The heart of Katie Wood’s home can be found, most nights, around her kitchen table. Katie has been married to her husband, Brian, for nearly 20 years. The two met as teenagers while working at Chick-fil-A, and the rest is history.
Together, they have two children, Sadie, 16, and Easton, 13. Katie is an event coordinator for Trinity Christian School, and Brian works at McShane Construction. Between work and after-school activities, the family is always on the go.
“We do our best to have family dinners around our kitchen table! It is very important to us that we sit down together as a family for dinner so we can stay connected,” Katie shared. “I love our dinner-time conversations and being able to connect with my teenage children during this time.”
Gathering in the kitchen and around the table is a value that was instilled in Katie during her childhood.
“I really enjoy time around the table with my family. It is very special to me because I grew up having dinner around our kitchen table every night,” Katie reminisced. “I remember going to my great-grandmother’s house and always helping her in the kitchen. I didn’t have a choice, though—she made me get in the kitchen with her! She would have me mix up her cornbread recipe to make cornbread muffins.”
You can still often find Katie in the kitchen, even when she’s cooking just for fun. Cooking is one of her favorite pastimes, and she is a master at meal planning for the week. With her children involved in sports, quick and easy meals are a necessity. Crockpot meals and simple recipes, like her Sausage and Egg Casserole, are staples in her kitchen.
“When we arrive home after a busy evening, this is a quick and easy recipe that I can throw together, and my family loves it,” Katie said. She actually has the recipe handwritten on a card from her mom.
“I call it Christmas Morning Casserole because my mom used to make it every year on Christmas morning. My kids love when I make it for dinner because then they can have the leftovers for breakfast the next day before school.”
Outside of cooking and spending time with her family, Katie enjoys decorating, gardening, and antiquing.
“Family time brings me lots of joy, especially with having teenagers,” she shared. “We are a lot busier these days, so it’s nice when we can slow down and be together—especially over this casserole, which is a family favorite!”
Sausage & Egg Casserole (aka Mom’s Christmas Casserole)
Ingredients:
- 2 cans crescent rolls
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 1 lb. sausage
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Brown the sausage in a skillet and drain.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. Add shredded cheese and mix well.
- Spray a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Spread the crescent rolls into the bottom of the pan to create a crust.
- Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the crescent roll crust.
- Pour the egg, milk, and cheese mixture over the sausage.
- Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.
- Allow the casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Katie recommends serving it alongside a fresh fruit salad.
In addition to being a staff writer, Gabriele Jones is a full-time skincare consultant and beauty advisor. She also works alongside her husband, Daniel, supporting his ministry as the founder and pastor of Forward Church in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Gabriele and Daniel are the parents of three children: Nate, 20; Luke, 12; and Briar Psalm, 5. As a writer, wife, mother and businesswoman, Gabriele enjoys sharing stories and experiences that encourage and connect families and women in her community.
