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.