Fun Times become Story Times

How to Make a Memory Last Forever!

In 2003 we spent Father's Day at the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland, Michigan.  We were with our grandchildren, Robbie and Sheala.  We had such a good time that day.  The kids had fun pumping water, going to the schoolhouse, the wigwam and just walking through the woods next to the "Mighty Pine" as Papa calls it.  We even took the picture below that we recently took again just before Robbie left for the Air Force. 

The times I have spent with people I love are sometimes magic moments.  These two days, a dozen years apart, were definitely magic moments.  These memories will forever be remembered because they have become a part of the book "A Light Shines Forth" due out sometime this year.

Baked Beans

From the book "A Light Shines Forth" 

These beans are taken on the picnic at the stream under the old oak tree. 

Inspired by the recipe found on the back of the jars of beans and the memory of my own Grandma Shea's baked beans.

1 48-ounce jar Randall Great Northern Beans drained

1/2 pound of bacon

1 large onion, choppped
4 tablespoons butter
2 large apples, shredded
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup catsup
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 Tablespoon Mrs. Dash

1/2 teaspoon oregano

Chicken broth

Make the bacon, take out of the pan and discard the drippings.  Add the butter into the pan and cook the onion. Add everything except the beans to the pan and cook until the sugar is melted and everything is coated with it. Add in the beans and the cut up the bacon and add that.  Put it in a 9 x 13 pan and drizzle chicken broth over the top.  Don't make it too wet with puddles of liquid - just wet enough to keep the beans moist.

Bake in 350 degree oven for about an hour.  If heating up the leftover beans add a little more broth to them before heating up.  However, I don't know why anyone would ever heat up leftover beans.  Instead spread some on bread that has a generous topping of peanut butter!  The most delicious cold baked bean and peanut butter sandwhich ever!  My Dad even added mustard - not me - just the beans and peanut butter.   MMMMMmmm.