Monday, May 24, 2010

We won the Lottery!!

We thought we won the lottery a few months ago. Our son Seth barely missed being hit by a speed demon trucking rounding the corner, on 2 wheels after drum lessons. My hubby was ready to punch the guy out for driving like that but backed down when someone with a gun was going to get out of the back seat. I then thought I had won the lottery cuz my hubby didn't get in a fight. Long story there lol. We both decided leaving the seen since we were all fine, Thank You Jesus and that was like winning the lottery, even if we never actually win.

Well guess what?? We did actually win!! We got 5 out of 6 numbers in the Texas Lottery last Saturday night. We were 1 number away from 94 million! We spent out usual $5 and got all quick picks. We ended up actually winning $2,115 before taxes. I have been on cloud 9 to say the least. God is Good!!!

Final thought: You can't win if you don't play!!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Stephie's Texas Chicken Gumbo

I made up my own recipe for Gumbo. I was inspired by the movie The Princess and The Frog. Lylah, my Granddaughter has been watching it over and over. There is also some sort of dessert on this movie which I haven't caught the "correct" name of but I would love to make it as well, it seems to be powder sugared sopapillas, anyway they look very good.

First seared my veggies, chicken and sausage to lock in the juice and flavor. The veggies I used were bought at Wal-Mart but I price compared with my grocery fliers, very easy and saves a bunch. My red pepper was only 88 cents and it is the most nutritious color of the bunch.

Veggies:
celery, red bell pepper, onion, minced garlic and okra thawed (i bought frozen), ginger root
Meat:
beef sausage, chicken breasts and frozen cooked shrimp

I put my chicken stock in my crockpot to heat while I prepared my ingredients. While searing my ingredients I add soul food seasonings, which is a nice blend of salt, garlic, paprika, onion black pepper and red pepper. Let everything slow cook on high for 4 hours then add thawed shrimp and okra. Everything is really cooked it just has to merry. I served on a bed of whole grain rice with some sweetened cornbread. Yummy!

My hubby LOVED it and he thought he would hate it. It is very healthy and lasts several days and gets better with each day. I think even Justin Wilson God rest his soul would have loved this, give it a try.