Greetings from Matagorda, Texas (Hi, Stephen!) where I am vacationing with my five perfect nieces, angelic mother, and pregnant sister. We have rented a chick-fest house on the beach, and we’re having a blast. After three days, I have upgraded my basic knowledge level of the Jonas Brothers from zero to Olympic. Last night, after I grabbed a wooden spoon and sang all the words to their latest hit, “Burning Up,” I was awarded (“poned” in Jonas-speak) the gold in the Senior Division of Jonas Brother karaoke competition. Anyhoo, I, as usual, digress. Yesterday we went crabbing and came back with six Texas blue crabs. The kids loved it. Each crab was given a name and plans were made to keep them as pets.
It was all so cute until mom and I boiled the water and the house turned into a scream fest and we were called murderers. When I pulled the hammer out, Hannah, my 9-year old perfect niece, squealed, “Uncle Nancy, you are going to make me be a vegetarian.” Of course, that idea was quickly seconded by the other four. Many tears were shed as Bob, Sally, Joe, Jonas Brother, Nick, and Big Rob met their maker in a huge pot of water spiked with Zatarain’s Shrimp & Crab Boil concentrate. The house was silent for three minutes. But as Mom and I cracked the crabs (that has to be slang for something) in the kitchen sink, tears ensued. The oldest, Taylor, delivered some levity: she plugged in her iPod and played MJ’s “Beat It.” She claimed it was “perfect background music for a crab murder.” Despite the high drama, our delicious, hiply named Crab *NSYNC, was a culinary success. Tra la. Today we’re off to Blessing, Texas, for another fabulous meal. (Photos below for those who care.)
Taylor (left) and Mia (middle)right wrestle with crabs.
Crab *NSYNC (below)
