June 6, 2011

neighborly love

for a year, i got to live in the same neighborhood as our friends the russell family. they are totally awesome, and we shared many meals and talks and times of encouragement.

i know this family from our church here in austin. they have discipled me this past year in hospitality, loving people, and calling out truth in the lives of those around us. our friendship is by no means changing or ending, but it is a little bittersweet to not see them sitting on the front porch or driving home from work when i walk outside...and we, of course, are moving soon, too.

we knew we wanted to do something to serve this family in their move, since we couldn't be there for a lot of the packing and moving process, and i was inspired by my friend kk's post the other day. serving food you have made is such a joy because you have put love, care, thought and hard work into it. here's what i whipped up for these fine folks!

creamy chicken casserole
4-6 cooked chicken breasts, cut up into bite sized pieces (i bake them with a little olive oil and salt)
1 stick of butter, melted
1 box cooked white rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 8 ounce tub of sour cream
1 1/2 sleeves ritz crackers

preheat your oven to 350, and combine all ingredients (except the ritz crackers) into a large baking dish. crush the ritz crackers and spread evenly over the casserole, and bake for about 30 minutes (or until bubbly).

i must warn you that this is very delicious and you'll want to make sure you're plenty hungry when it's time to eat because it's very hardy. i highly recommend serving a big pitcher of sweet tea with it.

we also gave them a little plant. rodriguez style. (meaning that we do not posses any form of green thumb, ha!)




this was SO much fun to make! the sponges were two bucks total, the dish soap tucked inside was also two bucks, and the flower pot was (wait for it....) TWO BUCKS from ikea! so all in all a really cute gift for around six bucks. i had some green tissue on hand to make it a little more festive, but i thought it was pretty rocking.

thanks for reading, friends!

7 comments:

  1. Yeah for the new blog! So sweet what you did for the Russells! You are such an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  2. girl i'll so make you a soap and sponge flower pot when you move. HA! thanks for the comment! it's my first one! looooooove!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you so much for everything you have done for us over the last year! It has been such a blessing to spend so much time together! I will definitely miss having you as a neighbor! I am excited to see your new place! We would love to bless you guys with a meal after you move! Love you tons!

    ReplyDelete
  4. oh man, i can't resist tina russell's cooking!! :)i think if you bring something, then that means you have to stay and eat with us. buahahhaha! can't wait for you guys to see the house!!!! love you!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. you are the most thoughtful person i know! :) you inspire me for sure, as does tina!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. man, i'm feeling the LOVE today! thanks, kaye! Jesus is sweet to me to help me remember things and gives me eyes to see how needs can be met.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the recipe, love the hostess gift, love the blog!! I am having my bible study group over next Wednesday and am thinking this little casserole may be just the ticket. Hope you are having a good week!! :)

    ReplyDelete