Life for Mary

This past week I made 4 NEW recipe's to take to events, and they all ROCKED. And got multiple compliments and requests for the recipe. I like when that happens. I know It doesn't quite sound like a good plan to be trying out new recipes on groups of people, but it somehow feels like a better idea experimenting with grousp of 30+ people than 4.

 Recipe #1: Christmas Breakfast Sausage Casserole =

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I took this to a MOPS meeting where groups take turns providing brunch. I made some changes based on the review (first off I doubled it, increased the eggs and decreased the milk, added mushrooms. And probably increased the cheese). It turned out really well. I have always been hesitant/skeptical of breakfast casseroles. I am not a fan of eggs, but I LOVED this. And it freezes well. Recipe

 #2: Pumpkin Dump Cake

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Probably my favorite dessert growing up was a dump cake, so to me- it is a completely normal thing. It is a desert/cake where you dump (literally) all the ingredients in a pan and bake! Normally fruit/pie filling, pour a cake mix on top, blast it with butter, and THEN bake. Delicious I promise. I took it to a RS activity (a church women's activity) and this one was very much a hit! I didn't put a 'topping' on it, but everyone said that it was perfect as is.

#3:Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs

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I have been wanting to make these for a while, and finally got the chance! We had a friend get baptized this past Saturday and we had some 'snacks' afterwards, and I made these and was astonished at how quickly they disappeared! They were good. I would recommend doubling the batch. And I have it on good authority they taste great with ice cream.

#4: The BEST Slow Cooker Baked Beans

 

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The third Sunday of every month our church has a potluck, so it's nice to have a chance to make something new every month. I haven't ever made baked beans before, so I am not an expert to say if these really ARE the best, but they were good. They were a bit time consuming, I gotta admit. Although, instead of onions I used shallots. Someone in our last living area (western Nebraska), gave us a bag- and oh my! They are strong, Just in chopping 2 cups worth I had to take at least 3 breaks.
But anyways, mmmm. They will be worth making again.



And there you have it. That is basically what I did this last week =]

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How Joe sees it: FOOD STORAGE

We were at the store just picking up a few things (that, with his help turned into a LOT of things) for the next few days/weekend.

Joe picked these things and said, "Gotta stock up. Food storage."


And that, my folks, is how Joe sees it.

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Shake and French Fries?

When I was about 15 years old, our group of Young Women's at church went on a trip (I believe it was the week we went to Girls Camp). As we were driving home, we decided to stop at In-N-Out for some food. At this time I was not a big fan of In-N-Out, so I oped to just get some french fries and a milkshake. There were not too many of us girls, but enough because this trip we had brought along a few girls who were not of our faith. So, altogether we probably had about 15 girls and 6 or so leaders. We were all hudled into a corner eating our food, happy to be headed home to warm bed and real showers.
One of the girls that came with us I happened to know from school, but not very well. I shall call her Betty for the stories sake. I knew that she didn't grow up in the best environment- so I was glad that she (not being part of our church) came along with us on our camping trip.

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Being the typical teenager, I was happily dipping my french fries into my shake and eating them (This is good to other people too, right? Because I am fairly sure I am not alone in this). Betty was sitting across from me, and out of no where asked (rather loudly too): "ARE YOU PREGNANT?".

Now, me, being the good-Mormon girl that I am, wanted to laugh. Why in the world would she think I am pregnant? But, I was also rather embarrased. I mean, I had leaders sitting around me- and I had JUST gotten back from a CHURCH camping trip. At the age of 15.
I replied that I wasn't, and she said, "Oh- because whenever my mom is pregnant, she craves french fries and shakes". 

I believe everyone then chuckled and sighed- like they would have believed I was actually pregnant?!?!- and continued to talk about strange food cravings.



Anyways, today, I had french fries and a milk shake. It made me smile and think back to that experience, where as a young, modest 15-year old, I was accused of being pregnant. A girl who hadn't even kissed a boy yet. In front of a group of church leaders. What an awkward encounter.

Except this time, I gladly can say, 
"Yes- I am pregnant. And I eat french fries and shakes".

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