This weekend is Mother’s Day. Some of you fathers/husbands will choose to take your mom/wife out to lunch or breakfast.

That is fine. But I to my way of thinking there is nothing sexier than seeing a man in an apron doing the cooking and dishes. I loved it when Don cooked and helped with the dishes.

Think about it. I have a very simple recipe that is sure to be a pleaser. It should be made the day before and stored in the refrigerator. That means in the

morning all you have to do is take it out, and stick it in the oven. It couldn’t be simpler.

Have the children help you get it ready. If they are old enough to handle a knife (and it does not need to be a sharp one) they can cut the bread into cubes.

Brunch Casserole

8 slices of white bread cut into cubes

2 c. cooked chopped broccoli or other vegetable that the family enjoys

2 c. cubed ham or cooked sausage

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

3 c. milk

1 tsp. salt

™ tsp. pepper

6 eggs

Place bread in buttered 9″ x 12″ pan. I use a glass one but any pan that size is good. Add the meat, vegetables, and cheese. Mix the eggs, milk, and salt and pepper. Pour over the other ingredients. Cover and place in refrigerator.

The next morning remove the pan from the refrigerator. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes – until puffy and brown. Serve hot – cut into pieces. I like to serve with fruit for a complete meal.

I hope you men will try this. It is really easy and so tasty.

For years my daughter has made a variation of this for Christmas brunch. While I prefer it with sausage, she usually uses the ham left over from Christmas Eve supper. It is filling. It bakes while they finish opening gifts.

Since eggs are no longer over $4.00 a dozen, it does not cost too much to make this either. It certainly is enough to feed a family.

Mother’s Day is a day for mom to relax. Remember she will do the same for you when it is Father’s Day in June.

When I lived at home Grandpa treated the ladies to a day outside of the kitchen. We usually went to Rusch’s Restaurant.

My favorite thing to get there was chicken and biscuits. I have no idea what the other ladies ordered, but it was fun. We went right after church so about noon. For Mother’s Day we always asked for dining room seating. Other days we might eat in the diner part.

Gifts were not a big thing in my day, but we always found something small that mother would like. One year when Grandma was sick my grandpa had to take me shopping. I do not remember but the joke was that I wanted to buy my mother some pretty underwear.

Grandpa was up for that so he suggested something else. I think I bought my mom a pretty handkerchief and a child sized toothbrush. He did not dare to veto my idea again.

Before my first child was born my husband bought me some gardening tools. I still have one of the small shovels. It has been used for all of my gardening through the years.

I was so impressed that he thought of me. After that year he bought for his mother and I bought for mine.

Happy Mother’s Day ladies. I hope you enjoy your day.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, Pa. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.