Guess Who's Birthday is Today?

Happy Birthday Jennifer! Hope you enjoy your day to the fullest.

Shannon's Shower

Berry-Stuffed French Toast

This recipe is actually in the family cookbook but I thought I'd post it. It is of course, as almost all my recipes are, from a Taste of Home Cookbook. I usually make one "breakfast" supper each week. I made this last week and I forgot how good it was! The now closed Honey Dew resturant use to have a French Toast Marcel that had an orange sauce but the french toast was filled with a cream cheese base. This reminds me of that.


BERRY-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

RASPBERRY SYRUP:

2 cups unsweetened raspberries
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

FRENCH TOAST:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
18 slices sourdough bread (I usually use Vienna Bread and sometimes French Bread)
1/2 cup raspberry preserves (I don't always have raspberry jam so I use strawberry)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 eggs
1/2 cup half and half cream
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Confectioners’ sugar and additional berries, optional

For syrup, combine raspberries, brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered, for 5-7 minutes or until syrup is desired consistency. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sour cream. Spread about 3 tablespoons on each slice of bread. Combine preserves and vanilla; spread over cream cheese mixture on 9 slices. Top with remaining bread, cream cheese down, to make a sandwich. In a shallow bowl, combine the eggs, cream and cinnamon. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture. Cook on a hot greased griddle for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Cut in half diagonally. If desired, sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar and garnish with raspberries. Serve with raspberry syrup.

Family Reunion

The Family Reunion/Anniversary Party was a HUGE success. We REALLY had a great time. The weather cooperated for the most part. Saturday night for the Song Services was a bit chilly but we just bundled up. This State Park was really a nice park. I posted almost all of our pictures. I put most in collage form for space. I realize that I didn't get too many pictures of our family. Brad, Larissa, Wade, Brett or the twins but they were there!

Jeanie Gets a New Bike

I tell you, if you ever need anything, just mention it to Auntie Lisa. Monday I had mentioned that Danny needed a bike. Tuesday she called me from Salvation Army saying all their bikes were 1/2 price and there was one like Paul's that Danny might like. I asked if there were any girl mountain bikes for Jeanie but there wasn't. Yesterday she called me from a garage sale and said there was a girls 6-speed bike, did I want her to get it? I don't think I'll do any garage saleing this year. I'll just let Lisa know what I'm looking for! (This bike came with a black seat but it had a small rip in it. Jeanie was NOT happy about that so she took the seat off of her old bike and put it on this one. So it may not match real well but it doesn't have a rip!)

Danny Gets a New Bike

Lisa found this bike at the Salvation Army. Their bikes were half price. We picked it up Tuesday night. He was so excited! Exclaiming, "I love it!" Then he tried to ride it. He had trouble. He came in complaining, "I hate my bike! It's too hard!" But then yesterday after school, he tried it again and mastered it. Now once again, "I love it!!!!"