Of Parties, Parks & TLM

Last weekend was really enjoyable! The kids and I headed down to celebrate niece Jeanette's graduation from Grants Pass High School. We've been going down to visit since Jeff and Dawn moved there some 20 years ago, and we have always had a good time. This trip was no exception. Upon our arrival to the Boyd home, we were greeted with loving sniffs for their two doggies of dachshund variety, Max and Mini. We chatted and caught up with various nieces while waiting for my folks to arrive. Once they got there, we headed off to Casa Amiga- a Mexican restaurant owned by family friends (and Jeanette's best friend, Maria).

We enjoyed lots of menu items including carne asada quesadillas, huge burritos, pork tamal and even menudo (the dish my dad ordered). Afterwards we headed back to prepare for the party. In true Boyd fashion, there was yummy food, tasty beverages and lots of people. Kudos to Cari, Mary and David for helping out- in true Keatley fashion! 

After a nice night's sleep- thanks to niece Jael who's on annual training with the National Guard and loaned me her bed, we left fairly early towards Veneta to attend Traditional Latin Mass at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Following Google Maps directions, we headed down some windy country roads to get there, wondering with each turn if we'd arrive in time. After driving through Lorane and Crow (both now on our "been there" list), we not only got to Veneta on time, we were actually 30 minutes early. Since 10:00 Mass was still going on, we decided to head across the street to Veneta City Park where the kids played on the merry go round- something they haven't done in quite a while as well as trying out the swings.

David and Mary- my kids love to swing!

After the time at the park we headed to St. Catherine's for what was a very nicely celebrated Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). Father Morrissey shared with us how this was only his sixth time celebrating TLM, and how he's going to Chicago to actually get trained in it. It was a very nice church nestled in a copse of trees, and we plan on heading back when the next time we go to Grants Pass.

The inside of St. Catherine of Siena- Veneta, Oregon

A Beautiful Marian Grotto at St. Catherine of Siena

After Mass, David treated us to lunch at Dairy Queen before getting back on the freeway (thankfully, less of a country drive). We got home in the late afternoon, exhausted but content. The evening found us dining on a rift on Croque Madame Sandwiches and a small salad as we did something normally reserved for after dinner- watching a movie. This time it was the Keatley favorite, The Quiet Man with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

One of our favorite films!

 I was tired enough that I didn't take any pictures, of dinner, but a here's a recipe for Croque Madame Sandwiches for you to try:

Croque Madame Sandwiches- Keatley Style (serves one)

2 pieces sliced bread

1 t. Butter, softened

2 oz. sliced ham or turkey (we tried turkey Sunday, and it was delicious)

1 slice cheese (try Havarti or Edam)

White sauce- recipe follows

1 fried egg (however you like it, we tend to all like over medium)

1 Preheat oven to 400°F.

2  Spread butter on the bread slices. Lay out the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven, a few minutes each side, until lightly toasted. (Alternatively, you can assemble the sandwiches as follows in step four and grill them on a skillet, finishing them in the broiler with the bechamel sauce.)

4 Add the ham or turkey slices and slice of cheese. Top with the other toasted bread slice.

5 Spoon on the white sauce to the tops of the sandwiches. Place on a broiling pan. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then turn on the broiler and broil for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, until the sauce is bubbly and lightly browned.

6 Top the sandwich with a fried egg.

*To make the white sauce. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a small saucepan on medium/low heat until it just starts to bubble. Add 1/4 cup flour and cook, stirring until smooth, about 2 minutes. Slowly add 1 cup milk, whisking continuously, cooking until thick. Remove from heat. Add  1/2 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg.