Happy Friday, everyone!!  Sorry, no pictures to post in this one! :o(

Boy, where to start!  I have been so busy lately, which I’m sure many of you can relate!  I’ve been working on some craft projects, which I’ll share in later post,  but mostly, I’ve been working on mundane things like washing windows and removing the screens, putting away patio furniture (which snowballed into cleaning and rearranging the garage to accommodate stuff), cleaning out flowerbeds and planters, putting away summer clothes and getting out the winter ones (which led into cleaning and organizing the closets) and all of the other wonderful things that need to get done before winter arrives.  And when you add those on top of the already every day things like cleaning, cooking, laundry and shopping, it makes for a very busy day!

I apologize for slacking off in leaving comments on your blogs or returning emails or even communicating on other social forums.  I’ve been on periodically to check in to see what’s going on, but have been horrible about making my presence known!  I do try to keep up!!  I even went to the extent of buying a laptop from my sister Val’s place of employment. (They buy numerous laptops to use in setting up programs and networks for businesses and colleges, and when they’re done with them, they sell them for half of the price you’d pay for a new one!)  It has been so convenient to be able to pop online throughout the day in between doing tasks.  The other night dinner was a matter of “let this simmer for 15 minutes and then add that and let simmer for another 10 minutes” type of meal and it was great because, instead of running downstairs to my family room to use my desktop, I had my laptop sitting on the kitchen counter and while things were simmering, I popped online and read a couple of blogs!  The only draw back is – I don’t like the keyboard!!  It has such a different feel to it than a regular desktop keyboard and I’m having a hard time getting adjusted to it.  So that’s partially to blame for me not leaving comments also.

 

On to my “Back-to-School Fall Recipe”!  I completely forgot about posting one last week, so I sincerely apologize for that!!  Again, it was that “being too busy” thing!  lol  I make this recipe ALOT!!  Every year we do a brunch for 2 of my kids’ birthdays, which are both in January, and this is much requested dish!  It’s very easy to make and quite delicious!

French Toast Bake

1 loaf day-old French bread

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1/2 c. chopped pecans

1/3 c. raisins (optional)

6 eggs

2 c. milk

1 c. maple syrup – divided

1/3 c. light brown sugar

1/3 c. melted butter

Spray 9x13 pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Cut French bread into 1” pieces.  Place bread in baking dish until it mounds up high.  Add cinnamon, walnuts, pecans, and raisins. 

Beat together the eggs, milk and 3/4 c. syrup.  Pour over bread mixture.  Sprinkle top with brown sugar, melted butter and 1/4 c. syrup.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Serve with hot maple syrup.

As always, if you’d like to see who else is participating in Colleen’s (And Baby Makes Five)  recipe pool, click here:

 

This will be the last week for the Back-to-School recipe pool.  Colleen is starting a new recipe swap next Friday called  “Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap”.  I’m really looking for to it!!  Thanks, Colleen, for a fun way to share our recipes!!

 I hope everyone enjoys the Halloween weekend!!

Until Next Time. . . .Kris