I mentioned a lot of my favorite things about Christmas and Thanksgiving in an earlier post. Two of my favorite things are Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole and Sweet Potato Casserole. I'm partial to the recipes my mom uses and was really excited to make them last year when I was away from my mom.

A few of you asked for the recipes and I apologize for just now getting around to posting them. They're not secret recipes, but my only request is that you don't fix these recipes for me if we ever dine together. Isn't that the rule of the Southern lady?

Broccoli, Cheese, and Rice Casserole

Ingredients
1/2 c. chopped onions
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 c. chopped celery
1 lg. package of frozen broccoli
1 package of Velveeta cheese
4 cups of cooked white rice
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 package of sliced almonds

Directions
Precook broccoli and rice separately. In microwave, melt butter and saute onions and celery (about 2 minutes) in 2 qt measuring cup. Add cream of chicken and cream of mushroom soup and cheese; stir until melted. Make sure broccoli is finely chopped. Fold in broccoli. Layer rice in large, ungreased casserole dish, top with broccoli mixture, and sprinkle almonds on top. Heat for 30 minutes or until bubbly on 350 degrees. Serves 8-10.

*This recipe has been typed, emailed, and handwritten to me over the years. I apologize if the directions may not be totally accurate, but this version worked really well for me last year.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Ingredients
3-4 cups cooked sweet potatoes
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup half and half
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon vanilla
(may add dash of bourbon if the Baptists aren't coming for dinner)

Topping:
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1 cup chopped pecans

Mash potatoes. Mix in sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and half and half. Put in 9x13 baking dish.

Topping: Melt butter and mix in remaining ingredients. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture. It's okay to make more if you need more to cover the potato mixture. The topping makes this recipe-- it's better than dessert.

Bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees. Serves 8-10.