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Breakfast

Picture this… waking up to an egg scramble dish including sausage and cheese, and homemade skillet coffee cake with ingredients such as vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, eggs, milk, flour, and it even had a homemade streusel. I'm not talking boxed or pre-made stuff! And there was a pot of fresh coffee to wash it all down.

Where did this all come from, and how is it that I can easily be spoiled by this type of thing? My lil' cousin Evan prepared this meal. She's made the eggs before and garnished them with parsley. What blew me away was the coffee cake. I don't even know how to make coffee cake. The food was good!

I am very proud of her and didn't realize she had such talent. As you all know I enjoy cooking, and she comes from a slew of family folks who also love to cook.

So… I guess she get it from her people…

An Afternoon with Lil’ Cuz

What's up readers? I'm really trying to do better with updates. Forgive a sistah! Remember I told you about my lil' cousin who started school at SU? I picked her up yesterday around 3ish and we'd planned to just come back home and chill. But I decided we would enjoy the cloudless skies and get out a bit. We drove over to grab something to eat as I had the best lobster a sustah could ever put her lips on. My lil' cousin ordered an appetizer which included alligator, shrimp and crawfish tails. Eighteen year olds around here don't go to a restaurant and order alligator. Blew me away!

As I've had lobster from several places across the country, this one time was even better than other times I've had it here. It was closely comparable to the way the New England folks cook lobster, and y'all, they know how to cook lobster! The meat was sweet and cooked to perfection. The chef came out when my meal was served. So of course I had to later give much love to a brotha. (yeah he was a brotha). With cooking like that, I could have packed him up and brought him home! Along with my two what seemed like jumbo lobster tails was a loaded baked potato (even the potato was cooked to perfection… Yeah I had a moment with that meal) and I had a glass of Chardonnay. Evan had sweet tea.

After dinner we drove over to the new B&N here in Baton Rouge. She'd brought along her laptop to finish some updates with Mi.cr.os.oft and I of course brought my laptop to do what I do… write. The coffee aroma was tempting as we laughed about the upper/downer thing in contemplating having the coffee after having had the wine early on. She ordered an Iced Caramel Macchiato. Nope I had never had it, yep it looked good… I watched her sip on it a few minutes and couldn't resist. I went up to the counter and as the folks back there know me well 'cause you know I'm a regular…:) , the manager smiled and eagerly versed my usual back to me…'Venti Pumpkin Spice Latte extra shot extra hot, one shot short on the syrup." Now how impressive was that especially with all the people in line listening in as she had her ish together. I smiled and said politely that I was going to try something else. I didn't want to seemingly ruin her moment ya know. I kept a brief conversation with her telling her the drink looked good after my cousin had it, so I decided to try it. Then she says, "…and you do want to add the carrot cake cheesecake, right?" Y'all she was on it. Another usual! Again impressed, I told her I had just eaten… but thanks for remembering and I appreciated her service. We kept small talk even while she waited on other customers as I waited for my drink to be made.

The coffee was good. I ordered mine extra shot too, so it is now on my list of favorites. My cousin and I talked and browsed about online. I tried writing this blog then, but lil' Evan can keep a conversation going… That's my cuz! Later we decided to call it a day and she bought a couple books and I… get this… bought no books. That's right readers, none…

After we got in, we spent a few hours in the studio. Did I tell ya'll she writes poetry and has desire to do spoken word? She has goals of owning a TV/Film/Broadcast business so she was all up in the studio deep. She played around on one of my keyboards and talked and talked and showed me pictures of her friends and her honey-bun (whom she misses dearly) who's many miles away in her hometown. He's a handsome young man, and they look so adorable together in the many pictures she has of them. Finally she went to bed, and I spent a couple more hours in the studio.

She had two classes today, and I'm sure just after class, she could have been found tearing down some z's in her dorm…

That's it folks, lil cuz and the Lady ProducHer during our Sunday stroll….

P.S. I didn't throw it in the blog, but as I am allergic to some seafood, I did get minor itches last night and the eyes were red and puffy this morning like I'd been cryin'... Could it have been the lobster, hmmm don't know, but that meal there was worth it all baby. I popped a Benedryl and rubbed the skin rash with my prescribed medicated cream and all is good honey. U know me!

 

The Jump Off!

Hello everyone. I'm just getting in from the party tonight. (Remember the one I told ya about earlier?) Wow! What an incredible turnout! There were some party people up in there. I kept the mix Jazzy and Christmas until after they ate and then honey, they GOT down. The hostess made a few announcements every hour or so giving away $25 gift cards from various vendors. During her last announcement, she gave away $100 bills. I thought that was really nice for the employees. The gifts were given away from a draw of tickets which the employees received at the door upon arrival.

The oblong room was quite elegant with two rows of about 4 or 5 beautiful chandeliers across the ceiling. The lighting was perfectly dim creating perfect ambiance. I've actually done some other events in that same room before. The food OOOOH man, the hotel DID that! It was seasoned well. The menu included turkey, cornbread dressing, and green bean casserole to DIE FOR, candied yams, mashed potatoes, mixed greens salad, rolls, and pecan pie. The beverage was iced tea.

There was a professional photographer who had a really nice setup with props and gear. Of course she and her assistant and I did the network thing. I also participated in some test shots after they'd hooked everything up. They wanted to make sure their lighting was okay. So I got a couple great sample pictures as well. They were nice people.

I even got my dance on a few times. As I think back, when you have a good mixture of folks, black and white and young and old, having a good time as such, it's another one of those add 'em ups. I'm gon' get deep on y'all for a minute, but to look out at that group of people from the platform I was set up on; everything in that building at the time was genuine. People laughing, smiling, socializing and dancing – and what more perfect time than Christmas to share such joy.

I say that to say this, the supervisor of these people came in somewhere around mid-time the event and he HAD ON JEANS. This event was semi-formal attire. He was asked by the hostess to speak but he refused. He walked around a few, talk to a very few and left. This is the perfect example of a trifling leader heading off a squad of 400 plus people.

Overall, it was a wonderful evening. I was told by the head of the committee that they are definitely considering me for other various events, and possibly the Christmas gig next year.

Well that's it my good folks. My eyes are going together. I'm tired and My KNEES are CRYING out to me. Baby, I worked them over on that dance floor! I'll see the doc this week.

Sending Holiday wishes to you and yours…

I’m Stuffed!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Wow, I'm stuffed. And yes my jeans are unbuttoned! Everything turned out really good with another year of family folks and good friends. There was a house full!!!! I'm thinking of doing some house-hopping now. Although I'm full – I know somebody has cooked gumbo and I'd like to get that in before the day is over. (At least grab a bowl for later!) The weather is a bit nippy and I LOVE IT! I've got on a black sweater and jeans and black boots, so I'm ready baby. 

 

My niece and hubby also came over for dinner – you know the one who was married a couple weeks ago. She's a poet, so babygirl wants to record something in the studio tonight!  She's gone to visit other relatives now, and I aw know 'cause I've had two DEEP glasses of white wine and I'm on cruise control -- but we'll see whenever she gets back. Speaking of house-hopping; shoot I could really just open my bedroom window and let all that nice crispy weather in and sleep like a baby.

I'm hoping all of you are having a wonderful day with your peoples.

Gotta go,

Love ya

Lady the DJ…too?!

Last Friday, I sort of graduated from selective training with my job. Sooooooooooooo got that under my belt. I passed!!!! The facilitators were good in providing excellent training tools and resources. They know their stuff. It was cool meeting eleven other people from across the state and neighboring states who also participated. We've practically become family.

Last night, I went out to the daiquiri shop (Danny D's Daiquiri's) where I usually hang out. I DJ'd the whole evening. My boy CJ was out of town, so I filled in for him. It put some extra change in my pocket, plus I got a chance to do my thang. The crowd was the old-school/young-old-school heads. There wasn't much dancing; it seemed everyone just wanted to mentally get in the zone with some good music and good times. I threw in my share of the blues, and lots of old school joints. I threw in a few fast joints, but it just kept most of them head-banging in their chairs. I knew my cue was to just keep'em entertained as they socialized, drank, and enjoyed each other's company.

It had rained most of the evening as well, so that may have put everybody in the zone. I believe a DJ who's in tune with their audience is important. You can feel the flow of where they want to go. Sometimes you can bring them to a certain point, but they will take you right back by making requests.

I sipped on a couple of Martell on the rocks and ate the best Hot Sausage plate with a dab of mustard with crackers. Good stuff!

The shop is known for its "One Man Gang" daiquiri. (Man I hope I spelled that right – I'm not sure if it's One Man Gang or Game) All I know is that it is purple and it's good. The owners (hubby-I've known for years and just met wifey since I've been going in there) are good people. They seem to be a great team. I've re-united with their family as well who's always hanging out in there.

In providing the services, I used my boy's equipment and music. I usually like to bring my own music, 'cause I know where everything's at. But with his lugs of CD's and mine, I wasn't having it. I'm seriously thinking of upgrading the DJ setup to computer anyway. I've already got a lot of my music cataloged to my laptop, and I'm thinking of buying a DJ software package which contains software like Traktor, and an interface (usb or firewire) and run it with my laptop and main speakers. No more lugging around CD's, a mixer or gobs of external gear. Talk about simple pleasures, and with today's technology – why not? Right now, I have over 2500 songs on this laptop. Man, think I can't DJ a whole night with JUST those songs. We can get down honey!

Alright I'm threw combusating. I'm going get deep in studio and do what I do. See y'all next time for sure. Oh and thanks for the emails I'm starting to see regarding the music/studio side of this blog. I appreciate the love. Go Jaguars!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P.S. I know y'all know me as the Gumbo Gurl, but "Lady" is my music/producer alias, which I've been using for years. And you know I'm gon' always be your Gumbo Gurl! That name was rightfully earned! Go figure…

 

 

3 Freaking Strikes

Well… 4!

There's a small restaurant not far from here which has seen ME for the last freaking time. What happened to sticking with what sells and quality assurance?

Strike 1, I noticed blue/green mold on sweet potato pie slices they had for sale at the register. I hadn't planned to buy any, but made them aware of it to prevent selling it to other customers.

Strike 2, I got a plate of old cold and unseasoned chicken which is normally well-seasoned and hot. It tasted like I was eating wood. (Ya-ha y'all get it huh?…"chicken taste like wood...")

But nahhhhh, I go back today and well uhm…..

Strike 3, Some ole' little lady on the serving line coughed her smoked out lungs over the food; well not really but she turned her head and sprayed it all over the atmosphere.….I made SURE she did not prepare my food and I DID NOT order anything within her germ spraying. I ordered from much further down the line. (I know the trick nasty lady pro'lly had coughed over everything before I got there) Actually, I almost didn't order anything at all after that. If you've got coughing ailments, you do NOT need to be on anybody's serving line, PERIOD!

… Got my food home….

Strike 4, My mashed potatoes WERE SOUR!

Like Madea would say, "I'm thuew!"

Hard Headed

I've been a naughty girl. A week or so ago, I ate shrimp, lobster, and shrimp and shrimp (yes I did!) and catfish ALL WEEK!!!! It was a serious craving. I had shrimp fried rice, shrimp egg foo yong (aahhh Hunan's is the BEST!!! – What a magnificent discovery), lobster tails from Ralph's and Kacoo's, (to die for!) and fried catfish and crawfish boudin from Tony's. I usually don't get an immediate breakout, but one day while having lunch at Hunan's, I immediately broke out on my left arm and hand. My stomach and chest area was already inflamed from eating this stuff, so I guess my body was saying ENOUGH ALREADY!

The immediate reaction freaked me out, but I still finished my meal and vowed to not do it again. (Yeah right!) On another day, I had catfish which had never caused a reaction that I know of, however some hours later, the already inflamed area became more irritable as more red spots developed. I think I had a slight swelling in my face during this time too. I noticed it more around my eyes, cheeks and lips. But of course with all the shellfish I had consumed in my body, it probably wasn't the catfish.

For real though --- this time I've got to let it all go. I had cleared up so well before. NOPE! I'm not going back to the doctor so he can talk about me. He gave me two more refills for my lotion, so uhm -- I'm gon' use it.

It's hard out here for a sustah having been raised up on this stuff while living in the heart of it and CAN"T eat it! Now that AINT right!

It’s the Shrimp!

Two days before I visited my dermatologist a couple of weeks ago; I ate a shrimp po'boy. Some hours later it was proven that shrimp was causing my skin allergy. 

Although there were no specific tests given and after a thorough visual examination, Doc thought I was allergic to the elastic in my undies. But, since I didn't have any affected areas in my back, he later ruled that out, yet indicated this was a common late developing allergy for women.

He gave me instructions to use only Dove Sensitive body soap and no perfumes. (You know I'm a Bath and Body Work's girl anyway!) I was given a shot in the hip and a prescription for Cutivate lotion. They made me sit there for 20 minutes to make sure the injection didn't cause a reaction.

Doc told me NOT to eat any shrimp while using the prescription (no matter how bad I wanted to!). He also told me if my skin worsened, I would need to come back and start testing procedures with pricks and patches. After 4-5 days, my skin cleared and the itchiness went away. Yeah!!! The lotion cost $100 for 60ml. I paid $40 through my insurance.

My niece and hubby were over last night and she seasoned and fried extra large shrimp and catfish. I wanted some of them shrimp so badly. I hit the studio to prevent the suffering!

I sure do miss 'em.

Y’all Aint Gon’ Believe This!

The Gumbo Gurl is allergic to seafood!!! (Well…shellfish! I believe.) Now what kind of stuff is that huh? I guess Ms Nature has figured I've had my share and somebody else's during my lifetime. If y'all have been reading with me for a while, YOU KNOW HOW I LOVE ME SOME SEAFOOD! I haven't been to a doctor yet to confirm this, however, after careful assessment and follow through, I think I've pin-pointed the issue.

It started a couple months ago while I was home and during my travels to the Chicago area and Wisconsin. I ate lots of crawfish and shrimp while I was home and noticed I started getting this mild rash on my stomach and chest. It was red, not irritable and just itched a bit. In the Chicago area, I ate Red Lobster, shrimp and steak, and mostly lots of shrimp from several restaurants. The rash (sort of like eczema) began to cover a bigger area, but still remained red and itchy.

I stopped eating seafood a week before I went back home (time off) for almost a week and noticed the symptoms calmed down. The redness even started to go away in some areas. Still not knowing the cause (and actually thinking it was a normal allergy reaction to something which would eventually go away like working out at the gym and having been exposed to something, or maybe the detergent from the bedding in my hotel), I started eating seafood again. When I got to Wisconsin I ate shrimp fried rice from a Chinese restaurant. I had it several times and the rash started up again and spread even more. Again I'm still thinking bedding or something in the room or in the area since my sinuses were acting up as well. But while closely monitoring the seafood situation, I began to feel like it was the culprit.

The rash grew larger and began to show discoloration. The scratching was uncontrollable and I knew if I didn't stop scratching, I could cause infection. I would dig so hard sometimes -- I'd think I was going to cut through my skin. It became embarrassing because I would itch all the time. A couple of weeks ago after I returned home to stay, I ate shrimp and crawfish a few times and the patchy area grew larger and became very irritable and sore. I became afraid especially after hearing horror stories of how certain seafood allergies can eventually advance to a fatal status which is rare but possible. I then stopped eating all seafood. I called a doctor who was highly recommended and the earliest I could get an appointment is next week while arranging it around their schedule and my work schedule. I've googled and found that it is common to develop this allergy during adult-hood. What a bomber for the seafood lover. For relief, I've tried using a cream a friend recommended, but it didn't do any good.

I now have a large patchy area. The discoloration is slight as it seems to be clearing up and the itch is relieved, however, the irritation remains. It's almost as if there's a minor reaction still in my system. The itchy red patches are now evident in the thighs and knee areas as well. During lunch I usually go to restaurants which serve seafood -- so maybe the simple exposure to seafood has me irritable. Heck, I don't know. What I do know is I want relief.

Fish & Grits

Yep, I'm a Southern Girl, born and raised down in the dirtiest of dirty and for the very first time of my something-something years, I've tried the ole' southern dish -- Fish and Grits. Hated it!!!

A close friend cooked some a few days ago and sent her hubby over to bring me a plate. She knew I'd never tried it and we talked about me one day doing the dang-on-thing. I just could not enjoy the fish with the grits. Taste buds weren't having it.

When I see hot fried catfish, you'd better have potato salad and some green peas. I've never heard anybody where I'm from talk about fish and grits. I've known about it and I believe it's common in Texas, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. My friend says this has been in her family for years. I don't even remember my grandmothers cooking fish and grits TOGETHER!

Have you tried it?!