”

OUT AND ABOUT

The next morning we geared up for a long stroll through downtown. We made our way through the outlet stores district up to the boardwalk as we planned the rest of our day. Taking in the sights and sounds you realize the interesting people who make up AC. You see a lot of clichés, such as the older man with the dyed jet black hair who thinks he has the right to squeeze anyone’s tush, the cougars (bless their Spanx), the TTs (if you don’t know what this means, I’m not going to tell you), and of course the ghetto superstars.

For two foodaholics, “restaurant” and “week” placed side-by-side results in increased amounts of saliva and perhaps a glazed-over moment. We ended up at Primavera, an Italian institution in AC, and we were hooked-UP! Along with the 3-course prix fixe, we were treated to much more. Oh my, it was like doing a food bong.

For the reel, I would have to pull the roasted fennel for the beef carpaccio. I am not a licorice aroma-flavor enthusiast by far, but there wasn’t that presence in the dish. We both thought the entrees were—well, could have made it at home. Also, I really don’t think that the dishes picked for restaurant week really showcased Primavera’s true flavor. Despite a bit of disappointment with the entrees, the desserts truly brought the food from here, to up, up, here (you Seinfeld fans know what I'm talking about). But the selection that was served to us wasn’t part of the original Restaurant Week Menu.  

"LADI DADI, WE LIKE TO PARTY"

Off to the tables for a game of craps, a cocktail, and a cigar, well isn't this what AC is all about?  The sights sounds and smell of this off-spring, this minute resemblence of Sin City, holds the magical key to all things laisez faire.  This is a tune Josh and I sung before, and this time it sounded so much sweeter.  The weather was cool, but my Malibu and Diet made the air feel warm.  Josh was doing well, I found it endearing to watch his about-to-throw routine—he places the dice in front of him with his index finger and thumb, then rubs is hands together while blowing into them to warm them up, a seamless pick up of the dice into the palms of his hands, then a gentle toss.  Pulling for the 8, "And that's how it's done, baby."

 FERRY WELL THEN

40 minutes until the Cape May Ferry's departure, the man at the ticket booth was on an incredible power trip scaring us into lining our car up now because they "always leave on time".  We inquired about the food situation and he explained about their microwavable meals served on the ferry.  I'm pretty sure our hell-no looks gave him the hint that we weren't interested and then he said, "Well then go to McDonalds".  As we turned back around, I looked at Josh and asked, "Did that self-flagellating to Avitar, I have a fake girlfriend, and collect barcodes, man-child just tell us to f*%& off?"  We both laughed.

Since we refuse to fall in with the "chain gang" we found ourselves not far off the beaten path at a seedy take-out, eat-in (if you dare) restaurant that specialized in fish sandwiches and ethnic condiments like soy sauce, mango chili sauce, and other Maggi products for purchase.  Interesting. 

* * *

The view from the top deck was magnificent.  The air smelled sweet and salty, and the sun was just there for decoration.  It was a great weekend, one to do again, for sure.  This has been our longest drive since our roadtrip, and it brought back a whole lot of memories.  With everyone tightening their pocket books and finding more ways to save and getaway, this is sure to be one.  However, if you do plan on going to Atlantic City during their peak times, be prepared to pay top dollar and to dodge those guidos and guidettes.