Cornbread Stuffin

12 cups stale cornbread, chunked
6 slices stale, dry white bread cubed (I use Panera Bread wholegrain white thick cut ~~ YUM)
1 1/2 - 2 cups coarsely chopped, toasted pecans
1 pound center-cut bacon (the center-cut is leaner)
1 cup (2 sticks) butter melted (yay like a leaner cut of bacon helps with 2 sticks of butter just saying :o)
2 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
4 large celery ribs, trimmed and coarsely chopped
1 Tbl rubbed sage
1/2 tsp. dried leaf thyme, crumbled
6 cups chicken broth or stock (Rachael Ray's stock is delish and no MSG ~~ YAY)
3 extra-large eggs, well-beaten
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Directions:

It is very important to make corn bread a day or two before you use it. And leave it out, it really needs to be dry to soak up all the yummmy goodness going along side it :-)

Toast the pecans. (don't skip this step ~~ yummee roasted pecans are sooooooo worth it!!!) Spread on a baking sheet then set on middle shelf of oven and toast at 350 degrees for 10 mins stirring well at half-time (while the girls dance ~~ oh yeah that's football - anyway)

Keep oven on at 350 degrees and Grease two 13x9x2" pans. (Yes 2 delicious pans of dressin' uhhh stuffin' does it get any better?!? I ask you, MMMMMMMMM)

Place the two breads and pecans in a very large mixing bowl and set aside.

Brown the bacon in a very large heavy skillet over moderate heat, stirring often, for 12 - 14 minutes until all drippings render out. Drain the bacon.

Heat 1/2 cup of the melted butter in the same skillet for about one minute. Add onions and celery. Cook and stir for 1 - 2 minutes.

Scoop the skillet mixture into mixing bowl along with melted butter, toss and smell, oh it smells delish. Add 3 cups chicken broth, eggs, salt and pepper and toss well again.

Transfer the dressin' to the baking pan, spreading to the edges, then drizzle the remaining three cups chicken broth evenly on top.

Cover snugly with heavy-duty foil and bake on the middle oven rack for 25 mins. Stir the dressing well and cover again with foil. Bake 20 minutes more or until steaming.

And then sit down and take in the goodness of that loveliness ~~ MMMMMMMMMM

Enjoy with family and friends.