Breakfast with the 'Belles

This week’s challenge was the Tarleton State Challenge. The ’Belles had to run seven laps (seven teams in the LSC South) around Unidad Park. This equates to 2.8 miles. Once again, the ’Belles were successful in this challenge. The times ranged from 19:08 (Ashley James) which is booking it to 23:44, which is still not too shabby. We had a couple of players not compete in this challenge because of injury, so one of their teammates will be called upon to save them!

It just so happens that my back gate opens up to Unidad Park, so someone had the bright idea that I should cook breakfast for 20 people. For those of you that know me, you can stop laughing now! I have to admit I was considering "cooking breakfast" before they asked me. Now, my idea was to go to the bakery and buy breakfast. That really seems like the sanest thing to do in this situation or really any situation that involves cooking.

As with most domestic challenges, I turned to my mom for help. I probably started by telling her how young she looked today and then I asked "Mom, how would you like to get up at 6:30 a.m. and cook breakfast for all the ’Belles and the coaches?" I might of said "help cook breakfast", but she is no dummy! She immediately agreed, which I am sure is not surprising to any of you mother's out there. I am her sweet baby girl after all, whether I am three or 43.

At this point, the stress started to build. We had to decide what to cook, how much to cook, when to cook it and how to have it hot and ready when they finished their brisk almost three-mile run. My first thought was pancakes and bacon. Mom was not too fond of the idea of making at least 60 pancakes. Good point. I asked Mary Adkins, one of our very lovely and helpful secretaries, if she had an electric skillet??? I really don't know what that is but it sounded good. She told me she had an electric warming pan and suggested biscuits, gravy, bacon and eggs instead of pancakes. Great suggestion. Thanks Mary.

The only glitch in this plan was the gravy, which obviously my mom would have to make. How much flour? Do we need bacon grease, etc, etc. Stacy came over and they attempted to make the gravy. Mom made bacon for the grease (Stacy had bacon for dinner). I took Bailey to her first girl scout meeting and when I returned the backdoor was open to let out the smoke and a pan with some white clumpy stuff was in the sink. Not a good sign. Now don 't get me wrong, my mom is a great cook and she always has to make the gravy but it stresses her out every time!

Next plan, Stacy was on the Internet looking up gravy recipes. Did you know you can use butter instead of grease? Moral of this story, you are never too old to learn new tricks. (I am not calling my mother old here, but I had to use that saying.) The gravy tasted great and we were ready for the morning.

Did you know that it is dark at 6:30 a.m.? Who knew? Anyway, I got up to make the biscuits and by that I mean I took them out of the bag and put them on the cookie sheet. I also started the bacon and then I deserted my mom to finish it up while I went outside to watch the ’Belles run. Bailey and Kannon were excited the ’Belles were running in the park and coming over for breakfast. When the ’Belles arrived on our back porch we were ready to scramble the eggs. I am happy to say that nothing was burned and everything was warm and tasted great!

Not a bad way to start off a morning. A 2.8-mile run and a good warm breakfast.

Thanks mom!