Mardi Gras Comes to an End!

We had a wonderful Mardi Gras season;  full of parties,  guests, and parades that we could watch from the veranda! Here are some photos of the Thibodaux Mardi Gras Parades:

Click the first one to view a slide show.

Our First Anniversary!

One year ago this week, Paul and I pulled our moving van up to the corner of 5^th and Saint Philip Street, and unloaded. Although much planning had already taken place, the physical work began on what was to become The Dansereau House Bed & Breakfast.

The year has gone by quickly. We had anticipated the hard work, the learning curve, the organization that was needed. What he hadn’t planned on was the support from the community that was present from the very beginning, and has continued ever since. We were hardly ready for the joy expressed by so many, that The Dansereau House was once again open to the public. Many of you stopped by, and your first impression of us was in our work clothes!

Almost before we were ready, we hosted fundraisers, weddings, and honeymoons, as well as our nightly guests in the Bed & Breakfast. Word of mouth became our greatest advertising agent. We are so grateful to those of you who spread the word, sent us guests, and booked events. We thank you! Each month has been busier than the previous.

December was a great month! After almost two month of working on our Christmas décor, the lights went on! What a blessing for so many of you to come on December 1^st and share our excitement! Already we have plans to make next year’s celebration even better. In December we hosted an event almost daily, whether it be a Christmas party, luncheon, tea, rehearsal dinner, wine dinner, or shower. (Just a hint – schedule next year’s early!)

Paul and I are honored to have been a part of so many personal events in your lives. It has been our joy to make a part of your life memorable, whether it is the smoothing of a pillow and the dimming of the lights before you retire at night, or putting the finishing touches on what I hope is a delicious breakfast, or making the house perfect for your wedding day.

We have great expectations for 2011, and hope that you will be a part. We have great plans for special events, such as Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Wine Dinners, and The Drinkery. Our calendar is already filling up with weddings and parties! We invite you to join us as we strive to make The Dansereau House shine bright in the community!

Lori Worrell

Click on the first photo to watch some highlights of our first year!

It’s Beginning to Look a LOT Like Christmas!

          We discussed decorating for Christmas last January, knowing that we had an exciting task ahead. It seemed so far away, with plenty of time to plan. But time goes by quickly, especially when you’re busy, and soon fall was upon us and it was time to get going with our Christmas planning.

         You can’t be an architect and go about decorating the exterior of a 160-year-old-home haphazardly. Paul took the task seriously; measuring, calculating, designing…. We began educating ourselves on how to adhere the lights, and finally purchased 2,500 adhesive clips for the stucco, and a special stapling system for the wood. Over 2,000 feet of lights were ordered, both white-wired and green, depending on their intended placement.

          In October, the process began. Electrical work was done, as there were only two existing outlets on the exterior of the house. The UPS men became regular visitors. In November, our good friends, the Sanford’s, came from Florida to add their expertise to the project for a few days. The man-lift became a common site on the lawn, and the many passers-by during Thibodauxville watched as Paul hung lights.

          Damon Baldone, owner of the house, was enthusiastic from the beginning about the possibility of having it ‘snow’ at The Dansereau House. Once again, the “Research and Development Team” went into action to find the solution for making snow in Southern Louisiana. Phillip at Snowmasters was a great help with the final decisions. Check out their website at snowmasters.com. So now the weatherman is always predicting snow at the Dansereau House, or at least each evening between 6:00 and 9:00 PM at fifteen-minute intervals.

         Work continued feverishly as our December 1^st deadline approached. Caleb Clement was a vital part of the team in between his college classes. Weather caused some delays. Our children came for Thanksgiving and quickly got commandeered into the project. All the while the outside work was being accomplished, the decorations went up on the inside. Nine Christmas trees decorate the rooms, and the stairways are twirled with garland and lights.

        On December 1, 2010 at 6:00 PM, the lights officially went on at the Dansereau House, and snow began to fall. So many of our friends, including Santa Claus himself, came to cheer on the event, and to have a cup of hot chocolate, popcorn, or a drink at The Drinkery. Children took a break from visiting with Santa to play in the snow. We were especially honored to have Gibbens Robichaux play carols on the piano for everyone. Stephanie Conner, foto-finesse.com, took family photos. It was a grand celebration!

        The lights come on each night at nightfall. It is truly a glorious sight to see! We thank everyone who gave assistance, both with physical work or encouragement. Although the task was great, consider it our gift to you. Please drive by, then leave us notes either on our website, or our Facebook page. We look forward to your comments.  May you have a blessed Christmas!       

       Click on the first photo to see a slide show of the decorating process.

Princesses Party at the Dansereau House

The Dansereau House will host many a holiday party this season, but our first event in November may prove to be the fanciest. Almost thirty young ladies donned their mother’s pearls, their fanciest dresses, and even a little lipstick to attend Emily Rodrigue’s 10th Birthday Celebration. The young ladies enjoyed a lovely dinner in the dining room, and displayed their manners to the fullest. After a night of spa treatments, Karaoke, and giggling, the girls awoke to breakfast on the veranda and a game of croquet. What a party!

For Every Thing, There is a Season….

    On Friday, October 23, we watched as the beautiful, old Magnolia that graced the corner of the Dansereau House yard, came down. Estimated to be between 70 and 100 years old, the tree had become to dangerous to leave standing. Mostly hollow, almost half of the tree cracked and fell into the yard during the summer. Every tree expert we contacted has the same evaluation – the tree should come down.

    I was particularly sad because we came in the winter, and I watched, with great expectation, the tree come to life in the spring. She was slow to give flowers, but did have some extremely large blooms eventually. I was able to save some seed pods, and I have planted them with high hopes.

   A great thanks to Gerald at Allstate Tree Service and his team. They worked from dawn to dusk, and did an expert job.  Watching them work was fascinating, and I took many photos. Click on the first one to see the slide show.

The Drinkery! Back by Popular Demand!

     From the moment the lights went back on in The Dansereau House, our visiters have asked a common question: “Are you going to reopen the bar?” They explained that the bar in the back of the first floor had been open to the public a few evenings a week. It seemed that many remembered the bar with great fondness, and so we began contemplating the idea of reopening it.  

   It is with great pleasure that we announce the Grand Opening of The Drinkery at the Dansereau House on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Come by and enjoy a relaxing evening on our verandah or in the bar and take yourself back to simpler times.  Whether your winding down from a hard day at work or gearing up for an early start to your weekend, The Drinkery will be Thibodaux’s destination for early evening libations and small plate appetizers.  Initially we will open on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Our hope is that we can offer you a quiet, upscale enviroment to meet after work for a glass of wine, cocktails, or beer, along with  signature Hors d’ ouerves.  

Please tell all your friends and share this on Facebook that The Drinkery is only the beginning of what we have planned for you.  Did someone say Wine Dinner???