Another hectic schedule
By LOU GREENHAW
Contributing writer
I've gotten myself into one of those weeks again. It started with Easter guests. I was behind at work because we had a pharmacist on vacation the previous week. Then this week we had a pharmacist in training in Maryland. Normally, that would be a minor problem because I would just do my office work before the store opens and come back and work at night.
However, this week involved baking tree-shaped cookies for the city council and going to the meeting for the Arbor Day celebration since I am on that board in Hillsboro that really controls all the happenings of the city, the Tree Board! Sometimes I get intoxicated with the power!
Then, thanks to a Sunday School class member who begged, I did a presentation for the Chamber of Commerce luncheon on the new fitness center we are opening. That took some preparation though I'm sure those who heard me didn't think so!
I had agreed to make a presentation to a group of pharmacy students and pharmacists in Lawrence and guess when that was? Yep, this week on Thursday night. So I raced to Lawrence and back.
Over a month ago, I agreed to provide the monthly First Friday female gathering for our church ladies. I provided the lunch and then the donations for the lunch went to help sponsor the youth mission trip to inner city Denver, Colo., this July. When I signed up to do this, my calendar looked pretty empty for that week. Suddenly it involved setting up the tables after the Wednesday night activities were over and cooking the meal in the middle of the night on Thursday so I could work Friday morning and just go put things out in time for the lunch.
Unless my obituary is on another page in this paper, I made it through the week though! So much for reducing stress!
Relaxation for me is cooking. I love to get in the kitchen and make something. I think I enjoy it so much because I start and finish something in a small amount of time. I don't like needlework because it goes so slowly. I like jigsaw puzzles, but I don't start one unless my calendar is clear because I'm obsessed with finishing them.
The only good thing about a hectic schedule is that it takes my mind off the weather! I hate wind, so this was not a good weather week for me. Plus how do you plan meals when it's salad and lemonade weather one day and soup and hot cocoa weather the next? So I'll just share a recipe for a hot brunch dish. No matter what the weather, a hot breakfast dish is popular. Plus this one is great if you have to make it in the middle of the night!
BRUNCH CASSEROLE
2 1/2 cups herbed croutons
2 cups shredded cheese
1 1/2 pounds sausage, browned and well drained
1 can mushrooms, drained, optional
4 large eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
Place croutons in bottom of greased dish 9x13 for thinner squares and 8x11 for thicker servings. Top with cheese, sausage and mushrooms. Beat eggs with 2 1/2 cups milk and the dry mustard. Pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Before baking, mix soup, and 1/2 cup milk. Pour over top and bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
