The Night Mommy Wore a Bib, Too

The night of Maggie's wedding I returned home to my parents' house and beheld a wonderful smell. As I got out of the car the aroma of crawfish boil spices filled the air and cleared my sinuses. The neighbors across the street were having a party in their driveway. It was all I could do not to walk over there and crash the party. Except I was wearing a new black dress and my dressy coat from Arden B. And Mom had gotten my hair just so. It was not the right time. I was dressed more for lobster at Pappa's steak house.

But tonight, yes tonight, was the night for crawfish at Pappadeaux. I dressed in a black t-shirt and pulled my hair back just so. I was ready - more ready than I'd ever been with a pack of diaper wipes waiting to be of service. Our friends Justin and Jennifer met us there. They are possibly the biggest crawfish lovers this side of Louisiana. I called them as soon as I left Houston and pleaded for them to feed me some mudbugs...and soon. My husband is allergic to shellfish, so I can't go to him for my crawfish needs.

We had a great time fellowshipping over the crawdaddies. I think it is less of a meal and more of an event, which is probably why I like it. They really are kind of nasty, or rude as my dad says, little creatures. But the seasoning makes it so good.

When we were teenagers Jennifer, Justin, and I would go down to the Crawfish Festival in Old Town Spring. Those were fun times. I was even crowned the Crawfish Queen my junior year. Totally kidding. But that would have been awesome. Jen and I did proudly wear our $7 plastic red necklaces with little crawfish dangling on them. I so wish I could provide a picture of that.