My First Favorite Song Ever

TobyMac Rocks!

Until recently I've never been one to have a favorite anything, but at nearly forty years old I finally have a favorite song! The most exciting part of the song is the first few seconds at the deep base "boom boom" part.

Happy Father's Day Everybody!

If it weren't for fathers none of us would be here today.
Treat Him to . . .

Baked French Toast Casserole with Maple Syrup
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (I cut mine into cubes instead). (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup. (I melted the topping before topping and didn't serve it with maple syrup. It's plenty sweet already).

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole.

Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Inactive Prep Time: 8 hours
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Episode#: PA1B23
Copyright © 2006 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved


I treated John and the kids to this this morning along with a fruit salad of kiwi, bananas and strawberries.

Sorry I don't have a picture.

Next time . . .

Big Pink Pillow

I made my first purchase with my birthday money today. Behold my new pink pillow.

Natalie Learns to Sew

Natalie took a quilting class last week. Pictured is her at the sewing machine and her with the project she finished at home today. There is a video too of her working on it.

Doughnut Anyone?

Last night I watched a bit of FoodTV. Alton Brown made doughnuts. True to form, I then wanted a doughnut dunked in hot coffee because that's what he did; so this morning John, Brent and I walked to Crest Donuts for fried cake batter.

Ginger followed us as far as the park, waited for us and met us on our way home.

Hi Ginger.

All in One Day

We, John, Kevin, Natalie, and I, left the house this morning by 7:30am to make it to Dupar's in the Los Angeles Farmer's Market for breakfast. We had french toast, pancakes, bacon, a mushroom omelet and coffee. Very good. So good, John said, "We should come back here some time". Yea! From there we went to my newly revisited favorite store, Surfas. They sell all things gourmet and everything kitchen. Since I was there last, which was a couple of years ago, they've moved into a new bigger space. Now they sell even more cool stuff! Below is a picture of their walkway entering the store. See that? There are kitchen gadgets imprinted right in the concrete! How cool is that! I'm still reeling . . .



If you're wondering, I only bought three little things and spent only $10. Two clear plastic tongs (one large, one small) for serving salad at potlucks and a flat whisk came home with me today.



After all that, we went to the beach. Santa Monica Beach. It was a little on the cold side so we didn't go in the water, but we did soak up some sun rays and collect shells. Then we visted the pier, where the picture above was taken. From there we made the trek to 3rd Street Promenade for some Johnnie's pizza. After dinner we purused the shops a bit before stopping into Coffee Bean and Tree Leaf for some coffee and hot chocolate. From there we headed back to Ridgecrest. And here we are, home again, home again . . .

Our Latest Adventure - Memorial Day Weekend

Here John and I are ready to backpack overnight. Our plan was to hike through Cottonwood Lakes, but like Mt. Whitney you now need a reservation to hike there. We did not know that and as of Saturday morning we did not have a reservation, so we went with plan B; we hiked through Casa Vieja just past the Black Rock Ranger Station in Kennedy Meadows. This was my first overnight backpacking trip ever.

Here is a photo of the inviting unassuming trail head.

Here is the destination spot. Just between the sandy area and the area covered with trees is a nice little creek with a hot spot.

Here I am on day two in a meadow still two miles from the car.

Overall the trip was good. I would do it again. I guess. The nightime was not too cold for sleeping. The hike was a little grueling, especially on the way back (it was all uphill) but not unbearable. Unlike Cottonwood Lakes, Casa Vieja is at the elevation level where you can still breath normally while hiking. June 9th we're planning to hike in the June Lakes area.

Bizcochitos

My mom used to make these many years ago. She says she got the recipe from either Gourmet or New Mexico magazine.

Bizcochitos
From New Mexico, also called: Galletas, Biscochitos, Biscochos

Cream:
1 cup lard (or half lard, half butter)
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg - lightly beaten
1 1/2 tsp anise seed - crushed to release more flavor

In a separate bowl, stir:
1 1/2 cups wheat flour
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

1/4 cup water

Mix:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Stir flour mixture into creamed mixture, add water until smooth.
Refrigerate.
Roll pieces of dough 1/8 inch thick on floured surface, cut into shapes.
Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Bake at 350 for 12 - 15 minutes until they are golden.
Transfer to racks to cool, store in airtight container for 5 days before serving (if you can, I suppose it allows the flavors to meld, but I eat them right away).

Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I finally finished the bag I was going to make for you at Christmastime. The fabric is greener in person. It's inspired by the green rolling hills of Tennessee and of course your poodles. I hope like it.

I Love You.

Disneyland with Kevin and John

Here is a picture of Kevin and me standing in line of the "new" Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland a couple of weeks ago. Kevin went with his school band to learn about quick site reading. John and I went to support Kevin. The group had a short lesson then played some Disney movie theme music. The Disney team then dubbed the recorded into animated film clips. They played some music from Peter Pan, Aladin, and some other one. We saw the clips at the school last week at a recital performance. It was the first time we saw the result of their Disney session. It was very cute.