Flower Boxes

This post isn't about traditional flower boxes. It's about actual boxes. I have a friend over in Birmingham, Alabama who is so talented it's almost scary. She loves garage sales and flea markets and finds the most unusual things for rock bottom prices. She just bought a bird bath for $4.00!!! Those are the type of prices I adore. She also bought some really great hat boxes and lined them with plastic. Then put a flower pot inside. It's the most adorable centerpiece. Here's a couple of pictures I found that's similar to what I'm talking about. Cute!

Recipe Cards

I LOVE cute little recipe cards. But lately I've had a difficult time tracking them down. When I come across them at a boutique I try to stock up. Hallmark use to sale recipe cards but I haven't seen them in a couple of years. Girls, I believe our society is losing the art of "personal touch." Don't you like getting hand written notes in the mail? Don't you feel special when someone makes/bakes you a gift? Well, I've decided to stand my ground and fight to keep traditional hospitality. I'm going to continue my quest by hunting down beautiful stationary, note cards, and recipe cards. This Southern gal isn't going down without a fight (wink).

Best Burgers in Houston

My hubby works with a group of native Houstonians that took him to a burger joint down by the Galleria. It's called Prince's Hamburgers. He came home raving about them so the following weekend he drove me over to the nearest one off the 59 (across from Joel Osteen's church). My goodness! Those were great burgers. My favorite are the onion rings. This is definitely one of our favorite burger places in Houston. They have truly mastered the burger.




Here's the original Prince's dated back in the 1940's

Easy Gumbo Recipe

If y'all like Gumbo; y'all gonna love this recipe. The key to a good pot of Gumbo is in the Roux. However, these days I think everyone is trying to eat healthier and we don't have a lot of time to be spending in the kitchen. That's why I'm jumping for joy over this crock pot Gumbo recipe. It's so much easier than the traditional Gumbo and the Roux is made from flour and olive oil (not fatty grease).

Ladies, get your recipe cards out because this is the easiest Gumbo I've ever made. And it's delish!!!

Chicken & Shrimp Crock Pot Gumbo

Ingredients

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons oil ( I use olive oil)

1/2 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1/2 inch slices

3/4 to 1 pound boneless chicken thighs, cut in bite-size pieces

1 1/2 to 2 cups frozen cut okra1 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or to taste

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup frozen medium shrimp, cleaned and cooked

1 1/2 cups uncooked regular long-grain white rice3 cups chicken broth

1.) In small saucepan, combine flour and oil; mix well. Cook, stirring constantly, over medium-high heat for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring constantly, about 8 to 12 minutes or until mixture turns a light red-brown.

2.) Place flour and oil mixture in 3 1/2 to 4-quart crock pot. Stir in all remaining ingredients except shrimp, rice, and broth. Cover and cook on LOW for 7 hours.

3.) Add cooked shrimp to the gumbo; mix well. Cover and continue to cook on LOW for 20 minutes longer. Meanwhile, cook rice in the broth according to package directions. Serve gumbo over the hot cooked rice.

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Summer Entertaining

Doesn't this make you want to pull out your patio furniture and entertain? I just love these beautiful flowers and table settings. Absolutely stunning!!!