As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I am reminded of ALL the things I am truly thankful for.  My children, husband, grandkids, parents, siblings, friends, extended family....and these are just the people that have blessed my life.  I'm thankful for a fantastic brokerage.  I am thankful for roller derby and all of the people it has brought into my life and the new found strength it gives me, both body and mind.  I am thankful to still live in my hometown and watch it grow (but not TOO much).  I am thankful for the opportunity to serve my community through the fire department's ladies auxiliary, the charity work we do with Third Coast Roller Derby and just this weekend I was proud to help update one of our many city parks.  I am living a blessed life, in all ways.  

Now that I have said my "thank you's and I'm grateful for's" here is just some interesting info I thought I'd share as we head through this short week and look forward to gathering with family and friends.  These are just some fun facts, courtesy of Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Well.....I do make some MEAN sweet potatoes.  They are a little sweet and a little spicy.  It's super simple, HOWEVER, I learned to cook from my sweet Grandmother who measured NOTHING...unless baking of course.  I can't see being able to go wrong with this "recipe" unless you use too much brown sugar or too much butter, SO TREAD LIGHTLY.  Here's how I make them and if you try this out, I would love to hear how your family likes it!

1. Chop up lots of bacon and cook it on medium heat.  I think actual chefs call this "rendering" but I'm not sure. I'm a REALTOR, not a chef. *wink* When its close to being nice and crispy, go to step 2
2. Chop up a sweet onion (actually...chop it up before you start cooking the bacon) and add it to the bacon.  Caramelize the onions, but not TOO MUCH.  They are staying in the pan so we don't want them to burn.
3. Add in sweet potatoes that are cut into apprx. 1" cubes.  Add salt and pepper. Put a lid on it.  Let everything cook together, stirring occasionally. 
4. When the potatoes are starting to get "done" and are softening, but not mushy, add butter, brown sugar (not too much!) and red pepper flakes and put the lid back on.  Then just let it finish "coming together".  This is what I call it when you put it all in God's hands and say, "Lord, please let this be edible!" 
5. TA DAAAA!!  All done and ready to eat!  

See?  Super simple and my family LOVES it.  This is something I just kinda threw together a few years back and now it's a dish my family requires me to make.  

So, as you prepare to spend time with your family and friends this Thanksgiving, try the Saucier sweet taters and pull out some of those fun facts for when it gets awkward around the dinner table.....because you know it will!  

Have a blessed Thanksgiving everyone!

Play Hard. Work Harder.

Your Roller Derby REALTOR, 

Rexy