Markets lead to feastin'

Again, the danger of cliche looms large whenever one attempts to turn a phrase that contains the words "New Orleans" and "Music". Suffice it to say that even the winter weather didn't cool the tunes.

Even the statues get involved.

A few of us in the group read "Gumbo Tales", which tells the story of the large Vietnamese community that now lives in New Orleans. Pre-Katrina, according to the book, there was a large weekly market selling Vietnamese vegetables and other goodies. Post-Katrina the market is in recovery. We visited the weekend after Christmas and found a very small collection of vendors. Sylvia did her best to inspect the wares.










Markets lead to feasting, at least in the ideal world of blogging, and this is what occurred.

Turkey bastin'

Turkey grillin'

Oyster shuckin'

Joke tellin'

Oyster preppin'

family smilin'

Austin Part II - Last Ride of the Peacock Wranglers

The day after Granny's memorial, Miguel returned to Portland and Aurelia and Sylvia were unleashed on the unsuspecting city of Austin. After the obligatory barhopping and duet with Willie Nelson, they settled down for lunch with Aurelia's childhood buddy Kristy and her two little men, Braeden (big) and Ross (little) . Sylvia scored a gift even though her birthday was still weeks away. (ok. I'm a little jealous).

Then it was back to Granny's to clean up.
Sylvia was put in charge of the recycling which she dutifully filled and emptied.

With the weather improving by the day, there was time out from the cleaning for posing in the sun.

And diving.

And peacock wrangling.

(Laguna Gloria Museum)

Peacock officially outta here.

We conclude this episode with a moment brought to
you by the National Institute for Cute Uncle and Niece Pictures (TM).