Blackberry French Toast Casserole

When I went to the ornament exchange party/brunch hosted by Wendy of Simply Brookes, one of the casseroles she served was a Blackberry French Toast Casserole.

I think she got the recipe from Kristy at Mi Casa - San Diego (that's the person I would call for a good recipe recommendation, too).  Fortunately for me, Wendy put a link to the recipe on her blog.

I will include it here also:

• 1 cup Blackberry Jam
• 1 loaf (12 Oz. Loaf) French Bread Loaf, Cut Into 1 1/2 Inch Cubes
• 8 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Cubed
• 4 whole Large Eggs
• 2 cups Half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• ½ cups Firmly Brown Sugar

Cook jam in a small saucepan over medium heat 1 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring once.

Place half of the bread cubes in the bottom of a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Top with cream cheese cubes and drizzle with melted jam. Top with remaining bread cubes.

Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, cinnamon, and vanilla. Pour over the bread mixture. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Cover tightly and chill 8 to 24 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Bake covered 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 10 to 15 minutes more or until bread is golden brown and mixture is set. Serve with desired toppings such as maple syrup or whipped cream

I was going to make this while our house guests were here but I couldn't get my act together (sorry house guests).

 I made it today because one of my kids is going away to camp.

The recipe called for 1 cup of blackberry jam, but I had a jar with a little less than 12 ounces and I used the whole thing.  I didn't think a little extra jam would hurt.  The recipe also says you can top it with maple syrup or whipped cream, but honestly, I don't think it needs a thing.

Except a cup of coffee and a back porch.  Thanks for the recipe Wendy and Kristy.

Do you have any great breakfast recipes?

Giant Bubbles

The nice lady at The Home Depot wanted to

know what I was going to do with this pile of stuff.

Make giant bubbles, of course.

Here is a link to my post last summer that has the recipe.

I just love making these bubbles.

Once you start making bubbles, it's hard to stop.

Sometimes we do this at night.

They seem to last longer without the hot sun.
So if you drive by my house late, you might see
people in polka dot pajamas making huge bubbles in the dark.
That's hot.

This cutie took most of the photos.

Mesmerizing.

There was also a sneak hug attack after the bubbles.

And then, unfortunately, our

amazing, wonderful, beloved house guests

had to go on their way.