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Madewood photo and copyright belong to MSMcCarthy Photography.
Used with express permission.
Do not repost without photographer’s permission.
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Years ago my mom and I traveled to New Orleans together. It was August. It was hot. It was humid. It was wonderful. We did all of the touristy things you are supposed: took a ride on the St. Charles Streetcar, had dinner at Mulate’s, walked the French Quarter, had a Hurricane (or two) at Pat O’s, Mint Juleps at Maison Bourbon Jazz Club, went on a riverboat dinner cruise, enjoyed beignets at Cafe du Monde, and went on a plantation tour. Oh the plantation tour! I was so excited when my mom told me she booked a tour of real life plantations. Just like in Gone With the Wind. I’m a city girl – all I know of plantations is what I read and see in the movies. This was by far the most spectacular and memorable part of the trip for me.
I really do think I was a Southern girl in a past life. I love everything about the South and on some level, relate to Scarlett O’Hara. I would never have given up Rhett for Ashley though. Blech! Wimpy little Ashley Wilkes. Anyway, when my mom told me she signed us up for a plantation tour I was beyond thrilled. We started at Oak Alley which is a gorgeous place but you can’t touch anything. They have signs everywhere,”Don’t touch this. Don’t touch that.” They were kind of snooty there. It is a spectacular looking place however, and makes you feel as though you should be driven by horse and carriage and greeted with a mint julep.
From there we went to Madewood Plantation in Napoleonville. I loved it the minute we pulled in. I wanted to live there.
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Madewood photo and copyright belong to MSMcCarthy Photography.
Used with express permission.
Do not repost without photographer’s permission.
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Madewood photo and copyright belong to MSMcCarthy Photography.
Used with express permission.
Do not repost without photographer’s permission.
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We were allowed to roam freely, sit on the chairs, touch all of the little trinkets all over the house, and “set a spell” on the porch. I felt like I was home. I really felt more like Miss Melly than Scarlett though. Miss Melly would invite you in for a cool drink and a meal. Scarlett might invite you in but steal your man on your way out. One thing I knew for sure, I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t care that it was hot or humid or that there was no air conditioning. I wanted to be a transported back to the time where big poofy dresses and corsets were in fashion and a boy would come-a-callin’. Well, minus the Civil War and slavery and all. Can’t you just imagine yourself sitting here waiting for Rhett to ride up on his horse? Maybe it’s just me.
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Madewood photo and copyright belong to MSMcCarthy Photography.
Used with express permission.
Do not repost without photographer’s permission.
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Madewood photo and copyright belong to MSMcCarthy Photography.
Used with express permission.
Do not repost without photographer’s permission.
|
I really don’t remember what we ate for lunch but I do remember the bread pudding. I used to try bread pudding at restaurants hoping to find something similar. That was a mistake. Ended in disappointment every time. I just gave up. I swore off bread pudding and was resolved to live my life without another bite. Ce la vie.
I really didn’t want to live my life without another piece of this bread pudding though. I think I have a problem if I can’t stop thinking about something I ate sixteen years ago. Does that qualify as as problem or an illness? Either way, I think the only cure is to go back to Madewood or get the recipe. Oh how I want to go back. This is the perfect place for a romantic getaway or even a wedding. A wedding would be wonderful here! One of my single friends please please please get married here! Romantic getaway, wedding, and bread pudding all rolled into one trip. Yes please. I told my husband we must go there one day. Just the two of us. Maybe for our 15 year anniversary…that would be perfect.
From Madewood we traveled to Nottoway which was a very magical experience in itself. There were peacocks, a descendant of the original plantation right there in front of me telling me thank you for coming to her home, and a white ballroom. Have you ever seen an all-white ballroom? We were told the owner insisted on all white so as not to detract from the ladies and their colorful dresses. I swooned right then and there. To make matters worse? They were preparing for a Ball that very night. A Ball. A traditional Southern Ball. I became tearful as they brought in racks of gowns for the ladies. Seeing the look of utter desperation and/or despair on my face the tour guide invited us to the Ball. Are. You. Kidding. Me? An invitation to a real Southern Ball? I passed out. Not really but I was about to. Unfortunately, we were not able to attend the Ball. My heart broke a little. I wept a little too. I knew I should have brought my debutante dress on that trip. Lesson learned…never go on a plantation tour without your ballgown…you just might need it.
I am not exactly sure what it was about this trip in particular that has left an impression on my heart. My mom and I went to Ireland together in 1999 and she said she felt she was home there. Isn’t it strange how a place can make you feel that way? I loved Ireland, don’t get me wrong, but there is something about the South that draws me in. My favorite book of all time (next to Gone With the Wind of course) is Cane River by Lalita Tademy. It takes place in Louisiana. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. I’m a Southern girl trapped in a city girl’s world can I say?
You can read more about Madewood Plantation here on their website and view their photo gallery. I am not associated with them in any way other than as a huge fan. All the pictures you see here are courtesy of MsMcCarthy Photography. Thank you Mike for allowing me to use your photos. Please check out his albums on Flickr; he is a very talented photographer with many many more beautiful photos. Please do not use his photos without his permission. He is a really nice guy who was kind enough to allow me to publish his photos here and deserves credit and recognition for his work.
As for the bread pudding…come back tomorrow and read about my quest for the bread pudding recipe ends…