We made it. We made it Caroline’s Cookies Grand Opening. I waited in a 2 hour line that was worth every minute of the wait. That December menu was really something else. The doubled stuffed chocolate chip will haunt my dreams for the foreseeable future. The red velvet and the eggnog were top tier. I cannot wait for whatever she’s cooked up for January. I’ve met and and talked with Caroline’s a couple of different times now and she is just the kindest young woman. I wish her infinite success at her new location and all the ones that will no doubt come.

If that wasn’t enough to kick start my Christmas week, we went to New Orleans for a little Christmas adventure. We started with early dinner at Superior Seafood where I had my new favorite cocktail, a Hendrick’s Orleans. We had the cornbread with crawfish, crawfish beignets, oysters, and shrimp and grits. It was absolutely delicious and I would order it all again a million times over. After that, we went to the Roosevelt where I was surprised to learn that the lobby was not decorated for me and my newfound success but rather for Christmas and they do this every year. We of course took the obligatory family photos and I wound up taking other people’s family photos as well. Post Roosevelt we went to my favorite, Carousel Gardens for Celebration in the Oaks. We rode all the rides and laughed til our cheeks hurt. My kids love going and it’s such a treat every time. We listened to Christmas music the entire time during our travels about and it put me firm in the spirit.

There was last minute hustle and bustle picking up, tracking down, and wrapping gifts. I don’t know that I sat down all weekend. Christmas Eve we made and decorated our cookies for Santa, went to Church, and then went to my cousin’s house for our monthly family dinner, complete with “Dirty Santa” and games. My cousin is not one for small measures and greeted us at the door with a snow machine. We had crawfish etoufee, gumbo, and the best homemade candies. My neck fan gift was a huge hit as predicted and was one of the first to be double stolen and thus taken out of commission. I am told the losers ordered at least 2 in the days following for themselves. We went on a reindeer hunt with the littles and were shocked to find some bells that had clearly fallen from Santa’s sleigh. The only thing better than experiencing Christmas magic as a child is watching your children experience it. The joy and sparkle in their eyes. I just can’t get enough of it.

On the content creation front it was another slow week. It wasn’t for lack of ideas! I had plenty! It was lack of time to film and edit. I am learning good lessons though and will have to plan on the chaos in the future. I’ll have to get in the habit of filming ahead so all I have to do is hit “post.” You live and learn!