Russ drove in to spend the day with us as did Benjamin. We had something very important to do. It was election day. We studied the sample ballot and headed off to the precinct. We vote at a Volunteer Fire Station. The same ladies work the polls each year. They always have gumbo cooking and it smells good in there. We go in the voting booth, close the curtain and cast our vote. It was a special day because it was Benjamin's first time voting. For years and years, we've always brought our kids with us to vote. Now they can ALL vote for themselves. What an opportunity to have a say in your government! What a country we live in!
We do need to pray for our Country and its leaders. John Adams had a quote that is very appropriate. He said, "Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other." As we drift more and more away from the Judeo-Christian heritage of our founders, what will we look like? We can pray and we can vote.
It happened to be my birthday on Columbus Day, so after enjoying time outdoors in the garden, my wife called me in for some appetizers - Chicken Livers wrapped in bacon! We were like magicians. We made them all disappear. The family went out of the way to make it a great day.
To add to that, Tricia had a Shrimp & Okra gumbo on the stove all day. A good dark roux, fresh, homegrown okra, Gulf Shrimp, homemade gumbo file' and some smoked sausage. Talk about good!
The icing on the cake, literally, was when Tricia pulled out this bad boy...
Chocolate Blackberry cake with mascarpone cheese and blueberries. It was so tall, the cake dome wouldn't fit on top of it. After we cut into it, we had to place a big mixing bowl on top of it to cover it.
We finished off the slices of cake for dessert and sat down ridiculously filled.
Then we sat and watched my #5 LSU Tigers take on #7 Florida Gators. It was a battle and a great game and at the end of regulation, the Tigers came out on top.
I went to bed satisfied and truly blessed. What a perfect day!
That gumbo and cake looks delicious. Would your wife mind sharing her gumbo soup recipe?
ReplyDeleteIt was delicious, Cheryl. Thing is, the gumbo gets even better the next day. Here is her recipe:
ReplyDeletePeel a couple pounds of shrimp and de-vein and butterfly. Put in the fridge for later. Take the shrimp shells and heads and put them in a pot and cover with water. Simmer for 30 minutes or more to make a broth. Strain to remove shells/heads.
Make a dark roux with about a cup of flour and enough oil. Take your time and stir continuously. When dark, add a chopped onion, bell pepper and a few cloves of minced garlic. Stir for a few minutes and then add the broth, salt, pepper, cayenne.
Slice up 2 lb of okra and add to a saucepan with about a quarter of a cup of oil. Cook down okra for about 30 minutes. Add to the roux & broth mixture and add additional water until desired consistency, a thick soup.
Slice 1/2 to 1 lb of smoked sausage and brown in saucepan. Add to the gumbo. Simmer gumbo for a couple of hours or more. Add shrimp right before serving. They cook quickly. Serve over rice and top with green onions.
Thank you and your wife so much. When I make it this weekend my grandkids will be so surprised that their Nana has a real gumbo recipe from someone who actually lives in Louisiana. Especially since I have never cooked them gumbo. We have always got some from a place called Captains Tom Seafood and Oyster and that was only occasionally.
ReplyDelete