Mardi Gras

Last night, we went to a fabulous Mardi Gras party. The food was delicious and the company was awesome. We had delicious King's cake.

That's the delicious gumbo.


That's the delicious sausage and beans.

There was excellent bread pudding with whiskey sauce too but I was too busy eating it so no photos for you. Sorry.

Someone brought their baby to the party. The little baby slept through the entire party. I was so hoping she would wake up so I could play with her. I need a baby fix! But she slept away the entire time. How come my kiddos never did that?

Another friend of mine, I'll call him M. was there too. He of course does not realize my capacity to take photos. So I kept asking him to pose with the gumbo and pose with the sausage and beans. I asked him to give me shot of him eating the gumbo. I demanded that he have an expression that communicates how delicious it is. He was so gullible. He complied. The more I demanded, the more he complied.

Until I asked him to do a headstand and eat the gumbo. Wouldn't that make an excellent shot for the blog? See the things I do for you guys? I am so always thinking of you!

Alas at that point he realized that I was a photo freak. Perhaps this explains why my boys run away every time I pull out the camera.


Everyone wore beads but there was no flashing. For those who don't know, in New Orleans, you have to lift your shirt up to get the beads. But not at this party. Too bad. I had gone prepared to flash. Oh well.


The best part of the party? We got to take leftovers home. I can't wait to eat them. Yummy!

Cool Van

I am in training all day today. It is pouring out there. Here is a cool picture of a van I saw in New Orleans. I want a van just like that and travel around the world.

Stay dry!

Pascal Manale

Pascal Manale in New Orleans is famous for their barbecue shrimp. What is interesting about this is that the shrimp is actually pan fried. Not barbecued. And they are served head-on to enhance the flavor.

Barbecue Shrimp

Note: Not really for someone who is on a diet.





2 pounds fresh shrimp (heads on)
1 cup and 2 tbs. butter
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp thyme
3 tbsp freshly grater garlic
1 1/2 tbsp. course black pepper
1 tbsp Creole seasoning
1 tsp Paprika
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 lemons squeezed
1 lemon sliced
Tabasco sauce to taste
Coarse salt to taste
Chopped parsley

• Heat a large cast iron pan (oven proof) and add butter and olive oil.
• Add garlic, black pepper, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and Creole seasoning.
  
• Simmer for a couple of minutes.
• Add the shrimp and salt and then stir for 30 seconds.
• Pour lemon juice over the shrimp.
• Chill for a couple of hours.
• Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Place the shrimp in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  
• Serve immediately with hot French bread.
  

Mozzarella Sticks


I thought everything was only bigger in Texas. They have huge mozzarella sticks there also. Yummy!