French Toast Bake

I found a really good recipe for overnight french toast.  I usually am not organized enough at night to prepare anything at night to be cooked the following day, but I love this recipe.

I made this while we were on vacation with the lovely's family because we had two loaves of white bread left by mid-week and I knew we were not going to go through these in three days.

Great way to wow your family on vacay folks. 

Of course I must give credit...http://sheldonrachel.blogspot.com/2009/03/french-toast-bake.html.

But in case you don't want to click on this gal's blog, here's the recipe:

French Toast Bake

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions

1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar....stir till mixed.
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan....spread around
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup (I don't do the syrup part)

Have we talked about this before?

There's been a concept that has been on my mind the past few months.  In this day and time, if something isn't going right in your life...or you're just stuck (i.e. weight, keep getting into the same type of weird relationships, or just repeating mishaps)...

It seems there's got to be something behind why we do grow out of the problem even when we've identified and may even come to terms with it. 

For  me, it's my weight.  I am an emotional eater.  It's not hunger.  I'm using this example because it feels like I have spent the majority of this blog killing this subject to death.

Here's the biggie:  regardless of why, what, when I eat...THE RESULT WILL STILL HAVE TO BE THE SAME...portion control and to move my body.

I have been yo-yoing a lot this summer.  I've gained and lost the same four pounds and as I am barely breathing in my size 8's, I am frustrated with thoughts of why I put myself through this cycle over and over. 

Time to just get over myself and just do it. Portion control and exercise.
So simple, yet I stumble time and time again.

Life has been happenin' y'all and I almost forgot I had a little blog. We've had just a busy summer and with taking kids to the pool everyday for swim practice, play dates with buddies to make the summer festive, and all those family vacations.

Let me tell you, growing up our summers were spent in a small, little apartment or later on a very, very small house and watching my sisters and brother.  When I was around twelve, I had to take a bus at 5:30am to work in the strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry fields.  I did this every summer until I turned sixteen and could get a job inside (thank you Lord!).

Now with my children, it's so different with me being home.  I've been able to let them be kids. Just let them play.  Being able to go from a barely able-to swimmer to taking on Lake Chelan with speed and confidence was worth every minute I spent taking them to swim practice. 

Their endurance and confidence has skyrocketed.  I am grateful for the difference in my childhood vs. my children because of my being able to stay home with them and for a terrific hubby who works hard in order to make it possible.

I still can't believe my kids have to go back to school next week.  Not being able to see my kids for six hours straight is stressing me out. 

S.E. and I went to Seattle for a my cousin's wedding.  This trip was just a mommy and S.E. trip.  We left Koo at home with dad.  S.E. and I chatted for five hours about Koo, Kindle Fire games, friends, and music.

His favorite song at the moment is "Payphone" by Maroon Five (which I have come to like because of him).  We listened to the song at least twenty times.  It reminded me of when I was young and was obsessed with "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.  Still do.

It was nice for S.E. to go on a trip without Koo and as my lovely husband says, gives them a chance to miss each other.

S.E. told me he did not miss Koo but when he got home, he ran to meet up with Koo for a BIG hug.  S.E. does not do hugs well. Teared up I tell ya.

Finally...the big reveal...

We got a boat.  A very neglected and dirty boat caused by 20 years of sitting unprotected in a lake in the Pacific Northwest.  You name, it had it: mold, rot, dead bugs, pine needles, and smelly...

We got it cheap. The motor resuscitated by my awesome father who happens to own an outboard motor shop (that's how we got the boat).

The lovely and I worked together for over two months.  He pulled all the old carpeting, primed, and painted the entire inside of the boat making it rust and rot resistant (which a totally appreciate because I do NOT want to sink).  Then he re-carpeted the boat with new carpet (yay!!!).

For my part, I pulled thousands of staples, sewed, restapled all the upholstery.  I even did a bit of applique (Go Cougs!) and what we have now is a great boat for our family to enjoy.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips!!!

Drove 1 1/2 hours with my gal pal to a book signing of "The Great Escape" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips!!

She's my top 3 most favorite authors.  She rocks the contemporary romance genre.  I got the book on Tuesday and finished last night in anticipation of meeting her.

She is as funny and witty as her books. We got to ask questions, she told us stories of how she came up with some of the characters.  Loved it.  If you're going on vacation and need a good book-grab one by her.  She never disappoints.  Ever.

Facebook and Friends

How do you like Facebook?  I'm kind of on the fence.  I have an account.  For a long time, I did not have one and it kept me from seeing pictures of my extended family and I would be the last to know about anything.

I caved in and have had for a couple of years now.  I feel like a lurker. I enjoy reading about what is going on in my friends' lives.  However, I'm not certain of how interactive I should be. 

What I mean is, how much do you talk about what is written on FB?  Like if someone had surgery or going through a rough spot, I feel awful for them and want to help but sometimes-people just want to vent.  How do you go about coming across caring but not noisy?

I am leaning towards shutting down my account.  Most of my life I've felt like a dork and FB reminds me I am still a dork with words...what to do...?!