Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball and King Cake Giveaway

The Mystic Krewe of Nyx’s Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball was held Saturday at the Riverside Hilton.

How do you put such a wonderful event into words?

Words would never capture how awesome the event was so, I’m gonna let some pictures tell most of the story.

The ball was from 7:30 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.

I know y’all used to seeing the ole’ BayouCreole in jeans and sneakers hanging at the festivals, parades and stuff.

This was a formal affair with mask required. We had to glam it up.

nyx myx ball

The ballroom was beautifully decorated. Everyone was given a Krewe of Nyx light up martini glass.

It wasn’t until I started looking at the pictures the day after the ball did I realize that, the ballroom was decorated to match the Captain’s gown.

Captain Julie Lea, Nyx Goddess II Lauren “fleuty girl” Thom,Board of Directors and Grand Marshall Laura Buchtel

The evening began with Cocktails and Hors d’oeuvres.  It was a great way to mingle and meet so many fabulous Nyx sisters. Everyone looked beautiful.

The presentation of the Float Lieutenants,Grand Marshall,Nyx Goddess,Board of Directors and Captain followed.

The ladies threw beads as they were presented. I was hit on the head with a bead and became a little misty as I said to myself,

“I was just hit on the head with a bead… it’s REALLY carnival time!”

John Mac’s Marching Trojans ushered the Mardi Gras mood into the room as they played throughout the ballroom.

The float lieutenants second lined afterwards.  Everyone was so happy…the energy was palpable.

The ball consisted of a seated dinner. I was a little leery of that at first because I’m such a picky eater.

Y’all the food was off the chain!

The main course was Grilled Tenderloin of Beef and Grilled Chicken Medallion,Wine Laced Mushrooms, Wild Rice Risotto and Vegetable Medley

Dessert followed with a Trio of Flourless Chocolate Cake, Praline Cheesecake and Carrot Cake

After dinner, it was on and popping!

The Captain and Nyx Goddess changed their outfits. The gowns they wore were so pretty!

photo compliments of Lauren Thom

Everyone packed the dance floor and partied like crazy!! Music was provided by The Mojeaux’s and they really brought the house down!

The dance floor STAYED packed!

 Even our Nyx Goddess was out there shaking a tail feather!

We broke out into a huge electric slide! That was a lot of fun considering by that time, a lot of us were pretty liquored up.

The guy that has his head turned is actually following me. He couldn’t keep up so I became his wing person…lol

He was so sweet…gave me a big hug after the dance!

Around 1 a.m there was a breakfast buffet. Missed pics of that somehow but it was delicious! Grits, eggs,bacon, sausage, hash browns and muffins.

NavySeal and I left the ball somewhere around 2  o’clock. I would have stayed longer  but, I had to go work in a few hours.

To say that I had a wonderful time would be such an understatement.  The Nyx Myx Ball was everything and MORE!  They paid attention to every detail and the Hilton’s staff was excellent!

Kudos to the ladies for putting on such a magnificent ball! I will remember that night forever!

Nyx Sisters rock big time.  I’m glad to be a sister-in-waiting.  I can’t wait to be up there on the floats with them. They’ll hit the streets February 6th and I’m sure they will light the city up so, be sure to go out and catch’em!

And if you made it this far, the KING CAKE GIVEAWAY OFFICIALLY BEGINS TODAY!  I’ll post every day this week and every time you comment, I’ll put your name  in the hat(lawd, what am I gonna write about for an entire week?). At the end of the week, I’ll draw and announce the winner next Monday.   Once I announce the winner, you have one week to send me your addy info so I can get the king cake to you.  Randazzo’s…of course.

Y’all better comment because, Reggie is a FREQUENT commenter and he’s gonna battle y’all for that king cake for sure!  The Oracle is about to come out of lurker status for it too…lol

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

Happy Mardi Gras Y’all.

Happy New Year and What’s Happening Randoms

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Welcome 2013!   I am so glad that the new year is here.  Honestly,I don’t feel like I accomplished anything in 2012. Most of the time, I felt as if I was spinning my wheels and not moving. I’m sure if I racked my brain hard enough, I’d be able to think of something.

I shouldn’t have to rack my brain though.

I’m gonna try to do better and be better this year.

This year is a milestone year for me.

I’ll be the BIG 5-0 this year!

Any day above ground is a gift but, I’m really looking forward to turning 50 this year!

I welcome getting older…just want to be as healthy and physically fit as possible while doing it.

Also, this will be my 5th year blogging!

Lawd, how have I been blogging for 5 years!?!

Good ole’ NOLA has helped me with that…she’s always throwing some sort of party.

So what’s happening with me and mine?

Well for starters, my dad has been wonderful!

He’s more like his old self…maybe even better.  He hasn’t been forgetful or argumentative so, that in itself  is a blessed thing.  I think the new meds he’s on are helping him out a lot.  He’s been spoiling PurpleKnight and YellowJacket so, they’re in 7th heaven right about now.

Mardi Gras is in the air!

Oh, I almost forgot that I’m keeping positive carnival karma around me….so,

Krewe of Nyx!

Every time I mention Mardi Gras I’m supposed to say,

KREWE OF NYX!

It’s to keep positive energy heading this way so, I can move up their waiting list.

Keeping that positive energy out there is slowly paying off.  Take a look at the pic,

I’ve heard from the Krewe!

Don’t break out the umbrellas and start second-lining  just yet though.  I’m a non-riding member of the krewe until I can get a riding spot. I’m happy with that because a lot of women are wishing membership would open up again…at least my foot is in the door. They even sent me a members only t-shirt and I get to go to the events which is cool because

Navy Seal and I are going to the Nyx Myx Masquerade Ball!

Whoo Hoo!

Gotta get all glammed up for that one! Ball Gown,Tuxedo and Mask type of party!!

Finding a dress is gonna be hard as heck because I’m so damned short petite but, I’m gonna find something.

I’m so excited to go!  I can’t wait!

Today is the official start of my countdown to King Cake with 5 days to go!

I’ve decided  to rev up this here ole’ blog a bit and follow the lead of my blog sister, LadyLee and do a giveaway!

That’s right!

I’m going to give away a Randazzo’s Kingcake!

All ya have to do is comment on the posts and I’ll put your name in the hat to be drawn. Each time you comment, I’ll put your name in so, the more, the better. At the end of the week, I’ll draw the name  and announce the winner!

This is the perfect opportunity for anyone who wants a King Cake to get a free one!  If you’ve never had one, here’s your chance to try it!

This is only for folks in the USA though, I can’t ship out of the country.  I’ll have more details regarding the giveaway at the end of the week. It will probably be near the first weekend of Mardi Gras which is Jan 26 th so keep your eyes out for the giveaway post!

PurpleKnight and YellowJacket are fine. They’re doing their own thing now.  They’ve both decided to go to the same college next fall and room together.

Those two ….can’t live with and can’t live without.

I’m glad they’re so close.

My dog-abusing neighbors have moved!

Yay!

I’m  happy they’re gone.

I’m so glad I rescued my doggie from those crazy folks.

He’s living a wonderful life now.

We have some wonderful people staying in the house now. Real quiet family and respectful of the neighborhood.  Last night they popped fireworks and  swept the street afterwards.

Now that’s some thoughtful neighbors!

That’s all I have for now…I’ll be posting more frequently.

With Mardi Gras season here and the Super Bowl coming, I’m sure I’ll have lots to tell!

Have a blessed 2013 y’all!

Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party

City Park’s 26th Annual Celebration in the Oaks Preview Party was held November 16 and am I ever  glad that I decided to go.  This was my first year attending the preview party and I’m putting it on my “things to do every year” list for sure!

The party is a  3 1/2 hour cocktail attire affair,which benefits the New Orleans Botanical Garden.  It was so worth the $100 per person tickets.

Walking through the Celebration in the Oaks on any given day is a magical experience.  The adult preview party ups the ante by having fantastic food from restaurants such as Galatoire’s,Pascal Manale’s,Ralph’s on the Park and dozens of others. In addition, there’s all sorts of adult beverages (i.e. all the liquor you can handle) to  keep you going as you walk among millions of holiday twinkling lights.

The bands were awesome! The Mixed Nuts and The Tip Tops brought the house down,

or rather, “the trees down” since it’s an outdoor event.

It’s the perfect date night affair…food, drinks,music and a wonderland  type atmosphere.

They even had the Antique Carousel and Train operating for those of us who are nothing but big kids at heart.

My only regret is that, I didn’t get to take a picture of Mr. Bingle while I was there.

My dogs were howling pretty bad for me to take those boots off. They just would not walk me to where Mr. Bingle was located.

That’s alright because, I’ll be there next year….with flat shoes on.

If you only experience the preview party once, you should go…you will not regret it.

It’s a spectacular way to let your inner child come out  and play.

Holiday Season and the Hot Sausage Hook Up

Well folks, the holiday season is slapping us in the face and the one topic of conversation I keep hearing here is NOLA is,

what ‘cha cooking?

I’m not planning anything fancy…just the regular stuff like,

Gumbo,Baked Mac and Cheese, Stuffed Bell Peppers,Candied Yams,Potato Salad,Turkey,Dirty Rice,Veggies, a few cakes and of course,

dinner rolls.

Again, nothing fancy…just my regular holiday cooking.

A few friends of mine and I were discussing what we put in our gumbo.

One of my friends puts everything but the kitchen sink in hers…gizzards,turkey wings,and all sort of other meats.

My other friend mentioned a lot of stuff as well but, the one thing I noticed that they both did not mention was,

Hot Sausage!

Where’s the heat!?!

I know a lot folks who  make their gumbo without heat but, my mom was a creole-cooking, heat seeking woman and I was raised on gumbo with some serious heat to it.

My mom would always get her hot sausage from Bachemin’s Meat Market….Home of the Original Creole Hot Sausage.

Bachemin’s Meat Market

Located next Circle Food Store on St. Bernard Ave., it was in the perfect location.

Folks would flock to Circle Food Store (you never said you were going to THE Circle Food Store) to purchase their staples and then, go next door to Bachemin’s (or Mule’s depending on how old you are…I grew up calling it Mule’s.)

Kevin Bachemin is a third-generation butcher. His grandfather purchased the meat market in 1969.  Bachemin’s Meat Market had some of the best creole hot sausage around….tasty with some serious heat. Kevin was running the very lucrative business and holding down the family recipe when Katrina hit, wiping out their 40-year old business.

Bachemin’s did not reopen but, Kev still cranks out  hot sausage for those of us who just refuse to eat anything else.

Every holiday season, NavySeal and I give him a call and put the order in for our hot sausage hook up.

Ya can’t blame us for it…you can see the heat in it,

Talk about taking your gumbo up a notch…put some heat in it!

So this Thanksgiving, I’d like to say thank you to Kevin.

Thanks for crankin’ out some hot sausage for those of us in NOLA who know what it means to miss

Bachemin’s.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

…with love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Mother’s Day

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 I really appreciate all the wonderful folks who come over to read my blog.

When I first began this blogging stuff, it was basically so that my family members could get information about the kids and the city.

 I never thought I’d end up with such a cool bunch of people, reading about my life in New Orleans. 

So many bloggers have welcomed me into their lil blogging world…

I am truly humbled.  

My lurkers show me so much love.  

Even though they may not leave comments,

they consistently come over to read.  

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

 To those of you who have added me to your blogroll,  

I am so honored to be there.   

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a glorious New Year!

Love,

Bayoucreole

and her wrecking crew (NavySeal,PurpleKnight and YellowJacket)

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Wishing each and every one of you a very safe and wonderful day!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!

Happy Mother’s Day

Wishing all the beautiful ladies a very Happy Mother’s Day!!!  RELAX and enjoy your day!

Bayoucreole's mom at 32 years old.

Bayoucreole at 32 years old

HAPPY EASTER!

Wishing you and yours a very, very Happy Easter!   It’s gonna be a pretty day down here in the Big Easy. I suspect that I’ll be smelling a whole lotta crawfish boil and charcoal coming from a bunch of  yards today. Me and my crew are going out for dinner today…I’m not cooking. 

Nope, heading to the French Quarters and we’re having dinner at Olivier’s  if it isn’t too crowded. I’ve never been there before  so I wanna give them a play and see how it is. I’ll be blogging about the experience as my restaurant of the month.. which I’ve been seriously slacking  and will be getting back to.

 I have to fix the easter baskets this morning. I always fix four baskets.

The kids each get one (yeah, even at 19 and almost 17, they still look for baskets),

a  house basket (that’s code for… when you’re finish eating all of the  candy in your basket, you can eat the left over candy and it’s in this  basket just sitting around the house)

…and NavySeal’s basket. Yeah, he looks forward to his basket and will pout like a big baby if he doesn’t get it.

I live in a house of spoiled-rotten people.

My baskets are always traditional  NOLA  baskets with Elmer’s candy… like my mom used to make. I fill  it with their favorite jellybeans and some  other stuff but, the base of the basket always start here…

That’s another one of the many Louisiana food culture things…eating Elmer’s candy for Easter.  Ms. Denise  Trowbridge did a wonderful blog about this tradition. 

In addition to their baskets, have to send my brother(The Oracle) his easter candy so, I make sure I purchase enough Heavenly Hash to ship along with his bricks of CDM coffee.

You Louisiana folks would just die if you couldn’t get a care package from home…I’ll tell ya!

Yesterday, the hubby and I went to Petco with  Happy and Dyson for them to get their vaccinations.  It’s probably the first time that, Happy(the rescue dog) ever received them.  

He was so well-behaved. It was super-crowded and he just took it all in stride. I’m still trying to figure out why they abused and neglected him. He is a wonderful dog.  Abusers don’t really need a reason though… do they?

Dyson on the other hand, acted like a donkey!  Growling, barking and acted a plum-nilly fool and then, I noticed his nose started bleeding.

I’ve never had a dog whose nose bled or had seizures before and he’s doing both.

We’re gonna have to get a panel workup on him to see what’s going on. I’m noticing that, it happens every time he’s really excited so, I hope that gives us a clue.

I’m just hoping he doesn’t have a tumor.  We just buried Sassie a year ago…I couldn’t handle another loss.

The second season of Treme begins tonight…can’t wait to see what this season brings and how it will affect those of us who are emotionally tied into it all.

Over at Back-of-Town, they do a really wonderful job of going through each episode and writing about how it affects so many of us. Looking forward to going through another season with you guys!

Well, that’s all I got today…gotta get these baskets done before my people wake up.

Have a wonderful time with family and friends today!