Friday, May 7, 2010

Back in Business!

We have a stove, a sink, a fridge, a microwave, and a dishwasher! All the beautiful comforts of home and I’m one happy cooker. Yesterday I ran into my favorite local used book store and found the same book on the shelf that was waiting for me at the library. What a happy coincidence. It was an autographed copy to boot!  It’s not a brand new book, but since my love for Brennan’s of Houston is no secret, I’m thrilled to add The Kitchen Table to my collection.
The first recipe was incredible. I’m going to spending my summer vacation with this one I can tell! This morning I roasted fresh corn and jalapenos to go into the Corn Pound Cake. (Think “cornbread with honey in it, baked in a loaf pan”).
Next comes the Maque Choux. For you non-Cajuns, it’s a mixture of fresh corn, okra, onion, tomatoes, and peppers. This one is a little more upscale because it features shrimp. You finish it off with some Worcestershire, Tabasco, and a lot of butter! Randy Evans, you are my new best friend.
veggies in skillet
Toast the pound cake.
toasted corn poundcake
Plate and serve. 
shrimp maque choux

One Year Ago Today

 mydress2 Dear Emmeline,
You are the first daughter of a first daughter of a first daughter of a first daughter. You come from a long line of strong, talented, gifted, loving women. Your birth granted me entrance into that wonderful society known as “grandmothers” but you have many others who you won’t meet until you get to heaven.  You have a Nanny (Alice), a Great (Vera), a Grandma (Dorothy), a Grandma (May), and a Grandmommy (Ena). They came from New York, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, and Arizona. They could quilt, garden, sew, tend, minister, and teach. Their laughs and their laps comforted generations of children.
Emmie, you have a heavenly father who loves you, an earthly father and mother who love you, and a whole slew of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents who adore you. But your birthday, always close to Mother’s Day, will give me a chance to remind you of the special mothers who came before you.
Love,
Grandmommy