Christmas Puppies

This is Sophie at two and a half months old. How could I resist.

I decided my house was just to empty without the pitter patter of little feet. I could go on grieving for my sweet Ginger forever. Finding Papillon puppies can be a huge challenge. My daughter located someone in her state that had two females a few days a part. I really was only interested in getting one but then I started thinking about how lonely it would be for the one pup and eventually getting another and going through the puppy stage all over again and ended up with two. Mind you I have never had two of anything at the same time. For Pete's sake I only had one child. I have to say I was a bit scared to do this.

This is Pippy. Named after Pippy Longstocking. Her ears weren't up yet. Was not sure they were going to go up. Then she would be a Phalene instead of a Papillon. Just a matter of ears up or down. Her litter mate sister also did not have her ears up as well. I almost did not get her because of this but her breeder kept telling me how sweet she was and how loving she was. Okay sucker I caved. Well all I have to say is these two pups must have switched personalities on the car ride home because this little gal is spunky, feisty, bouncy and a clown!! That face actually grows on you. She is ten days older but smaller than Sophie. She however does not know this.

Well about a week ago one of Pippy's ears went up. I wanted her ears up, my mom wanted her ears to stay down. So we both got half a wish. One up, one down. Every time I looked at her I burst out laughing. She looked completely silly. Three days later the second ear went up. Well for about three hours. She looked like a bat!! Those are some honking big ears. Then the next day the ear was back down where it has been for several days until this morning when it decided to poke back up. In the last couple of weeks she has become every ones favorite. I should not say that because you should never pick a favorite with your kids. I still however am crazy about them both. Sophie is completely opposite of Pippy. She is more tender hearted, does not warm up easily to people. She reminds me of an old soul.

Pippy loves loves our older Papillon Cecily. Anytime she can be near her she will be. Cecily on the other hand does not even remotely like either of these two pups and wishes everyday they would just disappear. Cecily will actually hide in the corner with her face to the wall as to not look at either one of these pups. She always has been a bit of a grump. Just likes to be left alone. As you can see, Cecily in no way is enjoying sharing her bed with Pippy.

They are such a joy and make us laugh everyday.

Christmas Eve on the French Quarter

What is the French Quarter if there isn't a carriage going by?

This guy was amazing! He never moved. How difficult would that be to stand frozen for hours at a time?

These blue shutters against the brick was so beautiful. Check out how quiet the Quarter was on Christmas Eve.

I could have listened to this group all afternoon. The female singer had a great voice.

I love this sign. These voodoo shops are so interesting to wonder through. The smells of herbs and potions. Gris Gris, magic stones and some very interesting statues. The Palm/Tarot readers are in the back behind the beaded curtain.

Another great name.

I think I could just wonder the Quarter for days taking photos of signs.

Holidays in New Orleans

Tea Menu

Candy Land Entrance to Tea at The Ritz

The Ritz Lobby

The Ritz decorations in the lobby.

The Ritz Bathroom

It has been many years since I left my home for the holidays and celebrated elsewhere. This year we went to New Orleans to spend Christmas with my daughter. Christmas Eve was spent having Tea at The Ritz in downtown New Orleans. That was such a fun way to spend the afternoon with my daughter and mother. The champagne flowing and the tea delicious. The service was impecable. We had finger foods, wonderful scones and lots of fancy little pastries. The Ritz was decortated beautifully and elegant.

After all that delicious food the three of us wondered out to the French Quarter to walk off some of that champagne and pastry. There was not a lot of people on the Quarter Christmas Eve and it was so enjoyable!! The weather couldn't have been more perfect for an afternoon stroll. There was great entertainment in the streets as usual, we drooled peering in the jewelry shop windows and wondered in and out of some fabulous shops. One of my favorite shops was called Fleur de Paris. A custom millinery shop along with some pretty darn fabulous couture and vintage clothing. Beautiful hats packed this adorable shop. I could have stayed for hours looking at these gorgeous hats but we had to move on. We stepped into one hotel on the Quarter that was like walking into a Magical Winter Wonderland. But alas our time ran out and we had to leave, but not without a few purchases.

I so enjoyed the beautiful homes being carefully restored throughout the city. The architecture there is candy to the eyes. The gingerbread, rod iron and great color schemes of homes makes this such a unique city. My daughter loves this city. It took me a while to figure out why but I understand it now. The people were friendly the weather was great, the food delicious.

My daughter also took me to a great Karaoke bar where if you are brave enough, you sing to a live band called The Molly Ringwalds (gotta love that). No cover charge for the great laughs. It has been a long time since I have had tears of laughter running down my cheeks. We went to the horse races at the fair grounds (also no cover charge). All in all there was so much more to do but time goes so quickly. I still didn't get my street car ride to one of those amazing cemeteries. Next time.