Remembering Friends

We just made a favorite treat dinner - Kristen Burdette's Campfire Beans. It is severely lacking in vegetables and grains, really just a big plate of protein, but it is so yummy that we treat ourselves sometimes. It is really good with some cornbread and I suppose I should serve it with a salad, but sometimes comfort foods just stand alone.

Campfire Beans

ground beef
bacon
onion
pork and beans
dark red kidney beans, red beans, pinto beans, etc.
1/4 C sugar
1/4 C ketchup
1/4 C bbq sauce
1/4 C brown sugar
1 T Liquid Smoke
3 T vinegar
1 T salt and pepper
1/2 t chili powder
2 T mustard
2 T molasses

This is best made by first frying the beef, bacon, and onion then putting everything in the crock pot on low for 6 - 8 hours. We never seem to be able to wait that long/think that far in advance so we usually make it all in the frying pan. Also, as you might suspect, the amounts are very variable. I usually use 1/2 - 1 lb beef and about 3 or 4 slices of bacon and one can pork and beans plus about two other cans of beans. Also, sometimes I cut back on the sugar and/or up the chili powder to make a spicier version.

Now, the remembering friends part.

When Levi was small (and even for a bit after Paige was born), we were fortunate enough to have a tremendous support group of friends met through La Leche League - Mary, Julie, Nancy, Michele, Kristen, and others. As I struggled with (then) undiagnosed bipolar disease, they were truly lifesavers. All new moms need support but when you are sinking into mental illness, it is even more imperative. They gave me a place where I was loved and accepted even when, looking back, I can see that at times my behavior was a bit odd. Levi and I looked forward to our Friday playdate all week. We would meet at rotating homes around noon with our potlock meals in hand and stay for hours. Often husbands would come home from work at 5:00 or 6:00 or even later to find us all still there talking and laughing. I'm absolutely awful at maintaining friendships and, unfortunately, these LLL friends have faded, but they are all still wonderful memories. This recipe is one that Kristen would make from time to time and we loved it then and still do now.