Olympic-Mania

An actual conversation posted on Mr. Bean's Facebook wall.

Note: AB is from Norway and friends of the extended Bean family. There has been a Norway versus USA rivalry going on for years with the Bean siblings and AB. There is no Kraft Mac-n-Cheese to be found in Norway, apparently.

AB: So who do you think will win the most medals in the Olympics...? :)

Me: And so it begins.... Certainly not Norway. :)

AB: Hmmm. A bit too early to say Mandie...Perhaps we should make this interesting? I've run out of Mac and Cheese... ;)

Mr. Bean: So far it's U.S.A. 0 - Norway 0.

Mr. Bean: Correction: U.S.A. 2 - Norway 0.

Me: Another correction: U.S.A 4 - Norway 0.

AB: Just keep in mind that the population of U.S.A is about 309 million while Norway has 4.5 million.... But congrats on your 4 medals! I'm really "happy" for you! :)

Mr. Bean: Just keep in mind that Norway has about 309 million tons of snow while the U.S.A. has 4.5 million. So, yeah, I gotta say I'm feeling pretty good about the four medals so far.

Mr. Bean: Hey, Norway got a medal!

Mr. Bean: ...and so did the U.S.! 5-1 now.

Brother Bean: Not to mention that the medal came in an event the US has never medaled in before.

Waiting for Sister Bean (Who is no longer a Bean since her wedding) to chime in. AB is in Norway, so I'm going to assume she's sleeping and unable to reply to all the madness.

Twelve for Breakfast

Every year for Christmas my family makes this recipe for Christmas morning. Typically we open stockings and then eat this before opening presents.

I've managed to make this recipe 3 times this holiday season. The first time was for a friend who was packing to move. I sent it to her home uncooked so she could bake it while packing (watch out, its soupy when uncooked). The second time was for our Christmas celebration. The third time was this morning since the newlyweds stayed with us last night.

As Rachael Ray would say, "It's a real crowd pleaser!"

Twelve for Breakfast

8 slices cubed white bread (whole grains don’t taste right with this recipe)
2/3 pound Velveeta Cheese, cubed
8 eggs, beaten with 3 cups milk
8 slices bacon, fried and broken into pieces ( doesn’t have to be crisp, as it will be baking during last ½ hour)

Mix first four ingredients in large bowl. (You can then refrigerate overnight and bake the next day.) Pour in greased 13X9 pan. Bake at 350 for an hour, sprinkling with bacon after ½ hour.

Finally

For years, Mr. Bean and I have been the only married siblings. All that changed today (and explains my lack of posting here recently).

I am glad to have a brother-in-law who also does not know the intricate details of every childhood event of the family. Whew. No longer alone!

Congratulations, Carolyn and Ryan!

Holiday Meal Planning

I am doing most of the holiday cooking this year. Here is what is on the menu:

Main Dishes
White Chicken Chili with crusty bread
Stay-in-Bed Stew
Baked Macaroni and Cheese + broccoli as a side

Appetizers
BBQ Meatballs (oven)
Cool Veggie Pizza (crescent rolls w/ cream cheese and veggies)
Deviled Eggs
Fruit stuff
Artichoke Dip w/ triscuits
Cheese/Crackers or Nacho stuff
Pickles
Jesus’ Birthday Cake

Breakfast Foods
Breakfast Casserole (bread, cheese, bacon, eggs)
Cheesy Potatoes

Cookies and Snacks
Russian Tea Cakes
Sugar Cookies
Chex Mix
Mint Chocolate Chip Merenges*
Molasses Gingerbread cookies*
Mint Chocolate Oreos
Spritz Cookies (made by my brother-in-law)*

I will be adding more main dishes to the list, but my cookies/snacks are almost finished! Only the ones with asterisks still need to be made. If you have any suggestions for improving my
menu, let me know!