I’ve determined in my old age that I am becoming a creature of habit. I like my routine. I like my normalcy. Anything that disrupts this routine and normalcy wears me out. And as important as this Election today is, it has worn me out. I’m all off whack.

We didn’t do it on purpose, but sorta kinda, but we took “shifts” at my job going to vote. There are only four of us in our area, so DeWitte and Gladys voted this morning and Jerry and I went this afternoon. So the first half of my day was incredibly busy. It was like a revolving door in my office. I haven’t spoken to Jerry yet, but I think the afternoon shift had it far better than the morning crowd. Both DeWitte and Gladys waited in line for 3 1/2 hours. They didn’t get into work til almost noon. Me – I went this afternoon and was in and out within an hour. For those that stood in line forever. . . don’t throw things at me. The school I voted at next door (my kids’ high school) really had it together. I can only hope that the rest of America has it so together.

Now, I’m hungry, cold and wet (it’s been raining all day), and I’m going to go downstairs and heat up some leftovers. It’s a casserole I made Sunday afternoon – one that’s been in my recipe box so long that I don’t even remember where I got it from. I actually think it was from one of those old cookbooks sold by a church group for a fundraiser. But don’t hold me to it. Here’s what you need:

KENTUCKY HOT BROWN CASSEROLE

8 slices toasted bread, cubed
1 lb. ham, diced
1 lb. turkey (or chicken), diced
2 sticks butter
1 cup flour
4 cups milk
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
1 (16 oz) pkg Velveeta, cubed
1/2 cup Parmasean cheese
1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tomatoes, seeded and diced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
Spread toasted bread evenly over the bottom of the baking dish. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Slowly whisk in flour until smooth and cook for 2 – 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Gradually whisk in milk a little at a time, whisking constantly. Add salt and pepper and cook for 3 – 4 minutes. Add Velveeta and Parmasean cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Add the ham and turkey and stir until combined. Pour over bread cubes. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over top, then the diced tomatoes.
Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.

It makes enough to feed a small army, or my two boys on a Sunday afternoon, plus some leftovers for dinner later in the week. Such as on a night when my schedule has been disrupted and my delicate senses thrown out of whack. Nothing like a little comfort food to give me the warm and fuzzies again.

I’m off to eat my dinner and watch Oprah’s Election party before the REAL Election festivities begin.

GOOD LUCK AMERICA!!!