A shrimp boil is one of my favorite parties —–no dirty dishes. This is also a completely portable party. My favorite spot is on the beach. When we have a large crowd, we borrow an extra turkey fryer or two. The following recipe uses 1 large 34 quart turkey fryer with a strainer basket that goes almost to the top of the pot. One pot serves about 10-12 people.

First cover your entire table with freezer paper, shiny side up. Let the cooking begin!

Printable Shopping List and Instructions

Fill turkey fryer about 2/3 full of water. Bring to a boil and add 2 pkgs of Zatarain’s spice mix, 1/4 - 1/2 bottle Zatarain’s Shrimp and Crab oil, 1 cup of salt and garlic. Boil for 15 minutes

Add potatoes, boil for 7-8 minutes

Corn goes in next for 5 minutes (if corn is frozen you might need to turn up the heat for a minute to get your water boiling again)

Add kielbasa, cook for 8 minutes

Add onions, and squeeze lemon juice into pot and then toss the lemons into the water, boil 3- 4 minutes (oops picture is wrong - add the garlic at the beginning!)

Add shrimp and cook 5 minutes or just until shrimp turns pink.

Turn off the heat, immediately pull basket from the water and let drain.

Pour contents of basket onto your freezer paper covered table

Serve with sliced baguette sprinkled down the table and bottles of squeeze butter, cocktail sauce and spicy mustard. Remember NO knives, forks, spoons or plates allowed! This is all finger food and condiments are squeezed directly onto the table! When finished just roll up the paper and give everyone a finger wipe! A big thanks to our dear friends Jeff and Cathy for showing us how to have the best party ever!

Put on some Zydeco (zi-dee-coe) music and have a great time!

I can’t believe summer vacation is over. My kids headed back to school today(well two out of three ain’t bad). I sent them each with a little hand lotion or hand soap  (on sale now at Bath & Body) for their new teachers and a note that said, “If I can give you a ‘hand’ this year, please don’t hesitate to call me,” and then included my home and cell number.

I just think this is a great way to start the year and open the lines of communication. This is our first year to have a man teacher. I was going to fill a work glove with candy for him, but I decided that since he has a sink in his room he would still probably appreciate some hand soap.

Today is National S’more Day so it is time to get those fire pits and camp fires burning. My boys and their friend were thrilled to celebrate a day early so I could take a photo.

Well lets just say we really didn’t need a fire. Our marshmallows and chocolate were having no problem melting in the hot Kansas weather. I know, it is just WRONG to build a fire when it is still 90 degrees at 9:00 P.M.

If you want to keep cool inside try these s’more candies. They were really quick and simple. The recipe can be found here. Next time I would just use chocolate chips.  I halved the recipe and it made 18.

Look at these awesome s’more cupcakes from Sew Darn Cute.

Feeling like you should eat more fruit?

TRACEY’S CARAMEL APPLE S’MORE

1 marshmallow

2 chewy caramels

2 green apple slices, about 1/2-inch thick

Skewer the marshmallow followed by the two caramels on the same roasting stick. Roast until golden. Slide concoction onto one of the apple slices, top with remaining slice.

— “S’mores, Gourmet Treats for Every Occasion” by Lisa Adams

Still want s’more fun? Try Hershey’s S’mores for more recipes, activities, crafts, and fun facts.

Happy S’More Day!

I received the following letter from Hope’s Heart —

Dear Cindy and all ’sewers’,

What an incredible blessing the ’silkies’ were to all the orphans! They responded in so many delightful ways. One little guy placed his like a hat on his head; one sensitive toddler covered his teddy bear with the ’silkie’ and ‘tucked in’ the bear for a nap: one baby looked intently at the ’silkie’ while touching it’s softness; one little one made a ‘bed’ out of it for her bear; and many just carried their silkies around enjoying the brightness and softness of them. For many, this may have been the first gift they have ever received!

Thank you so very much for blessing hundreds of babies and children. Your efforts and the love and prayers that went into making them will be cherished by the children. All the children received one, and we left the extras at the orphanages for new children or to replace any that might get lost or torn.

Enclosed are some photos I know you will enjoy. I will email any others I receive from team members. You can see a couple photos as well on the Hope’s Heart web site. Follow the link from the homepage about the trip.

Gratefully,

Judy
Hope’s heart Orphan Foundation

Thank you all again for making this possible. You helped to bring comfort and joy to so many orphans!