This morning we were invited to a friends house for a brunch. The friends who we were with are all friends who we use to have breakfast with once a month before moving to California. It was great to sit and visit around the table and catch up on simple everyday happenings, which is what makes friendships so great. It doesn’t take a lot of important happenings or earth shattering circumstances to make lasting friendships.
When we moved back here from California, I thought it would be easy coming back to Texas, because after all, it was our home. But, 4 years ago, I thought that moving to California was one of those “bends in the road”. But the truth is, it wasn’t. We truly fell in love with the beauty of California, the home that God had given us there, not to mention the friendships that were developed while we lived there. We were feeling very settled and oh so comfortable in the new environment that we had truly grown to love. But, once again, comes that “bend in the road” that we were not prepared for, moving back to Texas. I guess I fought it more than I expected.
After 8 months of being back, we are really beginning to feel like we are “home”, again. It has taken us a little longer than we anticipated, but days like today remind us that good friends are what makes life so sweet. We know that when we go back to California for visits, we will fit right in again, as that’s just the kind of people they are out there. But, just like this morning, as we all sat around the living room laughing and telling stories of grandkids, vacations and in-law stories, it was as if we had never left. It is times like today that make us feel so blessed to have great friends in our lives, no matter our location. Our lives have been so impacted by people who have reached out to us and loved us, even across State lines. We love you all and are thankful for so many precious friends God has put in our lives…that is what makes a heart feel at home. Thank ya’ll for not forgetting us!
Pam served scones, an egg casserole, fruit and she asked if I would bring French toast. My favorite recipe for baked French toast is from The Pioneer Woman. Everyone always loves it and ask for the recipe. Pam ask me to write it down before leaving her house. So here it is:
Butter for greasing the 9×13 baking dish
1 loaf of Crusty Sourdough or French Bread, cubed
8 whole eggs
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tables vanilla
Topping
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 teas cinnamon (I used 2)
1/2 teas salt (oops, I forgot to add that to mine)
1 stick cold butter
Warm syrup for serving
1 cup fresh blueberries for serving if desired
For the French toast, place cubed bread in greased baking dish, evenly over bottom. Crack the eggs in a large bowl and whisk with milk, cream, both sugars and vanilla. Pour evenly over bread cubes. Cover and place in fridge over night or if needed, you can spread the topping and bake immediately. I think it is better made the night before.
Topping:
Cut the cold butter in slices and mix with the brown sugar and flour with pastry blender until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can add 1 cup chopped pecans if you want. Right before you put the toast in the over, sprinkle topping over the bread and bake for 1 hour at 325, then after the hour, decrease oven to 300 and bake about 20-30 min longer, depending on how crisp you want the French toast. Serve with more butter, syrup and fresh blueberries.
This served 14 of us today along with the egg casserole, scones and fruit. If it is your only entrée, I think it would serve only 8.
Chocolate Castles as wel 