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Category Archives: Travel Tuesday

TRAVEL TUESDAY – ARKANSAS WOMEN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE, HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

06 Tuesday Oct 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Arkansas, Georgia Pelligrini, Hot Springs, The Arlington Hotel

I was completely charmed by Georgia Pellegrini (georgiapellegrini.com/),
a food adventure expert who claims Arkansas as her Soul State and was a fascinating and fabulous speaker at this years Arkansas Women Bloggers Conference, held at the Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs Arkansas.

The Fabulous Georgia Pellegrini presenting

The Fabulous Georgia Pellegrini 

After time in college and on Wall Street she began to search for what would make her happy, which following a childhood spent fishing and gathering herbs from property that had been in her family for over 100 years, meant returning to the land, a move closer to nature. She is a proponent of Modern Pioneering and advocates living a little outside of your comfort zone every day. Inspirational advice from someone who is living it every day!!

 

TRAVEL TUESDAY – ARKANSAS WOMEN BLOGGERS CONFERENCE – HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Arkansas, Travel Tuesday

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Arkansas Women Bloggers Conference, Chef Matthew Bell, Hot Springs, Little Rock, South on Main

I especially love the “Foodie Friday” add on event at the Arkansas Women Bloggers Conference – I am always inspired and exhilarated, and leave at the end of the day with an abundance of exciting ideas that require urgent committal to paper.

This year, we were delighted by a demonstration from Chef Matthew Bell, from South on Main in Little Rock. We were able to hear a little of his story as he cooked live, then presented a beautiful plate of Simple Succotash with Edamame accompanied by Benne Seed encrusted Bass, explaining that the edamame makes the dish a little more healthy and helpful to local Arkansas soybean farmers.

Chef Matthew Bell from South on Main in Little Rock

Chef Matthew Bell from South on Main in Little Rock

I am now excited and inspired to make a trip to Little Rock and South on Main, in order to experience more of this wonderful Chefs cuisine.

 

TRAVEL TUESDAY – END OF SUMMER FUN, NORTHWEST ARKANSAS, ARKANSAS

08 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Arkansas, bluebird of happiness, climbing wall, family, Fayetteville, Fayetteville Public Library, Fayetteville Square, Four Corners Kitchen, fun, go-karts, Hank Kaminsky, kids, lake, Lewis and Clark Outfitters, Lokomotion, Shave the Planet, Springdale, Terra Studios, tubing, World Peace Prayer Fountain

Although it shouldn’t, the end of summer somehow seems like the end of fun activities and entertaining diversions. I am endeavoring to prolong the relaxed, unscheduled feeling of summer by organizing pleasant pastimes for the kids, outside of the school day.

boys on the go cartsMy Son recently discovered the go-karts at Lokomotion, in Fayetteville. Although they also offer mini-golf, bumper boats, laser tag and a video arcade, he always heads straight for the track.

the shave planetThe kids always enjoy a frozen treat from Shave the Planet, located on College Avenue in Fayetteville. terra studiosWe love to make the short drive out to Terra Studios, the home of the Bluebird of Happiness, and stroll around the whimsical grounds and browse in the gallery.

boys tubing on lake De GrayWe always have a great time tubing,

max and james - fayetteville public libraryand visiting The Fayetteville Public Library.

world peace prayer fountainWe walk around the Fayetteville Square and stop to pay our respects to the World Peace Prayer Fountain, sculpted by Hank Kaminsky and dedicated in 2002,

rock climbing lewis and clarkand I have even taken the kids, and a group of their friends, to the climbing wall at Lewis and Clark Outfitters, located on Thompson Street in Springdale.

four corners kitchenWe love to try out restaurants we haven’t been to before, such as Four Corners Kitchen in Fayetteville,

back porch - elise and rolf

or just spend time hanging out on the back deck.

These are just some of the things that help to preserve the magical times we share during the warm summer months.

TRAVEL TUESDAY – FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Arkansas, beautiful, Fayetteville, flowers, tenacious

I stopped downtown to quickly run into a nearby store to buy flowers for a friends birthday. When I stepped out of my car, I was greeted by this beautiful, tenacious bloom, nestled between the road and footpath. It definitely made me hesitate – I was deliberately startled into stopping to savor the incredible moment.

red flower

– the bloom between road and footpathflowers and yoga mat– the blooms I picked up from the florists for a friends birthday

TRAVEL TUESDAY – AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF THE AMERICAS, NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans

I came across these poignant pictures recently, from a long ago family visit to the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, in New Orleans, and they were a sweet visual reminder of how quickly our kids grow up, and how quickly life changes.

mum Joe and Bob at New Orleans aquariaum– Me with our oldest son and Grandad joe and elise at NO aquarium– two of my darling childrenbob and elsie at NO aquarium– Grandma and Grandadjoe with lizard in bug box– a live lizard in the Bug Habitat

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

11 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Coquette, Louisiana, New Orleans, Square, The Tasting Room

My husband and I were fortunate and thankful to have a night in New Orleans, right after Thanksgiving and right before his High School reunion. We diverged slightly from our yearly tradition at Fairfield Bay, leaving after our family Thanksgiving dinner and driving past the lines already in place for Black Friday sales, to spend the evening at home.

Early the next morning, our wonderful sitter arrived, and before our kids were even awake, my husband and I started our journey toward Louisiana. Stopping in Mississippi for lunch, we made it to the Lower Garden District in New Orleans in time for dinner, and discovered many fabulous restaurants I hadn’t realized were in this vibrant city, making for a sensationally delicious evening.

preparing dinner 2

– watching food being prepared from behind the bar at Square

apple radish salad

– Apple Radish Salad with sour apple puree, roasted radish, lemon grass lotus crisp, black brioche croutons and meyer lemon thyme vinaigrette

fois gras– Terrine of Foie Gras with persimmon glaze, chrysanthemum and grapefruit shallot jam

After this absolutely incredible experience, we walked down to The Tasting Room, an intimate and inviting wine lounge, where we enjoyed a glass of wine and a lovely cheese board.

the tasting room

– outside The Tasting Room, on Magazine Street in New Orleans

cheese board– the lovely wine, and cheese board we shared at The Tasting Room

A little further down the street we found Coquette, another astoundingly creative establishment.

farro piccolo– Farro Piccolo, hogs head, duck liver, frisee, shiitakes

smoked pork gumbo– Smoked Pork Gumbo, soft boiled egg, crispy pig ear

TRAVEL TUESDAY – OAK ALLEY PLANTATION, VACHERIE, LOUISIANA

04 Tuesday Aug 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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informative, Louisiana, Oak Alley, Plantation Home, Vacherie

This summer we had the opportunity to visit Oak Alley Plantation, in the Vacherie community, St. James Parish, Louisiana. After driving through severe but majestic rain storms, we stopped at this fascinating Greek Revival mansion completed in 1839, and its extensive environs.

the incredible allee at Oak Alley Plantation

the incredible allee at Oak Alley Plantation

We walked the grounds and examined the educational exhibit, “Slavery at Oak Alley”, which covers the history of slavery at Oak Alley Plantation. It was built when the sugar industry was flourishing, but following the Civil War, it was no longer economically viable, and the owner, Marie Therese Josephine Celina Pille Roman, nearly bankrupted the estate with her spending.

We then sat down to a leisurely lunch in the restaurant, which serves cajun and creole cuisine, before taking an interesting and informative tour of the home.

the boys at Oak Alley Plantation

the boys at Oak Alley Plantation

 

TRAVEL TUESDAY – NOTTOWAY PLANTATION, WHITE CASTLE, LOUISIANA

28 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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antebellum mansion, Nottoway, Plantation Home, resort

I have had the opportunity to visit many plantation homes in the South, including the stunning Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisiana, where I took Mum last year.

Nottoway is the Souths largest remaining antebellum mansion, built in 1859, it survived the civil war with just a single grapeshot.

the approach to Nottoway Plantation

the approach to Nottoway Plantation

It was a private residence until 2003, after which it was restored and opened to the public. It is now a resort destination, offering dining, accommodations, meeting and event facilities, a pool, tennis courts, a hair and nail salon and a fitness center.

this side of Nottoway Plantation looks towards the Mississippi River

this side of Nottoway Plantation looks towards the Mississippi River

the gardens originally included 120 fruit trees, 75 rose bushes, 150 strawberry plants and a variety of large trees, flower and vegetable gardens

the gardens originally included 120 fruit trees, 75 rose bushes, 150 strawberry plants and a variety of large trees, flower and vegetable gardens

TRAVEL TUESDAY – NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

21 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Columns Hotel, Louisiana, New Orleans, Sucre

After spending many wonderful occasions, savoring the jazz brunch, or delighting in an evening cocktail on the grand and gracious front porch of the Columns hotel, I definitely wanted to share the experience with my Aunt. We floated our way through a first floor tour of this majestic Garden District hotel, catching a glimpse of the extraordinary sunburst stained glass skylight cleverly situated above the sweeping staircase.

the gorgeous Columns Hotel

the gorgeous Columns Hotel, built in 1803

a glimpse of garden

a glimpse of the lovely garden

mimosas on the elegant and welcoming front porch

mimosas on the elegant and welcoming front porch

We then sampled the gorgeous and delicious confections at Sucre, an Uptown sweet boutique that is truly stunning.

the incredible array of truffles at Sucre

the incredible array of truffles at Sucre

gorgeous sweets at Sucre

gorgeous sweets at Sucre

TRAVEL TUESDAY – NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

14 Tuesday Jul 2015

Posted by Ceri Wilkin in Travel Tuesday

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Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, Cafe Du Monde, Court of Two Sisters, courtyard, Deja Vu, Evangeline, French Market, Hurricane, Kingfish, Pat O'Briens, restaurant, Steamboat Natchez

There are so many great restaurants and amazing chefs in New Orleans – which is one of the many reasons I adore this vibrant city.

After dropping our nephews in Slidell, we arrived in New Orleans in perfect time for dinner, and discovered the breezy, peaceful courtyard at the adorable Evangeline along Decatur Street. Specializing in fresh, seasonal cuisine, everything is made from scratch and delivered to the table with a smile.

evangeline

fried oyster po boy with sweet potato frites

fried oyster po boy with sweet potato frites

etoufee - made from Great Grandmothers recipe

etoufee – made from Great Grandmothers recipe

The morning found us once again enjoying coffee and beignets at the familiar and famous New Orleans landmark, Cafe Du Monde, which has been serving up wonderful deliciousness since the early 1860’s.

delicious cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde

delicious cafe au lait and beignets at Cafe du Monde

After a walk through the French Market and along the river, Mum and my Aunt took a two hour cruise along the Mississippi on the Steamboat Natchez. A little further along on the riverfront is the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas, where we enjoyed the Amazon Exhibit, Gulf of Mexico Exhibit and the Mississippi River Gallery, as well as the large variety of fish and sharks, seahorses, jellyfish and amphibians.

jellyfish at the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas

jellyfish at the Audobon Aquarium of the Americas

Kingfish, at 337 Chartres was a lovely place for lunch.

the yummy French Bread at Kingfish

the yummy French Bread at Kingfish

After being reassured that all was well during a hurried phone call with my husband, who had just dropped our daughter at camp, I ordered the Louisiana Peach and Plum Salad with mixed greens, spiced pecans, blue cheese and an inventive sweet tea vinaigrette, which Mum and I shared.

the Louisiana Peach and Plum Salad at Kingfish

the Louisiana Peach and Plum Salad at Kingfish

After a quick look at the shops, which was all the boys could tolerate, we called into The Court of Two Sisters, which Mum remembered fondly (http://www.courtoftwosisters.com).

the pretty cover of the Court of Two Sisters Menu

the pretty cover of the Court of Two Sisters Menu – painted in the 1930’s by the famous Louisiana artist Clarence Millet

The restaurant is named for sisters Emma and Bertha Camors, who owned a shop at the location, providing many of New Orleans finest ladies with Mardi Gras costumes, formal gowns, lace and perfumes imported from Paris.

the court of the two sisters

– the gorgeous interior of the Court of Two Sisters – the property has been significant in New Orleans since 1726

It started pouring with rain as we reached the restaurant, but we enjoyed the lovely ambiance, being dry, cozy and well looked after, our delightful waiters and the Jalapeño Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast with a Wild Berry Gastrique.

the Jalapeño Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast with Wild Berry Gastrique

the Jalapeño Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Duck Breast with Wild Berry Gastrique

We had to experience live New Orleans jazz at the exceptional, iconic Preservation Hall, and then, right around the corner, we sampled the fun surroundings at Pat O’Brien’s, which was converted from a speakeasy to a legitimate drinking establishment at the end of Prohibition in 1933.

the fun courtyard at Pat O'Briens

the fun courtyard at Pat O’Briens

We also sampled the famous, rum based Hurricane, the Alligator Tenderloin Bites served with Honey Creole Mustard Sauce and the Bread Pudding covered in a  rich warm Whiskey Sauce.

Pat O'Briens Hurricane

Pat O’Briens Hurricane

the ladies at pat O's

-the ladies enjoying a Hurricane in the Pat O’Brien’s Courtyardalligator bites– Alligator Bites at Pat O’Briens

the Bread Pudding with warm Whiskey Sauce at Pat O'Briens

the Bread Pudding with warm Whiskey Sauce at Pat O’Briens

The last stop before the hotel was a little nondescript bar Deja Vu, where although they have been removed from the menu, will serve the most wonderfully delicious Cajun Meat Pies on request.

the absolutely wonderful Cajun Meat Pies from Deja Vu

the absolutely wonderful Cajun Meat Pies from Deja Vu

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About Ceri

Hello, I’m Ceri.

Thank you for visiting Recipe Doodle!

I am a wife, mother and recipe follower. For years, I have tackled one new recipe a day. Some are fabulous, some most definitely are not!

I am originally from New Zealand (posts about NZ here), and I have spent my life surrounded by passionate foodies. My husband owns pizzerias...

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