On the drive, I saw some great signs. My favorite was “God wants full custody of YOU, not just every other weekend!” and “Jesus is coming so get busy!”
I almost forgot to mention the well-dressed woman in Natchez who told me in a gracious Southern drawl “I buy Annieglass for ALL my homes.”
We were welcomed with open arms to the home of gifted artist and old friend, Thomas Mann, inventor of Techno-Romantic jewelry (as seen in my store and available online at www.thomasmanndesign.com), sculptor, chef, and indeflagible spirit. Tom took us on a tour of the Lakeview and Gentilly areas and into the Lower Ninth Ward for a look at Make It Right’s efforts at rebuilding, spearheaded by Brad Pitt. I have been to New Orleans once since Katrina hit and was happy to see so much progress at renewing this magical place. However I do plan on sending Brad a referral to the CCA architecture grads for future projects www.cca.edu/architecture.
A sail on Lake Pontrachain was a treat despite our pathetic attempts to assist our Captain Tom. We are so lame we could not even work the autopilot! The sunset was beautiful- super big and sharp with not a cloud in the sky, so different from the ones we enjoy in the west.
A fine meal of killer barbequed oysters, Tom’s specialty, with seared ahi tuna and grilled vegetables really hit the spot after time on the water. Here is his tasty and simple dessert recipe for BBQ Bananas.
BBQ Bananas
Use under-ripe bananas with the skins on, slit one inch steam vents in 4 places and grill on both sides about 10 minutes or less, until vents get bubbly. Remove from grill, chop off ends, slit skin lengthwise and discard, mash a bit, scatter slivered almonds or nuts with chopped chocolate and a dollop of any flavor ice cream. Yum!
The next day was spent checking out Magazine Street , starting at Tom’s gallery and shop, Gallery IO. As you approach you can hear the tinkling sound of artisans hammering in the upstairs workshop coming through the open windows to the street below. The gallery features Tom’s work as well as the best array of contemporary metal artists working today. He has been a leader in the American Craft movement for nearly 4 decades. His public commissions and sculpture receive national attention. “Storm Cycle”, his show about Hurricane Katrina has been traveling the country. I am working on getting Tom to do a trunk show at my store this summer. The last one 3 years ago was a huge success.
A long walk up and down the street rejuvenated my creativity- seeing so much in one place. I particularly liked a new home furnishings and design store called Perch. I fell in love with a black and white couch that would look fantastic adjacent to my purple velvet one at home. Steve pointed out how the dogs would love it too. I’d take the tree bedpost as well. www.perch-home.com
It was good to see the plethora of new businesses since Katrina that have livened up the street. Nearly all are independently owned. Of particular interest are the quirky vintage shops. I found the glasses my mother used to drink her Manhattans out of. These were in mint condition, unlike my mother’s that had a lot of the gold worn away.
Sucre was recently mentioned in Oprah’s magazine for their pastel colored French macaroons, but I thought the cakes in the window were breathtaking. One had a sweep of white chocolate cascading across 3 tiers. See the other. It is a really pretty bakery. www.shopsucre.com
Tom took us out to Sake Café for super fresh sushi on our last night. Eight great big Chihuly chandeliers decorate the dining room and are reason enough to check it out. www.sakecafe.us
No trip to New Orleans is complete for me without a trip to the French Quarter to Patrick Dunne’s Lucullus. A shop full of culinary antiques unlike any other. Kerry showed us some wonderful cutlery. Holding these beautifully made and well used pieces reassures me that I am on the right path. www.lucullusantiques.com
Papier Plume is a store of stationery, pens, inkwells, wax and seals. It is like going back in time or a quick trip to Florence or Venice to see the luscious handmade papers. www.papierplume.com The owner thanked me for patronizing an independently owned business- I’ll have to use that one myself.
I am very excited to report about my adventures at the Audubon Insectarium in the old Patent building on the corner of Canal and N. Peters streets. You can eat insects as well as look at them at the Bug Appetit I am now an expert on the Formosa termite…but not it's flavor. My favorite part was the Butterflies in Flight Gallery. It is a Japanese Garden room filled with humidity and hundreds of exotic and beautiful butterflies. You can walk around and see them right in front of you with nothing in between. I saw one great big luminous butterfly with a bold and sheer pattern that could have been designed by Vera Wang instead of Mother Nature. www.auduboninstitute.org
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