NOLA and Fishing and Springtime

Have y'all been to New Orleans lately? If not, here's my visitor's perspective: The food is amazing! We started eating at Cafe du Monde and didn't stop for four days. (Yes, we were popping TUM's like they were candy. So worth it!)

At Cafe Du Monde

Annie talking about her new book

We just got back from an annual meeting there, where we were hanging out with the Chalk PaintR decorative painting crowd, starring Annie Sloan herself. We stayed in the Loew's hotel, which was really nice. Too bad, I didn't take any pictures. I like nice hotels. 

I don't know if she actually said it or not, but I was thinking about it and I have decided that Annie Sloan must subscribe to the philosophy that says "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." 

I'd say over the week, she was teaching us to fish. (more on fishing later)

Annie is so very generous in sharing her talent and knowledge, and she's easy to listen to because she is funny and has a lovely English accent. If you've taken a class from us or talked to us for very long, you know that, in fact, we think she is quite wonderful. (She says 'quite' a lot while speaking.) She- and her team- shared not just about paint, but also about style, social media, photography, art influences, and business management. It was inspiring and challenging and at times, validating. And it sort of lit a fire under us, as evidenced by this blog after an 8 month silence.

The message she gave us (and would have us pass on to you) is: 

'Get on with it.' 

In other words, go for it. Just do it. Do not be afraid. 

Apply this to whatever it is you haven't had the courage to do yet. Go fishing for yourself.

You have our permission and blessing. 

According to Gary and Byron, this was some sort of fishing trifecta.
Yes, I think they had fun.

This year, we took our handsome and handy husbands with us to New Orleans. They had some fun of their own fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. I'm pretty sure that's the main reason they tagged along- not to learn more about our 'magic paint' as it is referred to by at least one of them.

But, they did not complain at all about the food or coffee we made them consume. So, maybe they can go again next year. Maybe. 

Byron and Cari 

Shannon and Gary

We ended our week with dinner at Palace Cafe. And guess what I ate? Fish. Pecan crusted catfish. Again, yum. 

Seriously, wouldn't you order that?

And finally, here's a look at our springtime storefront. 

Have you seen our awnings? And we have new oilcloth banners. 

We'll have the doors open, (unless it is snowing or sleeting or hailing or raining buckets or the wind is blowing 100mph- all of which are possible in Spring in Arkansas) so stop by soon. 

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