My favorite recipes

Shelby Morgan of Colfax married her high school sweetheart, David Ledbetter, Jr., in 2008. But their story started long before. They first met in kindergarten and have been good friends since eighth grade. They were involved in student activities at Colfax High School, where they graduated in 2007. Shelby was a cheerleader, and David played sports for a few years before he started working part-time.

They dated for two years before they married while they were students at Eastern Washington University. David worked in downtown Spokane at Helly Hansen during college.

Shelby graduated from EWU in 2011 in business administration and human resource management with a minor in sociology, the same time as David. They hoped to return to Colfax to live, and they were successful.

Working at the Morgan Office Building in downtown Colfax, Shelby is the office manager and “do it all” employee for both Basin Express and Palouse River Rock. Basin Express is owned by Drew and Tammy Huber Peterson. Palouse River Rock is the Morgan family rock crushing and hauling business.

The two offices keep her quite busy, and she is fortunate that when one business has a lot happening, the other one is usually calmer. Compared to the frantic activity in a football recruiting office, or during the football season, her current office probably seems tame. The lesson is to be flexible. Colfax Chamber of Commerce is in the same office.

David’s first job after college was for Whitman County working with computer software in the financial office. Now working for New World Systems, he has been traveling for the last year around the United States. He loves his job, and Shelby drives him to and from the airport so that they have the extra time together. They are together each weekend, and she stays occupied and busy with their local family when he is out of town. With his job, they can live anywhere, and Colfax is a good anywhere.

While they were attending Eastern Washington University, the red artificial turf was installed in the Eagles’ football stadium, creating the Inferno. The Ledbetter’s are sports fans and Shelby worked in the football team recruitment office and was personal assistant to the coaches, traveling to every away game as well as attending home games. The championship season was truly memorable, and the coaches made sure that their two business assistants received championship rings, too. Not many women in Colfax own a football championship ring.

Shelby and David bought two new homes in two years, with the current one located on Ledbetter Court in Hauser Heights. Dave said, “We have home court advantage.” With two new houses recently, the Ledbetter’s have acquired skills with landscaping, decorating, and making houses into comfortable homes.

The young couple is experiencing the joys of traveling, and they have been to Maui three times, once for their honeymoon, on their fifth anniversary, and on her parents’ fortieth anniversary. On their first anniversary, they participated in a mission trip to Guatemala. The Morgan family took a trip to Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. In addition, they have enjoyed Sitka, Alaska; Detroit, Mich. and the Mall of America in St. Paul, Minnesota. They enjoy beaches, scenery, shopping, and seeing the sights.

The Football Championship game which EWU won was in Frisco, Texas, and of course, they were in the stands. Great Falls, Mont., was another fun destination. With David traveling so much for work, they try to take advantage of areas new to them, and Shelby joins him for a few days. A balance of work and travel is their goal.

For hobbies, Shelby and David focus on sports, following and cheering for Eastern Washington University, Seattle Mariners baseball, and Seattle Seahawks football, for which they attended a game last year. They root for the Colfax Bulldogs, and their EWU hearts allow them to cheer for the WSU Cougars, too. In addition, Shelby and David enjoy being aunt and uncle to a growing crowd of nieces and nephews.

Shelby grew up in a farm family and began cooking at an early age. In addition to a mom who is a skilled cook, both her grandmothers are wonderful cooks. Bridget Knox Morgan and Rachel Kovanda have been cooking inspirations, too. Rachel is a Pampered Chef representative, encouraging and inspiring friends as well as family members with new cooking ideas.

Recipes:

Dilled Chicken Salad

16 ounces spiral pasta, cooked and drained

2 cups cubed cooked chicken

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/2 cup chopped onion

8 ounce frozen peas, thawed

Dressing:

1 envelope ranch dressing

2 cups sour cream

1-cup mayonnaise

1/4 tsp. dill weed

1/4 tsp. garlic salt

In a bowl, combine the first five ingredients; mix well. Combine dressing ingredients; whisk until smooth. Pour over salad; toss to coat.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Alfredo Sauce

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 1/2 cups water

2 chicken flavor bouillon cubes

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour until well blended. Gradually stir in half and half, water, and chicken bouillon cubes. Cook, stirring constantly, until sauce is slightly thickened. Stir in Parmesan cheese and heat until just melted. Makes 3 1/2 cups.

Cook pasta, such as fettucine, al dente. Toss with Alfredo sauce. Add cooked chicken, if desired.

Baked Spaghetti

12-ounce spaghetti, broken up

3 Tbsp. butter

2 eggs

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese — grated

2 cups cottage cheese

2 cups cheddar cheese — grated

3 cups mozzarella cheese — grated

4+ cups spaghetti sauce (your choice)

*David’s favorite is when I make this with the homemade Alfredo recipe!

Grease baking dish and set aside. Cook spaghetti noodles, drain, and return to pan. Add butter, mix, add Parmesan cheese, mix, add beaten eggs, mix. Pour in baking dish and spread evenly. Spread cottage cheese over mixture and then sprinkle cheddar cheese. Next, spread spaghetti sauce over all. Lastly, sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until bubbly.