Snow. snow.. Snow.. and more snow... ahhhh I can't believe that it's coming down so much.. just when I was begining to see my lawn again! Today is one of those days where you could have crawled up on the couch and slept all day.. I wanted to.. but gave up! However my three animals each chose a spot to lay in all day.. I swear they are all babies... wouldn't it be nice to sleep like that? I have to be honest though.. since I've been working part-time I do feel lazy and lost and bored many days... and I feel guilty because my kids are in school and my husband is sleeping from working the night before.. I feel like I have lost all my energy and Paula Deen is becoming my one of my favorite addictions.. along with Judge Judy.. I know.. I know.. it's Drama in her show.. but it's stupid drama...!! and it can be addicting!! Maria our foreign exchange student adores and I mean ADORES Paula.. I told her tonight "imagine if you got stuck with a southern family what your accent would be like.. ".. she laughed.. here in New England you don't have to pronounce your "R'sss" and you can boil all your food.. end of story...Maria is just plain tickled that she can bake banana bread!!!

Here's one of Paula's recipes we are going to try.. you can find this right on the Food Network web-site.. we are going to keep the shrimp out though.. I'm not to fancy on it.. Maria would love it.. but not me.. funny how I live so close to the ocean but don't fancy seafood.. my hubby on the other hand.. different story!!

JAMBALAYA

Jambalaya Mix, recipe follows 2 1/2 cups water 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce 1/2 pound fully cooked smoked sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices 1/2 to 3/4 pound medium, fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
In a Dutch oven, combine mix, water, tomatoes, tomato sauce and smoked sausage. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high head. Cover, reduce heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for an additional 5 to 7 minutes, or until shrimp are pink. Serve immediately.
Jambalaya Mix: 1 cup long-grain rice 3 tablespoons dried minced onion 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes 1 tablespoon beef bouillon granules 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 bay leaf
In a small bowl, combine rice, onion, parsley, beef bouillon, thyme, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and bay leaf. Pour into cellophane bag. Store in an air-tight container.

I'll let you know how this tastes!! Til then.. we'll be buried to our chin in snow!!! Ü