Merry Christmas!

Baked French Toast

Baked French Toast Casserole

1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces) 

8 large eggs

2 cups half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dash salt

Praline Topping

1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter, melted

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Cube bread. I buy day old bread. You can get creative and try the cinnamon bread or the challah bread, croissants, etc. 

Mix eggs, milk, vanilla, and salt in blender. Toss with bread cubes in large bowl. Transfer to a greased baking pan, I like to use a half sheet pan which is larger than a 9x13 so it does not bake over the sides. It will fit in a 9x13 just be sure to bake it with something under it to catch any goo that bakes over. 

Melt butter and mix in the rest of the ingredients for the praline topping. For my family I add 3/4 cup of coconut. You can skip the pecans if you don't like them. Pour over the bread mixture. 

At this point you can slide it into the refrigerator and bake it the next morning or cover it with foil and freeze it. I get a total kick out of popping a frozen pan of this stuff in the oven before I go to bed and setting time bake and waking up to breakfast ready to go. 

Bake @ 350 for 45 min to an hour. It is nice to give it some time to set before eating it. 

Serve with fresh fruit of your choice and whipped cream. 

Maybe I can get a picture of the finished product one day. It would be pretty to bake individual portions in ramekins. 

It looks a lot like this.

December

I was sneaking away to the office to do some crafting. Using what I have. Old pillowcase, stray board. 

The electrician fixing his own service. Thanks to the dog. 

Early in the morning on the same day that the dog ripped the Internet/ phone line off the house, the electrician was caught rubbing said dog behind her ears. He later said many unkind things about her. 

Happy. Applesauce is made. 

Run to the store and gather the ingredients to make Beef Bourguignon. It might change your life. If you serve it with mashed potatoes make sure that you cook your potatoes long enough before you try to mash them, especially if your mother in law is coming for Sunday dinner.

Bless the person who sent that copper mug to goodwill. Do you ever wonder how stuff ends up there? Most homedecor  stores have mugs like this on their shelves right now... So?

Stuart got his very first professional haircut. He was not thrilled but I think he will go back without a fight. 

14 years

My Mom is always knocking it out of the park with her decorations at the Harrisburg Christmas show.