Jesus Loves Casseroles

I know!

It's been a while since I posted some recipes. Things have been so busy around here.

Well today I'm going to make it up to you. I'm posting more recipes than I usually do.


The first recipe is from WSU Laura's mom.

Susan is an amazingly talented woman. She wins our Ugly Christmas Sweater party contest every year with her fantastic enthusiasm for the party theme. She makes amazing jewelery, paints, draws, one of the best junkers ever, and is just an all around super smart creative woman. I was so excited when she sent me a recipe to post.

Dee Dee's Tuna "Delight"

My much loved Godmother, Delia Hodler, a Black Irish (From the Druid side, rather than one of the Viking offspring...dark hair rather than red) taught me this recipe when I was 8 years old. It got me thru LOTS of hard times and tight money and has always been popular with the designated eaters.

Ingredients:
1 can water packed white tuna.(Less "fishy" than oil packed)
1 big can Chinese Noodles
4/5 stalks celery
1 onion
2 cans Cream of Mushroom soup (Lo-sodium is best)
1 bag Bar-b-que potato chips
If you're feeling rich:
1 can sliced water chestnuts
1 can mushroom bits and pieces

Take large unbroken chips and layer the bottom of your casserole dish leaving at least 1/2 bag. Chop/Slice onions and celery and saute till slightly translucent, (I got lazy in high school and skipped the saute part...never went back...a little extra crunch is good.) Mix with tuna, soup, noodles, water chestnuts and mushrooms.
Pour/Spoon gently into casserole so chip layer stays in place. Secure chip bag and use rolling pin to crumble remaining chips and shake over top so evenly covered.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serves 4 to 6 depending on age, appetites and side dishes.

The next recipe was sent to me from Peggy.

Peggy and I went to high school together.

I know!

Doesn't she look great?

You would never know she's 29ish.

Peggy and I recently connected on Facebook after an obscene amount of years. It's been fun chatting with her, playing Facebook games, seeing pictures of her and her family. She also has a daughter who is some kind of freaky talented fantastic skater.

Don't you love Facebook?

TACO BAKE

2 lbs. ground beef
2 pkgs. taco seasoning mix
1 c. water
1 1/2 cans crescent rolls
1 reg. size bag corn chips
1 1/2 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. Cheddar cheese

Brown the beef, drain. Add seasoning mix and water. Simmer 5 minutes.Line 9x13 pan with the rolls. Bake rolls at temperature listed on package for 5 minutes. Crumble 1/2 of the bag of chips and put over rolls. Top with meat mixture, sour cream and cheese. Sprinkle with remaining chips. Bake 11-13 minutes, 375 degrees.

Sauerkraut Salad

This is a recipe that my Grandmother use to make for our family reunions. Now I make it and take it to our family reunion.

It's a great refreshing salad for summer

Which we all need right now with the temperatures in the 100's everyday.

2 1/2 lbs. can sauerkraut

rinse very well and pat dry

1 chopped med. green pepper

1 sweet onion, chopped

1/4 c. pimentos

(optional, I don't put it in because I always forget to buy them. Even if they are on the list)

1 tsp. caraway seeds (Dill seed is also and option)

DRESSING:
1 c. sugar

1/2 c. cider vinegar

1/3 c. salad oil

In a saucepan, combine sugar and cider vinegar. Heat until sugar dissolves. Let cool

Add salad oil and mix well. Mix sauerkraut, onion, pepper, pimentos, and seeds.

Pour dressing over sauerkraut mixture. Toss and cover overnight in refrigerator to blend flavors.

Makes 1 quart.

Desserts

This is always my favorite part of Jesus Loves Casseroles!

Have you met Laurie Anne at Tinkers Piggies?

She's on the left.

WSU Laura (in the middle) and I finally got to meet her in person when we attended the Funky Junk Sisters Show last month.

The e-mail I got from Laurie Anne was titled

Jesus Loves Rhubarb

and read:

Hey Ya Timi,
This gets rave reviews and couldn't be easier. You know me, I'm all about the easy!! :0)
Hope your summer has been fun. Mine has been joyfully uneventful. Gotta love those lazy days of summer (heavy emphasis on LAZY)

Laurie Anne


Rhubarb Dream Bar

(from the Amish Cook)

Crust

(I usually throw it in the Cuisinart and pulse until it looks like fine crumbs)
1 ½ cups flour
2/3 cup powdered sugar
¾ cup butter
Mix the three above ingredients like a pie crust.

Press into a 9X13 cake pan. Bake 15 minutes at 350.

Filling:
2 cups sugar
½ cup flour
½ teaspoon salt
3 cups rhubarb chopped in small pieces

Use the darkest red rhubarb you can find, it more pretty that way
4 eggs

Mix eggs, sugar, flour, salt, and rhubarb. Pour onto crust. Bake at 350 for 35-45 (closer to 45- you want to make sure the filling sets) minutes. Cool and then cut into bars. The topping will have the same consistency as a lemon square.

Aren't they pretty?

Thanks Laurie Ann for sending the picture along with the recipe.

Now I would like to introduce you to my cousin Carrie. One of the super stars of life that I have the pleasure of knowing. You know, she's salt of the earth type stuff. LOVE HER!

I know, your thinking "and they're related?" "how weird!"

Carrie recently decided for fun to enter some baked goods in to the Linn County Fair in Albany Oregon a couple weeks ago. This was the first time Carrie had ever done anything like this.

Well check this out!

She took home a few ribbons.

1st place for Grandma Fodge's Oatmeal Cookies

(Grandma Fodge is Carrie's Mom's mom)

1st place and Grand Champion ribbons for my Blueberry Coffeecake recipe.

2nd place for my Peach Kuchen recipe.

It is a coffeecake recipe that has yeast in it - a quick bread type of coffeecake.

She received a Reserved Champion for Pecan Bars.

This is the very cool part of the whole story. Carrie was reading my blog one day, then started clicking around on blogs that I follow.

She landed on Lisagh at Grosgrain Garage where there was a recipe for Pecan Squares.

So Carrie tried the recipe, thought it was fabulous and entered it in the fair and WON!

Don't you just love Blogland?

Don't they look fabulous?

This picture is courtesy of Grosgrain Garage. Check Lisagh's blog. She is always cookin up something wonderful. All of her recipes are under

Foodie McFooderson

Lisagh has the best recipes and I love that she is always trying something new. She is also an amazing sewer, knitter, needle pointer, and.......well she just has lots of fun stuff on her blog. Go check her out.

The Recipe

(adapted from the Betty Crocker Cookie Book)

3 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
Heat oven to 350°

Grease jelly roll pan. Beat flour, butter, sugar and salt in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly (mixture will be dry). Press firmly in pan. Bake about 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

Meanwhile mix:
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup maple syrup
3 tbsp melted butter
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Until well blended, then add:
2 1/2 cups chopped pecans
Pour filling over baked layer; spread evenly. Bake an additional 20 minutes or until filling is set. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

All those other recipes that where fair winners............I'm working on getting them from her.

Keep those recipes a comin!

I'm havin the best time reading the stories sent along with the recipes, looking at the pictures and just chatting with people about food.

Remember Jesus Loves Casseroles is about good food and sharing it with others.

You can join the group Jesus Loves Casseroles on Facebook too.

Also...............

Don't forget about Hot Blogust Nights coming up on August 8th in beautiful Downtown Snohomish. Great time to come out and meet your fellow bloggers and blog readers.

Dust off Those Blog Badges!

Remember that brilliant idea Camp Whimsy and Company had when we were getting ready to attend the Farm Chicks show this year?

The idea was to create a blog badge that represents your blog and to wear it to Farm Chicks.

The idea being that you could identify fellow bloggers while wandering around and shopping amongst all of the wonderful vendors.

Yeah, THAT brilliant idea!

This idea was so much fun at Farm Chicks that I’m stealing the idea for an upcoming blog party.

That you ALL are invited to!

My blog badge from Farm Chicks

Here’s how it works

Create a blog badge for yourself if you don't already have one.

Not a blogger??? No problem…..create a badge that says

"I’m a Reader (with your name)"

Not a blogger? Not a reader?? Create a badge that says...

(This would be for your friends that do neither and just want to attend )

"I’m just here for the fun"

Take a picture of the blog badge you created and then simply send it to me agirlnamedtimi@hotmail.com along with your name and blog name.

I’ll post it on my blog so you can check back to see who is planning on attending and who you need to be watching for.

THEN...............Post your blog badge picture on your blog and tell your blog buddies about it.

Pin those badges on your favorite outfit and head to Snohomish on August 8th!

Rumor has it that prizes are going to be given out for the 3 favorite blog badges and…………that blog badges might get you special discounts in the participating stores.

Don't want to make a badge................No problem

Just come join the fun!

There will also be door prizes and appetizers

Bring Friends, Mothers, Daughters, Sons, Aunts, Uncles, or Your Hubs.

Your Hubs can come meet other poor neglected Hubs.

Hubs that suffer from........."My wife's a Blogger" syndrome.

Like my Hubs.

Come out and enjoy our fabulous little town of Snohomish, meet new friends, visit with old friends and just have a good time. I can’t think of a better way to spend a hot August night.

Everyone is invited!

Poster by B Halstead Design

Stores that are participating

Annie's

Joyworks

Faded Elegance

Curly Williow **New Store***

Weeds

In-Side Out

Bed of Roses **New Store**

Cin-A-Mon Stick

Java Inn

Beat Street

Hope to see you there!

Please e-mail me with any questions

**********************

Jesus Loves Casserole Update............

I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to get Jesus Loves Casserole recipes posted.

Thank you everyone for sending me recipes.

I will get back on track next week. Keep those great recipes coming. I'm really enjoying hearing from all of you.

Jesus Loves Casseroles is now on Facebook.

Paula Deen Dogged Us

Yep folks you read it right.

Paula Deen stood us up for our big 70th year Gregory family reunion.

I know , I know your all saying “wow, what a rude bitch that Palua Deen is!”

In case you don't know about the invite

Click Here

In her defense it wasn't entirely her fault. I didn’t attach an RSVP to that invite so it’s not like she HAD to let me know she was for sure going to be there or not.

Still she probably should have let me know.

Normally if someone was a no show at one of my parties I would just say "oh well, they missed out" Then think twice about inviting them to the next party.

Yeah, I take it personally........... that's how I roll!

Being published on the Paula Deen web magazine and wondering if she or some of her staff (Brandon her gay, is who I was hoping for) would really show up just started more bat shit craziness around here at The House of B's that had crazy already in full swing.

I spent the last couple weeks before the reunion, running around like a crazy woman (and making my mother crazy too) trying to get ready. As if the general getting ready stuff wasn't enough........ Oh no no no.......I had to start adding stuff on top of all that.

Yes, this is were the bat shit crazy really kicks in.

I spent hours upon hours over the weeks prior to the reunion looking for matching tablecloths. I know your saying "why, who the hell cares?"

ME!

I was hell bent on finding red and white picnic check vinyl tablecloths that all matched for 10 tables. Over the years everyone has brought tablecloths to the reunion and we just put what we had on the tables.

This year they needed to match. Partly because Paula Deen or Brandon might show up and mostly because it looks better in pictures.

This was also part of my efforts (bat shit craziness) to make our 4th of July a complete "theme" weekend.

I had my mother looking, I sent Laura looking, I sent Donna looking, I looked and we came up with nothing that was suitable or that I could get 10 to match.

In the final hours before leaving, I settled with a huge roll of disposable red and white plastic table covering that I picked up at Cash and Carry.

100 yards for $9.99, not exactly what I wanted but it worked and it was more affordable than the $37.99 each I was considering.

I don't know about you but, when I spend a lot of money on a tablecloth and then something gets spilt on it I go nuts. I try to act like it's no big deal on the outside to my guests but inside I'm freakin flipping out. They would have had to drive me to the mental hospital on reunion day had I put those $37.99 cloths on the tables and something got spilled on them.

This is why thrift store tablecloths and vinyl disposable tablecloths are my friend.

They are like anti crazy medication for me.

OK, back to my story...............

Other craziness that happened.............

Finding the perfect 4th of July decorations for tables, trailers, parade, walkers, dogs and kids. Baking, cooking, packing a trailer, getting Charlie to the beauty shop so he would be parade ready. Then trying to decided what to wear and what shoes I should take.

There is also the on going "discussion" that The Hubs and I have before every trip.......weight limits on loading The Mobile Estate.

Busy Busy Busy!

So let me show you a little of what Paula missed

Welcome to Stanton Park Canyonville Oregon.

Where the Gregory Family takes over the lower half of the park and we turn it in to Gregoryville.

Check out those matching tablecloths!



Everything looks better on matching tablecloths

A little glamping going on there on that table.

The tablecloths are on, the decorations are hung........let the festivities begin!

Aunt Jewel helping Uncle Sam stand back up or giving him a little lovin we weren't sure. It was cocktail hour.

This is my Great Uncle and Aunt

They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last month.

How freakin cool is that?

This year the Gregory family invested in a PA system.

Apparently there are some of us that are a bit hard of hearing, some of us that are stone deaf, and some of us that just never stop talking long enough to let someone else speak. A PA system was truly the best thing that happen to us.

Remember the donut maker from Long Beach?

It made it's debut at the family reunion

Early Saturday morning (way too early after pulling an expensive late night the night before at the casino with my mother) Jay and I started making donuts to be served with fresh hot coffee.

Apple cinnamon, blueberry, chocolate, banana, and raspberry were on the menu for flavors.

Also on the menu which was not shown was a big ole pot of sausage gravy and buttermilk biscuits.

Ohhhhh we know how to eat!

Your donut makers

Mr and Mrs Nuckinfuts!

We usually have our reunion the first weekend in August. Because of a scheduling issue with Douglas County Parks Department (the issue being that it doesn’t matter that we have reserved the same places in the park, the same week, for the same reason for the last 15 years, they decided to rent to another group. If there is someone in the Douglas County Parks reservation office that takes bribes please contact us. We are happy to meet your demands to ensure we get our weekend back.) we had to have it over the 4th of July. Which in the beginning everyone was all “this sucks”, “we don’t to do it that weekend” “ why can’t we do it the weekend we always do it?” You know bitch bitch bitch. Me being one of those big time bitchers.

After hearing this news Princess Spoiled Brat sent a little note to Cousins Jim and Angie. Here’s a copy of the note she sent.

From Jim to all family members;

I want a parade! We received this note from Kayelee (aka Princess Spoiled Brat). She really wants a parade at the reunion — so let‟s accommodate her. We‟ll have a parade of bikes, pets and people too. . .of all ages. Even if you don't have a bike or pet, dress up for the 4th of July Parade! Oh yeah, and bring "decrashiains‟ too!

BRILLIANT IDEA!!!

After that note went out to everyone there was excitement in the air. We had to start preparing for the parade.

I don’t know about all you, but usually on 4th of July we go some where. We let someone plan all our entertainment for the day. We go to a parade and then we watch fireworks. Not much thought goes in to it. This year…………..we had to actually think about it, think about what we were going to do and how we were going to make our own fun with our family and friends.

Princess Spoiled Brat, Grammy and I started planning what we were going to do.

THE PARADE

Meet Paige

Our new BFF cousin

Her enthusiasm for everything was infectious.

We party planners LOVED IT!

Hope she continues to attend every year.

Decorating her tent Paige our future activities director of the Gregory reunion

Paige also single handily managed to get EVERY single family member face painted or decorated with some sort of 4th of July decoration.

Not even Great Grandma was spared a face paint application.

Nor was Penelope spared

If you stood or sat still long enough you were getting painted.

Then it was time to get bikes, scooters, and anything else with wheels decorated.

I'm not sure how she managed it but Princess Spoiled Brat got Grammy to do all the bike decorating. Do you see any help there with poor Grammy?

Cousin Carrie and her Grandson

She looks like she was barkin out orders to get ready.

She wasn't , she was probably telling me not to take that picture!

Your parade MC's

Jim and Angie

Everyone lined up and ready to go.

A parade through the park.

It was like hurding cats to get us organized.

Paige and Princess Spoiled Brat right in front!

Evereyone participated. Even the Great Grammy's

Me and Charlie

*****Like my cute apron?

Avaliable at Joyworks in Snohomish

Don't know about Joyworks?

You better get them on your shopping radar!

Charlie ready to go

He wouldn't walk and I had to carry him.

But he looked cute!

Grammy all decked out

Yes, folks these are my parents!

Any questions?

They will be celebrating thier 45 wedding anniversary in a couple weeks.

Here are two of the nicest guys in the world.

Yeah they rode that bike in the parade and..They looked darn cute!

The Hubs and Clark

I hear they also both hold the title of

Best Son-in Laws ever.

This was alot of fun, we did our parade waves, threw candy, and laughed until we thought we were going to wet our pants.

A good time had by all!

Then it was time for a little R&R before the afternoon fest began.

Of course there is always a water fight of some sort.

It was a 103 at one point in the day.

Then there was a big plan hatched............

One that was going to drench one of the adults

It was a great well thought out plan

or was it????

DANG!!! Foiled again by the adults

Sometimes a girl just has to admit defeat

This is Annabelle.

She discovered that a water fight with Charlie was a lot dryer than with the other kids.

Annabelle is an adopted Gregory.

We picked her up in the parade through the park. She and her family had come from Coos Bay to camp for the weekend.

She ended up spending the rest of the weekend playing with the kids in our camp.

She was so dang cute we wanted to keep her.

If this dosen't make you laugh I don't know what will

This my grandmother

She looks like Hallmarks Maxine

Lots of visiting and catching up on what's been happenin in everyone's lives.

Did I mention it was 103 that day?

So exciting to see lots of new faces this year.

We hope to see them again year after year.

Ninja guy!

He totally cracked me up

Be the Ninja! Feel the Ninja within..........

Rosemary lookin all cute in her hat.

More story telling

LOTS of story telling going on around the back of the truck.

Some of us went home richer than others

Grandma demanded pictures with the kids......

The kids wanted to go play

Poor Grandma

Then it was time to fire up the grills..............

Your grill masters for the weekend

Your burger and dog runner Clark

"I'm goin as fast I can!"

"Alice! Your on your third burger give someone else a chance to eat! "

The picture of summer

A new bathing suite, a suntan, and a plate full of junk food.

Does it get any better than that?

This is Penelope

She went and got her little chair and shoved it right up to the desert end of the tables.

She really is a girl after my own heart

Food food and more food

After Linner (too late for lunch but too early for dinner) it was time for a little

Pinata smashing

If your a kid or a kid at heart it can never get dark fast enough on 4th of July

Let the fireworks begin

Somethings never change

Boys will be boys

Who can blow thier fingers off first?

It was a great family reuinon!

On to be remembered for a long time

Some of us will be wondering how much wine we really had and why did they take a picture of that????

You shouldn't leave your camera laying around.

Some of us caught up with what's happenin in each others lives

Some Grammy's took lots of pictures

Some people just couldn't catch a break

Some big plans were made for next year

and some of us said HELL NO to suggestions

New friends were made and some of us discovered we had a common love for My Little PonyNew family memebers were introduced, passed around, cheeks pinched, and spoiled by grammy's, great grammy's and wanabe grammy's.

Boyfriends were introduced to the family

and tested

I guess if he comes back next year it means he passed.

The Hubs

He's all biblical like in this picture with the sun shining so bright behind him.

He really is a ray of sunshine

Then as soon as we got there it seems like it was over and time to pack up and go home.

Another year of fun!

Paula and Crew you totally missed out!

This is Jim and Angie

We need to give them a big

Thank you!

They are head newsletter sender outers

Cookbook putter togethers

Park Corrdinators

and all around information centeral for the Gregory Family

Thank you for keeping us together

Since this was our 70th year of family reunions I thought I would leave you with a few pictures from past reunions.

Yeah, that's me all young, skinny, and drinkin a TAB with my Grandpa and Aunt Karen.

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share with you.

Have a great day!