NOLA Christmas

Christmas is a special time of year no mater where you spend it.  If you are looking for a magical space, New Orleans fits the bill.  So many options to spend your holiday.  The city is full of life and colorful decorations.

For things to do this holiday season check out the 2 sites here.

http://gonola.com/2015/12/01/new-orleans-christmas-a-to-z.html

http://www.nola.com/holidays/index.ssf/2015/11/christmas_holidays_new_orleans.html#incart_story_package

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!

Lighting the way for Papa Noel

A unique way to celebrate Christmas Eve is a drive to the river parish of St. John where hundreds of bonfires are erected on the levee of the Mississippi River in Gramercy and Lucher which is about halfway between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.  

A couple years ago we took the drive down to experience this first hand.  While most of the towering infernos were shaped in a pyramid form a couple of stories tall, some were unique designs as well.  This tradition goes back to the late 1800's when French and German immigrants brought the tradition from their homeland.  Most of the families we spoke with said the took over from their fathers before them.  It takes weeks to cut the timbers just right to keep the support.  

As night falls the lighting begins one after the other.   I am sure this would be a spectacular site from the air, which I am sure is a delightful view for Papa Noel.     #papanoel 

For more pictures of this Festival and other Christmas celebrations in LA, see this article. 

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!



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!

Louisiana Road trips for December

Christmas around Louisiana - road trips to take this month. http://www.wwltv.com/story/entertainment/events/2015/12/01/8-louisiana-spectacles-ushering-holiday-spirit/74753998/


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!

Why choose a B&B?

B&B's – The Better Way to Stay

There are many reasons this statement is true but I am going to touch on one of them today. Innkeepers! Yes, innkeepers make it the better way to stay. I'm not just tooting my own horn here! As I mentioned in my last blog, I was recently visited by 4 experienced innkeepers and it was having this group of ladies here, each sharing information and items from their own town or region that got me thinking. 

We innkeepers spend a lot of our time promoting more than our own B&B's. We share a wealth of knowledge about our areas on any given day. Innkeeper Kathleen Panek of Gillum House was a walking, talking billboard for Shinnston WV while she was here and Shellie Leete of Claiborne House in Rocky Mount VA not only blogs about the Crooked Road but is a blogger for the VA State Parks. Jane McDowell of McDowell-Mearing House in Munice IN shared some wonderful wine made there, yes wine in IN, who would have thought! And Carol Wibbenmeyer of Lodge at Mark Twain Lake near Hannibal Missouri, well Mark Twain left his mark deeply embedded there but the real reason to visit the Lodge is Carol – she is a hoot!

Innkeepers of the Innspiring Road Trip enjoying breakfast at Woodridge B&B

We provide our current guests, as well as those reading our websites, a vast amount of information to make their trip more enjoyable. Whether it is the small town charms or less known local attractions in the big city, innkeepers are your source of that information.  We share this info with smiles on our faces, no blank stares like you may get at the hotel front desk!  We love where we live and we want to share it with the world. Come visit us, ask questions and we will be happy to assist you.

 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!

Craft Beer goodness - New Orleans Craft Beer Week

 Leave it to New Orleans to get a jump on Oktoberfest with a week long celebration of Craft Beer beginning this Sunday (September 22) Check out this article for details.

The Avenue Pub - St Charles Avenue on the Street Car Line

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!

Happy Beer Day!

Did you know April 7th is National Beer Day? 
For some of us EVERY day is Beer Day... for those that love the taste, here is a list of  Microbreweries to enjoy while visiting the South Louisiana:

ABITA SPRINGS Abita Brewpub - Map 72011 Holly Street Abita Springs LA 70420 Ph 504.892.5837www.abita.com	ARABI Lagniappe Brewing - Micro  Map 6930 Saint Claude Ave. Arabi LA 70032 Ph 504.276.2337
BATON ROUGE Bon Temps Brewing - Micro  Map 9027H Castille Road Baton Rouge LA 70809 Ph 504.334.0690	COVINGTON Downtown Microbrewery & Museum - Map 226 Lockwood St. Covington LA 70434 Ph 985.893.2884
LAKE CHARLES Rikenjaks Brewery - Brewpub  Map 333 Broad Street Lake Charles LA 70601 Ph 337.433.4881	LAFAYETTE Hops - Brewpub  Map Ambassador Caffery Parkway Lafayette LA 70508 Ph 318.988.4677www.hopsonline.com
MARRERO Day Brewing - Micro  Map 5200 Taravella Road Marrero LA 70072 Ph 504.340.2739	METAIRIE Zea Brewery - Brewpub  Map 4450 Veterans Boulevard Metairie LA 70006 Ph 504.780.9090www.zearotisserieandbrewery.com
NEW ORLEANS Crescent City Brewhouse - Brewpub  Map 527 Decatur Street New Orleans LA 70130 Ph 504.522.0571www.crescentcitybrewhouse.com Gordon Biersch - Map 501 Convention Center Blvd. New Orleans LA 70130

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!

Discover why Woodridge Bed and Breakfast is the BETTER WAY TO STAY

 For many years of traveling we just chose a place to rest our heads, did not give it much thought - location and a chain name was about it.  Then we booked a B&B, our traveling style was changed for ever, and eventually so was our career.   B&B's are like a box of fine chocolates, each one with its own unique flavor. 

A Woodridge Welcome starts as you walk up our path.

Meander through our breathtaking gardens

Take in the morning bird song with a cuppa Joe
 or an evening wine with good company.

Restful Sleep in comfort.

Refresh with a REAL Breakfast,  
served to you with a smile.

Today's B&B's will quickly put to rest the myths of old.  No longer are they like staying at Grandma's in the spare room.  You should take pleasure in every aspect of your trip, not just the sites.  A B&B offers a full experience of the area.  Innkeepers take pride in what their region has to offer and will be happy to share ideas of what NOT to miss while visiting.   A word of warning, once you reach your B&B, some find it hard to break away, B&B's are habit forming. 


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

Music to the ears -

Fun for the soul -
Jazz in the Vines - Pontchartrain vineyards - Sept. 29, October 13, October 27 & Nov 10

 Bayou Jam Concerts in the Park - Slidell - Sundays Sept. 30, October 14 & 28



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

UmmPaPa - October Festivals

Octoberfest is just around the corner.  Are you ready?  Well the Covington Brewhouse is jumping the gun on October with the first OktoberFest on Sept. 28-29 at the Covington Trailhead 

Covington Brewhouse

And in Slidell, Mayor Drennan's Wild Game BBQ Cookoff will be held on the 29th.

Gretna Fest heats up the following weekend - October 5-7 with a great musical line-up including Joe Cocker, Foreigner, Amanda Shaw and Louisiana LaRoux just to name a few.

Come see the wonders of the water at The Madisonville Wooden Boat Festival October 13-14. 


Slidell's Antique District's Fall Street Fair - October 27-28




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

It's Rum Day -

For some any day or every day could be Rum Day but the powers that be(?) have designated August 16th officially that day!  Well to celebrate Rum - any day you want, there is a great Rum Distillery right in the heart of New Orleans.  Old New Orleans Rum has a very informative tour, followed by a tasting of each of their rums.  They'll even pick you up in the Quarter. 
Cheers to the day - what ever day it is!

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

Get ready for FOODIE week in New Orleans

Time is drawing near to a fairly new tradition in New Orleans... 'We Live to Eat' Restaurant week is the week of September 10 - 16.  Many of the areas most loved restaurants are participating with 2 course lunches at $20 and 3 course dinners at $35.  Restaurants such as the famous 5 star Commanders Palace, and Galatoires; to the well known Court of Two Sisters and Pat O'Briens in the French Quarter.  You can't miss this opportunity to let your taste buds savor the flavors of some of New Orleans best.

For a complete list of participating restaurants go to: http://www.welivetoeatnola.com/restaurant-week/  - the list along with websites are listed at the bottom.  Each restaurant will feature a special menu for the week.

Bon Appetit

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

Set the DVR to the History Channel

The Abita Mystery House in neighboring Abita Springs will be featured on the History Channel's  premier of "Picked Off" on Wednesday, July 11th at 9pm Central Time.
I have blogged about this place before http://woodridgebb.blogspot.com/2011/04/quirky-side-of-life.html and feel you will get a kick out of what you will see....

http://abitamysteryhouse.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!

Earth Day in Pictures

During our morning walk

Some of the critters we see during our morning walks

Street band during Annual Spring Slidell Street Fair

New Orleans hosted a couple of Tall Ships

A view of one of the cabins - Tall Ships

The Tall Ships - celebrating the War of 1812

Tall Ships Mighty Mast

You never know who will be in New Orleans

 

 Come spend some quality time, enjoy the scenery.  Woodridge Bed and Breakfast is close to everything you want to see and do in southeast Louisiana.  http://www.woodridgebb.com

Debbi the Innkeeper

 It's that time of year, time for Peter Cotton tail, and Easter Baskets filled with Chocolate bunnies and Easter Eggs -  like these? Maybe?

 

Easter Eggs, all year round at Woodridge!

 Well our eggs come these colors year round... no dyes here!  There is nothing better than fresh eggs! Now that is something to cluck about.

Meet the ladies that provide our fresh colorful eggs every day.....

 And a few of our chicks, laying hens in the future.

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

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

Good Eats - Liuzza's A New Orleans tradition

A New Orleans Tradition

Liuzza's own - Muffaletta Po'boy - yumm

Mouthwatering Roast Beef Po'Boy

When most people think of New Orleans food they think of Creole and Cajun delights and all that wonderful seafood.  Little known is the influence Italian culinary had on each of these.

And then there is the influence they had on the local Italian cuisine.  Liuzza's which is located in the area known as Mid City in New Orleans has been serving some of the finest in both cultures since 1947.

Seafood Gumbo -  ya-ya  (you gotta try)

They took their own spin on a New Orleans traditional Muffaletta and turned it into a po'boy.  So what is a Muffaletta?  Well just go to the local deli and get a pound of each of the Italian meats - salami, pastrami, etc.  as well as some provolone cheese, for starters.  The tricky part comes in the dressing or relish which is made of Italian herbs and spices, olives and olive oil which have been mixed together and 'aged' to blend the flavors.
Liuzza's does this blend well!  And the sandwich (pictured at top) shows just how thick the sandwich is, so come hungry.
One of the group savored on the mouthwatering Roast Beast and another in a Gumbo chock full with seafood...




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!
 

Spring has sprung -

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

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.