Chocolate Gravy

A few weeks ago, my college bestie &  I loaded up and headed to Gulf Shores.  It was quite the trek.   Nothing catastrophic happened this time...  just a few shenanigans & chocolate gravy.   One year, we got lost in Mobile and rambled across most of Mississippi from there trying to find our way home.   This time, we lounged on the beach, ate our way through every shrimp basket along the coast and shopped at the outlet mall.   Our husbands would have been miserable.  Until the chocolate gravy was served.


                                               

This guy happened to land right beside us as we were taking an afternoon stroll.

We purposely drove one night just so we could watch the odometer turn 200,000 miles.

J.G. taught me how to do this.   I really didn't know it was this easy.   My life was empty until this point.  

If you are from the South and hear the words "chocolate gravy" muttered.......  you know that something wonderful is about to be served.   It is both magical and healing.  It covers a multitude of sins.  Just like Jesus can!  Folks from the other parts of this world.......  just don't know what they are missing.  Bless their hearts. 

Chocolate Gravy

3 heaping Tablespoons flour

3 level Tablespoons cocoa

3/4 cup sugar

3 cups milk

1/2 cup water

3 Tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix the dry together and gradually add the liquid.   Bring to a boil and stir until thickened to your preference.  Add the butter & vanilla.  Serve over hot bisquits!!  Enjoy and Thank you very much!

My Disease and a Good Reason to Vacation.

Even though the word disease is mighty strong....it is the only word  available in my mind.   Every good friend I have knows that I am slightly OCD.   My husband figured this out several years ago when he bought the first quarter collector folder.   Yes, I think all those shiny quarters with the different etchings on the back are pretty cool.  Yes, I am still doing it.  And YES, I am in need of most anything 2009 and later that has been minted in Philadelphia.   Anyone willing to help here???

(btw...this one is really special...I think it was either minted in San Francisco or it is Silver.  Either way...I have 1 of them.)

Later on, he found out that I was quietly stocking scrapbook paper.  Yes, I now have a small store inside my office closet.  Some have called me "A Paper Whore"....   Yes,  L.B.  you know I am talking about you  now.  And Yes, L.B. you have some collective issues too.  So please don't be calling me any names.......!

Most recently,  I found a Yellow Fiesta Ware bowl at the Local Thrift Shop.  (.75 cents!!!)   I am now hooked and in love.   I want one in every color.  I bought a turquoise one at Kohl's a few weeks ago with one of those Kohl's Cash coupons.   They are priced on sale for about 18.00 a piece.  I am now dreaming of those coupons.............  I have a new one that is good for next week!!!   Can you take a guess what I am going to do on Wednesday???  These bowls are perfect for opening a can of green beans  and having it look like I really care about dinner.  We all know that canned green beans just doesn't look too appetizing and need all the help they can get.  I currently own the pale yellow, red, cobalt & turquoise bowls.  I want the grass color....I really need the grass color.  Wait.... I want the orange one too.  I really need the orange one....Anyone?

This brings me to another NEW serious obsession......smashed pennies.  Just do a google search for them.  There is a whole culture of people who travel the world and buy them.  I am not sure just how serious I am about them.......BUT, I do remember as a kid seeing them a few times and thinking my parents wouldn't spring for the coins to buy them.  I was too chicken to ask for 51 cents.   I have always thought of them as cool.  Why???  I am not sure.  That totally brings me back to the OCD issue.  I need something to blame this insanity on.  I don't think I am the type to travel the globe for that specific purpose...but I might drive across town.

Find a Penny. Pick it up and all day you will have good luck.

I think what I am saying is........go on a vacation  and buy your kids some of those smashed elongated pennies...they are super cool, super cheap and have the potential to last longer than a cheap crappy t-shirt.   My bonus idea is.............YOU CAN SELL THEM ON EBAY or at least have something fun to look at while you are remembering some really fun times.  Either way...you are only out 51 cents.

So now...this brings me back to what I need...since I have recently started building this obsession collection.  If any of you are heading out on vacation.....  I have a wish list full of places I have been and would love the corresponding pennies.  Anyone?

Last week.............

Last week was all about the girls.  I loaded my darling daughters in the van and we headed to the beach.  My friend J.G. met us there.  We enjoyed 3 glorious days beachside.  Three days filled with girl talk.  Three days of bliss.  Would you like to meet J.G.???  Here is a recent pic.  She is on the right.  That is me on the left......

J.G. has a beautiful 15 year old daughter.  One of her many talents is pedicures.  She has a fondness for giving french manicures.  I was the first to line up when we arrived.  You just gotta love that child.!!!!!    (***smooches to M.G.***)

This brings me back to J.G........  She has a fondness to cook.  She inspires me to try harder in the kitchen.  Let me tell you what she did last week.  She caught a ton of crabs!  She wrestled them down and steamed them to perfection.   I was in charge of finding the shrimp.........she drove me to the market.  "Cause that is how I roll.  Here is the final result..................

Yep, we did a shrimp & crab boil!!!!!   It was pretty simple......aside from crab-wrangling.  Go buy a steamer at your local Wally-World.  They are about 21.00.   FInd some smaller red potatoes, some corn and a box of Old Bay.  Steam it all up.........and BAM!

P.S.......don't forget to add that classy black plastic garbage bag table cloth.