Vickie’s This and That: Family News, Patriot's Day, Recipes

September 10, 2020 - This has been a busy week. Many are still cleaning up from the affects of the hurricane. Our family cemetery is in the Sabine National Forest and it was several days before I could drive there to check on the cemetery to see if there were any damages. Luckily, there was not any damage to trees or tombstones.

I had a new great-grandson born this week. He makes number seven, 5 boys and 2 girls. He has had some breathing problems but is doing much better. Hopefully, he and his mom will be home tomorrow. I am ready to meet him. 

I hope everyone is doing well and please remember tomorrow as it is Patriot Day. Patriot Day is an annual observance on September 11 to remember those who were injured or died during the terrorist attacks in the United States on September 11, 2001. Many Americans refer to Patriot Day as 9/11 or September 11. It is hard to believe it has been 19 years since America was attacked.  Please pray for all the families who loss loved ones that day and all the others who have lost their lives fighting against the terrorists. Our own VFW Post 8904 will be holding a remembrance at 10am at the Veterans Memorial on the Square. They will play Taps for the lives lost that day in the days that followed. I had the opportunity to visit the9/11 Memorial located at the World Trade Center in New York City. It was a very humbling experience. 

Chunky Chicken Casserole

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
2 can mushroom soup
½ cup milk
1 Tbs. minced onion
½ pkg of Seasoned Bread Stuffing Mix 
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 can (4oz) sliced mushrooms, drained
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper

Pour chicken into buttered 10” baking dish. Combine soup and milk and add remaining ingredients. Pour over chicken. Mix ½ of an 8 oz pkg of Seasoned Bread Stuffing Mix according to package direction for dry mix. Sprinkle over top of chicken and bake at 325 degrees for 25 minutes.

Oven Barbecued Meatballs

1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 c. bread crumbs
½ c. finely chopped onion
1 egg, beaten well
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs. flour
3 Tbs. oil
Barbecue sauce
Hot cooked noodles spaghetti or rice

Combine beef, bread crumbs, onion, milk, egg, salt, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper. Shape into 1 ½” balls. Dredge meat balls in flour. Heat oil in large skillet. Add meat balls to oil browning on all sides. Remove meat balls from skillet; drain on paper towels. Arrange meat balls in a lightly greased 2 qt. casserole dish. Pour barbecue sauce over meat balls. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until done. Serve over noodles, spaghetti, or rice.  Note: for barbecue sauce can use your favorite brand or make your own.

Barbecue Sauce

¾ cup ketchup
¾ cup of water
½ cup of finely chopped onion
3 Tbs. vinegar
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs. brown sugar
½ tsp celery seed
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and Pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients and mix together thoroughly. Bring to a boil, pour over meatballs.