It's my sister, Ashley Beth's, birthday today! As with any double named southerner, her name isn't Ashley; it's Ashley Beth. But as family often does, we have shortened names and given nicknames. If you don't have some sort of nickname in south Louisiana, you may not be loved. So we called Ashley Beth "ABs", "A.B.", "The Beth-mister", and most often just "Beth." My affectionate names were "T-Whit", "Whiterino", "The Whit-mister", and most often just "Whit." As sisters do, we fought. Mostly Beth and me. Adrienne was too consumed with more civilized things like high school parties, learning The Freeze, and getting the bass setting right on her karaoke machine. Ashley Beth and I were fighting in the living room when...
Men in south Louisiana are often great cooks. My dad isn't one of them, but fortunately, mom's friends husband's are. This is a recipe from Mr. Jess Waguespack. I've made this as long as I've been married. Gulf shrimp feels like a treat to most; the peel and eat way feels casual. For a more elegant approach, I peel these after they are broiled and serve over angel hair pasta. Broiled Shrimp 6 dozen large shrimp 2 sticks butter, melted 2 cloves garlic 3 limes pulp of one lime 1/3 cup vermouth 1 tablespoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 8 dashes Tabasco pepper sauce 1/2 cup olive oil Arrange shrimp in one layer in a shallow pan. Mix all sauce ingredients...
Blog post from January 27, 2012: As I mentioned a few days ago, I was scheduled to meet with someone who is one of the best in the antique jewelry business: Ms. Sealann Longwell. I met with her. Y'all, it was wonderful.To sit and talk to someone who has 30+ years experience in the field that you want to really dig deep into was incredible. It was invaluable.Not only does she have the knowledge and wisdom, but she also has kindness. She shared some information with me that's taken her years to develop. We shared a few laughs, a cup of coffee, and talked antique jewelry. It was one of the best days I've had since starting this business.I was...
Mom gave me this recipe when I lived in Atlanta. She said she's had this recipe since high school. I lived in Buckhead with my cousin, Carmen, for 8 weeks the summer before my senior year in college. I had an internship at a corporate Psychology firm downtown, and it was fun playing house, trying new recipes with my cousin. Carmen thought my easy recipes were delicious! This was also the summer that I made broiled shrimp and 72 hours later, she frantically rushed me to the emergency room, clearing everyone in the way of her "Whit Whit" getting the help she required. Her way of calming me was, "Whit, this is bad! Can you breathe? You look like Hitch!...
I should add the word "Easy" to the series title. "Best EASY Summertime Recipes". Because if it ain't easy, y'all know it's not gonna happen. Especially in the summer. In my mind (or fantasy land), I would pick fresh tomatoes, grown from my garden, and throw together several fresh, light dishes with other organic ingredients that Reginald picked up at the local Farmer's Market. (Reginald is our Butler in fantasy land.) I don't want to sound pretentious, but I think Reginald would wear a butler uniform of sorts. Until I get my thoughts gathered on staff uniform style, where to find Reggie, (as we would call him when we are not in formal company), and how to even grow a...
