Monday, October 31, 2011

"Eat, Drink, and Be Scary" - Anonymous

Last week I took a new route for my afternoon jog, and passed by this classic New Orleans above-ground cemetery. I knew I had some cemeteries not too far from my apartment, but I had never taken the time to go explore them - I mean, why would I? Cemeteries are creepy, right? Right. But, in an impulsive act of bravery, I returned to the cemetery (in broad daylight mind you) with my camera in hand to see what it was all about. In honor of today's spooky holiday, I thought I would share some of my favorite/eeriest shots:
A view of the cemetery from behind the fence 
Big tree + tomb stones = scary!










Pumpkin peeking out from a window!
Broken-down fence and some mourners' flowers

Have a safe, happy, and candy-coated Halloween!!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn" - Elizabeth Lawrence

Ahh, how good it feels to be back in New Orleans just in time for the weather to start changing. I arrived back in U.S. from India a few weeks ago, and boy has it been a hectic time! I am planning to post some pictures and stories from my trip, but not this moment. After all, one of the most important lessons I learned in India, from an extraordinary Tibetan Buddhist Nun, is to be present. It is a simple lesson on the surface, but actually a truly profound message: 

Be present, as the present is your only reality, and the past and the future and simply figments of your imagination. 

So, to exist in the present, I took a personal day to live in the moment and take in the season. In short, I was a lean, mean, pumpkin machine:

Fleur de lis carved pumpkin surrounded by homemade pumpkin goodies, and of course, my personal favorite, Candy Corn!

Homemade Pumpkin Spice Bread, recipe courtesy SkinnyTaste, plus I added walnuts for a little crunch!

Salty Pumpkin Seeds made with olive oil and a dash of salt and pepper for a healthy, savory Fall snack


I am definitely a southern girl, Florida born-and-raised and living in good ol' Louisiana, but I welcome the change in temperature, and of course, the chance to wear boots.

Have a Happy Hump Day!