Sausage Balls for Breakfast

Last night my sweet little Pickles asked if I would make her sausage balls for breakfast.  This is the very child who hates all things breakfast.  She does however like sausage, sausage muffins and sausage balls.  On occasion she will eat bacon, but nothing else.  If she has to, she will eat fruit along with her meat, but that is as far as it goes.

This morning, I got up early and made a batch of sausage balls.  As I was kneading the dough between my fingers I realized that nine years ago today my cousin Trent Patton passed away.  How ironic was it that Pickles insisted on sausage balls and this was one of Trent's favorite foods.

As tears rolled down my face, I made the little balls of tasty bliss, just like my Aunt Sherry would make them.  I even pulled her recipe out of the old Faxon School Cookbook to make sure they were just as Pickles likes them.  With each knead of the dough my mind was flooded with memories. Those from our childhood and college days.  You see, Trent and I were close.  Our birthdays were six days apart.  He never let me forget that he was six days older, and would always be wiser.  He loved to rub this fact in, but he took pride in knowing that we would share the same experiences.

Grandpa Mark with his new grandbabies... I love this picture, you can almost sense his pride!

We grew up right down the road from each other.  Our Mom's are sisters, and I would say his Mom, Aunt Sherry was about as close to a second Mom as you can get.  Countless days she would pick us up from school and take us to her house.  Not because she had to, but because she wanted to.

Not sure how old we were, but I am pretty sure this was about first grade.  I bet we were getting into something...

Trent and I would play on these afternoons, but because I was a "girl," the boys would leave me out.  That's OK, I could do what they did, only make it prettier!  As we grew up, there was never a competition between us, only pure joy when the other succeeded.

9th Grade graduation.  

We both went to Oklahoma State together, and our friendship grew even deeper.  He was always watching out for me, and I am forever grateful for that.  When he needed a quiet place to study, he would come to my house.  Somehow, he usually convinced me that he needed some no-bake cookies so he could concentrate.

After college, I moved away, and he moved even farther.  Even though we didn't talk all the time, or see each other often, we were still connected with the same bond.  When he got married, he was so excited to see me and once again convinced me to go out with him and some of our college friends the night before the wedding.  Even though I was exhausted and really could have used a bed, I went anyway.  I am so glad I did.  Little did any of us know that was the last time we would all celebrate together.

While Trent was on his honeymoon, he became ill.  He thought it was just a cold, and it turned out to be much more.  His body was not able to fight the parasite that attacked him, and he died suddenly nine years ago today.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't think of him.  His quick sense of humor, his brilliant mind and his kind and caring spirit.  He was one that didn't want you to know he cared, but would do anything for you.  He was a great friend and I am honored to call him my cousin.

In memory of Trent, I share with you Aunt Sherry's Sausage Cheese Ball recipe.  If you have a Faxon School cookbook, it is printed there.

Aunt Sherry's Sausage Cheese Balls

2 Cups Bisquick
1 pound sausage
1/2 cup milk
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese

Mix together all ingredients with your hands.  Roll into walnut sized balls.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, or until golden brown.

It is never easy to say goodbye to someone you love, but it is a part of life we must learn to deal with.  Losing Trent was hard, as was losing my Mom. I rejoice in the fact I know they are in Heaven singing with the choirs of angels and that I will see them again someday.  The memories are still there, and I know that I will cherish them forever.  It is the small things that you look back and remember and then you smile and know that the times you shared were special during that phase of life.

Until next time, keep adventuring and looking for joy in the small details of life!

Sarah