snowballs

Here is one of my absolute favorite things about south Louisiana: Snowballs! I'm sorry, but there is no way to imagine the greatness if you haven't had one, nothing to compare it to.

I miss these like crazy in the summer. There's at least one snowball stand every few miles in New Orleans, but in I haven't seen one anywhere else in the country (except one in Bourne, Texas that is now closed down).

Snowball stands are essentially little shacks that open in summer and close down in winter:

A snowball is not a sno-cone or shaved ice or anything like that. It is completely it's own thing. Their are tons of flavors and endless combinations, and choosing one is always the hardest although I usually end up getting strawberry cheesecake flavor topped in condensed milk and whipped cream (they were out of whipped cream yesterday). The next best flavor for snowballs is cotton candy, or ice cream, or amaretto, or wild strawberry, or wedding cake. Or even chocolate.

See the rainbow?

I'm taking it as a good sign...

Louisiana!

On the road again

(I finally found new silver sandals that I like almost as much as the ones I just wore past the breaking point!)

Gps says we will be in New Orleans in 7 hours and 41 minutes.

We packed the trunk of my little car to the brim, amazing how much fit. Under my feet is the tote bag I bought from Target right before our San Diego trip. It's sturdy, so roomy, and perfect for squishing under the airplane seat (or under your feet in the car).

coffee cake

Have you ever seen so many candles?

We had a quick birthday celebration today, so that the boys could give their dad his present:

Made this cake (from scratch!) using this recipe, with leftover regular coffee instead (we make ours strong anyway). I halved it, which made exactly enough for a one-layer round cake. 

It tasted so good, especially with some coffee flavored ice cream...