Did I Say Happy Birthday?

Jimmy Buffett's birthday was on Thursday. To honor this occasion I decided to make something special.

I thought to myself, what on earth do you make for Jimmy's birthday? Then, like a song, it hit me--
OF COURSE! I'll play for gumbo!

Well, you played it, so I made it!
Introducing
Aimee's
Fall in Love at First Bite
GUMBO


I have never made gumbo like this before and it is SO deliciously addicting!
You will need: (roughly, measurements should vary depending on how you like it)
1-2 lbs Chicken & seasoned cooked and chopped
1lb Chicken sausage, spicy would be good
1 lb Large shrimp cooked chopped
1 Large Spanish onion chopped
1 Large bunch of celery chopped
1 Large red bell pepper chopped
1-2 Large green bell peppers chopped
4-7 Cloves of garlic
8-10 Cups chicken broth
1 28oz Can stewed tomatoes
2 Limes
16oz Bag of frozen okra thawed and chopped
1 Cup uncooked long grain rice
Red pepper flakes ( Be careful they are spicy)
and Louisiana Cajun Seasoning ( I went Crazy with this stuff it is so good, spicy, but good!)

Step one: Cook the chicken, sausage, and shrimp all separately. I used tons of the Louisiana Seasoning and garlic with each. Use the juice from the limes to cook the shrimp.

Step two: Saute onions, bell peppers and celery and remaining garlic until soft.
Then add tomatoes, chicken, sausage, okra and broth and simmer for and hour. Then add rice and simmer for 45 minutes or until rice is cooked.

Step three: Add cooked and chopped shrimp continue cooking, 20 minutes or longer if you want on low.

Step four: Eat and enjoy!

You have to top off Gumbo with something sweet
especially when there is a birthday involved.
Inspired by one of my son's favorite songs, I made,

What else?
A Gingerbread Jolly Mon!
I completed him with his own Hawaiian shirt, cut offs and of course flip flops! But something was still missing.....


Then I thought what goes better with a Gingerbread Jolly Mon then a
Gingerbread Hula Girl at Heart Girlfriend!
Complete with grass skirt, bare feet, puka shell necklace, and of course a flower in her hair.


It was perfect, except.....


They needed an island with palm trees, the clear blue sea, and the stars above in the sky!
and they lived happily ever after!


Also just in case you are not into molasses I got you a
black and white cookie!
And a Birthday Wish!

I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Buffett!
Enjoy your Birthday Wish!