HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

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FOOD LOVE: Mom’s Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

I am by no means a food blogger. In fact, I don’t even consider myself a decent cook. That said, I love to eat (don’t we all) and over the last few years I’ve actually grown to like being in the kitchen. In this series I’m sharing some of my favorite go-to recipes that I’ve gathered over the years from various cookbooks, across the internet, as well as friends and family.

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Growing up my mom always made a mean broccoli casserole at Christmas, Thanksgiving, and – if we were lucky – maybe at least once more throughout the year. In my twenties I was living hundreds of miles away from her and finally asked for the recipe so that I could have it at holidays when we were apart. I jotted down exactly what she said over the phone and, ten years later, here’s what that looks like:

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Before this card is completely illegible, I thought I should take the time to type out the recipe and, as much as I love the term “glop”, perhaps make it a little more specific. This dish for me is the ultimate comfort food that’s super easy to whip up and a great addition to any southern-style meal.

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Ingredients:
1 lb frozen broccoli florets
8 oz (1 block) sharp cheddar cheese
1 small white onion
2 eggs
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 sleeve Ritz crackers
1/2 tbsp. butter
salt & pepper

Directions:
– Preheat oven to 375°
– Steam the frozen broccoli until soft (5-7 minutes)
– While the broccoli steams, prep the other ingredients: Shred the block of cheddar. Finely chop the onion (my family doesn’t love onions, so I usually save half the onion for another meal and only chop half).
– In a large bowl, lightly beat two eggs.
– Add the cheese, onion, mayonnaise, cream of mushroom soup, & Worcestershire sauce to the bowl of eggs. Season w/ salt & pepper.
– Stir until combined, then fold in the broccoli.
– Lightly grease a medium casserole pan.
– Pour the mixture into the pan, crumble a layer of classic Ritz crackers on top.
– Chop one tablespoon of butter into tiny bits and sprinkle across the Ritz topping.
– Bake for 35-40 minutes at 375° (or until top in brown and casserole is cooked all the way through).

Broccoli Cheddar Casserole

Enjoy, ya’ll.

Pretty Day

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It’s Saturday – and a beautiful one at that. I started my day with a 9:30 Jazzercise class and then, after a little bacon and eggs, our little family scooted on down to the season’s first Farmers’ Market on the square downtown. Now home, Iris is now taking a nap and once she wakes up, she’s off to Baba’s house! It’s been a few months since we’ve had a whole night just for ourselves. Iris is such an easy kid that it’s never much of a break to have a sitter. In fact, things become a little boring without her around. That said, I guess I am looking forward to eating, drinking, peeing, and talking without being interrupted. On that note, I’m off to pack her bags…

LÄRABAR Mini Moments

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If you know Iris, you know that she is the ultimate snacker. It’s not uncommon for her to finish a big meal and then immediately request a snack. Every day when I pick her up from school, the first thing she says to me is, “I’m hunnnngry. I want a snack.” And this is right after school snack-time too! Usually all she requests is candy, candy, and more candy but recently we discovered how much she loves LÄRABAR minis from Sam’s Club. Made from unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices, I actually feel good about her eating a chocolate chip cookie dough treat.

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As for me, the peanut butter chocolate chip is my fave. So with this big bag of 30 LÄRABAR minis, Iris and I make a good team. I’ve learned to keep them stashed in the car, in my purse, and around our house so that every time a toddler “hangry” moment rolls around, I toss one her way… Mini moments with my Mini.

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If you wanna give them a try, Sam’s Club is giving away samples March 27-April 1. There’s also a $250 Sam’s Club gift card up for grabs and here’s your chance to win it. Enter here:

$250 Sam's Club Gift Card Giveaway

This post is sponsored post.

Friday With Iris

Iris and I had a much appreciated day off together, but why oh why did she still have to wake up at the crack of dawn? As I drank my morning coffee, I decided to make the most of it and document our simple adventures throughout the day:

Up and at ’em.
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First things first.
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Blueberry breakfast bar & a banana for breakfast.
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Kitty watching me get ready. Creep.
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No, you can’t wear pajamas all day…
Especially since I see you picked them out yourself.
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Since we’re up, I’m getting my workout in.
Iris loves the childcare there anyway (but probably not as mush as I do).

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It may only be 10:30 in the morning, but screw it. We’re getting lunch.

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Then off to the square to run a few errands, where it basically looks like a movie set right now.

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Meeting up with Todd for a local beer (and a juice for Iris).

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Since Iris was so patient, she got treated to her fave sweet treats from Alchemy Macarrons.

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Before we headed back home for a much needed nap, Iris and I swung by and met the sweet girls (and puppies) at Southern Trend Clothing.

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They hooked up our whole family with so many goodies that we’ll share soon.

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TGFN (Thank Goodness For Naps).

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And thank goodness for great weather so that Iris can craft outside, and for Todd picking up take-out Thai food, and for the next few hours where I’m going to do nothing but watch the first season of Game of Thrones. From what I have heard, I’ll see ya in about a month.

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Hope your day was just as awesome.