I have a story and a simple Texas Hash to share with you today.

Storytime

I thought for sure I’d have an update this week about where we are at in the process. But I’ll share a little secret with you….sometimes getting accurate information and waiting on the state is as easy as waiting on baby 3 combined with the return to California. In other words, not easy at all, not even a little bit.

What we are learning is that not only is the process different from county-to-county but depending on who you work with, the process varies as well. Samarah’s process, if you remember, was a struggle. Isaiah’s was the ultimate ease. And this one? I guess it’s still TBD, but if I had to guess…..sigh.

All this waiting around, internalizing everything and wondering, “Will the newborn outfit my cousin got for sweet baby even fit?!” had me thinking about recipes.

You think the two couldn’t possibly be related, but hear me out.

While home in Minnesota, we ate a lot of beans. Guys, my SIBO is in major remission, and I have not felt this good in about a year. It’s always like a miracle, but I continue running with the idea that you must live life.

Old, Church Cookbooks

Back to the beans. I asked my mom for her recipe. She said the recipe came from a church cookbook, Calico Beans. She mentioned, “I’m sure grandma gave you that cookbook for your wedding.” I knew I had gotten several, but wasn’t sure which and who they were from.

When we returned to California, I perused my cookbooks. I found three church ones, but only one was from my grandma and turns out it was the wrong one. My mom is going to look for the cookbook for me because I’d really love to have it.

That said, I began skimming the pages of the three cookbooks I did have. Recipe after recipe had me saying, “Now how simple is that?” And I began thinking about recipes, about life.

We make everything complicated. It’s no wonder our lives are filled with stress, chaos and unnecessary steps to everything.

My mind spun out of control. Thought lead to thought, and before I knew it, I found myself truly understanding how much more beautiful life would be to take it as it is vs. making it what it is not.

I have created hundreds of recipes (many of which can be found HERE). But last night I did something that I have not ever done. I made a recipe from an old, proven church cookbook with these goals in mind:

• simple
• family favorite
• ability to have me feel something
• re-inspired not for new recipes but instead for simple, basic and already loved recipes

The goals were all achieved, and then some.

I must share this recipe with you.

Simple Texas Hash

Click HERE to save this recipe for later.

This is the original recipe.

Could those ingredients and steps for making list be any easier? It didn’t even fill half a page. I have been totally exhausted by “new age” cookbooks and blogger recipes that are 20+ ingredients long, a half day process and then turn out less than average. Yes?!

This trend needs to stop. (Okay, maybe not, but definitely for me it must.)

Here is how I made the Texas Hash. I will always change recipes, even if it’s just a little bit, because at the end of the day, I believe a recipe is just a guide, not an absolute.

Simple Texas Hash Recipe

Old Cookbook Recipe Verdict?

Amazing! I ate it plain and tossed some spring mix with it. Ryan had it with tortillas. Samarah paired it with tortilla and some tortilla chips. Isaiah ate it plain.

We will make it again for sure.

I’m hoping to share more of these stories and recipes when my new site launches.

Now back to the baby and recipes. Neither of them should be so complicated. They are what they are. The more I try to control the process and the outcome, the more stress I acquire and unnecessary steps I endure.

I’m hoping to have more information on the baby soon so I can share.

In the meantime, we are just over here eating, praying, loving.

Sweet and simple, so very simple Texas Hash style.

Xox,
SKH

Sarah Kay Hoffman

You will heal. I will help.