Asparagus

Asparagus is something you either love or you hate.  There's no middle ground with this yummy (at least I think so) vegetable.    My mom grew up during the Great Depression years in Sunnyside, Washington (over on the east side of the Cascades). Her dad was a hop farmer, that's where the money came from to feed his wife and 4 children.  Mom used to tell me they never went hungary during those lean years, they raised chickens, beef, and had a garden. They not only never went hungary but they also helped many in their area who were less fortunate.  Also the railroad tracks cut thru grandpa's land so there was an endless stream of hobo's hopping off at their house looking for a handout.  He would always find something for these men to do, didn't want them to loose their self-respect anymore than perhaps they already had.  And they never turned anyone away.  Back in the 1920's and 1930's asparagus grew like weeds along the irrigation ditches surrounding and traveling thru their property.  So grandma got real clever cooking asparagus (and other things) various ways for a little variety.  The following recipe has been handed down from my grandma Stern, to my mom & her siblings  then to me and my cousins and  recently I passed it along to my sister-in-law and her two daughters. So now dear J-Land friends I pass it to you...this is so good, especially if you like asparagus.

Grandma Stern's Escalloped Asparagus

1 bunch of asparagus (cut away tough ends) 3 hard boiled eggs, 1 pint white sauce, heated, grated cheddar cheese, and cracker or bread crumbs.  Cook asparagus until tender. Add cut up hard boiled eggs to white sauce and mix in grated cheddar cheese, until melted. Layer asparagus in oven proof baking dish, pour white sauce mixture over the top of the asparagus, making sure it's completely covered.  Sprinkle cracker or bread crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees. 

Oh...it's so good !!   Let me know if you try it and what you think.  The only problem is asparagus is so expensive.  The other day at the store it was $2.49 a pound and to think it grew like weeds on grandpa & grandma's eastern Washington farm.

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I heard on the news they are raising bridge decks up to the new Narrows Bridge span today.  Here again is the link if you's like to take a peek;

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr16narrowsbridge/webcams/camera.cfm?module=westtower.cfm