Todays blog post is bittersweet. It is about my friend, MaryBeth Cowie Hanselman.
She became my friend in 1982 as she was dating one of the Hanselman Brothers and I was dating one of the Hanselman Brothers. I had no idea when I met her what path both of our lives would take over the next 20 years or so. She was my sister in law but, more than that, she was my friend. My friend that I loved. The kind of friend that I share anything with. The friend that you knew you could count on when you needed to. The kind of friend you share decorating ideas with, shopping trips and a lot of tears on the phone about life.
What happened to her, I wouldn't have chose for her for all the money in the whole world. At a very young age, after going through some other difficulties, she was diagnosed with Scleraderma. It was just so painful to watch it take over her physical body. The things she was used to doing, slowly were taken away from her.
I cry, even now, all these years later from watching her go from a life-loving gal to, just a shell laying in the bed day in and day out. In April of 2008, she lost the battle with the disease but, really she won. She was completely healed I know on the other side. There was a christian song out at the time, I"M IN BETTER HANDS NOW. I felt like that was her song. She wasn't here anymore, but, she was in the loving, strong hands of our God and all was healed and perfected for her.
She was a giver and so creative and talented. I still have things in my home, that she gave me, decorated for me, helped me pick out. She was a great cook, too.
So, in honor of her birthday today. I am sharing her Squash Casserole Recipe. I pretty much was a hater of squash until she made this one Thanksgiving. I make it a lot. We call it Mary Beth's Squash Casserole. I like to do things she did so, a part of her lives on and on here on earth. Enjoy the recipe.
You'll need 6 medium squash or 3 large ones. Slice them and cook them until fork tender in a little water with a little salt.
Just like this. It doesn't take long. Then when they are fork tender, drain the water out.
The you add: 2 eggs, 1/2 stick butter, 10 crushed ritz crackers and about 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
Just dump them all in and stir until butter is melted. Trust me at this point, it's already going to start smelling good.
It will kind of look like a thick squash soup.
Pour it into a greased casserole dish and pour a little milk just to set over the top. Then back at 325 for about 30 minutes or until it just is lightly browned and set.
This is the finished perfection. I tell you. People who don't like squash like this! I always make 2 for Thanksgiving and there usually is no leftovers. It's just yum and more yum. Thank you, MaryBeth for sharing this with me soooo long ago! I hope you all try it, too.
MaryBeth loved her dog, Goose, so much.
"In Better Hands"It's hard to stand, on shifting sand. It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night. You can't be free if you don't reach for help and you can't love if you don't love yourself. But there is hope when my faith runs out...Cuz I'm in better hands now...
Just like this. It doesn't take long. Then when they are fork tender, drain the water out.
The you add: 2 eggs, 1/2 stick butter, 10 crushed ritz crackers and about 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese.
Just dump them all in and stir until butter is melted. Trust me at this point, it's already going to start smelling good.
It will kind of look like a thick squash soup.
Pour it into a greased casserole dish and pour a little milk just to set over the top. Then back at 325 for about 30 minutes or until it just is lightly browned and set.
This is the finished perfection. I tell you. People who don't like squash like this! I always make 2 for Thanksgiving and there usually is no leftovers. It's just yum and more yum. Thank you, MaryBeth for sharing this with me soooo long ago! I hope you all try it, too.
MaryBeth loved her dog, Goose, so much. I miss her everyday and there's so much I would like to share with her. But, I am so thankful that she's with Jesus and I am thankful that the Lord allowed us to be friends for as long as He did. My life was better because I had MaryBeth has my friend. Happy 46th Birthday! We will meet again one day.
I hear this song and I think of you. I Love you, friend.
"In Better Hands"It's hard to stand, on shifting sand. It's hard to shine in the shadows of the night. You can't be free if you don't reach for help and you can't love if you don't love yourself. But there is hope when my faith runs out...Cuz I'm in better hands now...
It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pourin' down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. So take this heart of mine there's no doubt I'm in better hands now.
I am strong all because of you. I stand in awe of every mountain that you move. I am changed yesterday is gone. I am safe from this moment on...And there's no fear when the night comes 'round I'm in better hands now.
It's like the sun is shining when the rain is pourin' down. It's like my soul is flying though my feet are on the ground. It's like the world is silent though I know it isn't true. It's like the breath of Jesus is right here in this room. So take this heart of mine there's no doubt...I'm in better hands now...
