The weekend of Friday, May 7th, my daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Herb Farley, invited me to travel along with them to the San Antonio area to attend my son’s and new daughter-in-law, Dwight and (now) Brenda Stewart’s wedding, Saturday, May 8th. My dear niece, Karen Maxfield, was kind enough to invite us to stay in her delightful 25+ acre home for the weekend. Her place is located in Saint Hedwig, a small town close to the San Antonio area.
Karen is a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator which means she takes (at her own expense) injured and/or sick wild animals such as deer, birds, squirrels, etc. and when healed, releases them back into their habitat. She has many interesting stories to tell mostly successes and a few heartbreaking tales. Most recently she had some animals that were injured from the severe hail storms they have been experiencing. She said during the storms, she could hear the animals crying out in pain from the pommeling hail.
Early Saturday morning, she called me from the bedroom to see a female bobcat she had raised from a cub she had named “Saber.” She had shown up at Karen’s backdoor as she says she often does for a free meal. Although she will not come close enough to let Karen pet her anymore, she still spends time playfully playing with Karen’s part Boston terrier and Boxer dog, “Que.” They are great buddies and fun to watch.
Our time there, the weather was sunny and comfortably cool. One evening we sat out on Karen’s wrap around porch watching the wonders of nature. I cannot recall how many years it has been since experiencing the joy of watching fireflies (also known as “lightening bugs”). It brought back childhood memories of catching them in a jar. What a rare evening spent always to be remembered enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.
After two hail storms, with spiked hail the size of a baseball caused enough damage to Karen’s house that repairs will be necessary. Since we left there has been unusual rains and flooding in that part of the country. Karen usually has had dry creek beds in the summer that are now overflowing with turbulent waters. Thankfully there has been no flooding in her lovely home. Always a positive thinker, Karen said it should be a very green summer.
This week I am giving you the KEEPER recipe for the fabulous breakfast she prepared for us that Saturday morning. There was enough left over the next morning for our breakfast again and it was just as tasty. She assured me it is quite easy to prepare; that’s what we busy people like. If preparing for just myself, I would half the recipe and there would probably be enough left for another breakfast or a light supper for my sister-in-law, Ava McWhorter and me.
I gratefully acknowledge the time spent in Karen’s welcoming home and her generous hospitality.
SOUTHWESTERN BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
12 eggs, beaten
½ cup milk
8 white corn tortillas cut into bite-size pieces
Salt & pepper to taste
3 Tbsp. butter
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 – 2 tomatoes, chopped
1 – 2 avocados, chopped
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, tortillas, salt & pepper. Melt butter and pour in mixture. With spatula, turn often until “soft” scrambled. Pour mixture into 9 X 13 inch casserole dish. Cover top with cheese and bake at 350 until cheese is melted. Remove and sprinkle top with tomatoes and avocado. Serve immediately.
Note from Karen: Some like salsa with this dish. Enjoy.