... when you're constantly on the move, few things remain unchanged.

playing in the leaves

Tuesday, December 16, 2014


There's something amazing about the different coloured, falling leaves of autumn. I've not met a single person who doesn't appreciate their splendor, even those who've grown up with it all their lives. In the part of Australia I'm from there are no visible seasonal changes, in fact aside from the varying temperature, there is no difference at all.  Leaves stay on trees, beaches remain littered with surfers / sunbakers and for the most part, people still walk around in flip flops!

Here in Texas it's a similar situation.  The only leaves that change are those belonging to sporadically planted maple trees - few and far between.  The main landscape remains the same grey/ green it is all year long; unless a freak snow falls, like it did last winter.

That's why it was such a treat to see so many jewel tones when we visited Will's dad in Shreveport recently.  His suburb was like the inside of a giant, living snow-globe - only instead of white snow; yellow, orange, brown and red leaves.  A leaf-globe? Whatever, it was divine!  The pups and I had a blast playing in, rolling in and throwing leaves all over the place.











never enough time in New Orleans

Thursday, December 11, 2014


Our long weekend in New Orleans came and went in a haze.  Since we were there for a wedding in which Will was a groomsman, we spent plenty of time apart: him doing wedding things with the groom/ me exploring and socializing with everyone else.

Being apart in New Orleans suits me just fine because now that I’ve been there several times, I know where things are and have a list of places I want to visit, food I want to eat and souvenirs I want to buy: most of which don’t appeal to Will.  The one thing we agree on and always try to do is listen to some live Jazz!  We like the Music Legends Park on Bourbon St, where we can sit at a table outside, sipping on a cup of coffee and nibbling on a beigneit; feeling part of a tradition that’s been around for decades <3

But first, of course, the most iconic of all landmarks always warrant a visit and obligatory photo:

Jackson Square & St Louis Cathedral (which many don’t realize is just as amazing on the inside)








The French Quarter and its jaw-dropping, one-of-a-kind architecture:












... and charming little nooks!

Royal Street (lined with vintage and antique stores as far as the eye can see)




No offense to the iconic Cafe Du Monde, but it’s my least favourite cafe in NOLA and I can’t for the life of me understand its appeal!  I much prefer Cafe Beignet (on Royal St) for both its coffee and desserts, but most especially for the ambiance!  OR// for an iced coffee with a kick: I love a frozen Irish from Molly's on Decatur!




One example of something I adore, that Will can't stand is historic house tours!  My faves in the French Quarter are the Beauregard/Keyes house with its detailed tours, engaging guides and turbulent history! Madam John's legacy - the oldest wooden house in NOLA! And of course 'LaFittes,' the oldest pub (I believe) in America, that's retained authenticity by never installing electricity!  It's completely lit by gas lanterns inside - a must visit: even those who don't like history will appreciate this one.








Although I have loved every single one of my visits to New Orleans, I've never had enough time to do everything I've wanted.  This time I missed out on fresh oysters and antiquing (I really wanted a crystal decanter), but... there's always next time!



a month in transit

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

At last I'm sitting on the couch with Baxter on one side of me, Dorothy on the other; utterly relaxed.  For the first time in over a month, I don't have to be anywhere or do a single thing!  November literally went by in a daze, as we spent almost all of it on the move, first in Baton Rouge, then New Orleans, then Dallas, Fort Worth, then entertaining house guests from Australia, back to Dallas and finally a visit to Will's dad in Shreveport, LA before returning home for a week where we had to run about a million errands, celebrate our first Friends-giving and then set off again to Atlanta for Will's work Xmas party.  Phew!

Needless to say (1) I'm worn out and (2) we haven't had a chance to enjoy our new place hardly at all. I've been meaning to post photos and blog all about it, I promise, but despite several unposted drafts, I honestly haven't even had a chance to finish decorating.   

Now we are home for a full 10 days with nothing more to do than the washing before we take off again to spend Xmas in Atlanta - and I plan to make the most of it!  I want to cross every single thing off my do-to list, so that we can come back after Christmas to an apartment that's all finished and begin 2015 with a clear head.

It has been a blast though, I've enjoyed all of it!  Seeing Baton Rouge and the LA swaps for the first time and meeting some of the world's friendliest/ happiest people! Then revisiting New Orleans, Fort Worth, Atlanta: some of my favourite places on earth!  Highlights have been: discovering that adorable bookstore and purchasing my all-time fave hat EVER in New Orleans/ showing my old friends America and seeing it all anew through their eyes/ playing in the fallen autumn leaves with the pups in Shreveport/ walking down our old streets in Midtown Atlanta, feeling the warmth & familiarity of all the memories we made!  What a wonderful month it has been!  Here are some snapshots:



a portion of the swamp that looks just like a scene from
the Princess & the Frog cartoon <3
it blows my mind that people can build solid structures and
bridges right on the swamps... I mean, whaaat?

I've already blogged about and shared a heap of pics from
Baton Rouge, but here are some more of my faves :) 

The chandeliers!!! (grabbing face with mouth wide open!)

Next was New Orleans!  So many pics, I'll have to put
another post up - for now, here are the highlights:

Always a drink in hand!
That bookstore!  Cluttered and rustic, like something
straight from Diagon Alley! 
My hat!  <3 
The 'second line' my new all-time fave NOLA tradition
Next was Fort Worth, TX and its barrels of candy!!
yummers!


We took the Aussies to see the rodeo 
I didn't like it and I'll prob never go again, but I'm glad to
be able to say I've done it now.
Must visit when in Fort Worth: Billy Bobs and the fame
wall of hand-prints from so many country legends!
Like this guy!!!!
Then it was back to ATX and BBQ at the County Line,
on the lake
Honestly one of my fave places in the whole world,
if you haven't been there and live in Austin: GO!!
Another highlight for me will always be feeding the wildlife
at County Line: this time SWANS!! <3
A visit to ATX isn't complete without an evening downtown
And a little education inside the capital building

After showing them ATX, we HAD to take our visitors to
San Antonio <3
Show them the Alamo, the Riverwalk...
And introduce them to drinking beer while walking freely
around town :) 
Or dining with a blanket option... <3
We new it reminded us of somewhere...
After we dropped them off to the airport in Dallas, it was off
to visit Will's dad back in LA, which I will blog about later
because WAY too many pics!!

As well as our visit back to Atl - Midtown, the Xmas parade,
Will's work party, seeing my friends and so, SO many pics!
Stay tuned!

 

About unwavering me

Sharing my stories of migrating from Australia to the US | travel adventures | married life | furry kids | new experiences | lessons | and loving life despite always missing home. xo.

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spring in Austin TX

spring in Austin TX

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