Before Buddy the Elf was a twinkle in anyone’s imagination, there was Laurie. (If you haven’t seen Elf, add it to your Christmas movie list! And trust me when I tell you, hugs are his favorite.)

Laurie and I worked at the same retirement community ages ago. Among other responsibilities, Laurie was in charge of coordinating move-ins and helping people get situated in their new homes. But what I recall most about Laurie is that she owned Hug Day. Every Wednesday, she’d offer residents a cheery “Happy Hug Day!” and give them a friendly squeeze. To my knowledge, Hug Day wasn’t an official activity, just a weekly kindness Laurie took seriously.

Looking back, I wonder how many of Laurie’s “hug-ees” might have needed a hug. Who in her path could’ve been feeling blue, missing their loved one’s touch, or just longing to be seen and held?

Laurie and I haven’t seen each other in 25 years, but often she comes to mind when I’m with my friend Darla. Darla’s superpower is hugging. She has this keen insight into knowing who around her needs a hug, and she offers them freely and without reservation. If hugging were an Olympic sport, she’d win gold. When you’re on the receiving end of a Darla hug, you feel better instantly. It’s like a shot of vitamin B without the sting. Are you getting the picture? (If you’ve ever had the chance to meet (in)courage contributor, Anna Rendell, you know that hugging is one of her superpowers, too.)

This year at Community Bible Study, Darla is my core group leader. It’s a treat for us to get to be together on a weekly basis, mining God’s Word and talking through the deep things of faith with a room full of sisters growing closer to Jesus, together.

When I walked into our small group last week, I knew I was on edge. I had received some hard news the night before, and my heart was fragile. I thought I could slap a smile on my face and get through group time without anyone knowing. But when a friend seated across the room asked me a simple question, I cracked. Tears surfaced as I shook my head and answered, “I’m okay…I just can’t talk about it right now.”

She nodded in understanding. In the way women get women, everyone who saw our exchange felt my pain. Including Darla.

Up Darla stood, softly declaring, “I’m about to make this worse.”

Darla delivered what she promised…please click here to continue reading. 

Click and sign up here BEFORE you start your Black Friday shopping to save money
on just about everything (including $50 when you sign up and make a purchase)!

The post How to Make an Immediate Difference When Someone in Front of You is Hurting appeared first on Robin Dance.

Church hurt is awful. If you’ve ever experienced it, you know what I mean.

I’ve recently been in one of those seasons — the kind that leaves you weary and broken-hearted. When many people you love and care about are also sad, disillusioned, struggling, confused, or angry. When finger-pointing is rampant and people disappoint you on a level you didn’t know was possible. When your eyes are irritated with their own planks.

Humans are so human, and we sure can make a mess of things.

We flail around trying to handle life and all it hurls at us in our own strength, only to realize eventually that self-reliance is folly. We forget that our battles are not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. We have a hard time remembering to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. If we remembered this, then we would have everything we need — truth, righteousness, peace, faith, our salvation, and God’s Word — to resist evil and stand firm. (See Ephesians 6:10-18 NASB.) As this passage teaches, spiritual warfare requires spiritual weapons.

I’m finding now, as I’ve discovered so many times before, that when we come to the end of our abilities, experience, and wisdom – to the end of ourselves – there’s room for God to show up and do what only He can do. Frequently, He will teach us something we need to learn. Sometimes, He’ll bring physical healing. And, in some cases, when you least expect it, He’ll work through people to encourage you when you’re at your lowest.

He did this for me just a few weeks ago when a text popped up on my phone, alerting me to a $10 Venmo notification with a note that read, “Coffee on me—love you <3”

A simple gesture paired with five words and a heart emoji. That little gift from a friend spoke volumes. It wasn’t only about receiving a cup of coffee — it was about being noticed, valued, and loved. It was a gentle nudge to stop focusing on the circumstances I found myself in and to remember that God is at work no matter how I feel, regardless of the tempest engulfing me.

In this unexpected moment, God whispered a sweet truth to my heart: “If a friend notices your need and cares enough to respond, how much more do I see you? How much more do I love you?”

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:8, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” That gift card was tangible proof of God’s attentive love, delivered through the kindness of a friend. Her ten-dollar gift far exceeded its actual value because of the message it conveyed, one I desperately needed: I am with you in this storm. You are not alone.

The brokenness in our church and in my own heart wasn’t suddenly mended, but for a brief moment, I caught a glimpse of God’s love for me. 

When the world is reeling all around you, centering on God and His Word brings calm and clarity. God cares for even the smallest details of our lives. Remember Luke 12:6-7? Even a sparrow is not forgotten by God — and we are worth far more than sparrows. If He knows every hair on our heads, He certainly knows when our hearts are tired and our spirits need refreshment.

The unexpected Venmo reminded me of something else, too:

Please follow this link to continue reading at (in)courage today. If this piece encouraged you, would you please share with a friend or online? 

The post What a $10 Gift Card Can Remind You About God’s Love appeared first on Robin Dance.

One of the wonderful added benefits during Amazon’s Prime Days is everyone wants to capitalize on the increased traffic from buyers. Prime Days are summer’s answer to fall’s Black Friday, and many sites that rarely offer discounts, do so for the few days in July when we’re primed and ready to save a little money.

Though I’m not writing a lot here these days (because I’m working full time and writing behind the scenes), I wanted to share some fantastic savings and offers you’ll want to check out before they’re gone!

• DO join Rakuten if you haven’t already. We’ll both get $30 cash back when you sign up through my referral link, but you’ll save everywhere you shop online who has an affiliation with them. Download the Rakuten extension and it’ll remind you to activate your savings. (Yes, I know they’re basically buying your shopping preferences, but I figure that’s going on anyway and I might as well benefit.)
• Away Luggage is on sale right now, so don’t miss this opportunity to save if you’ve been eyeing the brand and need new luggage. I love the Away backstory, and I’ve been very happy with my purchases. (I have the Medium,(on sale!) the Carry-on Flex, and the Everywhere Tote.)
• From Amazon
  • Never signed up for Audible? NOW is the time!! I don’t know if they ever have a better deal than 3 months free (if you don’t land on that page, click the tab that says “Audible Deals” and you’ll find it)!
  • If you know an 18-24-year-old, they can get a 6-month trial of Amazon Prime for NOTHING! It auto renews for $7.49/month at that point.)
  • I finally pulled the trigger on a digital frame (my sister has been raving forever about her Skylight frame), and I bought an extra for a gift with the savings. Since I have my first grandchild due in October, this is something I need, right?
  • My boss RAVED about Color WOW Dream Coat, and was kind to let me try hers. For folks who live in humid areas (hello my Southern friends), this is a game changer for frizzy hair! I hesitated to buy it right after trying it, and that paid off. It’s now a GREAT price on Amazon!
  • Kitchen-Aid Gourmet Meat Tenderizer. Read this and you’ll understand why you need one of these :). Plus? 59% off!!
  • Garden of Life Vitamins for Women. These have been my daily vitamins for a while now, and though I have about a third of a bottle left, I’m grabbing these at 44% off!!
  • Breville Smart Oven. I got mine years ago, and it has remained one of my favorite purchases of all time. I proof bread. I get a second oven when cooking big meals. And, I love its warming feature. Worth every dime, and eventually I’ll get another one to replace it.
  • Everyone Hand/Body Lotion. I’m a BIG fan of EWG recommendations, and this relatively inexpensive brand makes the cut. Yay for it being discounted during Prime Days! (I also use their body wash, also on sale.)  See ALL of Environmental Working Group recs here.
  • The Complete Calvin and Hobbes. Over half off (!), if you loved these two rascals back in the day, this collection has every strip of this lovable duo. This is a gift-purchase for me, and I can’t wait to give it <3.
  • Presto Salad Shooter. I do NOT buy pre-shredded cheese; I buy a block and shred it myself. A rotary shredder/slicer is a game changer, and I’ve been loyal to Presto for decades (which is crazy to me….). It also “shreds” graham crackers for pie crusts, Saltines or Ritz for casserole toppings, etc. While technically not a Prime Day sale, it’s discounted 21%. Or, you can try this one. 
  • Antica Farmacista home fragrances. I smelled Santorini when staying in a friend’s home, and looked it up when I got home. It’s pricey. So when Amazon had a Prime deal, I jumped at it. Santorini is no longer on sale (I think), but if you’ve been wanting to pick up something from this brand, look to see if there are any current specials.  Nest Home Frangrances have a lot more on sale, too!
  • Laneige Lip Mask. I’ve been using this for years since my friend Aliza turned me onto it. There’s a reason you’re seeing it everywhere (it’s wonderful!).
  • Theo of Golden. I had this on my Kindle, but I loved it so much I wanted a physical copy. It’s not exactly a deal this week, but it IS on sale. I cannot think of a sweeter, better read for summer. You will fall in love with Theo <3.
  • Meater Wireless Thermometer. Almost half off, and my husband won’t grill without one. I don’t use ’em, but I’m thankful he does!
  • For All Who Wander. Darn. My book isn’t actually having a Prime Days moment, but it still means so much for you to purchase it :). Let me know if you read it, and please share your thoughts–good, bad, or indifferent.

And, last, these are the things currently tempting me. What about you??

• Wireless photo printer to print ALL those blasted pictures I take with my phone!
• Generator – EVERY time a big storm blows through, I regret not having one. And, at 50% off, I’m thinking hard about getting this.
• A Bird Buddy. My sister LOVES their camera feeder…but they’re still pricing even with a deal. I wonder which other option is as good?

There’s a reason why everyone you subscribe to has published their favorite Prime Day deals:  purchases support their work. But regardless of any financial incentive to the person making the referral, buyers

• save money,
• learn about products they may not already know about,
• and support your friends :).

If you clicked and purchased anything through my referral links, thank you!!! 

The post Great Deals & Savings on Rarely Discounted Favorites During Amazon Prime Days (Not Only on Amazon) appeared first on Robin Dance.

When five besties are coordinating busy schedules, finding a date everyone can get together is tricky. But friendship is always worth the effort, and we were downright giddy to be celebrating not one but two of our group members’ birthdays. No one even cared that our party was a month late.

We planned an unhurried dinner at one of our homes, which allowed us plenty of space and privacy. It was the perfect decision. While a delicious meal is something to look forward to, we were hungrier for catching up and conversation.

Eventually we got to the hard stuff.

One of our five was swirling in multiple layers of heartache, and the “flaming arrows of the evil one” were many and mean (Ephesians 6:16b NASB). This precious friend loves and serves Jesus, but in this season, she was really struggling — and hurting all the more because people she loves were also hurting. She wasn’t wrestling with unbelief or doubt, but with the kind of despair and ugliness that can creep into heart and mind when life isn’t fair.

Sometimes, even people with a vibrant faith grow weary from holding their shield of faith (Ephesians 6:10-17 NASB).

We listened as she shared hurt upon hurt. We allowed her freedom, without judgment, to be honest about her feelings. And we felt her pain as our own.

We also saw her humanity, the natural way a heart responds when it’s wounded, because we’ve all been there. I can’t imagine anyone who hasn’t battled anger, bitterness, resentment, or jealousy when life doubles down on unfairness. We may hate those feelings – and even resist them – but they’re part and parcel of being human in a broken world.

In the middle of a mess, friendship can be a lifeline pointing you back to Jesus. Not trying to fix or minimize our friend’s circumstances, we offered our encouragement and insight. As the others spoke, an image began to form in my mind that had nothing to do with our conversation. I’m not prone to “visions;” in fact, I don’t remember ever having one before. But when there was a pause in the conversation, I blurted it out in one rambly sentence —

Cliffhanger!! Please pop over to (in)courage and continue reading. And, please, DO share your thoughts! 

QOTD:  What are your favorite deals during Prime Days (on Amazon) or other e-tailers taking advantage of the online traffic?
Among other things I’ve been thinking about, I’ve picked up books, a photo frame, bougie home fragrances, and an amazing hair tonic
that my boss swears delivers what it promises.

The post How the Hard Seasons in Life Are Making You Better appeared first on Robin Dance.

Not so long ago, I was in the thick of mothering three kids — juggling all the plates of home, school, extracurriculars, and work. If you’ve been there or are there, you know life can be a busy blur, hectic in mostly good ways. You learn what people say is true: “The days are long” — sometimes so, so long! — “but the years are short.” In too quick a blink, that season is over.

In empty nesting, it seems birthdays arrive faster and years get even shorter. It still surprises me when I realize I’m the oldest person in the room. How am I in my sixth decade, for goodness’ sake?! Nevertheless, I wholeheartedly believe that life is a gift at every age, and each day is reason enough to celebrate. 

Several years ago, I attended a women’s event led by a well-known ministry leader around my age. In front of 1,000+ women, she made self-deprecating remarks, recognizing she was the oldest woman on the stage and minimizing herself. It bothered me. She joked about her age, almost apologizing for it — missing a chance to champion the older women in the room. This would’ve been a perfect moment to help younger women see the value of those they might be tempted to consider irrelevant, and to help older women see how much they still have to offer.

The speaker’s comment was made in passing, and I doubt many attendees gave it a second thought. But years later, it’s the only thing I recall her saying that night. Had she feared being seen as old and obsolete? If so, I could relate (even though I wish I didn’t). But God, through the Holy Spirit’s transforming work, took my irritation and began fashioning a pearl:  I started recognizing the benefits that can only come with age.

Too often, aging is viewed through the lens of decline and loss — aching joints, graying hair, aggravating forgetfulness, and decreasing relevance. But these things don’t tell the entire story. Growing older brings unexpected gifts we just don’t talk about enough — the kind that only come with time, experience, and evolving perspective.

I’m thankful God has something to say about aging, too. Job 12:12 (NASB) tells us advanced years bring wisdom and understanding. I can think of plenty of things in my past I’d do or process differently if I knew “then” what I know now. Psalm 92:14 (ESV) says the righteous will “still bear fruit in old age.” As long as we’re here, we can impact the Kingdom and the people around us. And, Proverbs 16:31 (ESV) tells us gray hair is a crown of glory! Mine is currently in hiding, but my friends know I’m all about a tiara. When gray peeks out, my hairdresser enthuses, “Darling! Your wisdom is showing!” She gets it.

What God gives us with age isn’t accidental — it’s the result of His perfect timing.

Let’s practice looking at life differently. Let’s believe what God says and focus on the positives that come with age. When we do so, we’ll see that growing older isn’t just about what we lose — it’s also about what we gain. I’ve noticed plenty of benefits:

Please continue reading today’s article at (in)courage.
Strong  encourage for all women (but especially for those “of a certain age).”

The post When You’re the Oldest Woman in the Room appeared first on Robin Dance.

The past two years have brought with them the greatest sorrow of my adult life. Cruel, rare, and unfamiliar diagnoses became the story my loved ones are living. Glioblastoma, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, peripheral nerve sheath tumor, breast cancer… Really, God?

It’s all so much for one family to bear.

When I was younger, and not yet tested to this extreme, my husband and I would try to put ourselves in the shoes of friends or family when trial or tragedy befell them. We’d ask each other, “How would I want  to respond if something like ‘this’ happened to me?” We’d consider the circumstances in light of our faith, and imagine what a God-glorifying response might look like. Talking through real-life scenarios allowed us to think about and plan how we’d hope to react to a given situation.

Time has revealed that what is easy in theory, isn’t always so easy in practice.

To be honest, I’ve been disappointed in my reactions to our family’s hard circumstances. I’m not doing a great job of practicing what I profess. Rather than remembering the Good News of the gospel, I’ve focused on feeling hopeless and helpless because there’s so little I can do. Prayer doesn’t seem like enough.

In recent years, I’ve had dear friends walking out their own stories of grief and trauma, and they manage to be “all glory to God” in the midst of their trials. Not surface-level Pollyanna-ism, but earnest, hard-fought-for, beautiful responses to the kind of stuff no one should have to experience. Their inspiring responses have pointed me to Jesus in a way that makes me want more of Him.

It is also then that condemnation often creeps in. A convincing and faith-rattling tool of the devil, condemnation tempts me to compare myself to those who respond “better” than me. When that happens, I’m putty in Shame’s hands.

Having followed Jesus most of my life, I’m aware of what the Bible teaches about hardship. (Like how James says we should consider it all joy when we face all kinds of trials because it’s the path to God’s perfecting work in us.) But there’s an angry, grief-informed stubbornness to my heart these days. Too often I refuse to surrender to God’s plans and instead lean deeper into my heartache.

How can I trust in God’s goodness and believe His promises amidst the pain and suffering all around me? In moments of overwhelming grief, I wonder how anyone can.

The answer, at least in part, lies within my question: I can’t trust God’s goodness or believe His promises on my own. I don’t have the strength to manufacture hope or faith in the face of overwhelming grief. That’s the point. Belief, hope, and trust are not things I can produce — they are gifts of grace given by the Holy Spirit. If I could conjure them myself, why would I need God at all?

There’s freedom in understanding you can’t do what you weren’t made to do in the first place. My inability to “just believe” reveals my deep need for the Spirit to do in me what I cannot do on my own.

Jesus told us He would send a Helper (John 14:16-17, 25-26 ESV) who:

• would be with us forever
• is the Spirit of truth
• dwells with us
• is in us
• is sent by God
• teaches us all things
• reminds us what Jesus says

What a gift! The Holy Spirit is God’s active presence in our lives, the supernatural power that fuels belief and hope and trust in the first place.

Last month, I attended an evening of worship with friends, and the theme was Jesus – The Light of the World. The Holy Spirit revealed something powerful to me about the sad and hard season in which I find myself, through the wisdom of Katherine Wolf:  “When the feeling of hope failed me, the habit and practice of hope carried me.” Light bulb moment.

When the feeling of hope failed me, the habit and practice of hope carried me….

Maybe for the first time, I recognized how my feelings were undermining my faith. Pain demands attention, and when I’m preoccupied with the circumstances that cause pain, I take my eyes off Jesus. How can you see God when you’re focusing on something else? It had never occurred to me to develop a habit of hope.

Please click here to finish reading this one over at (in)courage.
Based on the comments so far, it seems to be resonating with a lot of friends
needing to see a glimpse of hope. <3 

The post The One Thing That Can Change Everything appeared first on Robin Dance.

Popping in to share one of the BEST online deals I’ve found to save money when shopping online: Join Rakuten and shop through their site! I’ve been shopping through Rakuten since 2021, and I’ve earned enough cash back to make it worth my while to sell my information :). The way I figure, my shopping is tracked online anyway, so I might as well earn a little money.

If you’d like to join (or at least check it out), click through my link. If you DO join and shop through their site, we’ll both get a $40 bonus once you spend that much online.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

The post How To Add A Little More “Happy” To Your Thanksgiving (Before you shop all those Black Friday sales) appeared first on Robin Dance.

Years ago, I managed a parent’s morning out program at church, and my role included curriculum and craft planning. Oh, how I loved fall’s inspiration. I didn’t have to look beyond my front yard and calendar for ideas – leaves changing color always put on a spectacular show, and the Thanksgiving holiday built an easy theme of “thankfulness” for our toddlers.

As a mom of three, I always loved whatever crafts my kids brought home. Is there anything cuter than a turkey created from a little one’s hand or an excessively embellished construction paper maple leaf? (Though glitter might just be a teacher’s sparkly payback to parents for a classroom full of rambunctious children.)

I’m one of those people who genuinely appreciates “the reason for the season” when it comes to holidays, and at the heart of Thanksgiving is gratitude. Maybe it’s hokey, but I truly love hearing what people are thankful for as we circle around the table, drawn together by family tradition.

Turkey, dressing, and all the fixings are a fine feast for the body, but conversation and connection among people you love is a life-giving feast for the soul.

Old Testament to New, the Bible has a lot to say about thankfulness; in the ESV translation, there are 162 mentions of some form of the word “thanks.” That tells me it’s important to God. And, what’s important to God, should be important to you and me.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” In a world that seems to be increasingly, well, rude, it is more essential than ever to instill gratitude and godliness in our children. True, children are most captive to a parent’s authority while living at home, but we can still influence adult kids whenever we’re together. When we model godly attributes, it continues to reinforce what they learned when they were young.

It’s equally important to remember that your influence isn’t limited to children in your life. Everyone we encounter can be impacted by how we live and how we treat them.

Even if you’re in the midst of a really hard season – especially if you’re in the midst of a really hard season – it’s important to look for reasons to be thankful and to express your gratitude to God.

So, with the Thanksgiving holiday nearing, regardless of who you’ll be celebrating with, why not be intentional about encouraging a thankful heart?

Do keep reading at (in)courage to find a few fun ideas that will engage family and friends of all ages!  Prefer listening? (in)courage has today’s podcast episide waiting for you!

The post Four Fun Ways to Focus on Faith, Family and Gratitude on Thanksgiving appeared first on Robin Dance.

All of us have something special within ourselves that impacts others and can alter the atmosphere around us: Everyday superpowers. Not exactly the blockbuster movie variety, but superpowers nonetheless. Attitudes and influence that shape opinion, encourage or inspire, and change the course of someone’s day, even if only our own. This is not nothing. In fact, it’s quite a lot.

The person who can always soothe a crying baby in your church nursery. The friend who has a knack for fixing virtually anything. The stranger who sing-songs across the Kroger parking lot, “I LOVE your dress!” turning your frown upside down, then, “Girl, your SHOES (hand gesturing in a dramatic swirl from your head toward your feet), you got it GOING ON today!” Okay…that was personal. Someone I had never met until last Tuesday, and won’t likely ever see again, had the ability to transform my lousy day into something lovely. If that isn’t power, I don’t know what is.

Everyday superpowers are not something we conjure or force, but they can be cultivated.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) tells us, “… we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” We are created in His image with a planned purpose, and regardless of our age or stage, there are always good things for us to do.

What you offer matters because no one else has exactly what you have to give. God has fashioned each one of us uniquely in a way to impact the people and circumstances around us, whether in word or deed, in large ways or small. Do you understand what that means? Darling, the world hasn’t been the same since you were born.

Satan knows this, too. I suspect he understands God’s plans for us better than we do. It would explain the discouragement, defeat, and despair that continually creep into our hearts and minds. Satan hates us – he hates God! – and he effectively undermines us (and God) any way he can.

Usually, I think of our everyday superpowers as an outward influence, but recently I’ve considered what a superpower can mean personally. For most of my life, one of my superpowers has been “irrepressible optimism and a tendency to find good in everything” — textbook Pollyanna. In the absence of light, I’d pinpoint the bright side. When all seemed lost, I could find the thinnest silver lining. But, as the past two years have brought some of the darkest days of my life, there have been moments when I’ve been crushed by the pain of circumstance. I could barely hold it together.

Please keep reading over at (in)courage…
especially if you’re in a season where you’re sad or angry all the time or
“in a pit where bright sides and silver linings couldn’t penetrate the darkness.”
You can also listen if you aren’t able to read right now. 

The post Our Real Superpowers are so Much Better Than Comicbook Counterfeits appeared first on Robin Dance.

Van Camp’s original oven baked beans recipe

Van Camp’s Classic Oven Baked Beans recipe from the back of the can’s label is my favorite, and arguably, the best, oven baked beans recipe in the world. Okay, maybe that’s a stretch, but these baked beans taste like a bygone era and were so much better than dumping a can in a dish. If they were my contribution to a pot luck dinner, folks appreciated the extra effort and always asked how I made them.

But, for some reason years ago, Van Camp’s stopped printing recipes under the label. Cost savings, I suppose, but there’s plenty of real estate on the front side of their label where they could offer recipes. Maybe it has something to do with competition — you can find plenty of canned options that use many of these ingredients, and all you have to do is heat and dump. Inferior canned options, but at least quick and decent.

Oddly, maybe only to me, this recipe isn’t even on Van Camp’s website. I can’t find it anywhere else online, and never have I been more glad to have saved an old, under-the-label, crumply, spattered, and torn recipe. It hit me when I made them for a cookout yesterday, to share the original recipe with my friends on the internet; in case anyone else has a taste for nostalgia and a reminder of their childhood.

My own variation follows the recipe. Yes, I tweak it to make it my own. Hope you do the same, and feel free to share your version in comments.

Van Camp’s Classic Oven Baked Beans

• 4 slices bacon
• 1 15-oz can Van Camp’s Pork & Beans
• ¼ cup chopped onions
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons molasses (optional)
• 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon prepared mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare one quart casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray. Cook bacon to crisp and drain. Crumble bacon. In casserole dish, combine bacon, pork and beans, onion, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire. Bake uncovered 30-35 minutes or until thickened and bubbly, stirring every 15 minutes. About 4 servings.

Personal notes: Adjust ingredients to your preferences. Molasses makes a nice difference, so I include it. I add chopped bell pepper and use less brown sugar. When I double the recipe, I don’t typically double the bacon.

The post Van Camp’s Classic Oven Baked Beans (The Best Baked Beans Recipe!) – Saved From the Label Years Ago appeared first on Robin Dance.