Saturday Morning French Toast

It's Saturday morning, what could be more appropriate than sharing one of my favorite breakfast recipes? Let me begin by admitting that I have never been a big fan of big breakfasts. Well, making them at least. I hate slaving over the oven making french toast and pancakes and handing them out one at a time. Nobody ends up eating together, and I am the last person to eat; which is difficult for an impatient person like myself. I love french toast, and make the sacrifice for myself and my family on occasion. Until, that is, I found this great recipe. It eliminates my big breakfast pet peeves. I spend maybe ten minutes getting it ready, and then pop it into the oven and let it bake while I sit and visit freely with family. And best of all, we all sit down and eat it together. (Recipe pulled from my AllRecipes.com "recipe box".)

French Toast Casserole

Rated: 4.5/5 Submitted By: STARFLOWER Photo By: foodaholic Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 50 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 20 Minutes Servings: 6

"Tastes good for breakfast, just like French toast. It's easy to make too! Serve warm with maple syrup on top."

Ingredients:

5 cups bread cubes 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups milk 1/4 cup white sugar, divided

1/4 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon margarine, softened 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly butter an 8x8 inch baking pan.
2.	Line bottom of pan with bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and vanilla. pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes.
3.	Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45 to 50 minutes, until top is golden.

Easter Gift Idea

It seems like around each holiday, we are looking for creative and festive ways to give a gift to those we associate with. Whether it is your neighbors, someone you visit, teachers, co-workers, friends/family, or even a small party favor... we are always trying to come up with a holiday inspired gift. When I saw this idea over at "Creative Holiday Gift Ideas blog", I had to document it for future use. I can see myself using this darling yet simple idea for years to come. It sure beats slaving over several dozens of cookies, yes, this is my type of thing.

INGREDIENTS AND DIRECTIONS:
1. Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs.
2. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1 quart jar.
3. Place 8 marshmallow bunny peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.
4. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.
5. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the bunnies, pressing down to keep it snug.
6. On top of this pour 1-1/4 cup Easter M&M's.
7. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.
My changes: I did M&M's first, then Peeps, then put combined brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs in baggie. I didn't like how the crumbs made a mess in the jar. Attach a gift tag giving the following instructions:
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the bunnies into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bunny bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars. (Makes 9 to 12 bars.) *Option - leave bunnies whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the bunnies on top; then bake as directed. *This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available.
**Here is a card you can print with your jars... they are 3x3 size. **

Easter Centerpiece

Isn't this a darling way to decorate an Easter table? I love the pastel buckets with ribbons to serve treats- what a cute and creative idea! And the simple easter eggs hung from the chairs is just darling too. I wish the Easter holiday was warm and blooming with flowers here in Utah. All our Easter pictures are in winter coats! I will dream of spring.

A Mother's Day Gift Idea

I thought this was a darling, inexpensive gift idea to give to the Grandm-a's in your life. Nothing melts your heart more than tiny little hand prints. For someone like me, who only has one child at the time, I thought a hand print and foot print would be just as darling. It would also be a cute piece to hang in your child's room. This is definitely an idea I want to try.

More Kids Wall Art

I am expecting a little boy in a few months and I have an animal themed nursery. I don't have anything hanging over the crib yet, and I thought creating three pieces of art, such as this, and printing them on to canvas would be darling. One thing I love about printing onto canvas is that it is safe. I think it looks so good to have art hanging over a bed, but always worry about doing so in case there were an earthquake or something... shattered glass... it makes me shudder. But the lightweight, and fabric of canvas art give me piece of mind without sacrificing style.

Easter Inspirations

I am a slacker these days, I have been terrible at keeping up the old blog. But I was having a little spring fever today and decided to check out some spring time decorating ideas. It was refreshing. I have to share these cute ideas. I am thinking about getting the girls together to make some of these cute cupcakes or something. Maybe host a cute little Easter party for the kids or something. A little party would open up lots of fun ideas. I think I've convinced myself.
*All images are courtesy of the amazing Martha Stewart team! Love their stuff.*