it's FRIDAY!

i LOVE friday's! i get to start winding down for the weekend -- and start anticipating my husband coming home! we've got a busy weekend -- with nfl football playoffs -- jim is a minnesota vikings fan ... i guess that comes from growing up in duluth, minnesota -- and, sadly, i'm a broncos fan, but, as they have NO quarterback, they are no longer a contender ... =0( so, i make snacks and we enjoy our time together!! and after the disappointing bcs game last night, with my beloved HORNS losing to alabama -- but, i have to admit -- i switched it off after colt mccoy left the game, and they announced he was being replaced by a TRUE FRESHMAN ... i knew ... as did the other fans ... that it was all over but the crying ... It was sad to see an awesome quarterback get taken out on the first series of the game ... not a "high" note to enter the nfl draft ... but, his record should carry him far! maybe to the broncos!! woo! hoo!
i've got to really get my fanny in gear today ... i have to so much to do ... i have to bake a chicken (i'm making gumbo for the game tomorrow) -- and get all the veggies chopped up ... and i have to take pics so i can LIST on theprimchick tonight ... i've got some REAL honeys done!! i'm finishing up my BABY light bulb patterns -- i've got a couple of variations -- one is using a VANITY bulb!! sooooo cute! and by the end of january, i'll have at least 10 new patterns to list on etsy! being cold outside is so inspiring!! lol!!
if you're chilled -- try this gumbo! you really can add what you like -- or you can leave out stuff you don't! living in the south, we can buy okra chopped in 1" pieces FROZEN -- or fresh -- all year! but, i know people that don't add okra or shrimp ...

GUMBO
Ingredients
1 cup vegetable oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
okra
1-2 pounds raw shrimp, deveined, tail shells on (no legs!)
1 pound andouille or smoked sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick, browned and drained
4 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
Creole seasoning to taste
6 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 whole chicken, boned and shredded
Directions
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. When hot, whisk in flour. Continue whisking until the roux has cooked to the color of chocolate pudding, 8 to 12 minutes. Be careful not to burn the roux. If you see black specks in the mixture, start over.
In another pan, add a splash of vegetable oil and cook onion, bell pepper, celery, and okra about 10 minutes -- til nearly done. Add shrimp and cook til shrimp are almost done. Stir onion, bell pepper, celery, okra, shrimp and sausage into the roux; cook 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook another 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Creole seasoning; blend thoroughly. Pour in the chicken broth and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Stir in the chicken, and simmer 1 hour more. Skim off any foam that floats to the top before serving. Serve over cooked white rice.

well, got light bulbs calling me -- and my camera is waiting! check back tomorrow -- i'm going to post my HEALTHY recipe for sweet tater brownies! YUM! no chocolate ... but lots of beta carotine and vitamin A -- YOU WILL LOVE THEM!!
((hugs)))
lisa =0)