I’ve been staring at this map of New Orleans for most of the morning. I’m trying to memorize the way the Mississippi River shapes and bends the city. I’m trying to remember the order of the streets in the French Quarter, and the name of that really cool second-hand shop in the Bywater. I’m trying to sort out if the parades run down Claiborne Street or St. Charles Avenue or neither or both. Which side of Magazine Street has the best shops? How many steps from Royal Street in the French Quarter must I walk before I get to Cafe Du Monde?
This piece of paper has most of the answers, holds the music, the characters, and details the bustling life in New Orleans.
I should tell you now… I’M MOVING TO NEW ORLEANS!
The beignets are calling. The music is summoning. The life to be lived is just there!
I’m packing up my beach bike, mixing bowls, all the ripe avocados I can get my hands on, and moving to New Orleans. Come early March, I’ll call the French Quarter my home.
We’ve talked about New Orleans before: Hello, New Orleans! and Hello again, New Orleans!
We’re going to be talking about New Orleans a lot more! As I explore the city, I’ll share the great places I find here. I hope you’ll be along for the ride.
Thank you in advance for your patience this month as I pack up my butter, props, camera, and cat and drive across a few states on this new adventure. I expect those of you who already live in New Orleans to be my friends. How utterly presumptuous of me, but… just let it happen. If you’re visiting new Orleans sometime this year, I’ll write about some wonderful people, places, and food I discover along the way. I like that we’re in this together. Thank you!
Lastly, I’ve told my cat about the move, and he’s slightly worried about frizzy hair: his and mine. I comforted him with the thought of homemade beignets and a parade or two.
Let’s live!
alison bravenec
Joy! I am so excited for your new adventure!! Hope you’re loving New Orleans! If I ever get to visit there, I’m looking you up. And I can’t believe I am just watching all your cute little films now…The cherry pie one has me wanting to bake a cherry pie now ;) Love ya girl xoxo
Claire
Welcome to New Orleans!!!! It truly is the greatest place to live on earth. I was born and raised here and while there are plenty of other cities that I like to visit…New Orleans will ALWAYS be home. I’ve been following your blog for awhile (but clearly I’ve been absent for a few weeks…there was Mardi Gras and all that ya know ;)???) and am so excited to have you in New Orleans and to see my home through your eyes. I am sure that you have had plenty of offers from people to show you around, but there is nothing I love more than introducing new people to everything this amazing, crazy, wonderful place has to offer. At the very least (esp since you will be living in The Quarter), go by Molly’s at The Market and have Christy set you up with a Frozen Irish Coffee! We can’t wait to have you here!!!! You’re gonna love it!
Stephanie
Welcome to my hometown! Life’s great here.
bakesinslippers
that’s exciting and I am not sure how I missed this! My dad’s family is from there and i have always wanted to go. happy new adventures!
Jennifer
Good Luck on your travels!
A. Locklear
Welcome home, puddin’.
Now we simply must meet.
Been following your blog and listening to the podcast-io since episode: 1.
I work in the food biz sourcing local product for James Beard award winning restaurants + chefs and would love to show you around the farms we work with. Just sayin’.
joythebaker
Consider us friends!! Yes!
Kjoy
Joy- I really don’t know how I feel about this. I wish you well and everything… but one California girl to another— I really liked having you around. I’m sure New Orleans will be great and all, I guess. (New Orleens? New Orleeahns? N’orlens? How does one properly say the name of that city anyway?!) Best wishes with the move….
Elise
Enjoy nola!! I miss living in that colorful city everyday
Kasey
Woohooo! One of my best friends lived in nola for about 3 years and she still talks about it being the best time of her life. I can’t wait to live vicariously. I can relate to your cat. Lots of product?
Maha
That’s amaze-balls!!! I just moved 2 hours from NOLA and I love to visit when I can. Still need to discover all the yummy places there. So please write about Everything! Aaaand, have a meet up, I’ll totally come. Much love and good luck!!
Emily @ Life on Food
How exciting!! Good luck on all of your adventures.
Peggy
Welcome cher! The food, people and music here are great. Spring is so nice here too.
It will be fun to read about your adventures.
Evie S. Johnson
New Orleans is pretty magical. It’s a brave move to pick up everything and head to a new place to call home. Wishing you all the best!