The Power of a Dress

It's just the 6th day (dress) of December, and many thousands have been raised to rescue women and children-all by spreading awareness in a dress. Be a light!

https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=576609

Dressember Day#3

Because not all women have a voice.

How Can wearing a dress every day in December change the world?

https://support.dressemberfoundation.org/fundraise?fcid=576609

This is why I'll be wearing a dress every day in December-  I'm thankful for all of the beautiful women in my life. I'm thankful that we've had opportunities that some can only dream of having. I'm thankful that through everyday advocacy I can help a woman in unbearable circumstances find freedom. Please support Dressember by donating here to help stop human trafficking, and please share!

House Blessing

One of my children recently bought a new house.  I was trying to think of a good "house blessing" for him and his family. In my search, I found two that I am going to use.  The first one is from 2 Samuel 7:29.

New Living Translation

And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that I may continue forever before you.  For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign LORD, it is an eternal blessing!

The second is a traditional house blessing, but I think the only time I've seen it is on one of my favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life.  It will be accompanied by the items mentioned.

Bread - May this house never know hunger.

Salt - That life may always have flavor.

Wine - That joy and prosperity may reign here forever.

I hope you're blessed today!

Bacon-Stuffed Pancakes

I will admit it, I am a Pinterest addict.

I actually do some of the things I find there, and keep thinking I'll do a lot more when I retire someday.  Recently, I pinned bacon-stuffed pancakes.  It's Spring Break, so I decided I had time to do some interesting cooking.  Mine are not as pretty as the Pinterest ones, but they taste great!

Start by cooking a pound or so of bacon, and mixing up some pancake batter.

I first tried laying the bacon in the skillet, and covering it with batter.  That didn't work as well as putting batter in first and then the bacon.  After that's done just cover the bacon with a little more batter.

It's nice to have heated syrup.

Final product.  My husband ate 4!

I Love Thrift Shopping!

We have a few thrift stores in my area where I frequently find great deals on really nice clothing.  Yesterday I made a little haul.  I found two cute Ann Taylor tops, a Talbot's jacket, and a cute belt for $15 total. Because I find such bargains, I don't feel guilty about adding to my wardrobe frequently.  Okay, I also bought a Miss Me sweater at a shop in San Antonio that always has a Groupon.  It's a great bargain...$40 for $20, and I bought the Groupon a month ago.  So the sweater was $60, but it only felt like $20 - logic only my bargain-hunting sisterscan appreciate! Here are some pictures of my super finds.

Back of the sweater

Front of the sweater

Ann Taylor



Dat's Cajun Gumbo Cookin'

My mom is truly Cajun, and my dad is truly French, so I grew up with great cooks, and delicious food.  I tend more to healthier fare now, but I will always have my childhood heritage favorites. 

Where I grew up, most people were Catholic and couldn't eat meat on Friday.  So our schools often served seafood gumbo on Fridays..really!  My mom always had plenty of shrimp in our freezer that she bought from the guys down the street who were professional or hobby shrimpers.  But for some reason, we mostly ate chicken and sausage gumbo.

It's been the worst winter in Texas that I can remember (be gone, Polar Vortex).  Cold weather to a Cajun equals gumbo.  So, today my husband (Cajun by virtue of being married to me forever), is making gumbo for the family.  My sons and families will be here...my daughter would, but is a little far away for lunch.

So, here's the family recipe....minus details because a Cajun girl really just needs an iron skillet, Le Creuset pot and some natural Cajun soul to get the cooking job done (in other words, we don't measure ingredients).

Chicken, chicken parts (whatever you like)
Sausage, several links (we like Opa's Beef, but I'm not sure where that's available)
Roux (I really can make it, but have turned to roux in a jar)

Chopped veges...onion, bell pepper, celery, green onions (add these at the end), garlic (and many use turnips).
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, file
Rice

Brown chicken, cook sausage in boiling water..then discard the water.
Make stock by boiling the chicken and some veges together...then discard the veges before adding the ones you chopped for the gumbo.  Take the meat off the bones and set aside.
This part is controversial among my Cajun sisters...some cook the chopped veges in the roux..easy to burn, some add them to the stock.

At any rate you end up with the chicken, sausage, roux and veges in the stock.
Season with salt and pepper, red pepper, and file.

The Seasonings

You need to cook it for awhile, but don't let your chicken get stringy.  Adjust the roux to the thickness you like.

You'll need some large bowls to put a couple of delicious scoops over rice.  What do you serve with gumbo?  Garlic bread and potato salad are traditional...many a true Cajun will put a dollop of potato salad in their gumbo.

Gumbo Bowls

And always remember that it's much better the next day!

Finished Product!

May cher, dis house smells good, yeah!