Stewed Okra and Tomatoes

This is a delicious thick stew made Louisiana style that will warm up a chilly evening.

Ingredients:

• 1 - 24 oz. bag of frozen okra
• 1 1/2 c. of chopped ham
• 2 c. of medium shrimp
• 1 - 12 oz. can of whole stewed tomatoes
• 1 c. of sliced smoked sausage or andouille
• 1 T. of vinegar
• 1/2 c. of diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 c. of diced onion
• 2 T. of minced garlic
• 2 tsp. of all purpose seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 T. of cooking oil
• 2 tsp. of butter

Over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet melt together butter and cooking oil. Saute onion, garlic, bell pepper, and okra until browned and okra slime is cooked away. Add sausage and ham cooking them until slightly browned. Add stewed tomatoes and vinegar stirring until well mixed and bubbling. Add shrimp, all purpose seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer until shrimp is white. Serve over rice.

Autumn

As the day's light fades into lingering nights, Autumn is a time to cocoon at home and focus on family and friends, the cooler afternoons turning into crisp, chilly evenings compels one to get cozy, pulling out nubby throws, to lay across the sofa's arm, taking down fuzzy blankets to spread across the beds. As Autumn falls gently down around me I crave thick stews and hearty casseroles. Being from New Orleans I desire gumbo deluged with shrimp, crabs, and thick chunks of smoky, andouille. aahh, mmhh, good. Being a mother I take on the task of covering my children's head and hands with hand crocheted hats and mittens by choosing a simple pattern and luxe, soft yarn. At the bookstore I browse through bestsellers to find the perfect, engrossing novel to read with my significant other by the fire in the waning evening hours before it's time to go to bed. Autumn is the season when I turn inward to home to nest with my family.

I need those funny emails

When I'm feeling blue and out of it I need a funny email to make me laugh and realize that I'm OK. Being OK is great it means you are not KO'd. Every time a co-worker forwards a funny email to me and I get a kick out of it my day is brightened despite my circumstances and frustrations. I usually forward the very best ones to my friends and family and other dear co-workers to pass on the medicine we all need. Laughter is medicine.

Welcome

I am on a journey and so are you. Along the way I have seen some beautiful things, experienced wonders, and have gone through difficult challenges. But, I don't regret making my way on the journey and it isn't over yet. While I'm here I will be sharing my thoughts and views, my dreams and goals, my likes and loves, and my disappointments and frustrations. Feel free to accompany me from time to time and look through my eyes on my way to the Sweet By & By.

Blog?

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