MY HAPPY PLACE

This is it: my happy place! Can you tell I'm a beach person?

I recently discovered the wonderful artwork of Laura Trevey. http:lauratrevey.blogspot.com or
http:brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com
Just viewing her vibrant watercolors is like a mini-vacation for my soul. Crabs, lobsters, beach umbrellas! I can't decide which one to order first! Maybe the blue crab, since we catch those at our beach house.

It's part of our daily entertainment to pull up the crab traps and count how many more we have than the day before. When we have enough for a meal, out comes the big crab pot to boil them in. Then we spread newspaper over a table on the wharf or the porch and "pick" the meat. Sometimes, we eat it as we pick, or we might try to have enough discipline to save it for a seafood casserole for dinner.

Occasionally, if all the stars are aligned, my husband can net Gulf shrimp right off of our own wharf. From net, to pot of boiling water, to our plates in just a matter of minutes, produces a taste experience like no other. It gives a new meaning to "fresh"! Here's what we do: Use a good-sized pot, depending on amount of shrimp. To the boiling water, add a can of beer and Old Bay Shrimp and Crab Boil, to taste. Add the shrimp and cook only until they turn pink. Don't overcook! Drain the hot water and run cold water over them to stop the cooking. We like to make a sauce of mayonnaise, ketchup and capers. Peel and enjoy!