Mardi Gras is the love of life!

The Hubs and I enjoyed two if our homemade favorites in celebration of this past "Fat Tuesday" - Cajun Shrimp and Smoked Gouda Grits and Hurricane Punch!  [If it was even possible] I think he came to love me even more after I made these two yummy items for him the first time!  One of his all time FAV combos now :)  Makes my heart smile every time he finishes the last bite of the shrimpn'grits leftovers and wants to know when it will be in the menu rotation again.

I love anything THEMED!!  Holidays lead to parties which lead to putting together fun outfits and food menus!  And he has come to embrace and love all those 'lil things too - esp. when it means great themed meals are in in-store for his manly yet eclectic palette.  But if we are being honest - we girls with the "gift" - we can make a Holiday out of anything ;)

Hurricane Punch
makes 6 to 8 servings
(we always make double and freeze the leftovers to enjoy on a random occasion)
4 cups pineapple juice
4 cups orange juice
2 cups light rum (for best results we use Captain Morgan's Silver Spiced Rum)
1 cup grenadine
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup lime juice
1/4 triple sec
1 liter lemon-lime-flavored soda, chilled*

Combine all ingredients; stir to mix well.  When ready to serve, add lemon-lime beverage; stir gently.  Serve over ice....  Or think ahead and put a couple of plastic glasses full of this yummy goodness in the freezer to get niiiiice and slushy!  I am not much on sugar comas, well not in this 30-thing metabolism decade of my life, so we omit the "simple syrup" part of this orig. recipe - there is nothing simple about a cup of sugar, not even when mixed with lil ole H2O.  There is plenty of natural sugar in the listed Ingreds.  I promise.  I assure you.

*when doubling the recipe we still use the 1 liter of lemon-lime soda (diet, of course).

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

(Pronounced "Lay say lay bohn tohn roo lay")... In plain English - Let the good times roll!!!!!!!!!

[I have TRIED to use less exclamations, bible, but while periods serve their glorious purpose 99% of the time !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just give me some sort of happy, joyous release! !! !! ! Just can.not describe it ;)]  It truly is the 'lil things in Life.

Drink up and enjoy!
Jonjon and Lulu

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Nothing says L-O-V-E like rice-crispy GOODNESS!


Red Velvet Rice Crispy Treats

1 (10.5 oz) bag of mini marshmallows

3 tablespoons butter

1/2 tsp vanilla

3/4 cup red velvet cake mix

6 cups rice crispies cereal

sprinkles for topping, optional for that extra pizazz!

1. Melt butter and mini marshmallows over low heat. When the marshmallows are completely melted, mix in the vanilla and red velvet cake mix.
2. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the rice crispies until evenly coated.
3. Pour the batter into a lined or greased 13"x9" pan and press down.
4. Wait until cooled and cut to serve.

We hope you enjoy and have a wonderful Vday!

Jonjon & Lulu