Happy Heavenly Birthday, Anne

Siblings are our first friends – and although we might drift apart, there is a connection that neither time nor distance nor differences can separate. We sometimes forget just how precious and fragile life can be.

Growing up I was the rebel of the bunch – the flower child and hippie. Ann was the scrapper. She was a fighter who rarely backed down. Our youngest sister was the good daughter, following all the rules. Yet despite all these personality differences, we were sisters. While Anne’s passing had an impact on my life, I think my baby sister is the one most deeply hurt. One of these days we’ll need to sit down and talk about her loss.

Today is Anne’s birthday. Even after all this time, I still feel compelled to pick up the phone and call her. Happy Birthday, sis. I love you. We’re moving to Tennessee – you should come with us. That would have been awesome. She would have appreciated life in the South.

Anne taught me how to make Quiche. She shared with me her love of romance novels and sappy Hallmark movies. She had a strong faith in God, although not a fan of organized religion. Or rather of the Catholic doctrine and discipline. But that’s a subject for another day. Today I just want to remember my little sister. During the last years of her earthly life we got to really know one another as adults. We laughed, we cried, we hugged and more often than not had way too much to drink. I miss her.

Anne’s Awesome Quiche
10 oz frozen Spinach
1/2 cup White Mushrooms
1 lb Bacon
1 Refrigerated Pie Dish
1/2 cup Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
10 Eggs
1/2 cup Milk or Half and Half
Dash Nutmeg

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Thaw spinach, squeeze out as much water as possible, then pat dry with paper towels. Clean and slice the mushroom.

Dice bacon, fry up in a skillet until crisp; then drain on paper towels. Let the bacon cool.

Roll out pie crust and place crust in a deep-dish pie pan and set aside.

In a bowl cheeses together; cover bottom of the pie crust and about a third of the way up the sides with a layer of the cheese mixture. Layer spinach, sliced mushrooms and crumbled bacon over the cheese.

Whisk eggs, milk and a dash of nutmeg together. Pour over Quiche.

Bake in hot oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 325 degrees and continue to bake for 45 minutes to an hour until firm and cooked through.

Toss a nice salad and chill a bottle of crisp white wine while the quiche is baking. Then enjoy a simple supper while lingering in conversation.

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Blessed are the poor in spirit;
for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.