~~~ Dinner For Two!!!

AHHHH, Shrimp Creole! This is what we had for dinner tonight. For YEARS we have used Justin Wilson's recipe but decided to try Emeril Lagasse's version. I have to say we both liked it better! So, I do recommend this recipe.

 We serve it over rice, white or brown, whatever your preference.

 The shrimp are added for the last few minutes. Joe made the creole yesterday so the flavors could meld. I always think things are better the second day.

 Joe likes red wine, I had a good Pino Grigio with mine. I have to apologize, I did not set a very special table. Just our everyday dishes and placemats.

 Here is my plate.

So, here is the recipe if you want to try it. I HIGHLY recommend it!
Ingredients
1 stick of butter
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped green bell peppers
1 cup chopped celery
salt and cayenne
2 bay leaves
2 pounds peeled, seeded and chopped tomatoes (or you can use canned)
1 Tbls. chopped garlic
dash of worchestershire
dash of hot sauce
2 Tbls. all-purpose flour
1 cup water
2 1/2 pounds of large shrimp, peeled, tail off and deveined (we used LARGE, frozen shrimp and they were GREAT
Emerill's Essence
1/2 cup chopped green onions
2 Tbls. chopped parsley
4 cups cooked long grain rice
Directions
In large sauce pan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions, peppers, and celery to the pan. Season the vegs. with salt and cayenne.Saute the vegs. until they are wilted, about 6-8 mins. Stir in the bay leaves, tomatoes and garlic. Season with salt and cayenne. Bring the mixture to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the mixture for about 15 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry add some water. Season the mixture with the worchestershire and hot sauce. Whisk the flour and water together. Add the flour mixture to the tomato mixture and continue to cook for 4 to 6 minutes. Season the shrimp with the Essence. Add the shrimp to the mixture and continue to cook for about 4-6 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink and curl up. Stir in the green onions and parsley.
Check the seasoning and add more salt and cayenne if needed. Serve the creole over rice. ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!
If you are a fan of slightly spicy shrimp this dish is for YOU!!!! I am linking to On the Menu Monday at http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/. There will be LOTS of recipes and inspiration, so head on over!!!!! XO, Pinky

~~~ The NEW Driveway!!!~~~

Happy Sunday! Hope you all are having a good day. I am LAZY today. I couldn't remember if I ever showed you the driveway redone??? Any way it still makes me SO happy to have it done. It doesn't take much to excite me, huh??? LOL! The driveway has been bad for years then back in March we had trees removed and the crane REALLY damaged the driveway. But we had planned to redo it anyway, so this just pushed us ahead. Here are some of the BEFORE pics.

 Cracks and upheaval!

 Lovely...

 Dangerous, actually. You could really turn your ankle on this.

 Oh brother, it got worse when they backed out!

 TA DA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is SOOOOOO nice. SMOOTH as silk. We had had about a 4 inch drop as you drove into the garage for years due to settling and now it is a smooth ride! AHHHH.....

 These were taken in June. It is not a big deal to most people but to me it is:):) I am going to join these parties:
Wow Us Wednesday at http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ Metamorphisis Monday at http://www.betweennapsontheporcch.blogspot.com/
Amaze Me monday at http://www.dittledattle.blogspot.com/
Show and Tell Friday at http://www.myromantichome.blogspot.com/
Please visit these great parties! XO, Pinky

~~~Continuing the Tour!~~~

Good Saturday morning! Yesterday I showed you the Foyer, Living room, family room and Dining room of my girlfriends beautiful home in Fenwick Island, De. Today we move on to the kitchen and sunroom. There are HIGH ceilings in the kitchen, which I LOVE! When they moved in, she asked me to come down and help unpack and decorate a little. I did the tops of the cabinets! I stood on the counters, a ladder and practically crawled onto the fridge to get to that corner!!!! But, I loved doing it! As you can see, she has beautiful things to work with! Click on the pics to enlarge, if you want a better view!

 The windows over the cabinets bring in lots of wonderful, natural light.

 I was standing on the stairs to take these pics.

 Love the glass front cabinets for showcasing her beautiful dishes. Double ovens....SIGH. Maybe I will have them one day:):) I am sorry I didn't get better pictures. I am afraid I am not doing this room justice!

 She and I collected pottery for MANY years. We went to juried craft fairs and got pottery when it was not so expensive as it is now!!!!!

 Love that platter/tray. I have a very similiar one:):)

 The perfect picture for a house at the beach: crabs and beer!!!!!!!!!!

 Right off the breakfast room they added a sunroom and deck. It was way too hot this past weekend to sit out there but it is so nice. I have had lunch out there and enjoyed it immensly.

 This table comes in handy for PARTIES!!!!!

 I also have this same fountain:):) I told you we had the same taste!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Oh so comfy swivel rockers.............I could take a book out there and be lost for hours.

 To the right of the sunroom is the deck.

Thanks again to our friends for allowing me to share their beautiful home with you all!!!!! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! We are going to a 1st birthday party this afternoon, then to our dinner group tonight! XO, Pinky I am joining The Tablescaper fopr Seasonal Sunday at http://www.thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

~~My Girlfriends Home!!!~~~

Good morning my friends! Today I am showing you the home of my friend. She and I have known each other for almost 30 years and a few years ago she and her hubby moved to the beach and built a gorgeous home. We spent the weekend there last weekend and she graciously allowed me to take pictures to show you! Today we will see the foyer, living and dining rooms. Tomorrow I will show you the KITCHEN and sunporch so please come back!!!! OK, WELCOME to this lovely home. This is the foyer. She and I have VERY similiar taste AND she was lucky enough to have lived in Japan for 2 years so she has some GORGEOUS pieces!!!!!! Can you tell I am JUST A LITTLE JEALOUS:):):)

 Looking from in the living room.

 To the left of the foyer, the living room.

 This is a gorgeous fountain in the corner.

 Close up of fountain. It was running when we got there, I should have asked her to turn it on for the pics. This was taken the next day. I love that screen behind it! And the rattan shoes. In Japan you ALWAYS take your shoes off at the door!

 A corner of the living room.

 These came back with her and are 2 of my favorite pieces.

 Here we are in the dining room. I LOVE her chairs!

 Love these candle holders too! She also makes all her arrangements.

 Love this piece too. And, all the beautiful things she has displayed on it!

 Here is the family room.

 This black wall unit is gorgeous against the rusty color of the wall!

 That is the 2 of us in the picture on the right top shelf! You can click on any picture to enlarge it.

 Picture over the fireplace.

 Going upstairs. See how beautifully the leaves on the wall match the picture?!

So, that is PART of the tour. Be sure to come back tomorrow! Thanks again to our dear hosts for having us!!!! XO, Pinky