The Last Beignet ...

Tamara, Pamela, and I strolled down the French Quarter in search of beignets.  Since Cafe Du Monde had a waiting line, we wondered over to New Orleans' Famous Beignets in the Jax's Brewery building. 

We shared the traditional sweet beignets covered in powered sugar ...

... savory beignets with seafood sauce ...

... and a seafood sausage - I didn't expect the powdered sugar!   

Would you have tried these treats?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Other amusements in the French Quarter

I broke away from the convention mayhem in the late afternoon ...

... catching the spires of St Louis Cathedral from Chartres Street. 

I loved the colorful houses and green balconies!

Shoes are an addiction to some ...

... and art to others!

Here's the townhouse across from Shoe Be Do ... a little more conservative than the shoes!

What is the chance that I would find a book shop during a book convention?  I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs.  To enter the giveaway, leave a comment about the French Quarter - have you visited?  Or the shoes - would you wear them?  Or the book shop - would you take a peek? Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aerial views of New Orleans

Each morning, Sara Humphreys and other fitness enthusiasts ventured up the 41st Floor of the Marriott Hotel to work out.   I waited until the afternoon to appreciate the gorgeous view.

The Natchez

The bend in the Mississippi River ...

... close up.

The Westin's roof top pool

And another rooftop pool for the penthouse suite!   Heights make me a little nervous ... how about you?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's comments wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to New Orleans: A morning stroll through the French Quarter

On morning during the RT Booklovers' Convention, I strolled through the French Quarter with Taylor Reynolds and Jo Grafford.   We enjoyed the local sights before the morning commuters clogged the streets.

St Louis Cathedral stands guards over Jackson Square, named for General Andrew Jackson after he repelled the British invasion during the War of 1812.

Jackson Square overlooks the Mighty Mississippi River.

We enjoyed several statues ... 

... she looks like Lady Liberty welcoming the immigrants.

Or this teacher sharing with his student.

Perhaps this man could be a cover model at the RT Booklovers' Convention!

The Natchez offers jazz cruises (link).

We stopped by Cafe Du Monde for their world famous beignets!

Walking back to the hotel, I spotted this humorous sign ... 

... and places to eat!

Kudos to the New Orleans Fire Department for joining the fight against breast cancer.

Have you enjoyed beignets in New Orleans ... or elsewhere? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, May 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 1, at SOS Aloha. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to the RT Booklovers' Convention - Day 7: SOS America Military Tribute

 

Sunday morning brought readers together for the SOS America Miliatry Tribute.  I opened the event with a discussion of unit coins:

- Lindsay McKenna recieved John Baca's coin from Anne Elizabeth.  Baca is a Vietnam veteran who was awarded the Medal of Honor.  

- Kathyrn Falk wears the coin she received from Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, after organizing readers to support deployed personnel.

- Tamara Argyle shared the coin she received from Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during her service in Afghanistan.

Julie Rowe presented Kathryn with a Canadian minted coin commemorating the Devil's Bridgade.

I noted that Baltimore will be celebrating a special anniversary this year ... on September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key awoke from the overnight bombardment of Fort McHenry to see Old Glory still flying.  He composed a poem that became our national anthem.  I asked Eileen Dreyer to lead us in Star Spangled Banner.  

US Flag that survived the
British bombardment of Fort McHenry
Image in Public Domain (link)

I reminded the audience this year was the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I when the Austrian Hungarian forces invaded Serbia, plunging Europe into a bloodbath.  I asked Australians Megan and Andrew Bamford to share the significance of ANZAC Day.  From Wikipedia (link),

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the first campaign (in Gallipoli, Turkey) that led to major casualties for Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. The acronym ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, whose soldiers were known as Anzacs. 

Megan added that veterans march in the parade along side the descendents of those who have already passed away to remember their service.  Thus, the parade participants is growing, rather than shrinking, in remembering ANZAC Day.

I invited those associated with each service to come forward to sing:

- Anchors Aweigh (Navy)

- Semper Paratus (Always Ready - Coast Guard)

- Halls of Montezuma (Marine Corps)

- Caissons Go Rolling Along (Army)

- Wild Blue Yonder (Air Force)

The Coast Guard was the smallest group; the Army was the largest.  Everyone enjoyed it!

I debuted the photo montage I created with pictures submitted by readers at this link.   Please share it with your family and friends - my goal is 500 views to remember those who served.

I thank the following for their contribution:

- Sara Jane Lowe for the military swag, Hawaiian Host chocolate treats, and helping me "spoon" the Normandy sand into ziplock bags for the goody bags.  

- Tamara Argyle and Pamela W. for helping me to stuff the goody bags.

- Diana Cosby for candy for the the goody bags.

- Julie Rowe, Ruth A Casie, and Sharon Hamilton for swag for the goody bags.

-  Heather Ashby, Kimberly Kincaid, and Ophelia London for bookmarks for the goody bags.

- Tracy Solheim and Penguin Books for donating Out of Bounds series as door prizes.

- Terry Spear for donating Heart of the Wolf series as door prizes.

- Leigh Duncan for donating copies of SECOND CHANCE FAMILY as door prizes.

- Jane Elissa for donating several "NY" themed items as door prizes.

- Lacey Falcone for donating the Ritter chocolate which she mailed from Germany.

- Lisa B. for donating four "Soldier's Prayer" throw blankets as door prizes.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City