Friday, July 10, 2015

Secret Subject Swap: A Simple Legacy

Welcome to the July Secret Subject Swap. This month 12 brave bloggers picked a secret subject for someone else and were assigned a secret subject to interpret in their own style. Today we are all simultaneously divulging our topics and submitting our posts. Read through mine and at the bottom you’ll find links to all of today’s other Secret Subject participants.

Secret Subject Swap | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

My subject is: What legacy do you want to leave behind?
It was submitted by: Dinosaur Superhero Mommy.

I have to admit I'm really not someone who has thoughts about leaving behind some grandiose legacy. I think everyone has interesting stories. I fought through infertility and had my boys against all odds. It's an interesting story but I wouldn't call it my legacy.

I think that some people are destined to do outstanding things for society or in their chosen field. Others of us leave a more personal legacy. What's important to me is that my kids remember those things about me that make me who I am. And, if I'm lucky, remind their kids of these traits with a laugh or a smile. These are not life changing, earth shattering events but a legacy of a life well lived. A life filled with common acts and simple joys.

I want my boys to remember:
*That I believe in honesty.
*That I always try to support them.
*That no matter how it seemed while in the throws of whatever personal strife that I do love them unconditionally.
*That education matters to me. That every morning while they ate breakfast we'd go over their spelling words. And that I was the class mom who came in to school to give those tests every week.
*That when they had reading homework, both boys and I would fit on the giant round chair in my bedroom with our throws and our books.
*That their teachers always chose me as Head Room Mom.
*That when your classes celebrated Thanksgiving and other moms brought in side dishes and paper goods, I was the mom asked to cook the class a turkey.
*That I love the beach.
*That their love of lobster from a very early age came from me.
*That I am in my glory when screaming at the Red Sox on TV.
*That I have a love of dance but ballet has always been a passion.
*That I blasted hard rock from the car radio even when they were little.
*That I love puzzles, especially sudoku.
*That I love to read and mysteries are my absolute favorite.
*That I don't love tear jerkers, either books, movies or shows.
*That there were always baked goods in their home while they were growing up. And their friends are always comfortable enough here to go grab whatever I'd just baked on their way down to the basement.
*That their friends always hung out at our house, that every one of them knew that we sat down as a family for dinner and that 15 minutes before our dinner time anyone here either joined us or was offered a ride home.


Sloppy Joe Casserole, a classic sloppy joe served casserole style with a crunch on the top and the bottom | www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #dinner
Sloppy Joe Casserole


*That we took vacations and came back with sun tans and sand in our luggage.
*That I took them right from their Learner's Permit test to the school parking lot, got out of the driver's seat and into the passenger seat and turned the little red BMW over to them for their very first driver's lesson that very day.
*That I have a very sarcastic sense of humor and taught them that sarcasm from the time they could talk.
*That nothing makes me happier than to make them laugh. To watch them laugh is a joy but to know that their laughter is the result of something I've said or done . . . that's what it's all about for me. Remember that and I'll be well remembered.


Here are links to all the sites now featuring Secret Subject Swap posts. Sit back, grab a cup and check them all out. See you there:





Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics





Sloppy Joe Casserole
                                                                          ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Printable Recipe
 
Ingredients:
Loaf of French bread
garlic powder to taste
approximately 4 TBSP butter
 2 # ground beef
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp dried mustard
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cumin
8 oz can tomato sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 TBSP soy sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
7 slices sharp cheddar cheese
2.8 oz can French Fried Onions

Directions:
*In a large pot on medium heat, cook the ground beef with the green pepper, onion and garlic, stirring until the meat is completely cooked.
*Drain the fat from the beef and return to the pot. Add the oregano, mustard, pepper, cumin, tomato sauce, tomato paste, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well.
*Bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir once or twice while simmering.
*While the Sloppy Joe is cooking, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 X 13 baking dish. Cut your bread in half, butter the inside and sprinkle with garlic powder. Arrange the bread in the bottom of your baking dish, buttered side down. Cut the bread if needed to be sure the entire bottom of the dish is covered.
*Cover the top of the bread with the sharp cheddar slices. Once the Sloppy Joe mixture is done, ladle it over the cheese.
*Crush the French onions with your hands and sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake for approximately 35 to 40 minutes or until the bread at the bottom has browned and the entire casserole is hot.

34 comments:

  1. I agree with you regarding what you want to "leave" your kids. That is of utmost importance to me as well. I have known since I was a little girl that I had a destiny that would be unique and challenging. This has proven to be true and I am finally beginning to realize why my life had the turns it has had. My legacy is that I have been and always will venture to find a way to help someone else get 'er done. I believe I was born a fixer so I didn't have a choice LOL. In the last few months I understand why my life has taken a new direction -- it has done a huge shift in helping others tell their stories and by sharing those stories, I can fulfill my destiny. It shocked me but I love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think that's a perfect word for you, "fixer". I know you strive for that in large and small ways and it's a wonderful legacy.

      Delete
  2. Thank you thank you thank you. My nine-year-old is suddenly and inexplicably clamoring for sloppy Joe's. In the heat of the summer. I shall be making a casserole :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've given in and made it 3 more times since I developed the recipe. We each have a part of it we like the best. For me, it's the addition of the crunchy buttery bread on the bottom. Hope you love it too.

      Delete
  3. sloppy joe casserole...WHOA! Looks awesome.

    I think you ROCKED the prompt...so many great things you've shown them and done for them. What an beautiful role model.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. It was such an interesting prompt. Full of interesting layers.

      Delete
  4. Awwww…this is so sweet. You've always been a great mom. I hope you share this with your sons.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. I suppose it's possible that there's a chance in hell that they'd read one of my posts, but I'm sure not holding my breath!

      Delete
  5. Those are great things to remember you by!
    You also embrace diversity and encourage and support your sons in following you in your footsteps.
    I would like to add that in our circle not only are you the "head blogger" but you are on hand with help and advice for us at all times. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Head blogger?" Oh, you give me far too much credit!

      Delete
  6. I want to leave so many of the same things to my kiddo, and it is an amazing legacy to leave behind to be passed from parent to child in a cycle... Except the lobster thing. I already taught mine that they look like the cockroaches of the sea, so I think that will probably ruin it for him.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We agree on quite a lot but we're gonna have to agree to disagree on the lobster/cockroach thing.

      Delete
  7. A personal legacy is just as important as the one we leave on society. And the one your imparting to your family is amazing. ❤

    ReplyDelete
  8. You know I have never given what my legacy would be a thought, still not something I think about even after I read this, I have at times wondered what people will say about me after I am gone but not often I am too busy living in the here and now to worry about such things

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you live well in the here and now, then people will have lots of great things to say about you when you're gone.

      Delete
  9. You asked to bring a turkey? Wow. That's awesome.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, no, I didn't ask to bring it, I was the one the teachers asked.

      Delete
    2. That's even more awesome.

      Delete
    3. Well at the time it was a ton of extra work at a busy time of year, but the teachers knew I'd do whatever they needed.

      Delete
  10. That is an AWESOME legacy!!!!!!!
    You need to add to it, though - Great friend!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HA. I'll tell the boys to add it to the list. Not sure they'll believe me though.

      Delete
  11. My kids are my legacy. The people they are when I'm gone will be part of my doing. That's why I strive on a daily basis to teach them all the positive things I can....and a few of the negative.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your love, baking and sense of humor is the legacy you will leave. At least that's how I see it.
    Love your list!

    ReplyDelete
  13. That was beautiful. I'd love to see you going for it when the Red Sox are on - I have this mental image and it's pretty hilarious. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That image is probably pretty much how it looks, so keep on laughing.

      Delete
  14. That's a wonderful legacy, Karen! You've got three lucky boys in your house, and I'll bet they know it!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah . . . I'm still waiting for them to reach the "know it" stage . . .

      Delete
  15. I love this Karen. I may have to sign up for these as well!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'd be welcome, but this one was tame, you need to read a few more, sometimes these take us off on some pretty wild tangents.

      Delete
  16. What a fun post - I feel like I got to know you quite a bit better from it! Such a beautiful legacy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Susan. Sometimes the small things we remember about people are just as important as the bigger things.

      Delete

Warning: Comment at your own risk. I have Comment Moderation, meaning I approve all comments before they show up here. So go ahead, I'm not scared!