Inaugural Children’s Hospital Holiday Parade

I’ve loved dancing with the Pussyfooters in the annual Krewe of Jingle holiday parade for years. Sadly, the parade didn’t survive the pandemic, so organizers from various local organizations came together to create the first ever Children’s Hospital Holiday Parade. The float builders at Kern Studios created Louisiana and New Orleans-centritc floats like alligators and Mr. Bingle. TV cameras were set up throughout the city to report the action. Floating balloons (like in the Macy’s parade) were added to the many dance krewes and school bands crowds have come to expect.

Christmas Tree 2021

If you’re a longtime reader of this blog or you actually know me, you probably already know I make most of my Christmas ornaments. I mostly use polymer clay, beads, and crystals from an old chandelier. Some favorites include Mr. Bingle, representations of my Pussyfooter uniforms from the 2015-2018 Krewe of Jingle parades, and little replicas of our wedding day in 2014. 

New Orleans decks many of its halls for the holidays but a favorite hallway is the lobby of the the spectacular Roosevelt Hotel.

Krewe of Jingle Parade 2018

The Canal Street Home for the Holidays Krewe of Jingle Parade is a perfect way to kick off the holiday season. The 80 degree weather brought out a big crowd for the dance troupes, marching bands, majorettes, stilt-walkers, floats, Santa and local favorite – Mr. Bingle.

Christmas in New Orleans 2016

This is my 8th Christmas in New Orleans. But not really since I’ve been coming here to visit family my whole life. More accurately, this is my 8th Christmas tree in New Orleans. If you know me or this blog, you already know I make most of my ornaments using polymer clay, beads and crystals from an old chandelier. I’ve been far too busy to even blog much less make ornaments, but I did manage to add a few to the collection. New additions include my Pussyfooter uniform from the 2015 Krewe of Jingle parade and our wedding day in 2014.

New Orleans is always beautiful but Christmas can add another layer. It’s one of my favorite times of year to walk around. Homes in the historic Garden District use a lot of boughs and bows. The French Quarter tends to use a lot more lights and whimsy.

Krewe of Jingle Parade 2016

The Canal Street Home for the Holidays Krewe of Jingle Parade features dance troupes, stilt-walkers, marching bands, majorettes, floats, Santa and local favorite – Mr. Bingle. Organized by the Downtown Development District, the parade rolled for the 9th year, attracting locals and tourists – many in festive costumes of their own. Krewe of Jingle is one of my favorite parades to dance in with my “pink sisters,” the Pussyfooters.

Krewe of Jingle Parade 2015 (finally)

After 2 catastrophic computer crashes and losing this blog post work (twice) as well as many photos, here is finally my post on the Krewe of Jingle Parade 2015. Organized by the Downtown Development District, the Canal Street Home for the Holidays Krewe of Jingle Parade features marching bands, majorettes, dance troupes, stilt-walkers, festive floats, Santa and local favorite – Mr. Bingle. (For the history of Mr. Bingle, click HERE). As one of the 125-or-so Pussyfooters dancers, I get to see the spectacle from the inside-out including festively dressed children and kids-at-heart waving as we pass. 

Krewe of Boo 2015

This was my third year dancing with the Pussyfooters in the Krewe of Boo parade. “Chief Spookster” Brian Kern has taken the family legacy to a “greener” level with locally-made throws like Voodoo Doll pins and magnets and Candy Corn necklaces by New Orleans artists, grab bags of plush toys, frisbees and more recycled by Arc of Greater New Orleans and locally-made food items like Pralinettes from Aunt Sally’s, Chee Wees from Elmer’s Fine Foods and PJ’s Coffee packs.

Living in New Orleans – the first 5 years

My family is from Louisiana for generations on both sides but my path home was winding. After living in Maryland, Washington D.C., Japan, Alabama, New York and Los Angeles, I finally moved to New Orleans in late 2009. And I’ve never been happier. When I got here, the Saints were on their way to winning the Superbowl and the city was vibrating with optimism. Most of the people who would come home after the Storm were back. Katrina money was being spent on street repairs and schools were getting instruments from places like Tipitina’s Foundation. Buildings, homes, t-shirts and more exclaimed, “Believe” and “Renew, Rebuild, Rebirth.” It was intoxicating.

Krewe of Jingle Parade 2012

The good news is that I am very, very busy preparing for the release of Django Unchained and the debut of my part as Leonardo DiCaprio’s sister, Lara Lee Candie-Fitzwilly as well as another project I’ll be announcing soon. The bad news is that I haven’t had much time to blog (or do laundry, etc.). We stumbled across my beloved Roots of Music marching band and founder, Derrick Tabb (of Grammy-winning Rebirth Brass Band) as they prepared for their upcoming trip to the Tournament of Roses Parade in California while on our way to catch The Krewe of Jingle Parade.