GUMBO COOK-OFF

Today was the third annual gumbo cook-off.  Except, normally it's a chili cook-off (read about last year's event HERE).  But seeing how we're in New Orleans, gumbo makes a lot more sense. Great idea to switch it up I think. The event was organized by our friends Sonny & Jaime. The money raised benefits children with congenital heart defects. Their own son Cash (who occasionally graces our blog with his presence) was born with a heart defect so they know personally how important it is to financially help the families impacted.

J entered his "Spicy Rocky Top Chili" last year (it was delicious) and entered his "Bet You Didn't Know You Like Brussel Sprouts Gumbo" this year (it too was delicious). However, we did not count on there being so many brussel sprouts haters out there.  I would say 90% of the folks at the event walked right on by.  They had no interest in even trying a bite of the gumbo once they saw the words brussel sprouts.  Poor market research on our part ;)

Just like last year, the event was a huge success and it was nice to see so many people come out for a good cause.

Me & J

Seafood Gumbo

All the entries

Jenna, Joe, & Kaila

Raffle Prizes

J's Gumbo Sign

Hosts/Organizers/Awesome Friends: Jaime & Sonny

No longer gumbo novices... Jenna & J

V-DAY 2013

Who's ready to get corny?  Yesterday was Valentine's Day so J and I were extra lovey dovey.  The morning started out with a sweet text message exchange...

The Texts

Um, can I just tell you my heart melted when he texted me a picture of the "yes" checked box. Not because I thought he'd choose the "no" or "maybe" options. But because I thought he'd just type his answer. The handwritten photographic reply.... It's the little things people!

Later that evening, J came home from work and I had the wine poured, music playing, candles lit, and dinner ready. We exchanged cards and J surprised me with a box of chocolates from Sucre. The chocolates were so yummy we actually ending up eating the entire box BEFORE dinner! The peanut butter and jelly chocolates and bananas foster chocolates were amazing! We ended the evening by watching a James Bond movie and cuddling on the couch. We decided the other month to watch all the James Bond movies in order from start to finish. So we happened to be on the fifth film, You Only Live Twice. Still 18 more movies to go! It really was a perfect evening and I wouldn't change a thing. Hope yours was just as great!

V-Day Card for J

Special heart touch on the chicken pot pie crust!

My Valentine

Sucre Chocolates

OFFICE CHAIR UPGRADE

OLD CHAIR

J and I have needed a new office chair for quite some time.  As you can see from the photo, the old one has been falling apart.  We had looked online for a replacement and checked out some local stores but everything seemed so pricey.  Well, yesterday we hit the jackpot!  J and I ran over to Canal Furniture Liquidators on Toulouse Street.  The place is literally .4 miles from the the house and we had never been before.  They had 20 or so chairs, all different styles, and the most expensive chair was only $34!  We ended up picking the chair below for $19!  Yes, $19!  What a steal, right?  So feel free to come on over and try our new (very stable and not falling apart) computer chair.

NEW CHAIR

And before I forget... it's Valentine's Day today!  J and I are celebrating at home tonight.  I'm in charge of the main course (he requested chicken pot pie) and he's in charge of dessert.  I'm off to finish making my homemade V-day card.  Happy Heart Day, y'all!

HI FROM HAWAII

Sadly, J and I are not the ones saying hello from Hawaii.  But our nephew Andrew and niece Addelyn are...

I can't even stand it... they are just too adorable!  And getting bigger by the second!  I hate that we live so far away and don't get to see them regularly.  Maybe Benjamin and Alisha will send the twins to live with their favorite Aunt K in NOLA for the summer.  Or maybe J and I should just pack up and move to Hawaii.  There could be worse things in life.  I'm sure we'd eventually get over our crawfish and king cake withdraws.

UNDERWATER TREADMILL

Billie Lu Bayou got her sutures removed this morning at South Paws and started physical therapy on the underwater treadmill.  It took some major coaxing to get Bayou inside the contraption.  She was incredibly leery!  But once inside, the tank filled with water and Bayou was good to go!  Her tail was wagging the entire session :)  She'll go 3 times a week for the next 3 weeks.  I'm so happy our pup is healing like a superstar!

THROW ME SOMETHING MISTER

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all!  Hope your carnival season was filled with beads, beads, and more beads!

02/02/13 - The Elvis King Cake from Cochon Butcher

(peanut butter and banana filling with marshmallow and bacon on top)

02/09/13 - J waiting for Endymion to roll...

02/09/13 - Cash and Sonny

02/09/13 - Always fun hanging out with Lisa & Adam!

02/09/13 - ENDYMION

02/09/13 - ENDYMION

02/09/13 - ENDYMION

02/09/13 - Love my J

POOR PUP

J and I have a recovering trooper at home right now.  Bille Lu Bayou tore her cruciate ligament of the knee (her ACL) and had a tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) procedure on Tuesday.  Everything went as planned and she was able to come home yesterday afternoon.  Now starts the hard part...Tramadol (pain) every 8 hours, Previcox (anti-inflammatory) once daily, Clavamox (antibiotic) ever 12 hours, Acepromazine (sedative) as needed, ice twice daily for 5 days, then heat twice daily for the following 5 days, confinement for 6 weeks, then rehabilitation.  Everyone please pray Bayou has a healthy recovery process and that I'm a good nurse!  I'm so nervous about messing something up.

Bayou attempting to run in City Park on 3 legs (pre-diagnosis).

More 3 leggedness (pre-diagnosis).

South Paws in Mandeville has been AMAZING!  I highly highly recommend them if your pet has surgical needs.  The staff has been so kind and attentive with Bayou (and me for that matter!).  The surgeon and vet techs called with updates throughout the whole process and they are staffed 24/7.  So always there to help and answer any questions no matter what time of day.  I wish some of my own medical doctors were this fantastic.  Bayou's regular vet, Dr. Stephanie at Canal Street Veterinary Hospital, recommended South Paws and we're just so thankful she did.  We love you too, Dr. Stephanie!

Waiting at South Paws before she heads back to get things started...

Bayou's home for the next 6 weeks.  This confinement thing is going to be a killer.

Drugged to no end but home sweet home.  Bayou's recovery begins...

J did the first round of icing duties last night.

CHICKEN POT PIE

Not to brag, but I made an awesome chicken pot pie for dinner last night.  Are you ready for this?!?

INGREDIENTS

1 box Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts

2 chicken breasts, shredded

1 bag fresh snack size carrots

3 red potatoes, cubed

1/2 onion, chopped

1 carton mushrooms, sliced

2 stalks celery, chopped

5 tbsp butter

1/3 cup flour

32 oz. carton of chicken broth

1/2 cup of milk

3 tbsp olive oil

salt

pepper

basil

Heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place the carrots and potatoes in a single layer on a sheet pan.  Toss the carrots and potatoes in olive oil.  Sprinkle some salt, pepper, and basil on top.  Place in the oven for 12 minutes.  You want the carrots and potatoes to cook and soften up a bit but not completely.  They'll finish cooking once they're inside the pot pie.  Set aside.

Now heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Place the chicken breasts on a sheet pan.  Just as you did with the carrots and potatoes, season with olive oil, salt, pepper, and basil.  Place in the oven for 30 minutes.

When the chicken has finished cooking (and cooled off a bit) go ahead and shred into bite size pieces.  Then set aside.

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the onion and celery.  Cook a few minutes, stirring frequently. Add the mushrooms.  Cook until tender.

Stir in the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper until blended.  Gradually stir in broth and milk.  Cook and stir until the mixture becomes thickened.

Now it's time to combine everything!  Go ahead and add your carrots, potatoes, and shredded chicken to the saucepan.

Unroll one of the refrigerated pie crusts (each box comes with 2) and place in a pie pan.

Spoon in the filling.

Now heat the oven to 425 degrees.  Place the other pie crust on top of the filling.  Fold the sides and vent the top.  Put the pot pie in the oven for 35-40 minutes.  You may need to cover the edge of the crust with foil the last 15 or so minutes if it starts to turn too brown.

Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes.

Slice the pot pie and savour the yumminess!  Husband approved!

NYE

Happy New Year's y'all!  It's 2013.  J and I spent the last day of 2012 visiting with friends and family.  The morning was reserved for meeting Miss Grace Caroline Turner in Clarksville, Tennessee.  Pictures of the precious little thing are below.  Grace is the daughter of Madison (J's good friend from high school and best man in his wedding) and Lauren (J's good friend from his undergrad days at Ole Miss).  From there we hopped in the car and drove fifteen minutes over to Grandpa & Grandma Sullivan's house.  J's Uncle Hilary happened to be there too so that was a nice surprise.  After some catching up we then drove to Nashville and met up with my friends Kiersten and Anna.  Anna lives in Nashville but Kiersten was visiting for a day before flying back home to Denver.  I miss hanging out with those girls!  They always make me laugh.  So many wonderful high school and college shenanigans to look back on.  J and I didn't want to be on the road too late.  We still had a bit of drive to get back to J's parent's house in Columbia.  So we left around 11:00 and made it back to his parent's house moments before midnight.  It was the perfect ending to yet another blessed year.  We're really looking forward to what 2013 has in store...

(stole/borrowed this picture of the happy family from FB)

Miss Grace Caroline

Here is J holding Grace for the first time.  This is a HUGE deal by the way.  J is not a fan of holding babies.  But Grace must have won him over because he ASKED to hold her.  Yes, actually ASKED and requested on his own!

Grace got comfy in J's arms!

Anna making "the classier version of pigs in a blanket."

Kiersten is famous for her guacamole   Especially among the Colorado frisbee crowd.  Seriously, that is her claim to fame.

Anna and Pete's cute Christmas tree.

Pete and J watching some football.

Kierbiddagear, Anna Banana, and Me :)