Friday, February 27, 2009

Crab and Shrimp Etouffee



Makes 4-6 servings

2 lb. unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp
1/4 c. butter
2 Tbs. olive oil
1/3 c. all purpose flour
2/3 c. chopped onion
1/4 c. chopped green bell pepper
1/4 c. chopped celery
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
1/2 c. dry white wine
1/4 c. chopped green onions
1 Tbs. low-sodium Creole seasoning
1 Tbs. tomato paste
1 Tbs. chopped parsley
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
1 (16 oz.) container fresh crab meat, drained and flaked
5 c. hot cooked long-grain rice
Garnish: chopped fresh parsley

Peel shrimp; devein if desired (I used fresh, frozen, peeled shrimp... thawed them under running water and DONE).

Melt butter with oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; stir in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, 5 minutes or more until caramel colored. Add chopped onion, green pepper, and celery; cook stirring constantly until vegetables are tender. Add minced garlic, and saute 1 minute.

Stir in chicken broth, white wine (I have made this twice; once with the wine, once without. I liked it better without), and next six ingredients, and cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Add shrimp. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes.

Stir in crab meat; cook, stirring often, until thoroughly heated.

Spoon shrimp mixture into individual serving bowls. Spoon hot cooked rice on top of shrimp mixture. Garnish, if desired.

This recipe is out of a Southern Living magazine. Yummy!!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Today's Find


TWO finds for the day on the morning walk! A 10 of spades and a shiny, In God We Trust, copper penny. I'm not sure why, but it has been awhile since I have had a "find." I have a pyramid shaped cabinet in the corner of my office stuffed with "finds" from years of running and now walking (and a box put away of an overflow from the past).
A goblet, book, shotgun shell, lock (no key, of course), fish, socket, LOTS of feathers, a fish, a rock, a dragon, an octopus, and ANOTHER 10 of spades (is that the only card people throw out the window?)...
A bird's nest, a bicycle pedal, MORE feathers, a six shooter, a crow's head, some kind of pelvis bone (I worked in orthopaedics for years... I find bones to be beautiful), a coin purse... my son made me the dream catcher and the wooden spoon...
Ahhh... the Mardi Gras beads! Hmmm... looking at this causes me to wonder what would possess a person to gather and SAVE this stuff! Reminds me of the crows gathering shiny baubles... lol...

Monday, February 23, 2009

My Favorite Little Shopping Strip...


On every walk, my heart skips a little beat as this little shopping strip comes into view... The lights beckon. The windows intrigue. I LOVE the red brick building and the red brick streets... hardwood floors... great old windows... The whole thing just DELIGHTS my soul... You can see the morning light starting in the sky...

This is the newest shop...

An interior design studio...


Pilates and yoga, I believe...
And there is one more just past this one, before the cute cleaners that we use, called Silk Threads... One day, I will pass by when they are actually open... =) Until then, I will enjoy seeing them as I pass...

Friday, February 20, 2009

Pre-Dawn Fascination


I do realize that my fascination with the wee-early morning hours diminishes my photo possibilities. But, these colorful lights would never have caught my eye after the sun came up. If you look closely, you will see the moon above the gate.


How cool is this? A new little landscape place in the tiny alley behind my favorite retail building!


Love the detail of the wrought iron gate...


but, it is the lights that called me in...


Looking back as I walk away, the moon smiles over the colored lights, too... or is that just my imagination... =)


A welcoming light and graceful entrance...

Peeks of spring... daffodils about to open...


The sun is coming now... and another beautiful day begins... How blessed am I to enjoy these moments...

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Early Morning Walk...

You need to remember this shot. In about a month, I will post the most beautiful view you could imagine. This was early. The light was dim. It is winter. These are six back yards in the heart of the Azalea District. During our Azalea Trails, this is the most amazing and most photographed section of the tour. The home you can see on the left (backside) will be on the cover of April's Southern Living. If you have a chance at all, you should put Tyler on your spring destination list. The Historic Tyler on Tour features historic homes open for tour April 3 - 5, 2009. More information will be online at http://www.historictyler.org/.
This knot garden is only a few years old. It is in one of the incredible backyards in the previous shot.


Just one of the many cute cottages along the way...



And another...

This is only one section of the impressive First Presbyterian Church.

Tulip trees are the first to announce Spring's approach. I love walking through the petals as they cover the ground... Magical...


I love our cleaner. =) It is in a small historic strip center I am just fascinated by. One of the sections was for lease and I have anxiously waited to see what the new business will be (always hoping for a cool restaurant). I will post more on that one later.


What a great sign... no, I don't have a fur to store... And, those are just some of the wonderful things I walk by each morning. I can't wait for the Spring Show!!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

After the rain...

Okay, admittedly, this post is going to be a little gross. But, it is vital information about the neighborhood! The first time I witnessed this phenomenon I was freaked out. After a rain, our streets are COVERED with the BIGGEST worms I have ever seen in my life! As a newcomer, the first time I ventured out in the morning dark for my run (post rain), I noticed that I kept having a squishing sensation every step or so. As daylight came, I saw what had caused the squishing! So, take note: tread carefully after the rain!


That is my big ole 8 1/2 shoe on the left!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Celebrity Chef Event - Robert St. John


It was a fun evening! The Celebrity Chef Celebration benefitting The Woman's Building, the oldest community building in Tyler. Built in 1934, it was funded by a group of civic-minded women. Today, it is maintained by The Woman's Forum. Robert St. John delighted the attendees with humorous tales of the South and the food Southerners love. Seems I only remembered my camera as we sat down for dinner and just before I polished off my White Chocolate and Raspberry Bread Pudding!




Man, I wanted to win one of the raffle items! NO luck!

Larry Lott and Kay Fuller

Me and Evan

Chef Robert St. John and Cathy Shipp, Event Chair

Evan, Johnny Skelton, Robert St. John and Milha Skelton

Cookbooks I had to have...

How funny is this??? I sat and read the stories the whole afternoon! Robert St. John is also a syndicated columnist for the food section, but could easily be classified as humor. He has the Purple Parrot and the Mahogany Bar in Hattiesburg, MS and the Crescent City Grill in Meridian, MS. Chef St. John highly recommended the Sweet Potato Brownies. I'll keep you posted! =)

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Early Valentine's... New Camera


My beloved gave me my Valentine's Day surprise early... a new camera. These are my first shots. I think this will be fun! Thank you so much, Honey! The flower is in a bouquet on the coffee table.


This handsome young man is my son, Zachary, who I adore!!

This is a close up of a "portrait" of Evan's cat, Lucky. The medium is wool used in a Primitive Rug Hooking style taught to me by Laura Schulz of http://www.beehivehooking.com/. I have lots to learn about the new toy! Fun! Fun! Fun!

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Master Bedroom Makeover

We live in a 1917 (we've been told 1917 and 1913; one day there is some research to be done) Arts and Crafts Bungalow.  Her name is Tallulah and we love living here.  I am re-posting this for Kim's B&A Party.

In the beginning...


This is a before shot of our bedroom. We had already had the green plush carpet removed, holes repaired, sanded, stained and protected the beautiful heart pine floors (like dummies before we painted).

The bed is mesquite.  Heavy.  Heavy.  Heavy.
The dresser on the left is my favorite piece.








And these are the afters...  This is a re-post I am linking to Kim's Savvy Southern Style Before and After Party.
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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.