Howdie everyone!! So far this morning I have made blueberry pancakes with real maple syrup. I also bought a box of Paczkis-bavarian creme-yum!! For supper its going to be a pot of jambalya with sausage and shrimp. I have some bananas to make some bananas foster but I haven't made it in years plus since we don't drink I have no liquor in the house...prob just make a caramel pan sauce and warm the bananas in the sauce and drizzle over some ice cream. In past years I would order a king cake from Gambinos...they always arrived beautifully!! As for lent I volunteered to run the company used book drive with the proceeds going to MDA. On a personal note I don't drink, smoke or swear so I guess I will just try to get to the gym more often and to cut out all junk foods which somehow creeped back into my diet LOL!! Tomorrow I will get up early and get ashes on my forehead but they will no doubt be gone by noon so I may have to go back for more-good thing it doesn't matter what church you go to, they are all open all day for ashes!! It is a day of Fasting and Abstinance...which means only one meal and no meats. This rule only applies to healthy adults. I will probably make a tuna casserole and salad. Cheers! Susie

Well I wish I was down home celebrating, but I will have to do it from Houston. I have a king cake, and my Mardi Gras beads are decorating my mantle. We were down in South Louisiana weekend before last and there were parades happening all over so we did get to see and hear several! They were all having a ball! I think I will make some Jambalaya tonight. HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!! Watch it live! Here is a link that might be useful: live Mardi Gras web cams

First time trying this one today: Beef ribs Rub down with your favorite rub. (I just sprinkle generously with seasoning salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder) Wrap tightly in foil and refrigerate over night. Bring to room temperature. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cook for 4 (?) hours (in the foil). Turn on broiler. Drizzle ribs with olive oil and char for about two minutes per side. *** Hubby loves this recipe: Mustard Short Ribs 4 lbs. beef short ribs 1/3 C prepared mustard 1 TB sugar 2 TB lemon juice 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 2 cloves garlic, crushed 4 medium onions, sliced Place beef ribs in shallow glass dish. Mix mustard, sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper & garlic; spread over beef. Top with onions. Cover and refrigerate, turning beef occasionally, about 24 hours. Brown ribs on the stove. Place ribs in casserole dish or Dutch oven and pour in marinade and onions. Cover and bake in 325 oven about 3-1/2 to 4 hours. *** This is the one I usually use: Braised Short Ribs 2 lbs beef short ribs 1 large clove of garlic, cut in half 1/4 cup flour 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper 1 tbls paprika 1/4 cup oil 1 (28 oz) can tomatoes 1 cup hot water 1 large carrot, peeled and diced 1 medium onion 1 small bay leaf Cut between the ribs and trim excess fat. Rub with garlic. Combine flour, salt, pepper and paprika in a dish. Roll ribs in mixture. Heat oil in heavy saucepan that can be put in the oven. Add ribs and brown well on all sides. Lift out pieces as they are browned. Drain all except 2 tbsp fat from the pan. Sprinkle in any remaining flour mixture and let bubble, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add tomatoes and hot water all at once, stirring to blend. Return to heat and bring to a boil, stirring continuously. Add carrot, onion, bay leaf and ribs. Cover tightly and bake at 325 degrees for about 3 to 3 and 1/2 hours or until meat is tender.

Marigene: I got a big chuckle out of "a big fat cheeseburger." Sue: I'd never be able to keep up with you and your girls. Good choices for your light supper. Orchid: Can I have small/half portions of each? Ellendi: What all goes into that salad? If it has enough protein, it could be a meal for me too. Kittiemom: Do you mind telling me how you season your salmon? Shirley