requested recipes

Gin Slush (from Catherine, who is now pregnant... I am drinking her share)
1 can frozen lemonade
1 can frozen limeade
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
6 cups water
1 cup sugar
1.5 cups gin

Mix together and freeze in a large, lidded bowl. To serve, scoop the frozen slush into a tall glass and add Squirt. Use about half slush, half soda (or mix to taste).

Sausage & Cheese Strata (from Wondertime, and Blake loves it)
6 English muffins or 8 thick slices of Italian bread - cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 pound bulk sausage (like Jimmy Dean)
12 oz shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
4 large eggs, beaten
1.5 cups of milk (any kind)
1 tsp Dijon mustart
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp Worcester sauce
2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted & cooled

Before doing anything else, toast the cubed bread: arrange it in a single layer on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes or until they are dried out and beginning to brown. Set aside and cool.

In a skillet, brown and crumble the sausage. Drain and set aside.
Brush a 2-quart souffle or casserole dish with about a tablespoon of the fat from the skillet. In the dish, arrange layers as follows:

• 1/3 English muffin cubes
• 1/3 cheese
• all the sausage
• 1/3 English muffin cubes
• 1/3 cheese
• 1/3 English muffin cubes

Press the contents of the dish down firmly.

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, mustard, cayenne, and Worc's; pour mixture over strata. Top the dish with the remaining cheese and drizzle with the melted butter. Cover and chill at least one hour (can chill as long as overnight).

Let dish stand at room temp for 45 minutes before you bake it. Heat oven to 350 and bake uncovered for 1 to 1.25 hours, or until it's golden brown and puffy.
*******
Yum. I might have to make some and have people over for dinner. Eating all that by ourselves wouldn't be wise... I have a bridesmaid's dress to be skinny for!