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The city is awash in blooms! Here's how to experience Natchez now! Photo Credit: G. Douglas Adams  Last year year, I founded the Natchez International Crepe Myrtle Festival because the extraordinary Crepe Myrtle Blooms of Natchez are worth celebrating! While there’s not a festival with speakers this year, our Committee members have created a perfect experience to Celebrate the Blooms! There's three self-guided free tours have been developed by Crepe Myrtle Historian and Committee member, Elaine Gemmell:
 10,000 Blooming Trees & Counting! self-guided bloom tours So here's a summer sightseeing trip idea: take in some of the loveliness and deliciousness that Natchez offers and experience the city in a low contact manner! Rita Tebbetts tells us the trees are still moving towards peak season and that the blooms should be pretty possibly even into August! "Of course, mother nature didn't get the Co-Vid memo. Come to Natchez to take in the show. the beauties won't mind a bit if you want to snap a few photos to share with friends. You'll need evidence anyway to prove to doubters what you will witness. The best photos are probably done from a distance, but these trees won't mind if you want to move in close. I don't think they will be taking social distancing too seriously," Tebbetts said. Take in the magnificent architecture of Natchez!  FREE MAPS! In addition to digital downloads at VisitNatchez.org/events Self-guided bloom tour maps are available: Fat Mama's Tamales Rolling N' The Dough Regina’s Kitchen Natchez Brewing Company Biscuits & Blues The Guest House Natchez Coffee Company Natchez Grand Hotel 100 Main Pearl Street Pasta Silver Street Gifts Natchez Convention Center Photo Credit: Ben Hillyer FOR UPDATES: Natchez Celebrates the Blooms FB event page and VisitNatchez.Org/Events #NatchezCelebratestheBlooms SUCCESSFUL DEBUT See 2019 News Stories & Details On Press Page: https://www.peterpatout.com/press.html Scroll down the page to read about last year's event. 
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 I became aware of our rich culinary culture early on having grown up in Bayou Teche Country, Patoutville, just next door to New Iberia. Our family was filled with great cooks. Simple backyard gatherings, crab boils this time of the year, often become incredible feasts.
The pleasures of the table, and how it evokes friendly conversation and develops lifelong friendships is a tradition I carry forth in my life. Sometimes I post pics on social media capturing these traditions. Are you enjoying blueberries and peaches these days? Has peach cobbler always been this good? Fittingly, New Iberia and Natchez get their due in this short list of tasteful small southern towns in Forbes Magazine (click for story).I'm glad for the Tabasco shout-out, which is like adding sunshine to a meal, and over in Natchez Regina Charboneau gets her due. I encourage you to visit all the restaurants featured, and to bring a friend. Bon Appetit! For those taking in the Simien Open House and others venturing to New Iberia, Louisiana ...You are deep in the heart of Bayou Teche Country where I grew up! I offer a few stops to enjoy the day. But first things first - a wonderful Cajun lunch experience.  I always make a point of seeking out beautiful trees. Here's William Guion's Evangeline Oak photo. I call your attention to his blog The 100 Oaks Project. It's Valentine's Day Weekend and could there be a more enduring symbol of love than the Evangeline Oak immortalized by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's epic poem about Evangeline and her long lost love Gabriel. It's a beautiful tree. Go see. Just 10 miles from Simien House. The Jungle Gardens at Tabasco on Avery Island: Breathtaking blooms throughout the year along with phenomenal bird-watching opportunities. Shadows on the Teche: Built in 1834 and set amongst moss draped ancient oaks. Take in the well-preserved home and gardens - operated by National Trust for Historic Preservation.  I love the excitement of Mardi Gras and the many opportunities it brings to gather with friends...and it's the season to enjoy King Cake! New Orleans has so many wonderful bakeries. I enjoy trying everything from the classic homespun cinnamon-flavored King Cakes we grew up and other offerings including 3 that I'm highlighting below. What's your favorite? Leave a note to spread the word. A Few King Cake Favorites -Non-Traditional Offerings-  Their version of the traditional galette de rois. This is phenomenal! Flaky pastry is filled with pecan citrus frangipane! Local artist Jackie Brown makes the feves....Availability is limited. Call ahead or email to order. I emailed my order and they were very responsive. Get the large! This new bakery is a great addition to the city. Levee Baking Co. • 3138 Magazine St., Ste D, New Orleans, LA 70115 • leveebakingco@gmail.com  A crowd-pleaser! This is a classic offering from Haydel's: Flaky pastry with praline filling that's topped with caramel icing and decorated with pecans! I picked mine up from the new 3117 Magazine Street outpost. For everything Haydel, visit their website or go to the mother store. 4037 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA, 70121  Crawfish King Cake from Bywater Bakery Garlic and butter brioche filled with warm Crawfish au Gratin and topped with colorful Parmesan Cheese. Serve it warm with a green salad and you'll thank me later! I love this casual neighborhood gem in the Bywater. I haven't tried their sweet King Cake offerings and I'm tempted to do that soon with such heavenly sounding flavors as their Chantilly King Cake which is filled with Marscarpone Whipped Cream and Fresh Berries, and their Bouille King Cake that's filled with a Cajun custard....amongst their many offerings. They are also offering a pop up location in the CBD for King Cake Season at 234 Loyola Street - in the Pythian Market, closed Wednesdays, 8am-6pm. Bywater Bakery 3624 Dauphine St. Bywater, New Orleans (504) 336-3336  Sip the flavors of Mardi Gras with this wonderful seasonal take on their ever popular Bourbon Milk Punch - this version made with rum. It's available to-go for taking in the street side revelry (HINT!). This is a delightful combination of homemade vanilla ice cream, orgeat syrup, cinnamon, orange, and local Old New Orleans Rum.
144 BOURBON STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70130 504.522.0111 A few favorites ... presuming you already own Intimate Enemies.  Fabulous entertaining! I'm so glad to be her friend, and yes, that's my courtyard! Get the backstory here! Holiday Shopping Ideas: https://www.reedsmythe.com  Most precious new children's book - a classic already! Available nationally. See more here: jeanetteweiland.com  THE EXHIBITION CATALOGUE! CHASING THE BUTTERFLY MAN: The Search for a Lost New Orleans Cabinetmaker, 1810-1825 by Cybèle GontarBE SURE TO SEE THIS AMAZING EXHIBIT NOW AT THE CABILDO!  DRAG QUEEN BRUNCH I LOVE POPPY! Tag along with Poppy’s bevy of rollicking drag queens for an unforgettable time. Stunning photos of glamorous divas vie with world-famous brunch dishes bringing a surprise with every turn of the page.  Author Alexandra Kennon weaves classic offerings of Creole grande dames with contemporary neighborhood staples for a guide through the Crescent City's culinary soul.  THE BOOK! I CALL THIS THIS THE BIBLE! FURNISHING LOUISIANA Creole and Acadian Furniture, 1735-1835 by Jack D. Holden, H. Parrott Bacot, and Cybèle T. Gontar  ...and so does Julia Reed! Recipe featured: Julia Reed's NEW ORLEANS Food, Fun, and Field Trips for Letting the Good Times Roll  Photo by Paul Costello PETER PATOUT'S FAMOUS SATSUMACELLO A few years ago, I gave my dear friend Julia Reed a bottle of my homemade satsumacello and she loved it enough to include it in her wonderful book - as part of her fun field-trips from New Orleans…to my country home in Patoutville. P.V. is deep in the heart of sugar cane country, and I’m across the street from our family’s sugar mill. In grinding season, it’s quite the spectacle with smoke swirling, trucks unloading and all the energy the seasonal activity generates around the clock until suddenly it ends, usually by January. Citrus season coincides with grinding season and many mature satsuma trees are near my home. While Julia Reed generously credits me for this recipe. Poppy Tooker is the one who steered me to creating this wonderful treat. Sip slowly!  Vertical Divider
 Makes 6 cups Ingredients: 10 - 12 Satsumas 1 750 ml bottle of Everclear 3 cups of sugar 2 cups of water That's my courtyard! Get the backstory here! Holiday Shopping Ideas: https://www.reedsmythe.com METHOD:Wash the satsumas in hot water with a vegetable brush to remove any residue of pesticide or wax. Pat them dry. Continually zest the satsumas with a zester or vegetable peeler, being careful not to include any white pith from the peel. (The pith, the white part under the rind, is too bitter and will spoil your satsumacello. Place the zest in a large jar and fill with the Everclear. Let sit at room temperature for at least 10 days and up to forty days in a cool, dark place. Turn the jar upside down 2 or 3 times to help bring out the flavor of the zest. The zest will eventually turn white. When ready to proceed, combine the sugar and the water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for about 5 minutes, until sugar is well dissolved. Strain the Everclear/zest mixture through a fine mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth or a paper towel into the simple syrup mixture. Stir and allow to cool. When the satsumacello has cooled completely, you may pour it into individual bottles. TWIN OAKS GREEK REVIVAL HOME For Sale |
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Julia Reed is a world-class tastemaker and has an extraordinary talent for bringing people together. The other New Orleans celebrations she includes are magical: phenomenal settings with wonderful dishes featuring her recipes along with favorites from prominent chefs and home-cooks...and, it's a great cultural read. Paul Costello's photos are the perfect accompaniment to her narrative.
Patoutville shines
I particularly appreciate Julia's love for my home in South Louisiana. And as she started thinking about her forays over the years with me in Cajun country (we've shared many great adventures!), she decided to include a chapter at my country house in Patoutville set amongst the sugar cane background.
She penned this sweet note to Patoutville:
There's no bad time to visit Patoutville, but it is especially beautiful in summer and early fall, when the sugarcane is wait-high in the fields. In late fall and winter, the trucks full of cut cane form miles-long lines at the mill and there's twenty-four hours-a-day drama as great clouds of smoke fill the sky.
There's no bad time to visit Patoutville, but it is especially beautiful in summer and early fall, when the sugarcane is wait-high in the fields. In late fall and winter, the trucks full of cut cane form miles-long lines at the mill and there's twenty-four hours-a-day drama as great clouds of smoke fill the sky.
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Ancient Oaks at BAyside Plantation
My cousin's nearby Bayside Plantation, was another destination in this chapter. As a realtor specializing in historic properties, I'm representing the sale of Bayside (click the above Bayside link for more images and listing details.
Aioli Dinner:
The culmination of the South Louisiana photo shoot was this fabulous meal celebrated with dear friends. I love that Julia was inspired by Teche country artist George Rodrigue's Aioli Supper Club and chose to recreate that celebration in her book. It's based on old Creole Gourmet Society traditions....another homage to the rich culture of South Louisiana.
Among the most cherished compliments
I've known,
shared here from Julia:
... she's first referring to George Rodrigue and her vision to recreate the Aioli Dinner from his painting:
I think the artist would have approved of our
gathering under the live oaks. He so respected the traditions of his ancestors, and Peter, with his
antiques-filled houses and love of the land,
honors the past and his own Louisiana history
with more joie de vivre and élan than anyone I know."
_______________________________
Thank you Julia Reed!
As always with you, life is a magnificent celebration.
I've known,
shared here from Julia:
... she's first referring to George Rodrigue and her vision to recreate the Aioli Dinner from his painting:
I think the artist would have approved of our
gathering under the live oaks. He so respected the traditions of his ancestors, and Peter, with his
antiques-filled houses and love of the land,
honors the past and his own Louisiana history
with more joie de vivre and élan than anyone I know."
_______________________________
Thank you Julia Reed!
As always with you, life is a magnificent celebration.
I recommend: reed Smythe & co.
Beyond her book, you'll also want Julia's favorite items to enhance your life celebrations.
She and friend Keith Smythe founded Smythe & Company: artisanal goods for uncommon spaces.
See: Reed Smythe & Company
She and friend Keith Smythe founded Smythe & Company: artisanal goods for uncommon spaces.
See: Reed Smythe & Company
Wait: That's my house!
Photo: William Hereford | Michalopoulos at work on Stollalodian, a painting inspired by Creole cottages in New Orleans Upper Ninth Ward.
Imagine my surprise when I was leafing through the April/May issue of Garden and Gun and saw the image above - the painting of my Bourbon Street house!
The photo is part of a story about New Orleans artist and rum distiller James Michalopoulos by New Orleans (and Maine summer) resident writer Wayne Curtis.: The Colorful, Far-Out Vision of James Michalopoulos: The most recognizable painter in New Orleans is on a mission: to make sure the City doesn’t forget the artists who keep it funky.
Though it's a great read, I disagree with the caption's 9th ward mention. While there are other examples of Creole cottages with the same color scheme, I don't believe you'll find another bearing the same architectural fenestrations, the same morning glory vine along with the left placement of the lamp post, and the low red wall...elements which are all peculiar to my streetscape. I've not seen this painting before and am delighted to know it exists!
The photo is part of a story about New Orleans artist and rum distiller James Michalopoulos by New Orleans (and Maine summer) resident writer Wayne Curtis.: The Colorful, Far-Out Vision of James Michalopoulos: The most recognizable painter in New Orleans is on a mission: to make sure the City doesn’t forget the artists who keep it funky.
Though it's a great read, I disagree with the caption's 9th ward mention. While there are other examples of Creole cottages with the same color scheme, I don't believe you'll find another bearing the same architectural fenestrations, the same morning glory vine along with the left placement of the lamp post, and the low red wall...elements which are all peculiar to my streetscape. I've not seen this painting before and am delighted to know it exists!
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