super sunday

After attending both wards, I raced home to get things out and ready for the super bowl meal.  I didn't think that Doug would be home until halftime because he always has meetings and his assignment in the Bishopric is handling the tithing for the ward each Sunday.  That always keeps him later.  But, he was home by 5 yesterday!  Sweetness! 

As the church was ending, the game was just starting and the YSA kids came straggling in for about fifteen minutes.  I told the kids to act like they were at home and help themselves and that they did.  I'd made a very eclectic Super Bowl meal... not our traditional Super Bowl Sandwiches.  Not knowing how many to expect, I made foods that would go further and stretch if needed.  I'd cooked the biggest roast that I've ever seen!  It literally filled my crockpot.  This is one of my favorite things ever.  Au Jus Roast and it's so simple. 

Au Jus Roast

1 3-4 pound roast

1 package of italian seasoning mix

1 package of au jus mix

2 cups beef broth

Cook on low in a crockpot for about 4 hours.  Then, shred it with a fork for french dip sandwiches.  It literally falls apart at the touch.

I also made Grape Jelly Meatballs.  This time, I made them a bit different, but the basic recipe is:

Grape Jelly Meatballs

Fill the crockpot with meatballs.  Pour one jar of "Homemade Chili Sauce" (It's in the little round jars near the other chili sauces in your grocer.) and about 1 1/2 cups of grape jelly.  Pour the two over the meat and let it cook in the crockpot for a few hours, stirring occasionally.  Yesterday, I put half the grape jelly, making them spicier and everyone loved it.

The rest of the meal:  Potato Salad, Bean Salsa, Guacamole, Relish Tray, Chips and crackers and more chips, a Brownie/Strawberry Trifle, Peanut Butter Corn Flake Treats and a bunch of other snacky foods.  A lot of food.  We'll be eating leftovers for a few days.  Happiness!

The kids came in and out.  Some ate and ran and didn't even watch the game. Some left at half time. Only one stayed the entire time.  I didn't get many pictures. I actually only got a few.  Our kids are so not into the game.  They were all over the house until half-time.  We loved the half-time show.  And Lady Gaga did a marvelous job singing the national anthem.  I couldn't tell you the score this morning.  I really didn't watch much of the game.  I didn't see the Doritoes commercial or many of the others. I was in the kitchen a lot.  We didn't play games ourselves.  We just watched.  So, it was different.  Carol and I texted a few times, missing each other and our normal Super Bowl games and food.  But, I was thrilled to have the YSA kids joining us.  I'm not complaining at all.  It's just different and new.  Her kids wanted to do their own thing this year without the large crowd that has always gathered.  And we have room for more at our home now, so this was great!  

This cute couple leaning on each other are going to be married this Friday!  How fun is that!  They left at half-time for another party.  As they were leaving, we said, "Have a great week!"  The boy said, "Yeh, this weekend is the playoffs, so it should be exciting!", as he teased his bride to be.  Jentry just smiled at him.  I told him to "Be nice!"  And Tucker, on the other end of the sofa is one of my favorite guys in the ward!  What a blessing to have such awesome kids in our lives!

 

 The kids settled down for the second half in their normal places.  Jose, over on the right, is a new guy from California.  What a nice kid!  We enjoyed visiting with him for the entire evening.

 

And what a happy thing to have Doug home at 5 on a Sunday!  No complaints there!  He enjoyed watching the game and, as he said, "ate himself into a coma" most of the night.  That always makes me happy!  He's always ravenous when he gets home on Sundays.

 

Everyone was gone by 9, we had scriptures and called it a night.  Different but Super, as always!

One last comment, this Monday morning... HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUSAN!  Susan is my oldest friend, my kindred spirit, my mentor since I was 20.  I love her with all of my heart!  Here's a picture of us, way back in the 80s.  I've always loved that we had this picture taken together while she visited me for one cherished week of fun and memory making.  I love you, Susan!

 

Life is good!  And Super Bowl Sunday is fantastic!  And so is having a wonderful friend like Susan!