Good Morning

Breakfast is one of my favorite times of the day. With the kids fresh out of bed, sleepy-eyed and snuggly, serving them a warm table of handmade offerings is a splendid treats. That said, life can get so hectic in the mornings. There are a thousand loose ends to tie up before we all trot along our way. With school lunches to pack and clothes to put on and backpacks to prepare, a good, warm breakfast often takes back seat to a crazy busy day.

Though we still haven’t “arrived,” our family has developed a few easy ideas for making the morning breakfast routine a surefire hit. One is our super-simple recipe for Bacon Baked Hashbrowns, which can be prepared in about 10 minutes the night before, then tossed into the oven while we finish up the a.m. endeavors.

We’ve also found that setting the kitchen table for breakfast before we head off to bed makes for a more peaceful, relaxing morning. There’s something magical about coming downstairs to a table already set with plates and napkins, juice cups laid quietly in place. Somehow, it’s easier to clear the dinner plates and set the breakfast bowls and spoons at night than it is in the hectic rush of the morn.

The last great “secret” to cooling the morning breakfast rush is to have the kitchen sink clean. It always takes a few extra minutes at night to wash the dishes, tuck them away in the cupboard, and shine the faucet until it’s a gleaming silver. But, oh! Just try to have a frantic day when your kitchen sink is empty and waiting to catch the morning mess. It’s one of those simple things that is totally worthwhile.

With a table set for breakfast, a sink free of dishes, all you have to do now is pop your Bacon Baked Hashbrowns in the oven and serve them up with a toast, or your favorite muffins, and a glass of orange juice and you’re morning will be off to a sizzling start. You’re bound to have a good morning, indeed.