Cheesy scalloped potatoes, ala Jeni

We're making (actually, Kathleen's making, but you knew that) dinner this afternoon for a very special birthday girl, Laurie Hartmann, who's coming to celebrate. Naturally, we're using a very special recipe tonight.

Birthday girl with the cook.

The cherished "Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes" note card, in protective clear wrap, just came out of Kathleen's wooden box, where it had been filed next to the Rolled Date Cookies and Florence's heirloom Macaroni.
Handwritten, with detailed instructions like "Blend in flour; add milk all at once...," it was carefully written down by the late Jeni Reed Rolfsrud, diligently passing on just the way that her mother, Joan, had taught her to make scalloped potatoes with cheese.

Happy Birthday to Laurie. Raise a glass of bold red zin. Here's to many more years of an enduring friendship.

You're gonna just love the potatoes.

The waiter's bow tie matched his gym shorts.