Our first day, we caught up with old friends who used to live in Little Rock. Rachel and Todd were our first couple friends we met as newlyweds, both of us Mississippians living away for the first time…in Arkansas! A friendship I treasure! We’ve multiplied since 1999!
We headed to the movies, but Lainey and The Smurfs did not agree, so we left Mimi and John David, and Lainey and I got a refund and headed out for a drive around my old stomping grounds. She promptly fell asleep, so I drove and drove and drove…very therapeutic, I may add. I could hardly believe what had grown up around all the simple places I once knew.
I had forgotten about this beautiful church called The Chapel of the Cross, which back then I considered to be in the boonies…neighborhoods abound nearby now. The church dates back to 1848, and still has a vibrant congregation today!
Perfectly beautiful day! Hot, but beautiful.
We visited with one of my dear friends,
Laura, who I’ve known since we were these babies’ age! Both girls are our third babies.
We had lunch with my grandmother who the kids adore.
Bo, John David, Lainey, and Mimi
John David and Bo went to a Mississippi Braves game, which was a real treat for him, while I met up with friends on Monday night here…
We met at a new place in the historic and funky Fondren District called Babalu. If you are in the Jackson area or ever pass through, Babalu is a fun, trendy “tacos and tapas restaurant” that is well worth a visit!
Home. Old friends are just home. Pick up right where you leave off. A couple of these girls I went to preschool with then all the way through Ole Miss! Such a rare thing these days.
I had to laugh…I knew I was home when just about every other person that walked through the door of Babalu knew somebody at our table. We had an empty chair with roving guests…no place like home!
Babalu is famous for their ah-mazing guacamole made table-side. My friends quickly reminded me that the recipe had just been featured in recent issues of Mississippi Magazine and Delta Magazine (which are both fab magazines BTW), so I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you! I think the secret is the sun-dried tomatoes!
Babalu’s Guacamole
2 Haas avocados, halved and seeded (need to be large; use 3 if they are smaller)
1 T. green onion, sliced thin on the bias
1 1/2 T. freshly squeezed lime juice
1 1/2 T. finely minced red onion
1 T. finely chopped cilantro
1 1/2 T. chopped sun-dried tomatoes
Kosher salt to taste
Remove meat from avocados and place all ingredients in a bowl. Sprinkle salt all over ingredients to evenly incorporate. Mash with a spoon or large fork. Babalu suggests a potato masher, which works well. Keep mixture somewhat chunky, and serve with corn chips.
Recipe from Mississippi Magazine June/July 2011
Alison says
So fun!!! So glad that ya’ll got to come back here for a few days! Let me know next time you’re in town!!! I still haven’t tried Babalu yet, but Jody has and he loves it!