Just a little tasty goodness to share...

Over the weekend, I attended two Christmas parties of great friends. The first as a fun appetizer party that my friend Jodie and her husband, Lee, hosted. My best gal pal in St. Joe, Robin, gladly attended since my husband-who-seems-to-not-exist had to work. (Yes, Todd really is my husband. We are married. He does exist. Just putting that out there that the poor fellow works nights so we never see each other.) We then went to one of our favorite hang out spots, Foster's, and had a few drinks before calling it a night.

The next evening I spent with good friends, Christina and Paul, and we had a traditional Christmas dinner followed by an outrageous game called Quelf. I made the cheesy corn casserole that is famous at Jack Stack BBQ in KC. I thought I'd share the super easy, but super cheesy and divine recipe:

Cheesy Corn Casserole

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 6 slices of chopped bacon (or you can use the ready-made kind for salads)
• 1/2 cup of flour
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic  (add more if you're like me and LOVE garlic)
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup of Velveeta
• 1/2 package of cream cheese, cubed
• 3  packages frozen sweet corn, thawed
  
  I have also done this recipe with the paired down "fat" versions, so I've used "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" baking sticks, reduced fat cream cheese, skim milk, etc., and most people cannot taste the difference.

Directions:

• Make a simple roux by melting the butter and bacon together over medium heat; Stir in flour and garlic powder.
• Whisk in milk over medium heat.
• Heat until thick and bubbly; stir in cream cheese/cheeses. Stir over low heat until cheeses melt.
• Pour cheese mixture over corn in 9x13 pan.
• Bake in 9x13 casserole pan for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Photo courtesy of Jack Stack Barbecue

Hometown Saturday Night...

This past weekend I went home to celebrate my brother before he leaves for overseas this coming week. We had a small get together with friends and family at my parents' home in Hiawatha. It was so great to see everyone and my mom and dad did a fantastic job with the decorations. Brandon got a  little surprise from me since he won't be at my wedding, he received some early bridal portraits of me so he can take them with him. I also gave him a few iTunes gift cards and some other stuff as I know it will be needed while he is over there to remind him of home. As you can see below in the pictures, it was a great time and I'm really sad he is leaving, but I couldn't think of a better reason for his absence, to serve his country.