I forgot to answer the oyster question. I put some small ones in that gumbo. But ate some really nice, firm and salty ones raw Saturday afternoon. At that party we usually have a couple of sacks to open and I usually get picked to open them. This year they came already shucked, I wasn't complaining, ready to slurp down.

 Ahhhh, one of the benefits of living here. Fresh seafood of all kinds whenever the desire hits.
 
CAN YA'LL TELL I LOVE LOUISIANA???