Casseroles, Deviled Eggs and Banana Pudding

I'm not sure there is anyone who does potlucks better than church families.  If you've grown up going to church potlucks you know they always include casseroles, deviled eggs and banana pudding.  There's a rule book somewhere I'm sure that lists those as staple items for potlucks.

Today I participated in a potluck at my church.  I took a dish of course, I always do, but if you've seen my many culinary crises on facebook, you know that cooking is not my strength.  I also haven't figured out how to take something hot.  Sounds stupid right?  I'm serious though!  I don't know how to take a hot casserole to meal that won't be eaten for a while.  Do I cook it first and take it hot, so that it's lukewarm (if not cool) by the time we eat it?  Do I take it made, but not cooked and borrow oven space at church?  Crockpot stuff I could do, but a baked casserole requires logistics.  I know...I make things too difficult.  

I don't own a deviled egg holder; necessary if that's going to be your potluck contribution.  I prefer to take something that I don't mind coming home with, which means I don't take dessert.  If I come home with dessert, I eat the dessert...by myself.  Today I took raw veggies and ranch dip.  It being summer, I thought that was a good choice.  I didn't have to worry about hot food getting cold, cooking at church or coming home with a bunch of calories.

While potlucks are known for great food, the purpose of course is to fellowship with others.  It's an opportunity to share a meal and conversation with, in this case, other church members.

As you all maybe aware, I've recently changed jobs.  I'm excited about the opportunities ahead of me, but there is a lot of uncertainty for me as well.  I'll save the details for another post, but I mention it here because that job change is part of what motivated me to stay for the potluck.  Weird connection, I know, but it makes sense...

For the first time since I've lived alone as an adult, I will be living and working in the same city.  The relationships I've built in the last two years, for the most part, are people who do not live in Enid.  While I very much value those relationships and I'll be doing my best to maintain many of them, the byproduct is that I don't really have many solid connections here.  I've lived here for two years and I have definitely developed acquaintances and the beginnings of friendships, but I haven't been in town enough to build solid relationships.  That is getting ready to change dramatically.  I will no longer travel.  With the exception of occasional weekends to visit family, I will be in town.  It's time that I build some relationships.  

I read an article recently that discussed the characteristic of humans as social animals.  Frankly put, we need social interaction to keep us sane.  It is no secret that am an introvert and social situations are very difficult for me, but I need social interaction to keep me sane.  I need it to help me be happy and healthy.  

Today that social interaction came because of casseroles, deviled eggs and banana pudding.