Whipped or Lumpy Mashed Potatoes?

“Do you like whipped creamy mashed potatoes or lumpy mashed potatoes?” Monique asks her husband on the plane ride from LA to DC.

“I like Jan’s potatoes! Also known as cheesy mashed potatoes!” Her husband, Will, replies with a yummy grin on his face.

“What do you like?” He asks his wife

“I love the whipped, creamy kind. Remember that one Christmas party a few years back we went to at the hotel? The one where they served whipped mashed potatoes in tall glasses? That was unexpected, but good whipped potatoes.” She says.

“Well you're going to find a new kind of potatoes that you’ll love.” Her husband says reassuringly.

“I’ll text your mom Cyndi once we land in Washington. I can’t wait to surprise Heather. She has no idea that we are coming!” She says excitedly. Four hours later, they arrive and pick up their rental car.

“Text Cyndi we have arrived and on our way to Heather’s & Tyler’s house.” He says, reminding his wife.

Cyndi texts, Ok sounds good, just finished cleaning up the house and figuring out dinner.”

“We might need to go to the grocery store to get some things for tonight’s dinner.” Heather says. “I made our grocery list and I’m going to head up there.”

Cyndi says she wants to go along, and they head up to the store together.“

I’ll get the potatoes!” Cyndi says.

“Oh good idea you can make au gratin mashed potatoes!” Heather says in a chipper voice. “Wait… why are you getting so many potatoes?” Heather asks; confused. “There’s only three of us.” she says, as Cyndi puts a whole bag of potatoes in the grocery cart.

“Just to have some extra ones for later.” Cyndi replies.

Cyndi receives a text, “Hey we’re here. Are you guys at the house?”

“No, we are at the grocery store down the street. We are almost done.” Cyndi responds.

“Ok we will hide around the corner, let us know when it’s a good time to come over.” Will responds.

“Ok we got everything for dinner let’s check out!” Heather says.

After getting the groceries unloaded and putting everything away, Cyndi texts, “Ok we're ready, head over.”

Monique rings the doorbell. Dakota, Heather’s dog starts barking, Heather peeks through the peephole and sees her brother and sister-in-law standing at her door.

She opens the door with a huge, excited smile, holding back her dog so she won't escape.

“I thought you guys couldn’t come to my graduation!” She says happily as they enter. “Monique said she was sick, so I didn’t think you’d make it!”

Closing the door they share hugs. “We weren’t about to miss your Master Nursing Graduation. Although, we didn’t know Virginia could get this hot in the summer!” Monique says, fanning herself.

Cyndi comes out from around the kitchen and says, “We were just about to start making dinner. Are you guys hungry?”

“Yeah, it’s been a long trip, and I’m starving.” Will says. “You wouldn’t happen to be making Jan’s mashed potatoes?”

“Yes, and I have to tell you… Heather was getting a little annoyed about all the extra potatoes, and food I was putting in the cart. I’ll have to tell you the story over dinner!” Cyndi says laughing.

“What are Jan's famous potatoes? Monique asks.

“Our Aunt Jan used to make the best cheesy mashed potatoes. She would make them for almost every family event.” Will says, reminiscing on the past.

“Come on over here and I’ll show you how to make them.” Cyndi gestures to Monique. “Oven set at 350*, you’ll need a 9 x 13 inch pan everything goes in except the corn flakes. Lightly grease the pan with the butter spray, add 2lbs of hash brown potatoes thawed, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 pint sour cream, 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese, ½ cup chopped onion, 1 teaspoon salt. Mix together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, salt, cheddar cheese, hash browns, & onion in a bowl. Put into a baking pan. Topping ½ cup melted margarine, 2 cups crushed corn flakes. Some use potato chips. Mix together the melted butter & cornflakes. Sprinkle on top of the potato mixture. We will bake it for 45 minutes. This recipe is from Uncle Jeff’s wife Jan. They are also known as fancy potatoes, executive potatoes, or funeral potatoes by other people. ”

Based on a true story and one of our best summer family trips to celebrate Heather’s graduation for Masters in Nursing Summer 2013. Like all family memories we share this one and tell this story over and over to everyone.