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It’s definitely feeling like old-fashioned family fun for the Fourth here. A few of our grown children, some of our grandchildren, and lots of extended family are with us at the beach this year. I recall fondly (and with my mouth watering) many Fourth celebrations where burgers, corn-on-the-cob, and potato salad were the main fare. The menu for this year’s picnic is my very loosely interpreted version of that with something for the kids too. It seems I can NEVER make enough Wee Burgers for a party (even though I make them for the kids, they end up being gobbled up by the “adults.” #CantEatJustOne LOL).

The entire menu is made up of recipes from both of my cookbooks, LuLu’s Kitchen and GUMBO LOVE. It’s so wonderful to create new memories of sharing good food amidst sunshine, splashes, laughter, and fun times with our Song-lines.

Most people who visit Rowan Oak in Oxford, Mississippi go there as an homage to the icon, William Faulkner who lived there from 1930 until his death in 1962. Being on the grounds and touring the home is inspiring and interesting as some of the most celebrated literature in history was written there. For me, there is another significant connection to the place.

Late in life, my mother Peets befriended Dean Faulkner Wells, who grew up in the house and was raised by her uncle William and his wife Estelle. Dean, an accomplished author in her own right,  passed away a few years ago, joining the legions of good people and Trivial Pursuit fanatics in heaven (my mother among them).

While in Oxford this week, we had the exquisite honor of spending time with and touring Rowan Oak with Dean’s husband, Larry Wells, an author as well. Because Larry accompanied us, we were given the privilege of going into the rooms and peeking behind closed doors. Listening to his stories as we walked around made the energy and history of the grounds palpable and vibrant. Rowan Oak was sold by the family to The University of Mississippi in 2000, to be maintained as an historical monument to the author.  

My mother was a literary scholar having read Faulkner extensively. Her friendship with Dean led her to Oxford many times in the latter years of her life. Peets truly was a renaissance woman. Countless people here remember her and spent time with her, one gentleman referring to her as “a major force” in Oxford. She left an imprint on everyone she met. I’ve felt her presence here more than usual especially in the context of her inspiration to write this cookbook, follow my dreams, and become the woman I am today.  It’s absolutely wonderful to literally follow in her footsteps here!

I sincerely look forward to next time. #hottytoddy #GumboLove

As a Southern businesswoman, encouraging other women in the South to go after their dreams and succeed in business is an important part of my calling. Do you have a business idea or vision you feel passionate about? And are you ready to make it happen? For a little advice from this woman who has learned plenty of business sense the hard way, click on over to Southern Living Online where I reveal my “Secrets of a Southern Businesswoman.”

I didn’t even start my restaurant until I was forty-six years old, so no matter what your age or situation or the obstacles you face, you can succeed. It will take hard work and perseverance, among other “character-building” skills and efforts. It may take a different form than you first thought, but it can happen. Here’s hoping a little hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s been in the trenches might be the Sunday afternoon inspiration you need to go after your dreams and find your business success.

I’m thinking of my daddy today, J.D. Buffett. Here he is, handsome as can be in his army uniform in 1944. As I was writing GUMBO LOVE I was sometimes caught by surprise as his words, ways, and cooking came echoing into my mind and imagination…how he cut up those vegetables for his navy bean soup so they were almost identical in size and shape…how he taught us—sometimes the hard way—that a job worth doing was a job worth doing right and the value of hard work.

He lived by the sea in more ways than one, a sailor like his father before him in spirit if not by livelihood. Some of my best memories of him are riding in the boat together. His language was often flavored with salt water, including his encouragement to “stay the course”…while keeping everything “shipshape,” of course! His tenderloin, his grill, his paper-bag fried chicken—these are just a few of his appearances in the book. He has truly flavored my recipe of GUMBO LOVE, and I miss him dearly. 

We are on a break from the book tour, and I am settling in to a few days of much-needed rest. When I finally sit still for ten minutes, I realize that I am a busy lady in a crazy busy world. It is in my genetics to fly at full speed and “go go go” like that Energizer Bunny. With LuLu’s summer season in full swing and a schedule of events lined up through August, I’m taking the next few days to recharge and renew my energy.

What’s on my agenda? Indulging in the natural beauty of the beach, the hilarious company of my grandchildren, and the luxury of a home-stocked kitchen. It feels like old-fashioned Gulf Coast Summertime. #FamilyTime #QuietTime #SummerLove #GumboLove

Gumbo Love | Lucy Buffett from Dreamclay Pictures on Vimeo.

This is the story of GUMBO LOVE. It has evolved in the kitchens of the Buffett family for generations. Lucy shares the secret.

In the restaurant business for over thirty years, she is the author of two cookbooks.

This film was produced in New York City during the launch of GUMBO LOVE, her second book.

Executive Produced by Lucy Buffett

Written & Directed
by

David Matthew Walters & Keith Winsted

Produced by
George Martin
Keith Winsted
David Matthew Walters

Line producer | Katherine Derbyshire

Director of Photography | Tim Mattson

Camera | John Dumlau
Camera | Alvaro Avaadra
Camera | Mark Beckenbach

Post Production | DreamClay Pictures
Editor | David Matthew Walters
Line Editor | Shane Mattson
Colorist | Josh Cohen

Original Music | Jeremy Pagirsky
Sound Design | Ken Zhu for DreamClay Pictures
Sound Operator | Charley King Junior

I write in GUMBO LOVE how my time in New Orleans imprinted my heart and soul with the love of its flavors, and how that love for the flavors (and the culture and the people and the music!) permeates how I cook. In fact, when I look back, so many of my recipes and so many of my memories have been inspired by this one-of-kind city, this place that really can’t be described—it must be experienced! And boy have I!

Even in memories I didn’t experience myself but have heard so many times that they feel real, such as how my grandmother would meet her sea captain husband at Tujague’s for one last drink before he’d set sail from the docks on his next voyage, which might be for as long as a year. Or when my high school buddies and I “broke out” of Southern Alabama for a secret trip to Sin City, the same way our parents had done when they were our age. The list of tales goes on, and it brings joy to my heart every time I get to visit the place where it all went down.

So I’m honored and thrilled to be able to experience some Gumbo Love at the iconic Garden District Book Shop on Thursday, June 8. Please come and join us for a “Meet & Eat” plus book signing, and we can share some stories about this extraordinary place. 

With spring leaping into summer and sunshine alternating with afternoon rain showers, the basil is strutting her stuff and pushing her way all over the herb garden. Those bright green leaves seem to be multiplying every day, just begging to be enjoyed. And is there any fresher way to get that taste of herbal gusto than drinking it? Enter the Basiltini!

In these my wiser years, I have become a huge fan of the mocktail, and the Mock Basiltini is one of my favorites. My Monday mornings are a heck of a lot more pleasant when I opt for these nonalcoholic concoctions on a sultry Sunday afternoon instead of more powerful options. But for you weekend warriors, I’ve included spiking instructions so either way you have a delicious excuse to enjoy one of Mother Nature’s tastiest green goddesses.

For more mocktail creations and potent libations, check out Chapter 9 of GUMBO LOVE.

Mock Basiltini

INGREDIENTS

4 fresh basil leaves, plus 1 for garnish

1 1/2 ounces simple syrup (recipe below)

2 lemon wedges

2 lime wedges, plus 1 for garnish

2 ounces ruby red grapefruit juice

4 ounces soda water

1. Combine the basil leaves and the simple syrup in a metal cocktail shaker. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and lime wedges into the shaker and muddle softly, gently bruising the basil leaves.
2. Add a scoop of ice to the shaker. Pour the grapefruit juice over the ice. Shake in the shaker.
3. Fill a highball glass with ice. Strain the ingredients from the shaker into the glass.
4. Top with soda water and garnish with the lime wedge and basil leaf.

To make this alcoholic: add 3 ounces high-quality vodka or gin to the cocktail shaker

To make simple syrup: Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature. Once cool, pour the syrup into a storage container. It will keep, refrigerated, for a long time.

I, like so many others, am bereft at the passing of Gregg Allman. My sister Laurie said it well on social media two days ago, “Sweet Melissa, Midnight Rider. The sounds of my youth.  Allman Brothers -best ever.”

Forty three years ago today, on May 31, 1974, my high school husband and I drove in a green Pinto from Mobile to Atlanta to see The Allman Brothers Band play. The epic event the next day on June 1 at Atlanta’s Fulton County Stadium, dubbed the Georgia Jam, was headlined by the Allmans and featured Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Marshall Tucker Band and Grinderswitch. (From Billboard.com)

Yes, I had to look that up because the memories are fuzzy…

But I do remember that it POURED rain and the crowd and the bands just kept getting more wild and rocking. It was one of those wonderful, fun, youthful nights of 70’s Southern rock and roll dancing and decadence.

I have remained a fan of Gregg Allman through the years. A few weeks ago when I was a guest DJ on Radio Margaritaville, I featured one of his songs, Queen of Hearts. I’m going to listen to that set again to celebrate the Spirits and their songs!

There was never ever a tighter more beautiful band sound than The Allmans.  I am so blessed to have cut my teeth on their Southern sound. Best music ever! God speed Gregg. Thank you for the music and the memories – they endure! Heaven just got a whole lot sweeter and cooler with your arrival. #GodBlessRocknRoll #GumboLove

Radio Margaritaville Playlist

1. Jimmy Buffett – I Will Play for Gumbo
2. Don Henley – Sunset Grill
3. Neville Brothers – Yellow Moon
4. James Taylor – Sweet Potato Pie
5. Sara Bareilles – Brave
6. The Beatles – Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds
7. Frank Sinatra with Jimmy – Mack the Knife
8. Patsy Cline – Crazy
9. Paul Thorn – What Have You Done To Help Somebody Today
10. Joni Mitchell – Carey
11. Hank Williams – Jambalaya (or George Jones’ version)
12. Greg Allman – Queen of Hearts
13. Mac McAnally – Loser Gumbo
14. Oh Susanna! – Carly Simon
15. Bama Breeze – Jimmy Buffett