THIS TIME LAST YEAR, my husband and I were planning Sunday drives and chicken and champagne picnics, in addition to any other form of safe entertainment we could cook up. The city was two months into pandemic lockdowns with no end in sight, everything had gone virtual and everyone was baking sourdough bread. Cut to a year later and, we’re vaccinated, New Orleans (along with the rest of the world) is loosening restrictions and instead of filling a picnic basket, I’m packing a suitcase for a trip to (finally) visit family and friends.
Giddy up, y’all. Life is returning to some semblance of normal and it’s just in time for summer.
At home, this of course means finally inviting loved ones back into our houses for parties — to celebrate every occassion or none at all — and as houseguests when they visit from far-flung locales. If you are anything like me, you’re thinking it’s time for a top to bottom deep clean, décor refresh and replace and repair assessment of items that got a lot more use over the past year due to us all being home so much. In the past that would seem daunting, but I’m relishing it and so many things, because they are symbols of the end of the pandemic.
This issue of course has everything you need to know to get your home ready for prime time. That said, there are a few things I hope to see stick around once pre-pandemic life is restored. Sunday drives and chicken and champagne picnics top the list. Cheers!
In Memoriam
Pamela Marquis, a longtime contributor to New Orleans Homes, died unexpectedly on May 4. A devoted gardener, Pamela’s’ gardening column and other contributions to New Orleans Homes kept readers in the know not only with trends and tips, but also the expertise, advice and news of and about respected New Orleans and Louisiana leaders in gardening, landscape design, botany and agriculture. We loved working with Pamela and will miss her smart, funny, sweet missives and her contributions to the magazine. Pamela leaves behind a loving daughter and son in-law, Eve Crawford Peyton and Robert Peyton — both of whom are also contributors to Renaissance Publishing’s digital and print publications — and three beloved grandchildren. She dotted upon her family and our hearts go out to them as they navigate the loss of this strong and loving presence in their lives. We too will miss her presence in our lives and in the pages of New Orleans Homes.
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