Game Night: NOLA Edition

Well, sort of.

You may remember some crazy stories about our game night group.  We gather on the first Friday of the month.  And back in August, we had a wild hair and headed to New Orleans for game night.  {Living in Tennessee and all, you understand why it was such an ordeal, with flights and hotels and all...}

For November's game night, we're bringing New Orleans to us...in the way of the menu.  I have made 24 mini muffelattas, prepped my beignets (Cafe Du Monde's mix of course!), and cooked the chicken for the jambalaya.  That leaves the cajun crab dip, crawfish boulettes, and final prep of the jambalaya for tomorrow.  I can manage that, surely.

Now, if only I knew what game we were going to play...any suggestions?

Whirlwind of a weekend!

Remember that feeling after riding the tea cups at Disney as a child?
That's how I feel this morning after our whirlwind trip to New Orleans for game night. Whew - what a ride!

We had a fabulous time and the best part? First class on the way home! We flew standby both ways, and suprisingly enough - getting there and back wasn't a problem. Our group even got to sit together on the way there! On the way back, however, we had to split up...four of us made the first flight, while two had to stay behind. Fortunately for me and Mr. SDP, our seats were in first class.

NOLA was great. The weather, the people, the drinks...fantastic!

There was only one dramatic episode that came at the end of a fabulous meal at Cochon in the Warehouse District. There was a dispute over the bill...no apology from the staff regarding the bottle of wine they charged us that we didn't order...unwillingness to split checks...unbelievably rude manager who apparently spits nails in her free time...you get the idea.

I refuse to let that one little disturbance take away from what was otherwise an amazing trip.

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde...check!
Hurricane from Pat O's...check!
Crawfish etouffee...check!
Mr. SDP's successful poker hand at casino...check!
Feather pillow in the hotel...check!
Drinks at Adalaide in the Lowes...check!

FOLO: Game Night Takes to the Friendly Skies

So, I'm packed for our trip to New Orleans! Game night, NOLA-edition here we come!

The Consummate Hostess recently blogged about NOLA and all of the "must-see" sights, as well as Mrs. News Readin' over at Breaking News.

If you're planning a trip to NOLA anytime soon, check out these posts. These ladies know how to travel!

Game Night Takes to the Friendly Skies

I bet you've never had a game night that required carry-on luggage. I can say for certain, that I never have. Until now, that is...

Here's how our game night usually works:

Our group meets on the first or second Friday of the month in one of our homes...we have drinks, heavy hor d'oerves, and usually play Taboo or something similar and then drink some more. There are five couples total, but usually the same four couples show month after month.

Well, there is a commercial pilot in the group and a few months ago mentioned that he'd like to move August game night to another city, courtesy of Airline X (and his buddy passes.) We didn't think we would actually see this game night come to fruition, so imagine my surprise when last week, we receive an email concerning game night, the NOLA-edition.

That's right, we are leaving in less than 24 hours. Destination: New Orleans, Louisiana! I seriously doubt there will be any games played on the trip...just some debauchery, with a splash of milk punch! I love New Orleans and haven't been there yet this year.
So, what to pack? I just looked up the weather and it's going to be hot, but not unbearable. While the high is 92 degrees today, it's only 90 tomorrow, and 86 degrees on Saturday, with scattered thunderstorms possible. Not bad for the middle of hurricane season!

I wish my Stephen Bonanno's would arrive today, so I could break them in on the streets of the French Quarter.

As for where we are staying...we are waiting to book until it's confirmed that all of us can get on the flight! But, we have several options. My vote is for the International House. It is a luxury boutique hotel, located just two blocks from the French Quarter. {Here's a photo of their bar, Loa...I hear the cocktails here are yummy!}

I can already taste the beignets! Laissez les bons temps roulez!