Among the items salvaged from my grandmother’s home post-hurricane was an oil & acrylic painting of magnolias. And I only had a small hand in its restoration. Here’s a recap of its history, condition, and restoration. [Read the origin story of these heirloom restorations here: Heirloom Restoration] When I brought the painting home, I didn’t love […]
louisiana
The Schooner Fanny 1885-1900
One of my favorite things salvaged from my grandmother Nonna’s home was an oil painting of my grandmother’s grandfather’s schooner. The stories Nonna told are very fuzzy in my memories, but with the painting and other items salvaged, I’ve found quite a few pictures and a handwritten story on the Fanny that makes this heirloom […]
Hurricane Ready Now, Hurricane Party Later: Being Fully Prepared
Today is the official start of hurricane season. I’ll never be “that guy” frantically buying pop tarts and beer at the grocery store the day before landfall. As a lifelong resident of the Texas Gulf Coast (born in Galveston, actually), I had come to realize at an early age that hurricane season is just a part […]
Visiting Oak Alley Plantation near New Orleans
Usually when I visit New Orleans (read about highlights here), I drive there from Houston. An easy detour on the way there or back is a stop at one of Louisiana’s iconic plantations, Oak Alley Plantation. This antebellum plantation, featured in Interview with a Vampire, is as lovely in person as it was on film. […]
Visiting New Orleans in a Weekend
I find myself in New Orleans at least once a year, sometimes for business, sometimes pleasure. Recently, I’ve visited the The Big Easy for races (5k and half-marathons). No matter the reason, I’m at home in this charming city, and each time I explore it as a tourist and as a local (okay, frequent visitor). What I recommend […]