Things, Things, Things

This week’s list of random things…

I love going to the movies in New Orleans because they serve daiquiris (I grew up in a dry county, and the theaters here in Alabama don’t serve alcohol, so it always seems a little indulgent). Well, not only can you get a daiquiri, but the new Theatres at Canal Place are partnering with a restaurant called ‘Gusto’ and are featuring reclining seats with pull-up tabletops. This is from the Times-Picayune:

Starters include popcorn tossed with parmigiano and black pepper, white truffle, or pimenton and garlic. Other appetizers include caponata, flatbread pizzas, a hummus-and-tzatziki duo served wtih flatbreads and, as at Garcia’s RioMar, a Spanish muffuleta and salumi from A Mano. Paninis, salads and a cheese plate are planned, along with pralines and chocolates from Southern Candymakers, Hubig’s pies and cookies from Angelo Brocato.

Several $7 wines by the glass will be offered, along with other pricier ones, cocktails and imported and domestic beer.

***Update: oops! Apparently there is at least one movie theater in Alabama that serves alcohol – Monaco Pictures in Huntsville has a private glass elevator that takes guests to their ‘Prive‘ level, “an elevated lounge featuring a Wine Tasting Bar, appetizer dining, and upscale concessions” with reserved seats, which are high-back leather recliners. Thank you, Julie, for letting me know!

—

(image for press use)

A castle is being built right now in Arkansas, and it’s going to take twenty years to complete it. Seriously. This is part of the press release:

The creation is the brainchild of Michel Guyot who launched a similar and very successful project in Burgundy, France, ten years ago.

A team of architectural experts, working together with historians of the Middle Ages and dedicated artisans, is raising a genuine, full-sized, fortified castle, with 24-foot high towers, a drawbridge, and 6-foot wide stone walls surrounding an expansive inner courtyard, using the materials, techniques, and rules of the 13th century.

Thirty masons, carpenters and stone carvers authentically dressed, will work all year round for twenty years, the time required to build a fortress in the Middle Ages. Imagine a place where you leave behind our technically advanced society to hear the clang of hammers on chisels as stones are being carved, and to hear snorting cart-horses pulling heavy stones on creaking wooden wagons. The blacksmith, the rope maker, the woodcutter will work right in front of you as they practise medieval techniques of construction.

They’re going to be open seven days a week, rain or shine, from May 1 – November 30. All the details are here.

—

Remember last week’s fence? Here’s this week’s fence.

—

Is it wrong that the 2010 winning recipe for dessert-cake in Mississippi Magazine is one that’s first ingredient is “1 box (18-1/4 oz) box orange cake mix” especially after last year’s Grand Prize started with a box of Coconut Supreme Cake Mix? (yes.)

—

The Montgomery Advertiser has a regular feature on beautiful local homes, complete with sideshows. Some of them are fantastic. I wish Av were better friends with Morris Dees because I would *love* to visit his and Susan’s home. Where can I get a rickshaw (pic 44)!? And those costumes displayed in the bathrooms (pic 7, 38)…

—

Piggy Popcorn from Loveless Cafe. And it is good.

—

Wow I like this menorah.

—

Henk van Es has a *fantastic* website called Outsider Environments Europe.

I’ll post a new North American environment next week!

—

For the second time in about a week I am so happy to mention something about my sweet friend Bethanne Hill – the Alabama Folklife Association has just released ‘Traditional Musics of Alabama Volume 5: New Book Gospel Shapenote Singing‘ and it feature’s Bethanne’s art on the cover: