eggs baked the best way

Every once in awhile I prepare a recipe from my beloved Betty Crocker cookbook that becomes an instant favorite among those that I am feeding.   I think the best part of these rare food finds is the tradition that is born and the memories created.   Most recently, this egg bake stepped up to the plate and was so well loved it is making its next appearance on my grandmas breakfast table Christmas morning.   After all, Betty knows best! 

Hash Brown Potato and Egg Bake 

1/2 lb bacon, chopped 

1 bag (30 oz) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed and drained 

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 oz) 

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

9 large eggs 

1 1/4 cups milk 

1 container (8oz) sour cream 

1 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon pepper 

1 teaspoon ground mustard 

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray 13x9 inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.  

2. Prepare bacon, then cook onion in remaining fat.  

3.In a large bowl, toss bacon mixture, potatoes and cheeses.  

4. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes- 1 hour. 

I took this picture while on a field trip with my favorite kiddos a couple weeks back.  The sun was shining and the air was crisp: a perfect fall day!

spoiler alert!

I took the night off, so to speak, in order to make some progress on some of my holiday projects.   Thankfully, it was an evening well spent!  I was even able to spend a little time with one of my elderly neighbors, who continues to surprise me with his thoughtfulness and care.   Additionally,  I finally finished making chocolate covered pretzels for my co-workers (phew) and I even wrapped all of my Christmas presents!

Next on the list is writing all of the holiday cards for my colleagues.  I value the opportunity to share a word of sincere gratitude or encouragement far more than timely gift-giving.  Which means, I need to set aside at least one more block of time in order to write my cards before anyone will be enjoying the delicious fruit of my labor.

And, if that wasn't enough of a spoiler alert, I have already decided what I am giving as gifts next year.   Check out the hot chocolate I will be wrapping up just 12 short months from now!

3 for 3

I have three beautiful frames hanging above my couch but so far only two of them have photos in them.   I have now hung that empty frame on my wall at TWO different apartments, so I figured it was time to bite the bullet and decide which of my pictures I wanted to enlarge and give it the attention it deserves.   After much debate, this is the third and final picture to be framed!