It was a Kitchen Christmas (and I couldn't be happier!!!)

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Many of us girls have (had) a rule that Christmas Gifts should not be anything that helps in food preparation or cooking - most certainly when they were from your husband!! That gift was supposed to be personal, intimate, small; containing something shiny and sparkly, and in my case, something certified at 1 carat EACH! that belonged in my ears!!!!!

SIDE NOTE: I am kind of digressing as this is the gift I'd always wanted but never received, and it was a battle between my Wonderful Man and I that continued over many years - still unresolved.   He has refused to purchase these for me on the basis of "principle".   He is fine with small earnings, just thinks the larger ones look too "showy".  My argument always was that "wife happy" trumps "principle"!!     In reality, these shiny, sparkling pieces of rock, that would rest on my ears ever so perfectly constantly displaying my husband's undying affection, mean nothing to me anymore!  (Smile!!!)

ANYWAY, I really, truly had the best Christmas.   My Family Heard Me....and they Responded!!!   You know I've been cooking (or at least trying to!).   What I haven't commented on is what I've been working with in the kitchen.   Many (most?) of my utensils and accessories are from when we were first married!!   And that's about 25 years ago!!   I remember at my shower getting several wooden spoons thinking "What do people use these for and why do I need 10?"    I am down to one in my house!!!  One!!!  That is not acceptable.   I was baking with a good friend this year and she had like 20!!!!   I was so jealous.   So over these past months, I've mentioned my lack of tools and I was rewarded with the following:

• Boy1 asked for ideas and I mentioned the spoons.  He couldn't find any.  Instead he gave me an entire "Kitchen Accessory Set" complete with new measuring cups and spoons.   As well, with no prompting, he purchased two new Oven Mitts - in my colors!!!   His comment was "I saw those and thought, you know I think we still are using the mitts I played with as a toddler, maybe she'd like these".    I LOVE THEM!!!!
• Boy2 asked for no ideas and ......   I got Wooden Spoons and a Bamboo salad utensil set.  And he didn't even talk to his brother or anything.   See, there is a God - in case someone out there was still questioning!
• Wonderful Man.  Oh, he listens and pays attention!!!  We have no decent knives.  When your kids ask "do we not own one sharp knife in this house?", there's a problem (besides the obvious question of what are your kids doing with knives?)    I received a wonderful set of knives!   They are pretty and shiny (he got that part right!!!) and work fabulously!!!  And, I got a shiny colander and a beautiful, large glass measuring cup!    These are all things that he heard me complain about.  And he listened.   Is that not great??   (He also got me a beautiful cross necklace that I had asked for - so he even got that personal, small-box gift right!!!)

So, my kitchen is organized.  (I actually spent the day after Christmas organizing all my recipes in a program on my computer.  Very cool!)  I have new "tools" and sharp instruments.    AND....I haven't cooked since Christmas.   :D

Action Required

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

I like this quote.   Its kind of a mantra that recognizes not all people are in the same place; but  you need to work to your potential in whatever place you are.   I often think people let their current circumstances or past define them, and then simply do not try.   Much can be done with very little.   And you can't underestimate the "ripple effect"; the waves of action that may spur someone else on to do more, and so on, and so on.....

Our Christmas this year was simple by comparison standards.   Not as many gifts or near as much money spent as in past years.   YET, it was one of the best times we've had.   Our gifts were somewhat practical - and yet both boys walked away very thankful and happy!    Our whole Christmas season took on a simplified approach:  less decorating, less gifts, less hustle and bustle.   And it was just what we needed.     I walked away feeling very blessed and thankful for my husband and kids, and wonderful friends, and family!

Of course following Christmas is New Year's and those "resolutions" and goals!!!  That's a big one for me.   I'm halfway through my "year" to re-create my life; the first part was the realization that it needed re-creating and then just what I needed to work on.   I view this next six months as the work-period; a time of great action on my part.   I am feeling (mentally, physically) ready for that!!   Today anyway - :D !!  

Great Way to Start the Day!

Christmas was a wonderful and joyful time.  Quiet and small in comparison to previous times, but peaceful and good.   Definitely a kitchen Christmas which I will explain at a later time, but for now I want to share a piece of heaven that we discovered!   This is not for the faint-hearted or those counting calories!!!

We had a brunch on Christmas Eve that was so good, we think this is a tradition we are going to keep.   Boy2 made the best egg-scramble, complete with hasbrowns and maple sausage, onions and mushrooms.   Very tasty!  But the heavenly part came from the Baked French Toast.   Prepared the night before and baked that morning, this was just to die for!!!  

Baked French Toast

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 40 Minutes Ready In: 15 Hours Servings: 12

"A sweet and sumptuous baked French toast recipe which is prepared the night before and baked in the morning."

INGREDIENTS:

1 (1 pound) loaf French bread, cut diagonally in 1 inch slices 8 eggs 2 cups milk 1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3/4 cup butter 1 1/3 cups brown sugar 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Butter a 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange the slices of bread in the bottom. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over bread slices, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
2.	The next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and corn syrup; heat until bubbling. Pour over bread and egg mixture.
3.	Bake in preheated oven, uncovered, for 40 minutes.