Creole Gumbo

This is a dish that always preceded any festive meal, or Sunday dinner for that matter. Every woman took pride in her gumbo making. I can remember, as a youngster, the care that went into gumbo making—how the crabs and shrimp were cleaned on Saturday and placed overnight in the icebox.

On Sunday morning, we rose early to attend Mass (in those days, Sunday Mass was in the mornings). Once back home, Sunday clothes were taken off and neatly hung up. Hats (as they were a must for women