Yes, citizens. 2015 is the fourth year for my Presidents Day Twitter extravaganza. I hope you’ll consider electing me for a second term. If you haven’t been paying attention for the last three, you can grab up the memories from 2012 and 2013– collect them all! Below are the highlights from last year, you little President junkie, you.

It’s everyone’s favorite US holiday- Presidents Day! For the 3rd year in a row, I’ll celebrate with all of them, all day long. Let’s go!

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

First, note that Presidents Day isn’t even the name of the holiday. It’s officially “Washington’s Birthday”. http://t.co/Ke6VdHeIQH — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

For fun, Calvin Coolidge pressed all the buttons on his desk and hid when his staff ran in. I get bored at work, too. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Teddy Roosevelt had 5 guinea pigs- Dr Johnson, Bishop Doane, Fighting Bob Evans, Admiral Dewey, Father O’Grady. My beta? Data #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Madison was the smallest President at 5’4″- he never weighed over 100 lbs. I am shorter than him, but… well, I’m shorter #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Jackson fought nearly 100 duels for his wife’s honor. They also may have married before she divorced her 1st husband. Oops. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Opponents claimed WH Harrison would rather “sit in his log cabin, drinking hard cider” than run the country. Me too, man. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Grover Cleveland was the only president to formerly serve as a hangman. I used to play hangman in U.S. history class. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Tyler wanted to become a concert violinist, but became President instead. I wanted to be a ballerina, but ended up in HR. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Millard Fillmore’s wife was his high school teacher when they met. I used to jam out to Van Halen. http://t.co/ZL5AhYI2J1 #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Lincoln is in the US Wrestling Hall of Fame- he only lost 1 of 300+ matches. I talk a big game, but fold quick in the ring. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Benjamin Harrison was afraid of electricity and wouldn’t touch light switches in the White House. I can’t connect TV cords. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Rutherford Hayes banned alcohol from the White House and held nightly gospel sing-alongs. I have also been to dull parties. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Grant got a $20 ticket for going too fast down a DC street on a horse. I prefer to ride very slow horses and save money. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Warren Harding lost the White House china in one hand of poker. I am also bad at cards. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

JFK’s father, recommending him to Harvard, said he was “careless and lacks application.” This is why my Dad didn’t write mine #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Bill Clinton won two Grammys for Best Spoken Word album (and Hillary won another). I read my spoken word alone in my room. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Barack Obama collects Spiderman and Conan the Barbarian comics. I’m more of a Wonder Woman gal myself. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

LBJ accused Nixon of sabotaging a treaty to get elected. I sabotaged a girl’s hair in high school- the bangs WERE better #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Zachary Taylor’s daughter, Sarah, married one of his soldiers, a young Southern officer named Jefferson Davis. Yes, that one. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

George Washington’s inaugural speech lasted 2 minutes and was 133 words long. I have written longer blog posts about jeans. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Andrew Johnson was drunk on whiskey during his inauguration speech. I’ll give speeches to anyone after too much whiskey. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Eisenhower had an affair with his lady driver- she wrote a book claiming he was impotent. None of my exes are literary. Whew. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Jimmy Carter was the first President to go on record saying he’d seen a UFO. I have not, but I saw a ghost once. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

The first Presidential words on a phone were “Please speak a little more slowly,” from President Garfield. I quote him often. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Jefferson and Adams stole wood chips from Shakespeare’s chair as souvenirs on a vacation. I secretly touched a Kahlo painting #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Taft’s 2nd White House cow, Pauline Wayne, was invited to appear in a traveling theatre production. I auditioned, but no luck #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Polk was the first President to sit for a photograph in the White House. I am also not that photogenic http://t.co/7tAchsHKqO #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

McKinley wore lucky red carnations daily- he gave his to a small girl one day & seconds later, was shot. I’m no carnation fan #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

LBJ’s whole family, including his dog, Little Beagle Johnson, shared a monogram. I have the same initials as my grandma. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Monroe bought Florida from Spain for the cancellation of $5 million in debt. It took 6 months to pay off my last trip FL trip #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Pierce installed central heating in the White House. If winter doesn’t end soon, I will move in to save on gas bills. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

When commissioned at age 19, George HW Bush became the Navy’s youngest pilot ever. At 19, I bought a keg with a fake id. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Ford left his own wedding rehearsal dinner to give a campaign speech. I answered work email during a reception once. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Buchanan: “I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them.” Gay bars are no easier. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

John Quincy Adams received an alligator from the Marquis de Lafayette & kept it in the bathroom. I prefer gifts without teeth #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Martin Van Buren lost his 2nd election and was nicknamed “Martin Van Ruin,” due to the poor economy. This is my new drag name #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Before Chester Arthur died, he ordered that his papers & letters be burned. I have a friend lined up to smash my laptop #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

George W. Bush was a member of the secretive Skull & Bones society. I’m starting a secret society… crap, I just blew that. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

FDR is on a Monaco stamp with his own collection (& 6 fingers on his left hand). I philateled as a kid http://t.co/b3cX7oN8DI #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

As a child, Truman read every book in the Independence Public Library. I read 60 library books one summer for a free pizza. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Reagan appeared in more than 50 films. If my dad asked “Do you know who that actor is?” the answer was always “Ronald Reagan” #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou, would converse in Chinese to foil eavesdroppers. I prefer text messages. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

During Wilson’s presidency, Prohibition and women’s suffrage were ratified. After women could vote, we needed a stiff drink. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 17, 2014

It started in 2012 with a paid day off work and nothing else to do. For the third year, I’m back in the saddle with everyone’s favorite fellas- America’s presidents and the more interesting aspects of their lives and presidencies.

(ADDED) I also spoke with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about my favorite holiday this year. You can see their post here.

If you can’t get enough today on Twitter, here’s a recap of 2013’s fun facts and tawdry tidbits about the Commanders in Chief:

Reagan won “Most Nearly Perfect Male Figure” from Univ. of CA in 1940. I won Best Supporting Actress in a Public Access Show. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Hoover gave White House servants strict orders to hide whenever he passed by. I’ve never seen a servant in my house either. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Madison & Jefferson were arrested together for carriage riding in VT on a Sunday. I was arrested for going 65 in a 35 in GA. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

In Japanese, Bushusuru means “to do the Bush thing,” or publicly vomit. I once Bushusuru’d after a sketchy Japanese buffet. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

A farming accident left one of Jimmy Carter’s fingers permanently bent. I have a similar injury from a drinking game accident #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Teddy Roosevelt named the President’ s quarters “The White House” in 1901. I like to correct the names of Foursquare venues. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

FDR was the first President to ride in an airplane in office. I took my first airplane in 5th grade to DC to tour his office. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

JFK married America’s first known bi-racial First Lady. http://t.co/g8bW4Xhk #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

No president has been an only child. I have 2 sisters, but they’re Republicans, so they wouldn’t vote for me for President. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Buchanan, a bachelor, & friend Senator Wm. King were nicknamed “Miss Nancy & Aunt Fancy”. I know a gay bar owner named Nancy #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Calvin Coolidge liked to have his head rubbed with petroleum jelly while eating breakfast in bed. I …um… like breakfast! #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Andrew Johnson was a tailor before he became President. I was once the costume lady for a Shakespeare festival. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Cleveland, 49, married Frances Folsom, 21, in the White House. Before the marriage, he was her legal guardian. #awkward #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Washington: “I wouldn’t miss the hemp harvest at Mount Vernon for all the tea in China.” I’ve eaten Chinese with potheads. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Wilson would paint golf balls black during winter so he could play in the snow. I once used a black ball at mini golf #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

McKinley, Cleveland, & Madison are on the $500, $1000, $5000 bills, which are no longer printed. THAT’S why I don’t have any. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Garfield’s party trick was writing in Latin with one hand and Ancient Greek with the other. I do the cherry stem knot. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

President Clinton proved he was Brony-in-Chief by winning a My Little Pony trivia contest. http://t.co/BephvzFG Brony-in-Chief….

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Chester Arthur was known as the “Dude President” for his sense of style. I said “dude” a lot in the 80’s, Bill & Ted style. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Jackson’s pet parrot was ejected from his funeral because she wouldn’t stop swearing. I want a swearing parrot at mine. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

LBJ wore a watch with an alarm and liked to set it off when he got bored listening to speeches. Now we have iPhones. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Nixon funded his first congressional campaign with $6,000 in poker winnings. I used my Vegas winnings to fund Vegas losings. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

John Quincy Adams cared little for fashion & wore the same hat for 10 years. I like fashion, but my head’s too big for hats. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

President Taft lost 150 pounds after leaving office. I lost 40 pounds after leaving my ex. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Lincoln co-owned a bar, but said that liquor made him “flabby and undone.” I get flabby and undone about twice a week. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Obama was teased as a kid because his initials were B.O. Because of my big hair, I earned a presidential nickname: Bush #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Moving in to the White House, John Adams got lost in the woods for hours. I was once stuck in White House traffic for hours. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

President Monroe campaigned with no slogan. I once campaigned for class secretary with the slogan “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Van Buren issued only one veto in office, because the bill did not have proper signatures. I get uptight at work, too. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

McKinley’s wife had epilepsy. When she had seizures at events, he’d drape a hanky over her face & carry on. I’ve dated jerks. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

President William Henry Harrison was a lieutenant to General “Mad Anthony” Wayne. I sometimes listen to L’il Wayne. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

John Tyler became president due to Pres. Harrison’s death. Like him, the only way I’ll ever get promoted is if someone dies. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Historians rank Polk as one of the greatest presidents for his ability to set an agenda and achieve it. I own a day planner. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

To join the military, Pres. Truman secretly memorized the eye chart to hide his poor vision. I hide mine with contacts. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

George W. Bush nicknamed Senior Advisor Karl Rove “Turd Blossom”. I also think Karl Rove is a turd blossom. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser)
February 18, 2013

Eisenhower- modern art “looks like a broken-down Tin Lizzie loaded with paint has been driven over it” Now, that costs extra. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Yale Law rejected Gerald Ford because he was too busy as Yale’s assistant football coach. I rejected Yale Law because… J/K. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

There are no known recordings of President Grover Cleveland ever doing that NEAR…. FAR bit from Sesame Street. #presidentsday — Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Harding married his biz rival’s daughter- the bride’s mother was forbidden to attend (but snuck in anyway). You go girl #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Zachary Taylor ate lots of milk and cherries on the 4th of July and died days later. I stick to canned beer on the 4th. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Pres. Fillmore rejected an honorary Oxford diploma because “no man should accept a degree he cannot read” I can’t read Latin! #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 18, 2013

Rutherford Hayes gave a speech as valedictorian of his high school. I heard a speech given by a valedictorian in high school. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 19, 2013

Franklin Pierce met Nathaniel Hawthorne and Longfellow in college. I also met more successful writers than me in college. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 19, 2013

Pres. Grant was neither disciplined, baptized, nor forced to attend church by his parents. Me neither- but I’m no President. #presidentsday

— Eleanor’s Trousers (@eleanorstrouser) February 19, 2013

I think good news for fellow writers is even better than good news for myself. I can talk myself out of believing my own hype, but when it comes to the incredible writers that I know, I can dive in wholeheartedly and wallow around in their well-deserved accolades.

So, it made my day to find out that Evelyn Pryce is a semi-finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award contest for best romance entry! Who doesn’t love a juicy Regency story with a smart heroine and an enamored duke?

Amazon announces the finalists next month and I encourage you to download the FREE sample and throw all of your five-star reviews her way. You’ll hear more from this rising star- I bet my hat. If you’re an agent, a book blogger, a publisher of romance, don’t miss your chance to get in on the ground floor with this talented, hardworking writer.

Get your free sample HERE.

As far as I can guess, this was my tenth trip to New Orleans. My office is headquartered there and given time and money, it’s my favorite city to visit.  For once, I had some vacation time saved and headed down last weekend with The Lady, BC, and his gent for five glorious days of debauchery. The weather could have cooperated a tiny bit more, but we still enjoyed highs in the 60’s for most of our visit and very few scattered thunderstorms.

Since I’ve made my rounds in the French Quarter (and outside, guided by locals), here are my recommendations if you get a chance to head down to Louisiana for a getaway of your own.

Food:

New Orleans is as much about food as it is about drinking all night and flashing your boobs at strangers. Everyone goes down expecting to find “where the locals eat” and fill up on gumbo and jambalaya. A little secret- the locals aren’t doing much eating in the French Quarter. Also, you’re not going to “discover” a restaurant there- it is the tourist district and everything is located there specifically so that tourists can find it. Get out of your need to be original and enjoy it anyway. Almost every restaurant in the Quarter serves a version of red beans and rice, jambalaya, gumbo, oysters, po boys, and the like. And having eaten in almost all of them, they are all just fine. Don’t worry that you’re missing a mouth miracle if that’s what you want to eat- just pick one and sit down.

That being said, I usually make time to stop at Le Bayou on Bourbon that first night when I arrive and am too tired to make decisions. They can usually seat you quickly, bring you a giant Abita beer, and serve my favorite po boy in town- fried shrimp and fried green tomatoes with remoulade. If you want something slightly more upscale, Desire: An Oyster Bar, also on Bourbon and connected to the Royal Sonesta Hotel, is the way to go. Their Oysters Desire, with cheese and butter are delicious, even if you don’t like oysters. The shrimp & grits is a favorite, the servings are sizable, and they bring you as much fresh-baked bread as your table can consume (we had four loaves). They also know how to make a great cocktail- I love their Sazeracs. The servers treat you like royalty, which is rare in a restaurant that doesn’t mind if you wear jeans.

If you want to just put a sandwich in your face, Felix’s is a good choice, just off the main drag on Iberville Street. The line for the oyster bar here gets long, but at the tables, you can get a great crawfish po boy and a fried alligator appetizer. It looks like a greasy spoon, but the food (especially the fried stuff) is good eats. If you like your sandwiches with flair, you cannot go wrong at the Royal Street Deli. I had this monster. Twice.

That’s ham, Brie, apples, mustard (and the second time, golden raisins) on a fluffy roll of bread. It is a sandwich that takes two hands to eat. It also comes with a side of sweet potato salad, which I liked- and I hate potato salad. The servers are friendly and we never waited for a seat.

So, now that your tourist food needs in the French Quarter have been met, where should you go if you want to do some exploring?

If you can take just a few steps outside the French Quarter into the Marigny neighborhood, you can eat a platter that will make your face explode at The Praline Connection.  Their “Taste of Soul” platter includes gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya, greens, fried chicken, fried catfish, ribs and bread pudding. BC and his Gent shared one and had enough to share the wealth with us. The barbecue sauce on the ribs is the best that I’ve ever tasted and the bread pudding smelled like my first cocktail of the day, in a good way. Gent also ordered their etouffee and oh.my.word. It was the best etouffee I’ve had at any restaurant in New Orleans. Ever. Next time I go back, I’ll order a giant bowl to hoard all to myself. They also have pralines in many flavors to taste (and of course, buy).

If you need a hamburger, the only way to go is to swing by Port of Call on Esplanade. It’s a dark, crowded little spot that smells like hamburger grease, but that’s because hamburgers and steaks are their only menu. That and giant loaded baked potatoes that will rock your world- they do not skimp on the toppings. I was five bites into my potato before I found an actual bite of potato under the cheese and bacon and sour cream and bacon and chives and butter. The burgers are incredible, but if you don’t like it pink, order it medium well or well. My “medium” was way over on the rare side- I didn’t mind, but if a little blood scares you, better safe than sorry. Your other mission while you are here is to order the Monsoon, their insane rum and fruit punch house drink. I am a lady who can hold my liquor, but every time I have one of these, I end up boozed up before I leave their door, with just one. I weave down sidewalks. I end up having to throw away part of it. It’s a strong one. Then again, being hammered might not be your idea of a good time. More for me.

Everyone talks about Antoine’s and Galatoire’s but if I had my choice, my last meal would be at Irene’s Cuisine. This is your “dress up” meal- get out of your tourist jeans and be ready to wait. They almost never take reservations. Brad Pitt would have to wait at this tiny place. Irene herself will greet you at the door many nights- and ask you to wait. But, it will be worth it. For $60- $80, you will eat food that you never thought possible. I had a steak that melted in my mouth and a potato side of thinly sliced, perfectly cooked au gratin that nearly brought me to tears. The story is that Irene and her husband Tommy co-owned the joint until an ugly divorce. She got to keep the restaurant, so out of spite, he opened Tommy’s Cuisine just across town. Tommy’s is bigger, the food is fine, and they take reservations. But it’s nowhere as good as Irene’s. Stick to the original.

Another first come, first served restaurant that is worth every minute waiting is the Green Goddess. This place will ruin other food for you forever. You will dream about soup that you ate there one night.

If you are a travel or food columnist and want to write about the cheese and wine lists here, you will have a winner on your hands. If you are me and show up in blue jeans, a T-shirt, and your beat-up old Converse to sit at a lovely table in the alley courtyard, you will still be greeted by the friendly chef who checks in often to be sure you are still swooning as each course arrives. The Pear 75, with champagne and pear brandy was perfection. Don’t kid yourself and just order an entrée. Go here and order the tasting menu (which changes based on the season). Every single bite that you put in your mouth will be divine. If it happens to be a warm breezy evening and you are full of this food, found tucked away in an alley that you almost didn’t find, you will rate this night one of the best of your life.

Other gems to check out, if you haven’t ruptured something yet: Liborio’s Cuban Restaurant makes a phenomenal flank steak; Zea’s (a local chain) will fill you up with rotisserie and southern style veggies and is a great excuse to hop on the St. Charles streetcar for $1.25.  If you need some gelato like nobody’s business, hop on over to La Divina Gelateria– I had Creole cream cheese flavor and lapped it up after a big lunch- it was too good to waste. You have to go to Cafe’ du Monde, because it’s some kind of tourist law, but if you care more about coffee than beignets, I choose Community Coffee. I used to order 5 lbs. of their coffee and chicory shipped to my house every month or so when my budget allowed- it’s the only coffee I’d have mailed to me. If you live in the South, you are lucky and can buy their chicory coffee right on your grocery store shelves. I pick it up when I head back to visit the family.

So, what have I missed? Any New Orleans favorite dining spots that you can’t wait to get back to?

Below, your guide to US Presidents:

Thanks to my mom for being a US history teacher and dragging me to every presidential historical site in America. Extra thanks to James Foreman for creating my lovely campaign poster, to Mark Stratton for suggesting that I compile them all into a blog post, and to Anthony Closkey who suggested future fun afoot….

@eleanorstrouser The Eleanor’s Trousers Patriotic Biographic Holiday Flash Card Home Game

(@anthonycloskey) February 21, 2012

(Note: This is not me. I was too busy panicking to think about taking photos at this point)

Yep. My hair was purple-red. All of it. I googled away and got lots of advice about how to lighten it without frying it entirely. I shampooed four or five times. I washed it in dish soap. I washed it in laundry detergent. Still burgundy. And now crispy. Had I not been exhausted, there would have been tears. Instead, I coated it with coconut oil, wrapped it in a towel, and decided to try again in the morning when I could see straight and give my hair a chance to soak up some moisture before it all fell out.

I woke up on Tuesday, looked in the mirror, and decided not to leave the house. Yep. I’m a grown woman and I stayed home because of a bad hair day. I took a couple of conference calls and as soon as I could get away, headed back to the drugstore to seek out a solution. I knew my curly hair couldn’t take another round of dyeing and wasn’t confident in my color-mixing skills. But tucked on the bottom shelf, I found a box labeled Color Oops. What I was walking around with was more of a “Color Holy Sh*t” than an “oops,” but I was willing to try anything.

The Color Oops people are not giving me a dime for this. But I am telling you, this product is hair salvation. Seriously. I want to give people boxes of this stuff for Christmas. I want to write them a love letter. I want to wear a sandwich board for their company and walk around outside hair salons. I want them to marry me and to become Mrs. Color Oops. My hair is really long so I bought two boxes, followed the directions exactly and spent almost 45 minutes under the tap (thank heavens I don’t pay my own water bill). But after letting it soak in, three rounds of shampooing and rinsing, and a good conditioning, my burgundy hair went back to its usual coppery self. See:

I don’t pretend to understand the chemical process behind all of this, but this stuff is ammonia-free and bleach-free and just took it all right back to where I started from. The directions say that you can dye again immediately after use, but I decided not to press my luck. I’m  going to give my hair a chance to recover for a while before I try for glamor auburn again and just be grateful for what I have. And start shopping for a Christmas gift for Mr. or Ms. Oops, wherever they are. I love you.

So, for your chocolate pleasure…. my very own Godiva Cream Pie.

Godiva Cream Pie

Ingredients:

Prepared pie crust- fresh, frozen, or graham cracker

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 large egg yolks

3 cups whole milk

5 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), melted (I use Godiva)

2 oz unsweetened chocolate, melted

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

(Whipped cream for topping if you like)

Bake crust if necessary according to package instructions and allow to cool.

Make filling:

Whisk together sugar, cornstarch, salt, and yolks in a 3-quart heavy saucepan until combined well, then add milk in a stream, whisking. Bring to a boil over moderate heat, whisking, then reduce heat and simmer, whisking, 1 minute (filling will be thick).

Force filling through a mesh sieve into a bowl, then whisk in chocolates, butter, and vanilla. Cover surface of filling with a buttered round of wax paper and cool completely, about 2 hours.

Spoon filling into crust and chill pie, loosely covered, at least 6 hours.

Top with whipped cream to serve, if you like.

(Note- this pie is very rich. The ingredients make two shallow pies or one in a very deep crust and should serve 8-10 people easily. For the very lazy- skip the sieve step and just beat the lumps out with a fork- that’s how I do it.)