Spinach & Mushroom Un-Quiche

Today's Joy: Recipe Requests.
Is there any nicer compliment, Reader, than a friend or co-worker enjoying your potluck dish enough to request the recipe? Sure makes me feel warm & fuzzy. So, here for my friend, C, and your enjoyment too, is my new favorite, lower-calorie breakfast casserole: the Spinach & Mushroom Un-Quiche.

Spinach & Mushroom Un-Quiche
8 eggs (or substitute egg whites)
1 lb. (16 oz.) chopped spinach, cooked & drained
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
8 oz. shredded Colby / Monterrey Jack
1 tbl. fresh chive, chopped
1 tbl. butter
1/2 tsp. tarragon
salt & pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In small skillet, melt butter and saute mushrooms & chives until tender. Set aside.
In large bowl, whisk eggs, tarragon and salt & pepper until eggs are thoroughly beaten. Set aside.
In greased 9x13 glass casserole dish, spread spinach in an even layer. Season with salt & pepper. Scatter sauteed mushrooms over spinach.
Pour egg mixture over spinach and top with cheese.
Bake for 35-40 minutes or until egg is cooked and cheese is melted.
Cut into 2-3 inch squares and serve immediately.
Serves 8-10.

Today's Joy: Spring Traditions.

Spring is in the air today, Reader, and it was a glorious 75 degrees outside when I left work. I drove the truck home with the windows down and my hair blowing in my eyes. Mary Chapin Carpenter sang about taking chances on the radio while I flew down back country roads. There's nothing like that first drive on a warm spring afternoon.

Tonight, my family is gathered together and we're dyeing Easter eggs. I missed doing this last year (was in Dallas) so it's nice to be back again and sharing the same tradition we all loved as children. Easter and spring and the feel of warm air on your skin for the first time in many months--isn't it wonderful how the little rituals of this green season make us feel renewed?

Today's Joy: Eggs & Learning to Diversify.

We're told from childhood, Reader, that we shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket. We should diversify! Now, in many ways, I'm a risk-taker. I enjoy the adventure of trying new things & expect that whatever the outcome, God will take care of me and I will learn a valuable lesson.

But when it comes to my newly-hatched photo business, suddenly I'm 14 kinds of careful. It must have something to do with the way we tend to take better care of our loved ones than we do ourselves. I've been fretting of late over how to diversify in my darling venture. Fortunately, a few helpful souls have suggested ways to expand my line of photo products. So, today, I found an affordable way to make one of those suggestions a reality. I can't wait to roll it out!

God gave me this wonderful vision and I'm loving finding the tools to make it a reality. I'm also really looking forward to seeing it grow and make a positive impact in people's lives. Maybe that's the real upside to diversification--spreading all your eggs around so when they hatch, the joy touches lives you never expected. Doesn't God do good work?

Photo: Goslings, Dekalb, IL.