Gator Gumbo-A Spicy Hot Tale by Candace Fleming

Ahhhh my dear friends and readers...today is TASTY TUESDAY!!!! But alas I should have chosen my item of show and tell YESTERDAY and done my photos and blogging update today. Unfortunately, my scrumptious concoctions are still in their respective cooking gadgets and my time for blogging is NOW. So bear with me and cut me some slack and my promised presentation will be posted as soon as possible! You won't be disappointed I promise.

Are you wondering why I changed the name of my blog? Well check out the "about me" on the right and it sort of explains it okay? I'm sort of funny about names but I think this fits my lifestyle a little better.

So in the meantime, I was looking for a cute book for my kids to learn a little about cajun food since they have recently discovered a love for hush puppies, ("lil' doggie things" as Ava calls them) and I stumbled upon this adorable book called "Gator Gumbo-A Spicy Hot Tale" by Candace Fleming. I'm posting a review from Amazon's fabulous website for you to enjoy. Please note that the title of this post is actually a link to the book on Amazon! (Can you tell I LOVE Amazon?)

"Let me tell you about Monsieur Gator.
Monsieur Gator, he lives down in the bayou, oh yes he do.
He lives on the edge of the swamp, uh-huh.
He has big claws, big teeth, and a big appetite, for sure.
But Monsieur Gator, he has a big problem too.

You see, Monsieur Gator, he is getting old.
He is growing gray.
He is moving so-s-o
so-o-o
Sl-o-o-o-w.

Hoo, I tell you that gator moves slower than saw grass grows.
He moves slower than a snail with sore feet.
He moves so slow he cannot catch himself a taste of possum, or a
bit of otter, or a whiff of stripe-tailed skunk.

And - oh ho! - them critters sure know it!"


So starts this wonderful tale; a retelling of the tale of The Little Red Hen when all is said and done. This little story is set along the banks of a Louisiana Bayou and is filled with the most interesting characters.

All the swamp critters know that Monsieur Gator is getting old and cannot catch them any more and they take full advantage of this and spend their day teasing and tormenting the old gator. I must say that they are obnoxious little critters and as the story unfolds you become quite sorry for the old gator and quite putout at the obnoxious little beasties.

The old gator is crafty though. I suspect he has read the adventures of The Little Red Hen and he uses the same ploy that our little feathered friend used, slowly building his pot of gumbo and asking at each phase for help; help that is solidly refused by his lazy little tormentors. That is okay with Old Gator though...he keeps right on working.

Now I will tell you right here that the ending of this little story comes out quite differently than the results of the hen and her bread making; oh my yes! I hate to throw in a spoiler here so I will just say that in the end, Monsieur Gator is well fed and he no longer has a band of twerps making his life miserable.

This is a well written and beautifully illustrated book. It is great fun to read this to a group of little ones and it is especially fun if you can come up with just a bit of a Cajun accent. The kids get quite a kick out of it.

Let me address a couple of the objections voiced concerning this work. First, it seems that at least one reviewer did not like the book because, strictly speaking, it did not follow the absolute correct recipe for making gumbo. That is absolutely correct - it did not. On the other hand, I have read this work to at least fifty or more children over the years and I can assure you that not one of them picked up on this fact. To trash a book due to this seems to me a bit petty. Secondly, some reviewers felt that there were too many new word introduced in this story; too many for the wee crowd. This may be true, but on the other hand, I felt this is one of the strengths of the book...i.e., the introduction of new words. I have never in my rather lengthy life met or seen a kid hurt by learning new words, no matter what their age. Thirdly, it would seem that the rather violent end...i.e. the little critters got ate by the old gator that was tormenting him, is somehow politically incorrect. Good grief folks, in the wild you have predators and you have prey. That is just a fact of life. This is in many ways a cautionary tale and I see no problems in teaching a child how nature (and life I might add) actually works. I have seen quite a number of gators in my lifetime and have yet to find one that was a vegetarian.

Of course this is all quite subjective and in the end, it is the parent or teacher who must make the judgment call as to whether or not their child will respond well to this work...that is what parents and teachers do.

All in all, this is a great read; one of my favorite. I have read it to many children and I always receive calls for rereading. Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

I hope to be posting pictures of our Fourth of July celebration as well my tasty tuesday contribution in the very near future. Stay tuned...Spicy Red Hen

WAY TOO BUSY!!!!!!!

Okay I am back....my computer crashed conveniently therefore the brief absence.

2 weeks ago we attended the most beautiful wedding of 2 of the most beautiful young people! Well, Heather is beautiful anyway and she did pick a super guy! We love Heather so much and are so PROUD of the lovely young lady she has become!

We got home at 2 a.m. that night then the next day had Caeden's 5th birthday party. It was a hit-we had a bouncehouse in our backyard and all kinds of little midgets running around.

I cannot believe my little boy is 5 years old! My goodness...he's still as cute as a bugs ear too. I told him I didn't think he would be able to turn 5 being that he is so stinkin' cute-I told him they didn't let super cute kids grow bigger than 4. Oh how I wish I COULD stop the clock and keep him little for just a few years more.

Caeden, you amaze me each day with your sweetness-such an angelic, perfect lttle face with big soulful brown eyes with lashes TDF! You are a dream come true!

Don't anyone let his looks convince you of innocence or lack of testosterone-he proves each and everyday his human need to be naughty and his 100% boyishness. He still has a little speech thing going (although he is as smart as a whip trust me)

The other day he made this announcement:

"When I gwow up and have kids, I'm not going to take them to a mean babysitter when they be bad"(my little threat at times-shame on me-head hanging)

Before I could respond to his 5 year old statement of wisdom he kind of jumped like he'd had an afterthought and said, "Oh but I'll nevuh see my kids anyway"

Of course I was caught off guard and confused as to his thinking this and I asked "Why not?"

He nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders and said "Huntin'".

I was pondering this for a second then I said, "Hunting?"

Caeden matter-of-factly answered, "Yeah, I'll nevuh see my kids cuz I'm gonna be gone huntin' all the time as soon as I get my tags".

WHEW!!!!! And here I thought the kids had some sort of predeath intuition and I was about to hyperventilate. Once I finished laughing I informed him he'd better rethink his little plan!!!

So then the rest of our time has been spent rotating the cold from hell amongst ourselves...I was first, then Ava joined me...she had a fever so then I started running a fever to tag team with her and then Chandler stepped in and wow did he ever get sick! He always gets hit pretty hard with whatever hits. Then Elise got it and then we thought we were all going to get well and that Dad and Caeden would be the lucky escapees but that was not to be so! Well actually, Doug jumped in with this "I think I'm coming down with it" routine...just enough to get him a few days on the couch...sssshhh...I love him anyway-its okay, can't say I wouldn't jump for a chance to plant my seat down for a day or two. Anyway, then Caeden finally came down with it and burned with fever all night last night. So we have been on lock down here in Cowtown! Its a weird bug-it tends to come and go-like you feel better and think you're on the up and up then "whammo" its back in full force.

Oh and my daaahling hubby bought me a new TOY!!!!!!!!! He knows I've been wanting a truck but its not the most practical with 4 kids so he got me a Yukon...its super fine its totally loaded and has cream leather and a huge sunroof-I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Thank you BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SMOOCH!!!!!!

Caeden!!! 

Our little monkey

Just look at this little monkey we found!!! Isn't he the cutest you've ever seen??? Caeden ADORES his new baby sister...everytime he sees her he has a little word he says in a teeny tiny high pitched voice, "rah! rah!". It is so funny, I know it looks to you like a tiger sound or something but its not is really soft and sweet!!!

The other day, he was HANGING on the refrigerater door crying for something he wanted that was in there...I asked him what he wanted and he kept saying the funniest word. It was "oily-oh, oily-oh!" I opened the door to see what in the world he was talking about...this oily-oh stuff... Duh!!! CANTALOUPE!!!! Should have known Mom!!!

And yesterday, I went out for awhile and left him with Daddy...when I got home, Daddy told me that Caeden had disappeared for awhile and freaked him out! He said he looked EVERYWHERE for the little booger and he was NO WHERE!!! However, when he would call his name he would hear him say "huh?", EXCEPT when he called him in his room that Caeden shares with Chandler. Well, by and by, (I'm in storytelling mode) he went back into the boys' room and there on the TOP bunk, staring at him between the poles of the guard rail were two little eyes that belonged to the missing person!!! Daddy was soooo relieved of course and we laughed so hard we couldn't scold him...he's NOT allowed up on the top bunk you know...there is not even a ladder to get up there for that very reason!!! Monkey boy figured out how to scale the end of the bed. That's why he wouldn't answer Doug when he was in the room-he really didn't want to get caught!!!

He's really cute though I promise...makes me laugh all the time. My kids bring me so much joy!!!

One year ago...

Mommy and Elise

Mommy and Chandler

Mommy and Baby Caeden

Our little Angel...7 weeks old!!! I can't get enough of this child! Can't kiss her enough...Mimi says, "If lovin' makes a baby grow this one sure is gonna be big!!!" Of course...did anyone think there might not be anymore room in my heart for another?

I can't imagine life without this little wonder.

Ava...I can't tell you enough how much you mean to Mommy!!! You are my sunshine on a rainy day!!!

The two prettiest princesses...the pride and joy is quite evident on Elise's face while she holds her baby sister!!! She is "in love"!!!

Wishing all of you this at ALL times...especially in the wee hours of the morning!!! I am not a professional photographer but photography is my favorite hobby...especially when it involves my most precious posessions, my sweet and innocent children.

Aren't they so serene and pure tonight? I pray God's hand upon them to protect them even though they are so small. My deepest desire is that the the Peace of God overshadows their lives in ways unfathomable to human perception.

Princess Ava Katrielle

...mommy took this picture of the little fairy child who is growing like a weed!!! She's gained 8 oz. in one week and is now 19 3/4 inches long!!! We are enjoying EVERY minute of her...can hardly put her down!!! She went with me to my treatment appt. and all the nurses were in tears because of her perfect beauty. God is so gracious and kind, I cannot thank him enough for this precious miracle!!!

The Grand Arrival!!!

Ava Katrielle Morgan was born at 5:38 a.m. on September 17th 2004!!! She weighed 5 lbs and 4 oz. and is the most precious little baby in the world!!! She is content and peaceful and ever so sweet and soft. She was in Special Care Nursery for a few days for observation but is home now and doing WONDERFULLY!!!!!

Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to our God who has been so good to us. What a beautiful blessing this baby is. I can't believe there were some people to advise me that I had three other children to care for and that I should decide who was more important, the baby or myself. I would die for this child or any of my other children as well.

Ava punkin' you are SO important to Mommy...I asked Jesus for you and He heard my prayers!!! I am thankful for your precious little life and feel so overwhelmed with love for you.

I know God has his hand upon you and that you are highly favored in His sight.

I love you little peanut and am SO glad you are mine.

Well!!! This is my littlest star!!! Born February 10th 2003, Caeden Nicholas is temporarily reigning as prince of the palace!!! He is all boy just like his big brother...but of course is still infatuated with his "Bah" (binky), "Bee" (silky blankie) and his "Aah-aah"(sippee cup). The little dance he does while anticipating his fresh cup of juice or a popsicle is so hilarious!!! At 17 months he might ought to have a larger vocabulary but when "Aah-aah" and "Bah" work why try anything new? Its probably not something you can see in any pictures but Caeden's eyes are a very unique hazel color and they are so transparent of what he is feeling. His entire being is so innocent and pure, just holding him and kissing him melts all my troubles away. I have to remember those still, precious moments...especially when I'm cleaning up a dumped out bag of dogfood or a freshly frosted couch!!!(frosted with Balmex)
Oh Caeden little lovey!!! How can I express my love to you!!! I don't know how I lived till you were born! You have truly come into my life during a dark time but the light you are to me makes everything sweet. I love you "sugar darlin' " you are Mama's Baby!!! 

Only fourteen months after our daughter was born, we were blessed once again with this little guy, Chandler!!! He is ALL boy meaning that he loves working with Daddy, has an extreme fixation with his play station and is usually dressed in either full army attire, football uniform or cowboy garb!!! My "little boy blue" I've always called him as he is our blonde blue-eyed special little boy. He turned five years old on April 18th and absolutely cannot wait until Kindergarten! Notice how he did not let his big sis have anything up on him-he lost his two bottom teeth right after she did...I think he wiggled them continuously in order for that to happen!!! Chandler, you mean the world to Mama and I love you beyond words!!! 

My second little blessing...Chandler McClain!!! 

Isn't she lovely? 

The Graduate!!! 

Meet Princess Elise...the toothless superstar!!!

This is my six year old daughter Elise Laurenne!!! She just graduated from kindergarten!!! She is quite a prissy little thing-loves dressing up, creating new hair-dos and playing with her dolls. She is a great big sis...helps give baby brother his baths and often feeds him breakfast while Mom is still snoozing!!! She is a dream come true child-I never thought I'd ever have a daughter as precious as this one. I love her beyond words and hope you think she's as cute as I do!!!