NOLA: Day Two
Traci and N. baking cookies
Traci (who I will now stop calling “Jill”) started the day off right by teaching my daughter how to bake chocolate chip cookies. An auspicious beginning.
Of course, I didn't try the WF Ham
We went to Mother’s for dinner. We stood at the door for about ten minutes before we realized you have to go to the counter and order for yourself and, then, you sit down and wait for them to bring the food to you. Keep your receipt because they will ask you for it when you sit down. I’m assuming no receipt, no food.
The place has a nice warm atmosphere, and the staff was really friendly in that homey kind of way.
It was fairly clean. Personally, when I’m searching out “authentic” food, I tend to dismiss restaurants that are “sterile.” They just don’t feel right in terms of authenticity. Blame it on my previous travels in Asia, if you must.
Mother’s also has a wall of famous people photos. My only regret is that I didn’t snap a photo of the picture of Johnny Cochran hanging on the wall.
I ordered the seafood platter with potato salad and french fries because those were the only two sides that didn’t have pork in them. So bummed that the “greens” had sausage.
Fried Catfish, oysters, shrimp.
The food was good, but not absolutely fantastic. I also forgot that I don’t like catfish. My daughter seemed to like it, though.
Notable exception: potato salad. Mother’s has the best potato salad I have ever tasted. And I’m not a fan of potato salad. Unfortunately, it was so good that I forgot to try to guess what was in it before I scarfed it down.
I also realized that B.E. Earl’s suggestion that we should have gone for breakfast was right on the mark, the breakfast menu made me dizzy with mouthwatering visions of pancakes, grits and fantastical descriptions of eggs. Earl, I assume you’re going to be your usual graceful self and not comment, “I told you so” anytime soon.
After Mother’s, I attended my first NBA basketball game. Hornets v. Oklahoma City Thunder (?). We got cheap seats, but it didn’t matter because the view was great and we had an amazing time.
The nosebleed section. Not as bad as it looks.
I’ve never been a huge fan of basketball, but I am now.
Why?
I’m in awe of how those men moved and the way their intentions seamlessly intertwined with one another. Intentions then manifested into fluid physical motions that accomplished that seemingly simple, yet extraordinarily complicated task of just getting the ball to go through the net. Or conversely, from stopping the ball from going through said net.
Really, it was extraordinary. If you’ve never been to a professional basketball game, it’s a must. I would even go so far as to say: the great pyramids of Egypt, the Taj Mahal, and an NBA basketball game. Do those before you die, and you may leave this world with a far greater understanding than most of the magnificent depths of humankind’s abilities.
Finally, here’s the highlight of my evening. There’s nothing that makes me love my husband more than when I look at him and see this.
The man is just beautiful. Inside and out.
My favorite view during the game.
* All these photos were taken with my iPhone because I left the “wire thingy” (I’ve been told it’s called a USB cable in some circles) at home.
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Avitable Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 8:25 am
Hah – my last comment seems retarded now.
I don’t like restaurants that are “fairly clean”. That creeps me out. Oh, and basketball is quite fun to watch live. It bores me otherwise, though.
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Poppy Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 8:59 am
That food just gave me a heart attack looking at it.
As for the picture of Tariq looking at your daughter-whose-name-I-always-forget-because-I’m-a-dork (oh, N!), AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!! I made this really pathetic girly noise when I saw it.
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Faiqa Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 9:35 am
@Avitable: Clearly.
@Poppy: I know… I *was* going to end the caption of the dinner pic with “with a side of coronary bypass surgery.” I didn’t finish the food. And I sort of feel like eating salads for the rest of the week, now. I gave about 1/3 of my plate to my brother and N., who were more than happy to oblige.
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Shelli Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 11:41 am
I am so hungry. I was hungry before I started reading this, but now? I could eat my laptop. I’ve never been a potato salad fan, either, but you make me want to try Mother’s.
I hate basketball, but now I think I have to see a live game again.
Do you work in or have you considered sales?
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B.E. Earl Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 11:54 am
Me? Say “I told you so?”
Never!
But breakfast is pretty damned good at Mother’s!
I had eggs with grits, black ham and remnants with gravy when I went. What are remnants? Well you probably saw it on the menu when you went there, but it’s the stuff that falls off of the pot roast into the gravy when you are roasting some beef. They scoop all that stuff up with some gravy and pour it over grits. Mmmm….heart attack!
[Reply]
Hilly Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 11:58 am
I never liked basketball until I saw my first live game as well. Just like you, I was hooked and fell in love with it. Man, being in those seats, feeling the electricity…I absolutely get excited just thinking about it!
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Miss Britt Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
That last picture – and your description of it – gives me goose bumps. *sigh*
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Faiqa Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 2:29 pm
@B.E. Earl: Happy heart attack. I *did* try the grits… YUM.
@Hilly:Exactly! I’m so psyched about the fact that we have a local NBA team, I def. going to start going to the games when we get back.
@Miss Britt: They are just so sweet together… *I* get goosebumps.
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Faiqa Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 2:41 pm
@Shelli: Heh. Yes, I worked in sales, and wasn’t that great at it. Too honest about what I think… You got me thinking, though, I should charge Mother’s and the NBA a commission… or, at least, get some free potato salad out of the deal.
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hello haha narf Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
wow, your daughter is stunning. i should have known that she would be considering her parents, but wow.
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Mik Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 9:03 pm
The last picture is very cool, hubby obviously knows what was most important at the game.
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Karl Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 9:44 pm
So did the little one enjoy the game, too? I admit I am not a sports person, but live games make a lot of difference in the enjoyment factor.
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Janna Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
Oooh! Ooooh, fried catfish sounds yummy.
The best catfish I ever had was actually baked– it was cajun catfish, coated in all kinds of yummy spices.
You know how I love spicy stuff.
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Faiqa Said,
November 23, 2008 @ 10:54 pm
@hello ha ha narf: Why, thaaaank you.
@Mik: He’s a gem.
@Karl: She was pretty taken aback, and then we explained that we *had* to yell so the men playing basketball could hear us. (No yelling in the house, oc).
@Janna: I am def. into spicy food, too. Did you know Tabasco originated in LA? Of course, b/c you’re smart like that. Anyway, the Tabasco sauce at the restaurants is much spicier here… or maybe it’s just me.
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Ginger Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 12:53 am
Your daughter is beautiful!
I love to watch basketball! When I was in high school, I was the manager for the boys varsity team and took the stats, so I learned the game pretty well. I like to watch college more than NBA, though…still it is really a blast to watch live!! How exciting!
I’m so glad you are having a great trip…and I look forward to reading more!
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Sarah Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 1:09 am
I love that you forgot you don’t like catfish.
And that last picture? ADORABLE!
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martymankins Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Fried seafood…. except for shrimp and really good fish from a fish and chips place, I have a hard time eating it anymore. Cooked with no breading is how I like it.
Glad you are having a good vacation.
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Faiqa Said,
November 24, 2008 @ 6:31 pm
@Ginger: Thanks… I think she’s pretty cute, too. Which is good since I have to raise her and all. Heh.
@Sarah: It had been so long since I’d had to remember that I didn’t like it!!
@martymankins: Actually, that’s how I like it, too.
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