Given that the past few weeks have been about sharing my health journey with you all, I wanted to express my gratitude before jumping into more stories. During COVID, and while you all were reading my crazy hospital story, I had so many of you reach out. Whether it was reaching out to my family and friends of friends to ask about me, or getting letters in the mail from the Webb office, I was truly blown away by all of you who reached out to me during that time. God has surely spoiled me with an incredible family and amazing friends, but little did I know what would be in store for me after taking the job at the Webb Weekly.

This job has given me an extra family that I didn’t know I needed. When I took this job, I was excited to share my recipes with you. I couldn’t wait to give you recipes that would bring families around the table, be cost-friendly, and not hard to make. Little did I know how much deeper that would go. That I would be able to share the goodness and grace of our amazing Lord so freely.

I’d share simple, sweet stories about my children that you have literally watched grow over the past eight years through columns. Eight years!? Crazy! Kenzy was four when I started and just turned twelve. Tyler was eight and just turned sixteen. Yes, watch out, world! Our son is about ready to get his official driver’s license this April. Where does the time go? I’m sure this will be a column topic soon enough.

Another thing is how you get a look into our marriage with my high school sweetheart. How each year just gets better and better. Talking about his big muscles is thoroughly enjoyable, I’m sure. Ha! It’s funny when I get to meet some of you out in public, you ask to see a photo of my family to put faces with names (which I love by the way), and when you see a photo of my husband, some have said, “Boy! You sure weren’t kidding about having a good-looking husband!”

Absolutely not! Everything I write is the truth, and this man is top of the line Grade A meat baby! Yeah, I’m calling my husband a piece of meat that I can’t keep my hands off of. (It’s a serious problem.) He makes me the happiest person in the world, and I am so blessed to have him as a husband. I sure do share enough about him, too. Remember how he saw a dead “platypus” in the Susquehanna River a few years back? Oh, that was sooo fun to write about. If you missed that story, it was a good one. It was a beaver in case you were wondering, and we were dying that he thought it was a platypus. I’m sure you know the story of how we met when my backpack was leaking in high school, and he was the one to tell me. You also know the story of how he proposed to me on Candy Cane Lane. I mean, I really get to share some really special memories.

Sharing about my grandparents and parents is also a hot topic. I just love how these stories and memories give you something to look forward to each week. It is so heartwarming! I try to be a positive and joyful writer. I’ve been touched by the ripple effects from this community. I had my Uncle text me and ask me to call him. He had a woman who spoke so highly of me and loves to read my articles. I had my momma tell me the other day that she heard through one of her friends that a 91-year-old woman just thinks the world of me and feels bad about what I went through. I don’t know these women, but knowing they are out there means more to me than you’ll ever know. I hear stories like this so much. I wish I could share them all! My writing traveling through family networks and reaching people like this is mind-blowing to me. I am so happy to bring a little joy to my lovely readers each week.

Ya know, another thing. I never, and I mean never ever in my wildest dreams would I have EVER thought I’d physically write and share about my upper lip sweat when it gets hot out. But here we are, just letting it all out on the table! Ba-hahaha! Ah, the things that can bring a smile to people’s faces. Nothing like Andrea’s upper lip sweat to bring smiles to Lycoming County. What a true, true blessing. *enter cheesy smile here*

I am so blessed by the people in my life and thankful for the freedom of writing. You definitely have to be creative and come up with new things to write about. Lord knows there is never a dull moment around here. I promise I’ll always be real, honest, and raw. I hold nothing back and speak as I normally would when I write. I honestly think that’s what makes me a good writer, and keeps people coming back – you get the real me every single time.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

I just made this last week, and it hit the spot!

Ingredients:
• 6 white potatoes, peeled and sliced thin, and chopped into small cubes
• 1 small onion, chopped fine
• 3 cups of extra sharp cheese, shredded
• 6 Tbsp of butter
• 4 Tbsp flour
• 3 cups of milk
• Salt and Pepper
• 3 cups of cooked ham, cut into chunks

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a baking dish and set it aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in flour and cook for one minute. Remove the saucepan from the heat, then slowly add the milk. Return to medium heat and whisk constantly until it comes to a simmer. When the sauce has started to thicken, add one cup of shredded cheese. Stir till melted. Add salt and pepper. Set aside.

Spread out half of the potatoes on the bottom of a 9-by-12 buttered casserole dish. Top with half the onions, half the ham, and half the cheese. Top with half the sauce. Continue layering, then add the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden. After baking, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes to set.