The above photograph was taken just outside the French Quarter in New Orleans on December 26th at Wagner's Meat — proof by all the giggles that Beavis and Butthead are still alive and well in our hearts and minds. Please click image for larger pop-up.

As my husband said so eloquently this morning...back to life, back to reality... We rolled into Tampa Bay yesterday evening after 2 ½ days on the road. Nothing quite says "welcome home" like finding yourselves right smack in the middle of post-accident rubberneck traffic 90 minutes away from your exit, and driving over 50 of your final miles on the Interstate at a speed of less than 10-15 mph.

However we made it home safely and that's all that counts, I guess.

We didn't have nearly enough time in New Orleans, but at least we covered the important bases. We dropped by the Le Richelieu Hotel to let our son see where it all began for mommy and daddy. And also Central Grocery, so we could grab a muffuletta for the road plus a big, honkin' jar of olive salad and bread to make our own back home. (We've already dug in twice.) I was very sad to learn Progress Grocery had closed its doors though, save the online store. Just in case I've given you a craving for a muffuletta now as well, gumbopages.com has a recipe for the olive salad and sandwich fixin's.

Don't say I never gave ya' nuthin'. Laissez les bon temps rouléz!

P.S. Thanks so much to everyone for the holiday greetings and well-wishes! I hope to send a personal reply very soon!