Cake Cafe, New Orleans

 

This has seriously become our favorite place for breakfast when visiting New Orleans! We have never had a bad experience there. They always seem to be busy, but the service is always quick and friendly. The baked goods are out of this world and everything we have tried off the menu is simply to die for. During Mardi Gras, be sure and have a slice of king cake!

 

Adding to this from my Trip Advisor review, i'll be back in New Orleans on Mardi Gras and will be for sure stop by for breakfast AND King Cake!!! CAN NOT WAIT!!!

 

 

Il Vicino Nob Hill

 

 

I’ve been going here since the very beginning! Not even the construction Central can keep me away. One of my favorite Ceasar salads comes from Il Vicino, and the Pizza is absolutely delectable!

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/members/639madelinem

 

 

 

 

 

Barelas Coffee House

 

If you are looking for a truly authentic New Mexican dining experience, THIS is the place! Nestled down in the Barelas neighborhood, it is frequented by mostly locals who know where to get "the good stuff". The chili, the tortillas, the.... EVERYTHING! THANK YOU!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60933-d444200-r553263655-Barelas_Coffee_House-Albuquerque_New_Mexico.html#

 

Poki Poki Cevicheria

 

I kept hearing about this place and was just not quite sure what it was. Well, I finally tried it, and have been back about once a week! WOW! It's seriously amazing! So glad to have a place like this in my neighborhood!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60933-d10298191-r553279562-Poki_Poki_Cevicheria-Albuquerque_New_Mexico.html#

 

 

Where the Butterfly wanders.... Yes, Organic Boutique

I know it's been a while, but.... I'm baaaaaAAAaaack!

 There is just SO much to write and muse about these days, I am committed to sharing and caring and allowing this part of me, the "would be journalist" to flourish and become a part of my creative outlet.

Something I have decided to do, is to live feed tours through some of my favorite locally owned businesses.

The first stop on my Butterfly crawl was Yes, Organic Boutique on Lomas. 

Take a look!

Deadhead girl misses summer tour pt II

As concert season heats up, I had my heart set on many shows.  As I do every year, I see the different acts coming to my city and surrounding areas, and mark on my calendar, all the ones I think i'd like to see, knowing full well I may only make a few, but, hopeful just the same. 

With the newest cycle of Grateful Dead, one of my most favorite bands of all time, I, like most Deadheads, start mapping out how to "do tour".  I "got on the bus many years ago, and never looked back.  Yes, I love and adore many other bands and genres of music, but, The Grateful Dead, and all post manifestations of these musical gods have long been so very near and dear to my heart.

I was unable to attend Far Thee Well 2 summers ago, but, as soon as John Meyer joined up and Dead and Company came to be, I knew I'd be heading out to see them at some point. 

I was in the midst of a very long and heartbreaking break up, but the man i was involved with got 2 tickets to see Dead and Co. in Vegas just after Thanksgiving, and took me with him.  That was seriously one of the best weekends of my life. 

 
Last summer, at the very last minute, I changed plans to travel to AZ for an annual event, to head to Boulder with some girlfriends for Dead and Company.  I'm so very glad I did!  i had SUCH an amazing experience! I bought a ticket from a friend for the first night, but, didn't have one yet for the 2nd show, even up to the time my friends were headed in.  I was on a tight budget, and figured that I'd be happy having seen at least one night.  Well, guess what??? THIS GIRL WAS MIRACLED!!!!
Yep, some kind strangers stuck a ticket through the fence saying "Happy Birthday! Merry Christmas! We love you!"  I was ECSTATIC!!!  i found my friends and got to have one more night of the music, and of shaking my bones!  WOW!  Seriously.... NEVER MISS A SUNDAY SHOW!!!
The boys played one hell of a show that night!!!!
I really try to go to any local or traveling Grateful Dead cover bands as possible, as well as just live shows in general.  I have a wide range of likes and faves, so, if and when I can, I will always opt to "buy the ticket"~
Just this past March, I met my best friend in Vegas and we got to see John Mayer live!  I had only seen him with Dead and Company, but have always been a fan.  This was a treat!  Our tickets were pretty much "nose bleed", but, we pretended to be 20 again, and made several attempts at getting closer.  They all failed and we ended up enjoying the show from our very far away seats.  The sound there at T-Mobile stadium was phenomenal, and we really did end up having a wonderful time!

Fast forward to this summer. 
I had planned on going to a few of the closer shows.  I really wanted to go to Vegas for the tour opener, and then quickly down to Phx where i knew tons of my AZ Deadhead friends would be, having lived in N. AZ for many years.  Well, i was in a relationship that had become serious, and we had decided to move in together.  It just so happened that we had a June 1st move in date and I had a whole apartment to pack up.  I put my big girl panties on, and sucked it up.  I figured I'd be able to get to, hopefully Boulder...
I was somewhat heart hurt and yes, I did cry a few times, but, I really enjoyed seeing all of the FB posts and live feeds form folks i knew at the shows. 
Well, unfortunately, things with that man did not work out, and after what one could only perhaps call, "unfortunate circumstances", we have broken up and i have been left basically "homeless and carless", due to the fact that although we were both on the lease, he had paid for the initial move in, and when my old pathfinder finally took a dump a few months ago, he bought me my older Volvo wagon, which I LOVED!  So.... yes, my 16 year old and I are living our of bags, staying with friends and in hotels, etc for now.  My 8 year old is with his dad until I find a safe and secure home. 
Needless to say, I will not be in Boulder this weekend.  Now, I'm an artist, and i have a full time job, so, it's not like I'm standing on a street corner.  I am just trying to pick up the pieces is all. 
I am sad again to be missing another show, but will be listening to the live stream and dancing it up with all of the Deadheads in Colorado! 
Next Saturday, I turn 45!  There was talk between the now ex boyfriend and I of heading to the Boston show.... UGH! Maybe a listening party somewhere instead? 
~Hey! If you're at any of the shows this summer, shake your bones for me, will ya???~



Deadhead girl: Summer tour missed

 

As I sit at my desk on the Tuesday after Memorial day, I can't help but feeling a little blue.  This past weekend, Dead and Company began their summer tour.  I had planned on going to both shows, and making it a bit of a whirlwind weekend, and then, due to time and money and other things, I decided to cut out Vegas, and opted for just the Phoenix show.  I live in Albuquerque, but spent several years in Prescott, AZ and I knew several people going.  Plus, my 18 year old is living in Prescott and i wanted to take him.  Well, as life does, circumstances changed.  My fiancé and I have been house hunting, and found just the right place at just the right price.  Well, this meant that my weekend was going to need to be spent packing for the move, and our travel money was going on moving expenses, etc....

 

I had friends at both shows that i was excited to see, and of course, most of them did some sort of live stream, or pics, or snapchat of the shows, so I was privy to their experiences.  The thing is, i have not been able to listen to them at all since I had to change my plans.  It makes my heart hurt.

The memories of summers past, Grateful Dead, Further, Phil Lesh and friends, The Dead and last summer, Dead and Company, made me ache for a little taste.

I wanted to be on Dead Lot, selling my handmade wares out of the back of my car, and enjoy the day with friends, then head in to the show and boogie my toosh off for a few hours.  This makes my heart happy.  Alas...  I am finally sitting here listening to the stream from the Phx show, and just enjoying the ride while I finish up my day at work.  I work for a large hotel chain, in the sales office, so, my week is "ho-hum 9-5"

I am hoping to catch at least one show this season, and as I've seen that places like Portland or New Orleans are not on the list of concerts, I am crossing my fingers for a late summer/fall tour after Johnny boy finishes his solo tour.  Oh, ya know....  Albuquerque would be a GREAT place to play, guys!!! Johnny will be here in July, he can tell all the good things about our fine city and it's music lovers! (I'll be there, Johnny!!! Look for me! )

So.....  As I get ready to finish my work day, and go home to pack, I am allowing my sore heart to mend and hoping that perhaps, my fiancé will surprise me with tickets to the Boston show which is on my birthday! My 45th to be exact.. come on...  it's a big one and that's what I want!!! 

Thanks for letting my whine!

"She had rings on her fingers and bells on her shoes,
And I knew without askin' she was into the blues."