Innspired by the Innspiring Road Trip Innmates

 

Woodridge B&B recently had the pleasure of being one of 11 bed and breakfasts being toured by Innspiring Road Trips which consisted of 4 experienced innkeepers. While having never met in person, we all have been members of an innkeepers group that is associated with InnRewards.com. It was wonderful to finally meet and share laughs in person. The 4 innkeepers were: Kathleen Panek of Gillum House Bed and Breakfast in Shinnston West Virginia, Shellie Leete of Claiborne House Bed and Breakfast in Rocky Mount Virginia, Jane Muncie of McDowell-Nearing House Bed and Breakfast in Muncie Indiana and Carol Wibbenmeyer of Lodge at Mark Twain Lake near Hannibal Missouri.

The 4 Innmates in Road Trip shirts from New Orleans!

InnRewards is a reletively new website which is a grassroots effort to reward those great B&B guests we have had the pleasure of hosting in our bed and breakfasts. For more information about this great site, visit the website... check out all the inns from around the world that offer something extra for their guests. (FYI: Woodridge B&B has an offer as well)

During their stay I noted some reasons why B&B's ARE a better way to stay. Stay tuned as I will share some of those reasons in later posts..............

B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Love is in the air -

Spring, a season of new life.  Whether you are rekindling your flames or starting anew, we at Woodridge would be honored to assist in this new start.  Check out our wedding site at Elope-NewOrleans.com.


B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well!Debbi & TimKeepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

May the Luck of the Irish be with you!

  March 17th, St. Patrick's Day, the day we all become Irish and celebrate with green beer, cabbage with corned beef or a fond Irish Stew.  It's the day we all wear green, look for 4 leaf clovers, green leprechauns and the pot of gold.  One of the many cultures that make our nation what it is, the Irish worked hard to become Americans.  Building our railroads and working the coal mines, like many of our forefathers earned their right to be called American. 

New Orleans is rich with Irish heritage as well, as it historically has had the largest Irish population in the south and attributed to 25% of the New Orleans population in 1861.  It is then not surprising that areas such as the Irish Channel have been adorned with the name.  To learn more about the history and culture the Irish brought to the city of New Orleans, visit The Irish Cultural Museum located in the French Quarter. 

 May you always have...Walls for the winds; A roof for the rain...Tea beside the fire ...Laughter to cheer you ...Those you love near you...And all your heart might desire.   An Irish blessing

 

Today New Orleans celebrates the day in our own tradition - parades! Irish walk the streets with white and green beads, green carnations and dishing out kisses to the fillies as they pass by.   The larger parades of floats loaded with revelers and sacks of cabbage, carrots, onions and potatoes... if you're lucky you will go home with a good start to your Irish stew. 

Make your plans now to be here next Paddies Day, and celebrate like the Irishmen. 


B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Let there be music! - local events!

The Noble's playing in Slidell's Heritage Park

If you love music as much as I do, you will understand why I just love where I live.  Great music festivals abound in this region especially in the Spring and Fall.  While much is known about the large festivals in New Orleans - Jazz and Heritage Festival and the French Quarter Festival, the towns on the North side of the lake take it in a more relaxed setting with outdoor concerts in local parks all free for locals and visitors alike.  For a complete list of all the concerts, visit this NOLA.com Article



B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Fall for Art in the Spring - Local Events

March 2nd, Slidell will be hosting their annual Art's Evening in Olde Town with over 100 local artists, area musicians and several restaurants participating.  It is sure to be a fun time in the town that night.
Additionally, the Slidell Culture Center will be showcasing  “From the Vaults of the New Orleans Museum of Art: Picasso, Miró and Matisse” - which will be on display from March 2nd hrough April 13th.

'Vision on an Immigrant' by Stephan Wanger

And if that isn't enough to make you want to make the trip, maybe 'Beade Towne' may do the trick.  Ever wonder what people do with all those Mardi Gras beads?  Well New Orleans Artist Stephan Wanger made them part of his art through brilliant mosaic.  This collection will be open from February 22 - April 5th.  See the article on NOLA  

To find out more, see the City's site or http://www.experienceoldetowne.com/

B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Mardi Gras, Family Fun??? Why YES!

The question that rarely gets asked because so many think that what they see on TV (the Bourbon Street scene) is what Mardi Gras is all about.  I am hear to not only tell you but show you that Mardi Gras is FAMILY FUN, you just need to know where NOT to go.

This past weekend I headed to Slidell for Krewe of Perseus and happened to spot a cute little guy on his dad's shoulders...both having the time of their lives.  Here are some pics of the parade & the duo: 

 The skinny is to not bring children to the French Quarter, Canal Street or streets connected during a Mardi Gras parade or festivities.  If you want to see the New Orleans parades without having others expose more than you wish to see, the Uptown area or better yet, St. Charles from the beginning of the route to Lee Circle is the best area.  The crowds do get crazy but the real crazies seem to navigate near the Quarter.

For real family fun, try the suburbs like Metairie, Westbank and the Northshore areas of Slidell, and Covington.  The suburbs provide real family fun and most of their parades roll the 2-3 weekends before Mardi Gras.  Metairie and Covington also host Mardi Gras day parades, fun for all ages. 

B&B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well! Debbi & Tim Keepers of the Inn and Concierge to your perfect getaway!

Festivals and Fun continue

And the fun contiues here in South Louisiana.  Celebrate the Mirliton in Bywater or Frogs in Rayne, pass a good time at the Zoo while they celebrate Swamp Fest or attend Hammond's Renaissance Festival (every weekend during November).  Want to know what else to do?  see: http://www.nola.com/family/index.ssf/2012/10/new_orleans_events_for_parents.html#incart_river_default

B and B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well!

Come, sit a spell -

B and B's are a better way to stay, so while visiting Southeastern Louisiana, stay at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast - play hard, sleep well!
 Debbi the Innkeeper
Woodridge Bed and Breakfast

Being Thankful

The day before Thanksgiving is always a busy time.  The house fills with all the flavors of the season as dishes are prepared in the kitchen and the door is opened to the warmth of family and friends.  This is a day of reflection of Thanksgivings past and those that we only have memories of times shared.  We are thankful for those times.

One tradition of Mom's was making her own cranberry salad.  She would set up the old heavy grinder on the edge of the kitchen table and as she filled the grinder, we (the kids) would take turns turning the crank.  We all loved the smell of fresh cranberries and oranges and Mom had to give in and let each of us have a taste once she finished.  

The turkey's cherished parts...  we all have our favorite whether it is the leg or slices of juicy white breast meat but how many fight to be on one side of the wish bone?  Or what about the giblets?  With 3 kids in the family, the one that did not get to try their wish, got the giblets.  Sounds fair, except if you ended up on the short side of the stick - (bone) and you were not granted your wish!  But Mom always had a comeback to this as well, Mom always had an answer.

These were also the days Dad would transform into Santa - REALLY.  For years Dad had a double life around the holidays.  He never let us see him leave in that red stuffed suit.  He enjoyed seeing all the bright happy (some scared) faces as he heard all their Christmas wishes.  One Christmas Eve Dad came home from his last job of the year and he crashed on the sofa, still decked out in full Santa form.  We woke very early that year and as sneaky little kids, we peered into the living room in hopes to get a glance of what was under the tree.  Little did we know we were in for a huge surprise.  Santa fell asleep on the job. 

We all have fond memories of past holidays, today I am thankful for those memories and many more.  Thankful for family and friends, for freedom and those who have fought to keep it and for our business and the wonderful people that have passed through our doors.  May you each have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. 

Debbi the Innkeeper
Woodridge Bed and Breakfast

A Drive to a Dive on the Coast....

A beautiful Sunday drive, don't you just love them... I remember when growing up each Sunday after eating our dinner after church we would all pile in the car and head to where ever the road would lead us. Well with today's price of gas, that leisure drive must have a destination in the plan. For our Sunday drive, that destination was The Shed Barbeque and Blues Joint, Ocean Springs MS. Wow, what a dive it is.. Money all over the ceiling, some stuck up by the plastic forks just used and you know me, I had to ask the story behind that, as well about with the water line mark on the window compliments of Katrina.

The joint, yes the description fits, was built using garbage finds and putting it all together. The Shed started as a take out BBQ place with 300 sq ft, but as the loyal patrons grew, they decided they needed a spot to drop while they were there, over time the shed has grown to almost 10,00 sq feet of Shed - complete with a great outdoor stage and seating for almost 600 -inside & out.

The music is authentic blues and feels right at home in this setting while licking your fingers to the beat. This BBQ is done by no amateur for sure! I have heard the phrase "bone suckin good" before but never quite knew what really meant until then. Yummmmy. I had the chicken but sweet talked my way into a taste of ribs which fell off the bone on the way to my mouth and some of the best pulled pork ever. This along with some great potato salad and baked beans and I was in hog heaven! No wonder Guy stopped here...

Now this idea has spread to other parts of the south but while no two Sheds are alike in personality, we were told the food was equally as good. Most of our guests travel past a Shed on the way to Woodridge Bed and Breakfast... For travelers coming from the south east stop at any one of the following locations: Destin, FL, Mobile, AL, the Original one Ocean Springs or Gulfport, MS. From the west stop in Scott, LA just west of Lafayette or from the north stop in Hattisburg for a bite and blues!

Relax and live the good life at Woodridge B&B!
Posted by Debbi the Innkeeper, Woodridge Bed and Breakfast of Louisiana
www.woodridgebb.com
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The Spring Bird Migration

This is an excellent time for birding in South Louisiana, the weather is warm and the trees are starting to produce shade but are still sparse enough to see what's nesting on their branches. While this is home for many species, spring brings many visitors to the area for a good place to rest in their journey back home.

There are many spots to feast your eyes on many species: Big Branch National Wildlife Refuge, Honey Island State Wildlife Refuge and the Northlake Nature Center to name a few. Each April the Nature Center holds it's Great Louisiana Bird Fest, with Birding trips, workshops, Louisiana food and fun. For more info about birding in SE LA visit: http://www.tulane.edu/~bfleury/neworleans/BirdingNO.html

Nesting in a bird habitat, Woodridge B&B is the perfect location for your stay. We will be happy to provide you with birding and trail information to make your visit a memorable one.

From Spirits to Spiritual

No better time than October to write about spirits in New Orleans where almost every building you see in the French Quarter has its own tale of days gone by and the spirits that remain haunting the establishment. Some are harmless, just passing through while others seem to be up to no good, slamming doors, moving or hiding objects and just making humans uncomfortable while in their presence.

What must it be like caught in between? There are Ghost or Haunted tours every night, year round in New Orleans. And each night those wishing to learn more about their future are welcomed by Fortune Tellers willing to dredge into your future. But in October, things seem to take an even more haunted feel with several haunted houses throughout the greater area to make the hairs on your neck to rise. Check out for a Spooky time.

It would not be New Orleans, if they did not have a music festival to fit right in with the theme of the month. The VooDoo Fest. has become very popular with sounds this year by Muse and Ozzy Osbourne as well as many others check out more here:

Now on to the spiritual side of things. As October comes to a close, we are greeted to November by All Saints Day, a day set aside to remember our loved ones that have gone before us. A day of remembrance. For most, the day includes a visit to your loved ones graves, placing flowers, saying a prayer. For The Choctaw Indians and descendants, things are taken a step further. In days prior to Nov. 1, family members spend at the cemeteries, cleaning and whitewashing the graves of their loved ones. Then as night falls on that Day of the Saints, candles are placed around each grave. Since most of the cemeteries are on pieces of family property many are surrounded by woods with only a small trail and the eerie glow to guide you. Once you reach the graves, the spiritual experience begins. To read the story, please view Visitors are welcome to come met the family and learn about their loved ones. This experience will carry with you the remaining of your days.

When visiting SE Louisiana and Woodridge Bed and Breakfast, make plans to visit LaCombe, just 15 minutes west. It is filled with much charm and culture of its own. Visit the LaCombe Museum to get the flavor of the area. Visit the old Catholic Church where miracles have happened by touching the holy water as well as sightings of Mary.

And while there, take in a fabulous meal at John Besh’s La Province or at Sal and Judy’s. For more information and to book your stay Contact Debbi at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast 985-863-9981 Woodridge B&B.