A play date and crawfish

The friends came over for a crafty, girly, eating day....or as Mike called it, my "play date"...

I love when we have these...

We all tried the new Shellac nail stuff...  Friends who share their new goodies are the best!

We got more accomplished than usual... everyone went home with a completed project...

They are always good to tell me not to go to any trouble when we get together - but you know I love to cook, love to cook for people who like food, love love love to cook for people who will eat a little more than my picky eaters...  It's almost better than crafting...

I made Etouffee, one of my favorites that no one in my house will eat...

I had the back up sandwich fixin's for Joshlyn... I knew that Etouffee was a risky choice for her... She did try a bite before she took me up on the sandwich offer...

I made Pioneer Woman's Dreamy Apple Pie with her Hard Sauce for dessert...

I had a hard time getting the slices out neatly but it didn't matter... I think we could have all eaten it out of the pan and been just fine. 
It is not your average apple pie.  And the hard sauce, it is the perfect topping!  I'm not kidding, perfect. 

Warm pie, melting sugary buttery bourbony goodness on top.  I'll be right back, I'm going to need a little slice...

Many years ago, I walked in caught Jennifer eating some butter and sugar for an after school snack one day... who knew I should have added some bourbon and topped deserts with it!

This is my friend's daughter and she is now my favorite kid ever.  This picture was taken just after she uttered the words I only dream of hearing from my kids... "I've never been happier..."

about the same time her mother was licking her plate... Think the pie made up for lack of excitement over the lunch choice!

Here is the recipe for the Etouffee....it makes me want to lick the bowl... I can hardly wait for some left overs tomorrow!

Crawfish Etouffee

1 Stick butter

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 green bell pepper finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 tbsp flour

1 lb crawfish tails

1 tsp Tony's (plus more to taste)

Tabasco to taste

Melt butter in skillet on medium heat, add onion, bell pepper and garlic.  Saute until softened, about 10 minutes.  Stir in flour.  Cover and cook 10 min. stirring occasionally.  Add crawfish tails, stir, cover and cook on medium low for 5 minutes.  Add seasoning and 2 cups water, stir and let simmer.  Serve over rice and add Tabasco to taste.

(to increase amount of gravy, add water to get desired consistency)