12/24/2025
Merry Christmas Eve, everyone! I have put out the word to almost everyone, but wanted to reiterate again here, as the year comes to a close. We have been so grateful for the last three years to serve you.
Our lease was not renewed or renegotiated by the recreation district but simply cancelled, two months prior to its legal end, in an abrupt letter containing no signature. I bow deeply and give my humblest apologies to those whose thanksgiving plans and dinners were ruined by this cancellation as well as the holiday party reservations that had to be made elsewhere.
We were so happy to be part of your traditions and were so proud to be considered for your gatherings. Mom would have been so proud of the things we achieved at Mother’s Cafe. She would have loved how we carried forward her hospitality, her love, her recipes, and most of all, her grace in the face of all things both imaginable and unimaginable.
This Christmas, I wanted to share with all of you our recipe for Mom's Denver Casserole, probably the all time favorite order at Mother's Cafe. If Mom knew how many people enjoyed her recipe, she would have been so thrilled!!! I tried my best to tell everyone about its history, but the short version is that she made this every Christmas and we'd have it for breakfast. She put the casserole together the night before, and placed it in the oven when we all came down in the morning for gifts. We'd eat an hour later and Mom always carried it off heroically.
I hope that this year or next year or perhaps just some weekend when guests or family are in town, you'll make this recipe and enjoy it with the people you most love.
Mom's Denver Casserole
6 eggs, beaten
6 sliced Texas toast or thick white bread, cubed, crusts removed
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese
12 oz diced ham
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/3 c white onion, diced and sweated
1 1/2 tsp dried ground mustard
Mix all ingredients, pour into greased 13x9" pan, set in refrigerator overnight
Bake at 350° for one hour.
