Mary’s Touch!

That’s the name of the organization that hosted a Grace Before Meals event this past weekend in Lakeway, Texas.  It was truly a blessed event which began on a very sweet note.   As the first part of the event, I judged a cake competition for both adults and children entries.  Talk about a sugar high!

However, I needed the energy for the interactive the cooking demonstration, a Grace Before Meals presentation, the celebration of Mass, and of course the delicious pot luck supper where I had the chance to meet some great people and sample all of the unique and family friendly deliciousness.

These kids are extra happy because dad makes fresh pasta and fresh sauces!

The day was filled with culinary goodness and faithfulness to inspire the soul.  I have to admit being rather humbled when I saw the place mats on the table, which was printed like a dollar bill, with my face in the middle of it and a motto that said, “One does not live by bread alone.”  How fitting!  It’s equally inspiring to meet so many families, who although may have never heard of me or the gracebeforemeals.com movement, are already practicing the message of having regular family meals.  I remind people that Grace Before Meals is not a “ministry” but a movement – to encourage a new evangelization apostolate to feed each other.  You don’t have to be a minister to do what I do.  You just have to be willing to put on an apron and serve your family with love.

For Christmas gifts, the mom made aprons to encourage her kids to cook with her. That was really a gift to herself!

Congratulations to the winners of the cake baking contest, especially to the winner of the children’s division – Mary.  How fitting.  Her chocolate cross cake with a sweet glaze drizzle really had “Mary’s Touch!”

Mary, her 1st place medal and her proud family!

After this wonderful event, I had the opportunity to travel about 25 miles outside of town to a famous BBQ spot in a town called Driftwood.  The restaurant is called “Salt Lick” and it gathered hundreds of people in a fiery food love fest.  I’ll talk more about that in an upcoming “Faithful Foodie Adventure” (which you can get when you sign up for the free weekly email blasts).  But for now, as a savory chef, I must say that my style of dessert came from barbecue pit!

One of the open BBQ pits at the "Salt Lick" restaurant. One of their T-Shirts says, "You can smell our pits from a mile away". And it was deliciously true!

Thanks to Cheri Lomonte, Fr. Hose (pastor of Emmaus Catholic Church), the volunteers and the enthusiastic crowd for a BIG Texas-styled welcome.

If you attended this event, have any recipe suggestions (especially any of the people who brought a pot luck dish), or have ever been to Salt Lick BBQ Restaurant (or have other BBQ joints you want to suggest), please be sure to post your comments below.

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