This last weekend, the old people (my parents) came down to watch the Super Bowl with us and take a day trip on Monday. We had a lot of fun, but it was a little bit of a budget buster.
For Sunday, we chose to make gumbo for our Super Bowl Sunday meal. Now, my family loves homemade gumbo, and I don't mind a day in the kitchen, but if you've ever stirred a roux until it turns brick red, you know it turns your arm to jelly. But, thanks to Alton Brown, there is a kinder, gentler way to make roux... in the oven. Yep. This recipe will give you all the instructions for oven roux. I didn't make this exact recipe, as I didn't want to peel shrimp so I bought wild gulf shrimp that was deveined, shelled, and cleaned before being frozen. I supplemented the homemade shrimp stock with store bought chicken stock. It came out fabulous and I am now a huge fan of oven made roux! I didn't fret over the substitutions, because using what you have is what gumbo is all about! I did receive rave reviews from the family.
The next morning, to celebrate Groundhog Day, we took a day trip to the zoo. Luna was due for her big check up at the vet, so we dropped her off at "daycare" so we didn't have to worry about her being alone all day. But, we did have to be back before 5:30pm. Sadly, we departed a full hour and a half after our goal of 7:30am. And it would effect our day later on, that's for sure.
The Houston Zoo and Hermann Park are undergoing a huge, and sorely needed facelift. The train in the park is new, but the new station will not open until March. But, most importantly to Hoot, you have to walk through a full fledged construction zone before you get to the Zoo entrance! Holy cow! Frontend loaders, back hoes, cranes, and lifters! It was a little boy's delight! He was beside himself before we even paid for our tickets.
We only did about half of the zoo, but it took two hours. My parents just don't move as quickly as they used to, so we took it slow and easy. A little after 1:30 pm, we headed off to buy our train tickets. By the time we rode the train and hit the road, it was just after 3pm! Holy cow, Scoob, we've got to get out of the perimeter like NOW!
Our late escape put a decent meal in peril. Normally, when we go to Houston, or Austin, or anywhere else for that matter, we try to eat someplace that we don't have at home. We needed someplace fast or we would have to drive-thru and eat in the car. Well, it was a far better Luby's than the one at home. Though, poor Hoot, he never did get to eat groundhog....
We made it to the vet's with about 15 minutes to spare...
Total cost for the day:
$8 convenience store junk
$38 Zoo entrance- 2 adults, 2 seniors, 1 child
$6 ride for 3 on carousel
$12.50 for five train tickets
$1 for train whistle
$63 for super late lunch at Luby's
$206! for Luna's vet bill
$335 for a groundhog? Unbelievable!
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