Where have I been?

I really have no idea how today is the 18th of January. Where have I been? I am still trying to mail out my Christmas cards (believe it or not). Maybe I can just put hearts in the snowman's hands. What do you all think?

Right now I am having a stare down with Mr. Tibbs. Yahoo I won!

A Tribute To Mrs. Goodman

Mrs. Goodman always invited us over for Gumbo on New Year's Day. It has been years since I enjoyed her wonderful gumbo as she went on to be with the Lord.

I had always wanted to make Mrs. Goodman's gumbo but never had the recipe. I looked up a bunch of recipes and finally got hold of Carmen (my dear friend who a daughter of Mrs. Goodman) while I was grocery shopping on New Year's Eve and she told me what to do. I bought everything and made the gumbo.

It was great! Shawn and I decided that we need to change the sausage to a little spicier one and it will be just about the same as hers.

I can't believe I finally did it!!!!!! Thank you Carmen for taking the time when you were trying to get your house ready and do your own shopping to make your mom's gumbo. Thank you to Mrs. Goodman for her kindness to serve so many people for so many years.

Feeling Like Tofu

Shawn and I have always been very indecisive when it came to things like "where do you want to eat" "what do you want to do?" "what do you want to watch". Today I came to a realization, I feel like tofu sometimes.

Yes, tofu. I don't like tofu at all. However, I have cooked with and I have found that it takes on whatever flavor you cook it with. It has a lot of protein but the texture is icky (in my opinion)

Sometimes instead of knowing what I really want, I latch onto who ever I am hanging out with and take on their flavor.

Anyone else feel this way?

The Ghostof Fudge Past

Here is a sign that you ate too much candy during the holidays (besides the sign on the scale, your waist and in the your clothes).

Last night as I lay sleeping, Shawn had gone to sleep on the couch (I am a snorer) and when he came back I got scare because I thought the covers were being pulled over my by (and I quote) "the ghost of fudge past" Shawn laughed and I realized that that was from an overdose of Charles Dickens and Christmas stocking candy.

Sorry all, can't wait for the new year to begin my weight lose efforts again. I have been working on losing weight for a long while now (I think my mom put me on my first diet in 1963). So, off we go to throw out the old (old fudge, candy, cakes, pies, dips and chips) and in with the new (vege soup, whole grain bread, non fat milk, low fat cheese etc.)

I must make a disclaimer at this time: THIS POST WAS WRITTEN PRIOR TO MY FIRST CUP OF COFFEE ANY AND ALL CONTENTS MAY BE VOID ONCE I REREAD IT AND REALIZE WHAT I WAS SAYING.

Love to all and find some great sales today!

Valentine's Day Already?

On December 23rd, Shawn and I went to World Market and the mall to do some shopping and do you know what we saw? VALENTINE'S DAY CARDS NEXT TO THE CHRISTMAS CARDS AND VALENTINE DAY BOXERS.

It was only December 23rd, I hadn't even done my shopping yet.

Is Valentine's Day that big of a deal?

So, today when I could not find matching socks (because I have not washed my clothes except what I needed for a day or so and forgot about socks) I wore one pink, white and red striped Valentine's Day sock and one Red and Green Christmas Sock.

Why not?

How is your Christmas. Shawn, Jason and I are watching the making of Monty Python.
We of course watched our yearly favorite Christmas Carol with George C. Scott.

For Christmas I received a trip to Charleston with Shawn for a night last Sunday. Shawn's favorite place was South of the Border and the fireworks store. (more on that later.)

Missed Matched Socks

(to the tune "The First Noel")

My socks, oh well
do not match today
the laundry is dirty
All I've done is play.

I have had fun
and wore a strip socks
that had green and red
and the other did not.

Oh well, oh well, oh well, oh well,
My socks do not match and that's all I can tell

Missed Souper Saturday

I can't believe I missed souper saturday! Is it too late? Can I post a soup anyway? Hey, this is my blog, guess I can do anything I want. Before serving I have everyone sign a waiver incase they have a heart attack that night (pure richness) and I serve Tums as an afterdinner mint. I am telling you, try it, you'll like it. I originally got it from the Food Network (how many copy right laws am I breaking?)

Aunt JoJo's politically Incorrect Sausage and Potato soup

6 to 8 Yukon gold potatoes (or 4 large baking potatoes, like russets), peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
4 cups chicken stock
2 pounds hot sausage, out of the casing (I use mild)
1 1/2 cups diced onion
1 3/4 cups finely diced celery
4 ounces butter
1 quart heavy whipping cream (shake just a little before adding)
3 or 4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (white or dark)
1 tablespoon vanilla
4 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste

Recipe

To a large stock pot, add potatoes and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
To a saute pan over medium heat, add sausage and chopped onion in pan and saute until completely cooked. Drain sausage mixture, add celery, and saute a few additional minutes. Add sausage mixture to stockpot with butter. Add cream and extra broth if needed. Add vinegar, vanilla, and parsley at end of cooking. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

The best!! Yes, I did figure out a lower calorie one, but I am not telling because you need to try this!