What's New

So this is how I have decided to share all things that I have found over the past week. I am going to include the new inventions, books, movies, websites, music, and whatever else I want to add. I will do this once a week and it will always be called my "what's New" segment. I should also note, these aren't things that are necessarily new, but new to me. So Here we go:

Inventions:


New solar back-pack sports a solar panel to power are your portable devices while on the go.







This new water conservation urinal saves space and water. I don't know how this is going to go over though, you decide.







This new "green" cell phone sports all the technology that we expect from a new cell phone, but also is solar charged. Leave it in the seat while you drive and it is charged.







This i-pod integration system for your bike allows for you to view your speed and keep an eye on those behind you. Good idea!






Green Websites:



This new-to-me website provides green alternatives for your home. From the hemp shower curtains to biodegradable picnic cutlery, this place has it all.




This earth friendly products site provides everything from compost bins to heirloom flower seeds. Everything you could hope for from an organic home, lawn, and garden store.




This site provides help and insight into becoming a gardener in our modern lives. It provides some helpful tips and ideas about having that indoor garden.



Books:



I just started this story of a "dunce" in New Orleans. Said to be a tragic-comedy, it reads very well so far and paints a very vivid picture of one of my favorite cities. Worth checking out; it did win a Pulitzer.





Music:



A new-to-me artist, Newton Faulkner, has out a new CD that deserves some praise. Hand Built by Robots is a great CD with some music with a great sound that will get you up and moving, check it out. "Dream Catch Me" and "Gone in the morning" are my favorites so far. The Dream Catch Me video can be found on his website.



Movie:



Definitely not new, but new-to-me. I finally got around to watching Atonement, and it was amazing. It is slow in some parts, but the movie was very well done. I watched it twice in the four days we had it.

Food Review

I have to admit, one of my favorite things about New Orleans is the food. And while I could write a whole blog in itself on just the food from that wonderful city, I will only comment on a couple, maybe.

The muffeletta is one of the best things to ever come out of New Orleans. The Italian sandwich of salami, ham, olive spread, and flat bread is to die for. And I got to have anther one. While the sandwich is as big as my head, split between two people it is the perfect lunch leaving one satisfied and full yet not stuffed and uncomfortable. If you seek out this wonder of food you have to go to the Central Grocery Co. and try the original. The space is really interesting. A real Italian grocer that you walk up to the counter, order, and have to find space along the bar in which to eat. This place was obviously set up to sell groceries, not sandwiches, but is now well known and wants to keep up the place the way it was over a hundred years ago when it was started. Amazing!!!

Next, but never least, The Gumbo Shop. The original "founder" of the New Orleans style gumbo who has one of my favorite condiments on the planet. Yes the food is out of this world, yes we eat here every time that we visit, but it is their hot sauce that is the key to my heart. They have this amazing garlic hot sauce that adds a powerful and tasteful punch to anything and I am happy to say that I was able to bring a bottle back with me this time.

Next on the list of favorites is Cafe Du Monde. Amazing "French" donuts that taste like funnel cake and are covered with powdered sugar. While their coffee leaves something to be desired, this sweet treat is out of this world, always cooked fresh due their demand, and is open 24/7. While the calorie count is through the roof, the good thing is you can only get them in New Orleans so eating them every day that I am there balances itself out.

Ok, and the last thing on my food favorites: "Grown-up Slushies." Being a fan of slushies as a child and being a fan of the Simpsons it is only natural to want a slushy from time to time. Well, in the wonderful city of New Orleans they have street side stands of slushy machines filled with.......vodka and red bull, crown and coke, 7&7, margaritas, hurricanes, and many more. These are my "Grown-up Slushies" and I have to consume as many as possible as I walk around in the scorching heat of the South.

What an amazing city!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VACATION!!!

I just wanted to go ahead and let everyone know that I will be leaving on Monday for my vacation. As fun as it may sound, it will also be part wedding(in Knoxville ....hint hint Modern Gal) since on of my wifes good friends will be getting married next weekend of which she is a bridesmaid (against her better wishes). We will be returning to New Orleans (our home away from home) and staying in or favorite little B&B getaway on St. Charles. If anyone is ever looking for a place to stay this is my top suggestions since it is very homie, very convenient, and priced the same as a hotel. So, I will be gone from Monday through Sunday, and since I am not fortunate enough to have up-to-date cell phone technology I will not be blogging until I return. I hope that everyone has a great week and I will return with a story or two to tell I am sure.

The B&B: Avenue Inn