from shirley's cottage

"Oh Boy! I’m in Illinois"
The phone rang Saturday evening. I heard,"Oh boy, I’m in Illinois." It might not seem like a big deal, especially Wisconsin. It is a big deal, though, when it is your daughter, and she and her family are back home.
The exodus started many years ago. The siblings left home when they were ready. (Or thought they were ready)
Deb was the first. She went to Arizona. It was a short jaunt. She discovered quickly that her heart was at the lake. So in the end she went from one home to another, 62 miles away..
Tracy’s love affair with Florida lasted for seventeen years, with a stint in Indiana before bringing her home.
Ted’s love of horses, mountains, and fly fishing took him to Colorado. Twice. And back for good.
They did not come home to Mama. They have their own homes and lives. But I am happy Mama is here.
After I got off the phone, my eye hit a framed counted cross-stitch Deb had made a long time ago. All the girls are crafty, taking after Gram. Any of that talent skipped a generation with me. So I am especially sentimental with anything they or Gram have done.
This one has decorated my walls over the years, as I struggled with the empty nest:

I love you enough to let you run
but far too much to let you fly
even if you ride home on a rainbow
until you reappeared
there’s always be
the chance that you
might not come riding
home at all.:

I didn’t let them fly. They had to try out their wings on their own I am happy to say the rainbow did reappear and finally they all came riding home.
Welcome home Kelly, Doug, Paige and Sam. We’ve been waiting for you.
Now when we get together we have a full crew. Then Mama happily goes back to the kitchen. Soon it will be time to think about what to take on the pontoon. For now, the snow and cold call for comfort and warmth. And remembering what everyone likes. Chicken works.
It has been a long time since I made this. I don’t remember who I got it from. I wrote it on a small note card. It’s still waiting to be copied and filed. Probably not in my lifetime.
Let’s just call it-Shirley’s Chicken Bake
Assemble the day ahead and refrigerate
you will need:
a well-greased 9x13 pan
8 slices Italian bread, crusts off
8 slices cheddar cheese
8 slices Swiss cheese
8 slices deli ham
3 cups sliced chicken
1 can mushrooms (or 8 oz fresh, cooked and drained)
4 eggs beaten with 2 ½ cups milk
1 T Worchetshire sauce
½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
for the sauce:
one large can Campbell’s Mushroom soup
8 oz sour cream
Mixed together and heated
line pan with bread
layer the cheddar, chicken, Swiss, and ham
Top with mushrooms
Pour the milk and egg mixture over everything and refrigerate overnight
Sprinkle top with bread crumbs
Bake at 350 for one hour
Cut into squares and serve with sauce.
Enjoy!