Hey Friends!
Snow in Cenla? That’s “Central Louisiana” for those of you who aren’t from here. Alexandria is also known as “Alec” pronounced “Ellek” which you only say if you really ARE from around here. Our own little neck of the woods is a community known as Poland, which may or may not have come from the phrase “poor land” as opposed to “rich land” and I’m not sure where that is at all. But we do have the Poland School and a few churches with that name, and a volunteer fire department, and once upon a time there was a post office. So now you know a little more about the little spot of earth we call home.
And yesterday, home was cloaked in a glorious blanket of snow that made me feel as if I had been plunked down in some version of a New England postcard. Even our dog, now a grown-up puppy of 3, knew just what to do: roll around in the snow and rub his face all in it. What use is all that golden retriever hair if not to keep warm and carry on? I think we are all set for next year’s Christmas card picture.
It is fun to imagine “what would my life be like if I woke up to this every morning?” In all honesty, I probably would not be as enamored of it if I had to shovel it off the sidewalk or deal with mounds of mittens and bunches of boots. The Lord knew I could not raise 5 children and deal with snowsuits at the same time. Even so, the blessing of a quiet warm house in which to view a beautiful landscape has been a sweet, post-Christmas gift.
When it’s cold, we make gumbo. (Ok, we make it when it’s hot too. It’s always a good day to make gumbo; who am I kidding?) There are really only 2 kinds: seafood and chicken & sausage. Here’s our family’s favorite, straight from the BEST Louisiana cookbook. I am serious. I love this cookbook so much I bought it for all 5 kids. And what’s even better? They USE it. Can we just pause for a second at the joy and delight that comes to a mom’s heart when her kids cook? It's real. So here is the recipe for you too, from Donald Link’s Real Cajun.
Thanks, as always, for reading. I hope you are staying warm, cozy, and maybe even cooking up something hearty and served in a bowl. I hope and pray your home says “welcome” and that, even if you too wake up in Narnia one morning, your delight remains in those things that are certain and unchanging.
Welcome Home!
Renée
Snow days were glorious-slow, everyone home and soup!
I've never made gumbo but will try it!
Happy snow day! I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Houston and you all got snow and we got nothing! Crazy. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying it. I’ll have to share your gumbo recipes with local friends who have made it and see how the recipes compare. They’d gotten the right spices for theirs and it was delicious. Also, I love it when my kids cook, too, though I was just thinking the other day that they’re going to need some more practice. Ah well, soon enough they’ll get it!