Because YOU matter!

What matters most in your life?  You, your spouse and your family.

All the more reason to take time to:

• de-stress
• relax
• rejuvenate
• bond

In 2016 make it the year to focus on what matters most.  Don't just dream of taking that trip, plan it, book it - make it happen.

You don't have to travel far to set this goal, some of Woodridge Bed and Breakfast repeat guests travel less than an hour to get away from their daily life.  Just getting away from your daily routine may be all you need to refocus. In fact we have had guests as close as a few blocks away.  Yes, blocks!

 "If your cup is empty, how can you give to others" - unknown


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!

Reel in the big one! - 100+ things to do

They don't call it Sportsman's Paradise for nothin'!   In just a 20 mile radius from Woodridge B&B there are over 10 public boat ramps, ramps to fresh water rivers as well as brackish water lakes which leads you to the wide open Gulf of Mexico.
Not planning to bring a boat?  Reel them in from the local fishing peer which will be attracting even more fish once the new reef is complete (see here: Story about new reef)  or the banks of the rivers nearby.
Another option is to hire a Charter with expert Captains to lead you to some of the best fishing around, like Captain Dudley Vandenborre who is known for this Deadly Dudley fishing lures. Fishing Tournaments by the dozens are held in this area as well.  Many start at Rigolets Marina in the south east point of Slidell and considered one of the best areas to head out on your water adventure.



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!

Slidell Mardi Gras Museum - Part of the 100+ things to do

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!

A new spotlight just opened in Slidell, Louisiana.  Yes, Slidell does host Mardi Gras parades and they are family friendly too, but since we are not known for our events, most of those lining our streets for the parades are locals.  This provides visitors a real unique view of what Mardi Gras really means.

But now visitors and locals alike can capture the spirit and take in the beautiful details of what our Krewes (aka clubs) spend much of the year doing.  Slidell has just opened their own Mardi Gras Museum which is filled with costumes, throws, pictures and other memorabilia.  

Jeannine Adam, Our dear friend, posing with her Queen's gown and mantle.

The museum is open FREE to the public Wednesdays -Saturdays.  
For more information see:  http://www.nola.com/community/st-tammany/index.ssf/2013/02/slidell_mardi_gras_museum_make.html


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!

Looking ahead -

 What inspires you on a dreary winter's day?  Need help?  Look at the beauty of our gardens come March! 

Woodridge Gardens in the Spring - Relax and Unwind!

 Book now and you will have something to look forward to real soon! 

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!

Fall = Fun

 Time is ticking - more fun to be had every weekend -

October 25-28  Mandeville Octoberfest
October 26-28 Slidell Antique Street Fair
October 28 Bayou Jam Concert - Vince Vance and the Valiantettes

November 10-11 - Three Rivers Arts Festival
Nov. 3 - Dec. 9 (wknds) Louisiana Renaissance Festival


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!

Soda Shop serving more than a scoop!

Olde Town Soda Shop - The Slidell Independent article here

 Olde Town Slidell, LA has had its battles in returning back to its pre-Katrina state, but slowly it is not only coming back but coming back better than before with neat cafe's and art galleries mixed in with antique and craft stores.  And of course there is the night scene too.  But one light blue building with its large picture window remained empty, with memories of Katrina painted on the exterior showing the level of the serge from Lake Pontchartrain and the destruction of all the equipment that the building contained. 

Lots of great memories were made in that building, celebrations of birthdays from children to grands, little league and much more.  I would imagine that there is not a local in Slidell that doesn't have a fond memory of a time spent there.  But it is time to celebrate again with another rebirth.  The much loved Olde Town Soda Shop has once again come alive after being wiped out by Hurricane Katrina in Aug. of 2005.

As of the beginning of August the place is alive with customers enjoying the sweet delights of Frank Jackson. This time around, Jackson has teamed up with Morris Hawkins and ACER (Addictions Counseling and Educational Resources) and what a team this has created.  Not only will the town be sweetened with the delights of Jackson, but the shop will be used as a job training site for clients that have been through the ACER program, introducing them back into the work place and establishing work ethics.

What a WIN - WIN for this town, these men and the positive approach to assist individuals.  I could not wait to get a scoop and to share this scoop with all of you.

Come on down the weather is just right for a Soda Shop delight, make some memories!


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

 

Celebrating another GREAT year!

Happy Anniversary to Woodridge Bed and Breakfast!  

WOW we are starting our 14th year - 14!!   What started as a pipe dream many years ago, with lots and lots of work, the building once known as Woodridge Academy was transformed into our home and Bed and Breakfast.  Since that time we have welcomed so many wonderful faces, shared some great stories, been a part of many fond reunions and celebrating many unions. We have been blessed.
 
We've come a long way baby!  From class rooms to 5 spacious suites, from office space to kitchen space and a place to create gourmet breakfasts for your guests.  From a basket ball court to a pavilion for parties and a pool to refresh.  So many things have changed here at Woodridge Bed and Breakfast over the years, but one thing still is the same - our Southern Hospitality.   We look forward to the year ahead and seeing many of our return guests and welcoming new friends. 

THEN  -  1994

Woodridge B&B NOW - 2012

 Here you see the view of before we purchased. 
The yard was baron from the romping of 300 kids at recess, but now is lush and green and even a secret garden to wander through under the canopy of Live Oaks.  I hear them calling you to come relax. 

Thanks to the many who have brightened up our place with your wonderful smiles.  We hope to see you again in the near future. 

Debbi & Tim, Keepers of the Inn

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!

La Provence - Serves a flavorful mix of South Louisiana and Provence, France

Award winning Chef John Besh makes his mark at home.

It has been said there is no place like home and for Chef John Besh, there is no better place to be. With many awards and recognitions such as: Food & Wine named him one of its Top 10 Best New Chefs in America. New Orleans Magazine ranked him Best New Chef of 1998, and Gourmet honored Restaurant August as one of its Top Restaurants of America.

Growing up in Slidell, John began his restaurant career under the local Chef Chris Kerageorgiou who was the previous owner of La Provence located in the quiet Creole town of Lacombe minutes east of Slidell. Chef Chris saw in him the makings of a great Chef and inspired him to study abroad in France where John was intrigued to bring back the tradition of the French cuisine and blend it with the wonderful flavors of south Louisiana products to establish his trademark menus.

http://www.eattv.com/watch/more/la_provence_the_besh_restaurant_with_the_farm_out_back

The unique setting of La Provence provides its guests the feeling of being whisked away to the French countryside. The restaurant is surrounded by lovely gardens including a working farm, which many of the herbs, vegetables and other organic items are grown and served. Each chef under the direction of Executive Besh, works a few hours each week on the farm insuring the best of the best. Besh’s love of Louisiana is propionate by his selection of local grown meats and just caught seafood.

Settling down at your table, you will be further enchanted with the provincial antiques and art which fills the beautiful rooms from the richly oak-beamed ceilings to the rustic hardwood floors, a wonderful mixture of past and present, French and Louisiana. The elaborate menu selection alone will encourage a return visit with many dishes centered around Besh’s signature ingredient, jumbo blue crab. A starter of Chef Chirs’s Quail Gumbo or Blue Crab Bisque is sure to entice the palate for what lies ahead. The Lacquered Duckling with local Mayhaw, is a favorite as well as the Rabbit “Grand-mere” with potato Gnocchi which you will want to savor each bit, both which go well with one of the many selections of fine wine. And the evening would be incomplete without trying the succulent Crème Brulee with red wine stewed berries. It is not uncommon for the Chef to make his way to the dining room to chat with his patrons, which makes La Provence the experience it is.
Besh has several other restaurants in the New Orleans area including -Restaurant August, Besh Steak, and Lüke. Bon Appetite.

Thanks for joining me while I shoot the Breeze – Debbi
Woodridge Bed and Breakfast Inn Louisiana http://www.woodridgebb.com
 
 

Woodridge B&B is just minutes away from your evening out, making it the best choice for making it a Louisiana experience. From Woodridge, take I-12 to the Lacombe Hwy 434 exit, turn left and travel to Hwy 190 and turn right, La Provence is located about 2 ½ miles down on your left.