Old Fashioned Bread Pudding

Is there anything in the world more homey or satisfying than warm bread pudding? It is so versatile and easy to make, that you can have it ready to serve within an hour. Here is my basic recipe:


Bread Pudding

8 slices of stale bread ( I love to use wheat or french bread in mine)
2 cups of sugar
2 sticks of butter
3 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
approximately 4 cups of milk
1 tsp cinnamon

Cut the bread into 1 inch chunks and place into large mixing bowl. Pour milk in the bowl to allow it to soak into the bread. In separate bowl beat 3 eggs well, add the sugar,cinnamon and vanilla, beat well. Melt two sticks of butter and pour into bread and milk mixture ,stir until well incorporated. Add the egg/sugar mixture and mix gently together. Pour into a lightly greased dish( I use my corningware). Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for about 45 minutes until the center is set. Insert a knife to check and make sure it is done.

Variations:
French bread gives it a different yeasty taste which is very rich and yummy. I have also used hot dog buns, hamburger buns and white bread.
You can use evaporated milk, heavy cream,or half and half to substitute for some of the milk.
I have used raisins, apples, pears or any fall fruit to bump up the flavor.
Rum extract can be used instead of vanilla.

There are many recipes for sauce that can be poured on top, but I seldom use them. The pudding is very rich and with 2 sticks of butter it is already a heart stopper.

When you have leftover bread, just put the sack in the freezer and add to it. Soon you will have enough for a good size dessert to serve your family. I think it is a great way to use up stale bread or buns!

Hope you have a peaceful and restful day! My prayers are with the survivors and families of 9/11.

New Booth!

Today, is the big day for me! I have rented a small booth in a resale shop and will be moving some of my furniture there. I have downsized, gave away and bought more (its an obsession)! I used to send all of my stuff to the girls house, but then they started bringing it back after they were tired of it. My mother told me this would happen!

I have a friend whose son will be here soon to help me load the heavy stuff. Of course, I am naming my little booth Cute As Pie Cottage. Wish me luck, it's going to be a very busy day!

My Bucket List

Hello to everyone! I know it has been awhile since my last post. Life has been very busy here at the cottage.

I have reached a new milestone this week. I had my 50th Birthday Sunday! It was a very quiet day, just relaxing at home with the husband. Kids stopped by to wish me a happy day.

I have been thinking about all the things I have accomplished in the last 50 years as well as the things I havent, so I have had to revamp my bucket list this week.

When I was 15 yrs old, I wanted to be a housewife and a mother. I just couldnt stand the thought of college,so after high school I got married,had kids and was a stay at home mother. At the age of 30 I went back to school for an LVN license and started to work in a doctors office. At 40 I was divorced, raising children, working full time and started back to school again for an RN degree. At 45, I graduated and went to work at a local hospital. At 48 I remarried and started working on my BSN degree. Now that I am 50 I am sitting here thinking about all the trials I have been through,but many of them for the best!

In March I set a goal to lose 30lbs, so far I have lost 21lbs...YEAH!! I will graduate in May with my BSN (it takes me a long time with working a full time job!). My last daughter is off to college in 30 days. And I am planning some me time very soon!

My new list includes:

More travel! I want to see Europe and spend a month in Italy.

I want the freedom of working 3 days a week again

I am getting pretty tired of school, so not sure about that

Still have 9lbs to go to reach my goal

I just rented a small booth space, so want to dabble in that for a while (honestly, I just have too much furniture and need to sell some of it)

Spend more time with my husband

Go fishing

Plant a garden

Redecorate the house

I may try to paint again. Im terrible at it, but I can take some lessons and work on it

I want to see the United States, but particularly the south.

I want to take cooking lessons at the college just for fun

I want to stay at a beach house and walk through the sand

All of this will take alot of money, so I may have to rethink the school thing again!

Most of all, I want to breathe deep, look at the sky, smell the ocean,feel the sun on my face,hold my husbands hand, walk through this life and enjoy every day to the fullest.

Its been quite a ride so far!

Have a great week!

Target

I love Target! I seldom leave the store without at least one spectacular purchase. Today, it was this green and white checked tablecloth. I just love it and it goes so well with the green granny smith apples!

With Mother's Day coming up, I may just get a few gift cards! I need to go make my lists!

Wedding Pictures

Beautiful cake and shiny silver, the table was so pretty

My husband with his best pal.

This is my younger daughter Kristy and our new grandson Logan

This is Bryan cooling his heels, waiting on ceremony to begin. I think he was a little nervous

Here is Logan giving his new uncle advice on how to handle aunt Jenner when she gets out of control. Just drool all over her and all will be fine.

Here is the lovely couple right after the ceremony. Arent they cute? Jennifer is my oldest daughter and owns a florist. Her groom is a chef. The facility was lovely, decorated by her and the menu was cooked by him. we had a great time!

The wedding was held outdoors in front of a historic home in our city. The reception was in the back yard.

We had a wonderful time, wishing them many years of happiness!

Have a Happy monday!

He loves cake!

Spring in My Backyard

Key Lime Pound Cake

Have you seen the new issue of Southern Living?
There are 12 recipes for pound cakes included inside!
Today, I made the Key Lime Pound cake after I saw on Tina's blog that she had baked it. It looked so yummy!Hope you will try it. Have a good week.

Pie

The right pie can save the world!

Red, Red Wine

Hi Everyone!

Just wanted to pop in to say hello from Texas! We are having a wonderfully warm day and have spent much of it outside. We went to Pet Smart today and adopted a new member of the family named Sam! He is a border collie, about 2 years old. Sam is needing to be trained and although I have no experience with dog training, I think we can learn together. He seems to be wonderfully intelligent and already is learning to fetch and bring back. The bringing back was a little tricky, but he is getting the hang of it.

I wanted to share with you my new hobby. This spring I am taking a beginner's wine class. I cant believe how much I have learned. I really never liked red wine before this class, now I know why. I always poured wine into glass, and drank it, nasty!!! Wine has to breathe, it has to take time to mellow and let all the tannins evaporate. Then it is this incredible experience especially with chocolate! I am having a great time with 2 of my friends and learning something new at the same time. We have toured winery's before and although I loved white wine, just never got the red wine. But, I'm growing and expanding my horizons. Hope your having a great week.

Lorri

New Cookbooks!

Hi everyone! So happy to have finally bought copies of Trisha Yearwood cookbooks. They have been on my wish list for some time now. I usually cant afford paying full price for a book, so I wait it out on Ebay and lady luck finally smiled on me! Love the simple recipes and great photos in the cookbooks and cant wait to make something this weekend.

Most of the recipes seem to be very simple and most can be made in less than 30 minutes. That is my kind of meal! I spend lots of time in the kitchen during the weekend, but weekdays I am all for something quick and easy! If you get a chance to browse through it in the bookstore I think you will be pleased.

Have a great week and see you soon!

Logans First Christmas

Logan has such a rough life, he spends the day entertaining his grandparents. Growing, eating,talking and making life so wonderful for those who are blessed to be around him.

In his spare time, he is a superhero! He has several costumes,but Superman is his favorite. He goes about doing good all day long. He makes complete strangers smile and lifts the spirits of everyone around him. Whew! Its tough being in demand so much of the time.

At night, he is just tuckered out. Mickey keeps him warm while he dreams of all the adventures he will have another day.

What fun we had yesterday! Our family is completely in love with this little squidgy, soft bundle of joy. He made our Christmas very special and certainly one to always remember! Enjoy your weekend.