Thanks guys... It really was good. Cathy, I imagine that is an adopted Pyrex bowl because before some cooking philanthropist gave it to me a few weeks ago, I was mixing everything in the Kitchen Aid bowl :o) Even the tool that I used the flip the ham came from you... years ago you gave me that Kuhn Rikon flipper thingy at the Florida get together and I use it all the time... Annie, they are great bowls... I got 4 with lids in various sizes and one of them is pretty big. Putting ham in the waffles is a great suggestion. I think sausage would be a nice addition too for regular breakfast waffles, but maybe not eggs benedict.

It's just food, food, food all day! For breakfast, we always have an egg and sausage casserole, a jazzed up hashbrown casserole, ham biscuits and garlic cheese grits (with jalapenos -- Yum!) Fruit will be something very simple like cantaloupe wedges or fresh pineapple. I may or may not get around to making muffins or French toast fingers since sweets aren't a high priority with my crew, particularly early in the day. As some leave to go to 'the other' family's house, and others wander in for the first time, we sort of gradually segue into the brunch phase. I'll add their favorite Cajun crab spread with toasted garlic rounds and a dip or two to the buffet. Once the biscuits are gone, we'll bake some rolls for the ham. I make a super-spicy mustard sauce that my children adore and an herb-flavored mayonnaise so everybody can put together mini-sandwiches. There's always some sort of seafood -- usually poached shrimp with cocktail sauce since it's so easy to do ahead -- and a couple of salads (broccoli and pasta are the faves). Oh, and Bloody Marys to help the cook forget how bad her feet are hurting at this point... By the time everybody who had to leave has returned and we've all worked up a little bit of an appetite again, it's usually 7:30 or so. Our dinner menu varies a little, but this year we'll have Boston Clam Chowder as a starter. (Gift from a dear friend who feels sooo sorry for her poor, deprived Southern pal who didn't grow up eating this. lol) Spinach salad with poppy seed dressing. Beef tenderloin, if I can afford it. If many extras are going to turn up, it will be prime rib instead. A green vegetable TBD, and a potato gratin. Dessert will be Italian cheesecake with a strawberry/Grand Marnier topping -- not that anybody will have room for it, but you have to have one, right?

That "ultimate Breakfast casserole" at the KTGP is a winner also. I've made it several times, we all love it. Ultimate Breakfast Casserole 12 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled 4 cups cubed bread 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 cups cheese, grated 8-9 eggs 1 cups milk 1/2 cup sour cream salt and pepper to taste additions, to taste Cook and crumble bacon; set aside. Cube bread. Grease a 9x13 pan. 2. Cube the bread, spread on bottom of pan 3. Melt butter (or margarine) and pour over the bread cubes in the pan. 4. Toss with shredded cheese. ( I used a Mexican Fiesta blend) 5. Whisk eggs, milk, and sour cream. 6. Pour mixture evenly over bread cubes and cheese. 7. Sprinkle bacon (or whatever) over the top of the casserole. 8. Cover with foil. You can cook this right away, or let it sit in the fridge overnight. Bake at 325-degrees, covered, for 45 minutes. Remove cover and bake another 15 minutes. \*You can substitute 3/4 pound (or 1 1/2 cups) sausage or ham or ground beef or Whatever you have! You can get away with 1/4 cup butter. Or even margerine. If you must. Add 1 cup chopped sauteed onions, peppers, mushrooms, or other vegetables, if you like. You can cut this recipe in half, just use a 8 x 8 pan. Easy to make the night before and cook the next day.

Trader Joe's hollandaise: INGREDIENTS clarified butter (butterfat [milk]). water, butter (cream [milk], natural flavor, annatto [for color]), egg yolk, enzyme modified egg yolks, canola oil, lemon juice concentrate, hot pepper sauce (distilled vinegar, red pepper, salt), cultured dextrose (for freshness), pectin, carrageenan and locust bean gums, dijon mustard (distilled vinegar, water, mustard seed, salt, white wine, citric acid, turmeric, spices). contains milk and eggs. absolutely your right to eat processed food, I'll pass- the real thing with no preservatives or unnecessary thickeners is just too easy to make and tastes so much better!