The holiday season is a time for family. Since we have already talked about our mother, father, my mother-in-law, a cousin, and ourselves we thought it time to bring out a few more members of our family.
When we think of the women who marry into our family, a few are stand outs above the rest. For instance, my uncle married a woman when they had both retired and she stands out as being one of the worst cooks/aunts/busybodies I can recall. None of us can forget an instance when a family member passed away and Auntie M was there the whole time as soon as food started arriving. She was crazy about chicken wings and hoarded them all to herself. One evening she scavenged a few away and returned the next day with a pan of her chicken and spaghetti. She had taken some spaghetti, arranged the wings (with bones) on top of six slices of cheese. Someone raked it in the trash when she wasn’t looking. Yes, she was a stand out.
In complete contrast stands my brother’s wife, Melinda. She not only is a great cook, she is cooks huge dinners for our family on most special occasions. Christmas is really the time of year that she shines. Today while I was at their lovely home I admired her festive Christmas decor. Of course, this year she has another reason to celebrate.
Her first grandchild!
Every part of the house is decorated for Christmas. She has a tree in almost every room. I had to take pictures before she started on making the chicken and spaghetti.
Did I mention they live on a farm? They hunt, fish, raise cattle, and kids. (It was in the pasture behind this house that Joy started a fire while cooking. Just FYI)
The pictures don’t do justice to show the antlers on the mantle. Nor do they to the rest of the house. Can you see why we have Christmas here?
Time to get back to the kitchen. Melinda has been no stranger to the kitchen, cooking for her husband and three kids and often, large groups will hire her to cater because she can do such a great job. My brother will make jokes about her cooking at times, saying that her pickles glow in the dark, but nobody could cook for him like she does. (nobody wants to!)
Here is a good chicken and spaghetti recipe.
- 4-6 chicken breasts, boiled and deboned (save broth)
- 1 family size cream of chicken soup
- 1 family size cream of mushroom soup
- 1 1/2 Velveeta cheese
- 2 cans of rotel
- med onion (chopped)
- bell pepper (chopped)
- garlic powder
- Mexana Chili Powder
- 2 lbs spaghette
Add 3 cups of water to broth. Bring to a boil and add onions and peppers, then pasta. Cook until tender. Do not drain. Add soups, chili powder, garlic powder, and rotel. Add the cheese last and then turn to low, stirring often. If not careful, this will scorch. Cook til the cheese is melted.
I had to leave before the finished product was completed. Anything that is more than bony wings with sliced cheese is a keeper around here.
Merry Christmas!
