weekend stuff, a pumpkin and a nummy breakfast!

Well, from yesterday's pictures, my weekend update pretty much is self-explanatory.  We headed up to Idaho to the ranch with the B's, celebrated Quayd's birthday and had a great little restful vacation.  I'm still amazed at how it felt to be unplugged completely all weekend.  Having no Internet at the ranch meant lots of time to nap!  Wendy and I squeezed in as many card games as possible and the kids and the guys were outside on the bikes and trying out Quayd's new Walkie-Talkies, which really do work for miles!  It was all fun stuff!

I have to share one more photo of ZJ.  We were looking at the pix that I took and I noticed something on Zeej's face and asked "What is that?  Dirt?"  Gracie's eyes got big and she said, "It's the wasp!!"  Apparently, there was a wasp that was bugging ZJ for quite a while.  We noticed it in her hair and on her face in a few of the pix.  How did I as a mother not see this when it was alive!?  At this time of the year, they are very slow moving because of the cold.  I guess right after this photo, ZJ literally took it off her face and threw it away to freedom.  She's so funny.  (By the way, half of her hair is in a ponytail,  it's not really cut like that!  That's what vacation is like, right.)

Yesterday,  I was so impressed with a boy in the ward who gave his "farewell" talk before leaving for his mission to Washington.  WOW.  This boy is prepared and will be a great missionary.  I was very touched by his humility...something that's not often seen in young men today.  He was followed by one of our High Counselors who always gives great talks but yesterday...wow!  He was amazing.  It was truly an edifying meeting, one that will stand out for quite some time.  I do love our new ward!

 A trick:  Since numbers are such a big "in" thing these days, here's a quick and simple way to make your home a little more festive.  Using craft paint, paint the numbers of your home on pumpkins and then stack them.  You can drill a  hole through the top and bottom of the pumpkins and use pieces of dowel to hold them together or simply use gorilla clue to attach them.  Place them in a big urn or just set them on the steps.  Festive, fun and most simple!

The treat that I share this morning is a must try.  I'm thinking that, if I'm asked, this will be the breakfast that we prepare for the Corbridge Reunion next summer.  It was divine! 

 
Baked French Toast Casserole

   1 loaf French bread
8 large eggs
1  1/2 cups half-and-half
1  1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt

Tear french bread (I used half Sara Lee multigrain bread and half french) into pieces that are about the size of a large marshmallow.  Cover the bottom of a well buttered 9 x 13"  pan. Combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a blender and mix until blended well. Pour mixture over the bread slices.  Cover the bread totally and use a spatula to make sure that it's saturated completely with the milk-egg mixture.  Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.  (I made it and only waited an hour or so before baking.  It was just fine.)

Topping:

1/2 cup butter 
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

 Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well.  Spread topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes at 350 until puffy and golden. Serve with maple syrup.

 In a world where you can be anything, BE YOURSELF!

Comments

I love your idea with the pumpkins! So pretty! I would love to have something like that at home.

[Nicole]

Cute idea with the pumpkins! That recipe is a must for our Christmas day breakfast. Thanks Sophia!

[Pamela K.]

I make that french toast casserole every Christmas. Make it the day before and heat it in the oven while we are opening presents. Yum! That's a great trick with the pumpkins. Thanks for sharing!