A Memento and A Meal

Wouldja' look at this...I'm posting twice in one day!

Look at what I found while gathering ingredients from the cupboard for supper...

...my mom's "Savory Leaves" seasoning from way-back-when!  I don't even know if you can still buy Savory Leaves seasoning, but I do know I love seeing this.  Mostly I love seeing the note that my mom added, especially because I love seeing her printing.  She had great printing, didn't she?  Neat, clear, and precise.  

I lost my mom in 2012; well, I didn't actually lose her, I know where she is.  She died at the age of 91 after her second bout with the damn "C" word.  But since she left us behind so she could spend eternity with my dad, I'm okay with it.  They're together and that's what matters.  (Hi Mom, Hi Dad, I love you both.)

I love "old" things that carry with them the essence of someone you loved, proof that they were here that is found in the everyday and the ordinary.

Raise your hand if you love finding reminders of your loved ones. Yeah, me too.

So, here's the "A  Meal" piece.  

I don't love cooking, but sometimes I like it.  Tonight, for instance, I made one of my favorite meals...I think I made it up.  It's best eaten during the winter, mostly because it has a rich gravy and takes an hour in the oven.  Whatever.  I'm almost 60, I can do what I want, right?

Anyway... I present to you "A Meal".

This is the recipe I made up a long time ago.  It's boneless/skinless chicken breast, cheese placed on top of each piece, two cans of cream of mushroom soup mixed with about 1 3/4 cans of milk whisked together and poured over the top.  Sprinkle bread crumbs over the top and bake at 350 degrees for an hour, (or, if you're like my husband, you cook it an hour and 5 minutes to be sure you don't die from food poisoning contracted by eating under-cooked chicken, which he's never done.  Ever.)

I also improvise this potato side dish.  I use whatever cooked potatoes we've got in the fridge (and since my husband is Irish, we always have cooked potatoes in the fridge).  I slice them up and cook them for about 30 minutes or so in butter, Mrs. Dash seasoning, pepper and garlic salt, salt and pepper. I may or may not have added a tablespoon of bacon fat this time, too. Deeeeelicious.