A Funky Goodbye To The Year Ending Happily

Hey friends, no matter where you are in the world right now, we made it to 2026.

I could sit here and drag last year, but honestly, the petty side of me refuses to give it that much satisfaction. Instead, I’m choosing gratitude over anything. I’m thankful to be here, to still be standing, and to be stepping into this new year with new ideas, good food, and family.

This year, I skipped the parties, the crowds from store runs, and overdoing it. I wanted to enter the new year with ease and calm, not exhaustion. So I chose family, comfort, and a quick version of gumbo instead.

I turned my phone off until midnight, and when 12:01 hit, I turned it back on to a flood of Happy New Year texts and calls. That moment texting back, smiling, and feeling connected with loved ones was everything. We officially went to bed around 4 a.m., and somehow, I woke up feeling surprisingly good, without any grogginess, just peace.

If you know me, you know Sundays are usually my soul food days. That’s when the whole family gets together eat, laugh, and watch movies. But since it was New Year’s, I wasn’t in the mood for purple hull peas or black-eyed peas, which is a family tradition. I wanted something comforting without being tied to the kitchen all day, and this quick gumbo one-pot meal did exactly that.

One thing I truly love is cooking and eating all kinds of soul food. Today, I’m sharing my little shortcut to an easy gumbo recipe you can make right at home. It’s simple, satisfying, and most importantly, family-approved. (That is, if you decide to share.)

Almost every Sunday, shrimp, sausage, and chicken end up in one pot around here. Being from Louisiana and now living in Texas, I don’t have the same access to the Cajun foods I grew up with. And let’s be real, true gumbo starts with a roux that only down-south Louisianans really know how to master.

I tried. I really did.

After moving to Texas, I could never quite nail that authentic flavor. I searched all over Dallas for a restaurant that could give me even a taste of that home-rooted comfort food, but no luck. So I did the next best thing.

One day at the grocery store, I stumbled across a gumbo base mix. I wasn’t completely sure about it, but it looked close enough to try. At that point, I was willing to test anything that would bring a little piece of home back to my table.

Now, real Cajun folks will tell you gumbo can include just about everything except the kitchen sink.  But don’t worry, I wasn’t adding gator or snake meat, not today. I kept it simple. :)

It took me two tries to get the balance right, but I landed on shrimp, chicken, and smoked sausage in a thicker brown sauce. I skipped the tomatoes and okra this time and went with what felt right.

How I make it:
Follow the directions on the package because that base is what sets the whole tone. Bring the sauce to a full boil before moving to the next step. I always precook my chicken and sausage, then add the shrimp at the very end. Homemade roux takes time, but this version lets you enjoy gumbo without the all-day commitment.

Once it’s done, I serve it over yellow rice with crackers or a pan of sweet cornbread.

Even though I’m trying to eat a little lighter these days, I’ll never give up Sunday soul food with my family. Food and laughter are what keep us connected in this house. My gumbo may not be exactly like my grandma’s, but this version? It passed the family test—and that’s what really matters.

All you need:
A gumbo base package (Walmart and most grocery stores have it), rice, your choice of meats, crackers or cornbread, and family.
Just a heads-up—this recipe makes a lot, so enjoy.

Cooking something quick at the very beginning of the year was important to me. I didn’t want to start 2026 stressed out in the kitchen, cleaning, and overworking myself. This morning, I feel refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.

And here’s the funny part, my husband and I watched the fireworks countdown on TV with the family, and after that we spent the rest of New Year’s Eve watching a Denzel Washington movie, Out of Time, which is my favorite. That’s a grown-folks movie with a top-tier plot twist, and I could watch it a thousand times.

And just like that, for the first time in many years, I entered a new year in peace.

Thank you for rocking with me. May everything you do this year continue to prosper. Have a great day, and always live life beyond existing.

XO,
Tangie