~Strawberry French Toast and A Cookbook Winner~

I'm sharing another one of my cookbook recipes with you today.  I started making Strawberry French Toast for our B&B guests after it became an instant hit with my family.   It's one of those dishes that you prepare the night before and then all you have to do is stick it in the oven in the morning!  Those types of dishes work really well for me as I'm not really a morning person.  What?  Yeah, hard to believe, huh?  A non-morning person getting up at the crack of dawn to prepare a gourmet breakfast for B&B guests.  It was definitely God working in me to be able to do that and, I must say, it brought me great joy.

 This is one easy-peasy recipe but it is so yummy!  It's pretty self-explanatory so I won't bore you with more details.  Though I haven't tried it, I'm sure any type of berry could be used.  And the recipe could easily be cut in half if necessary....but who would want to? lol

And I have a really scientific method for choosing the winner of my Breakfast & Brunch Cookbook.  You'll be impressed ;)  I haven't figured out how to number my comments (someone help me?) and I don't have that random generator thingy downloaded either, so I just had my hubby, Mr. Bill, choose a number and I had him verify his choice...

Impressive, huh?  Thank goodness there weren't a hundred jillion comments and I only had to count down to #11.  I found that it belongs to Kerin, one of my dear blogging friends, from Always Fixin', Never Sittin'.  Kerin said..."I'd have to say, I'm both a baker and a cook.  I love to do both, and do both on a regular basis.  Nothing like a home cooked meal!"
Congratulations, Kerin!  I'll send you an email so that I can get your mailing address.
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Thank you for all of those who entered.  If, by chance, you would like to purchase one of my cookbooks, you can do so at the My Store page on this blog.

 



 It's a beautiful day today.  I pray that you are able to find a little beauty in your day as well~

 

~Breakfast at Suppertime and a Cookbook Giveaway~

When my three children were growing up, having a full-fledge breakfast at suppertime was a common occurrence.  Instead of cereal, oatmeal, Eggo waffles, or scrambled eggs and toast that were boring familiar meals the kids received during the week, I could prepare more dishes that took a little more time and effort to prepare.  Plus, it was a nice alternative to our normal evening fares usually found at the dining table.

I don't know why, but over the last few years, I haven't been preparing those "breakfast at suppertime" meals.  Maybe because it's just the two of us now or maybe just because I've gotten lax with my meal preparations and have gotten stuck in a rut.  Probably more of the latter, I think. :)

Anyway, last week, I had a hankerin' (does anyone use that phrase anymore?)...I had a hankerin' for a good ol' breakfast type meal.  So, I pulled out a cookbook that is chock full of breakfast and brunch recipes.

Yes, that's a picture of our home as you come up the drive.

Oh look!  Does the title look familiar..."country road"??  Yep, I put together this cookbook several years ago when I operated a bed and breakfast in our new home.  More about that in a bit, but let's get to the food!!

 

One recipe that I used quite often for our guests is the "Sausage Brunch Casserole".  It's easy, it's filling and, more importantly, it's yummy!!  I was really tired when I made this last week and forgot to take pictures!!  But I did have a picture that I had clipped out of the original magazine taped next to the recipe.  I'm a visual kind of person.

 

You will need these ingredients:

Pork sausage

Green onions

Mushroom stems and pieces

Tomatoes

Mozzarella Cheese

Pancake mix (Bisquick works)

Eggs

Milk

Dried oregano

Salt

Pepper

 

I created this recipe for you to use and follow.  This dish really is simple to put together and makes quite a large amount.  I usually cut it in half and it easily serves 2 to 4 people.

 

I wanted a side dish of some sort but didn't want to make a quick bread or anything like that.  So, I found a recipe for a quick, light and easy apple crisp that was originally designed for two little ramekin type dishes.  Well, that wasn't going to be enough.  Seriously!! 

I revamped the recipe a bit by adding a nice, juicy pear and then tripling the crumbly topping.  And then I added a bit more butter and sugar.  Hehe.  I laugh because I'm not one to mess with recipes too much.  My kids give me a hard time about it and then my daughter-in-love made a good observation.  I am more of a baker rather than a cooker, which is true.  I love to cook but I'd MUCH rather bake.  It does require precise ingredients whereas cooking has more room to experiment.  Which are you...baker or cooker?

Just enough crunch and flavor to satisfy your sweet tooth without all the added calories.  I did remember to take a picture as an afterthought...before it was all gone!!

 

The ingredients for the Apple-Pear Crisp are:

Tart apples

Pear

Sugar

Quick-cooking oats (I only had old-fashioned)

All-purpose Flour

Brown sugar

Pecans (optional)

Butter

Vanilla extract

Cinnamon

Here's a printable recipe of my revamped version of the Apple Crisp I found in a different cookbook.  NOTE:  This recipe is NOT included in my Breakfast & Brunch cookbook.  Sorry :/

Okay, back to the cookbook.  When I started our bed and breakfast, I came across the idea to create a cookbook for our guests so that they could have a remembrance of staying here and also to have the recipes of dishes that I made for them (they always came from the cookbook).

 When designing I love to collect recipes and went through hundreds of them looking, specifically, for those related to breakfast and brunch.  I also asked for recipes from family members.

 Many of them are my favorites and family recipes that I have used throughout our marriage.  The Apple Pull Apart Bread shown above is one of them.  I shared that recipe with you not too long ago.

The Sunday Brunch Casserole is another go-to recipe that I prepared for our guests.

I had several hundred books published and managed to sell most of them before making the decision to close our beloved bed and breakfast due to my health issues.  But I still have several books that I am wanting to sell...no need to keep them all to myself.  But, first, I am wanting to give one away!!

Yes, I am having a cookbook giveaway!!  As if you didn't already know that by the title of this post...lol.  All you have to do is answer the question I posted earlier...are you a baker or a cooker?  Do you prefer to bake things like bread, brownies, cookies, pies and such or do you prefer to cook casseroles, soups, meats and veggies?  That's it!  If you're neither, then pass this giveaway on to others who would love the chance to win one of my cookbooks.  The giveaway will be open through November 15th.

Please be sure that I have your email address so that I can contact you.  The winner will be announced the following day and I would like to have this cookbook sent out right away.  Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday!  Can you belive it's almost here?  Goodness.

I pray you are having a wonderful start to your week ~

p.s.  I'll be sharing with you in a couple of days as to how you can purchase the cookbook ;)

You'll find me at these parties:
Cedar Hill Ranch Cowgirl Up

 

~Mountain Men and Apple Pull Apart Bread~

Yep, mountain men and Apple Pull Apart Bread.  They do have something in common.  What...you didn't know that?  Well, they kinda, sorta have something in common.  You'll see.  I promise.

Mr. Bill and I took off in our RV for a few days this last weekend up to near Bartlesville, OK.  It's less than two hours away but it still allows us time to unwind and relax.  Earlier this summer, I shared with you our trip up to Woolaroc where we learned that the preserve hosts the Mountain Man Rendezvous several times...in the Spring and Fall.  Well, the Fall event is here and we couldn't wait!  A major cold front was coming through but that didn't stop us from enjoying a fun time.

We were surprised to see so many canvas tents and teepees set up in this valley area that we visited during the summer.  Everything, and I mean everything, had to represent the era when the mountain man lifestyle was at its peak....around the 1840s.  The log style cabin in the top photos was the only one there..  Of course, an exception was made for the "Porta-Potties" to be used by the campers and visitors alike.  Thank goodness!! 

 

Everyone shows their wares...clothing, cooking/eating utensils, bedding, weapons.   Everything has to be "authentic" meaning they must represent the 1840s or earlier.  All modern conveniences (such as ice chests) had to be covered up.  Many of them had the folding wooden chairs shown above but they claim that they weren't comfortable at all.  Just gave them a place to 'set a spell'.  And they are able to have campfires to cook their meals and especially to stay warm during this cold snap. Thankfully, these people were very careful and attentive to the fact that we have been in a drought for the last two years.

During the time they are there, competitions are held for not only the men but women and children, too.   We were able to see the women participate in the bow/arrow and hatchet throwing events.  They even participate in the musket shooting events!  The women in the lower picture have been attending these events for anywhere from four/five to fifteen years and more.  Obviously, they truly enjoy this hobby lifestyle.  The one with the white scarf on her head is working on her loom making decorative belting to sell.  Many of the people sell or barter their wares to help each other out.

 

We saw a variety of clothing styles...frontiersman, Englsih, French and then the true mountain man attire.  These guys are really serious about their stuff!!  Reminds me of our favorite movies, "Jeremiah Johnson".  All clothing had to be made of leather, fur, wool and heavy linen held together by leather strips, leather/wovenbelts, wooden or bone buttons, heavy-duty safety pins (from that era) and shoes were either leather boots or moccasins.  The guy in the lower corner just shot off his muzzle loading flintlock rifle (according to hubby).

 

It truly was a fun time listening to the people talk about the things they had made; we saw the pride they took in creating things that may have been used by the mountain men; why they love participating in these rendezvous' and even listening to some pretty good yarns.  That's half the fun of their get-togethers, I think!

These were the wares that I bought....brass and silver scissors, brass thimble, wooden candlesticks and this lovely, tarnished but decorative silver pitcher.  I couldn't resist!  After all, I felt it my duty to help these mountaineers sustain their habit. ;)

 

Well, as much as I love camping, even learning how these people were roughing it, and, as much as I would love to learn how to bake over a campfire pit, I'm not quite ready to give up the modern conveniences we have in our RV.

 

So, I followed my original plan of putting together a batch of homemade Apple Pull Apart Bread in my handy-dandy oven that bakes at an even temperature without me having to tend to it all the time.  At the time I was making this bread, I realized I forgot the memory card for the camera and tried to take pictures with my I-phone but they didn't turn out too well.  This photo comes from the pic I had pasted in my recipe book.  This recipe reminds me of Apple Fritters but without the frying.  And, being the kind soul that I am, I want to share my recipe with you....

 

 

So, here you have it...Mountain Men and Apple Pull Apart Bread.  All in the same weekend.  See?  I told you they had something in common.  ;)

 

Hope you are having a wonderful Monday ~

Participating in these parties this week:

Stone Gable's On the Menu Monday

Etsy Cottage Style's Autumnal Goodness

Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

 

~Just Peachy Keen~

First of all...woohoo!!  I'm still waiting for my favorite computer to be fixed but the power adapter came in for my other computer.  Thankfully, that was the problem making it an easy fix.  Now I'm up and running!!   I feel better now. :)

One of my all time favorite summer desserts (or any time of the year actually) is peach crisp or peach cobbler.  I can't decide which I like better.  When it's not peach season, I've made many a recipe using canned peaches that have turned out really, really well.  Several weeks ago, I had a hankerin' to make a cobbler and did some internet searching for a new recipe...

 Quite a few years back, I had the most delicious recipe for cobbler that became a family favorite but I lost it.  I lost it!!  I haven't been able to find one that was exactly like it but this one, that came from Tasty Kitchen, I think is a new favorite.

The crust is out of this world.  Look closely and you can see that it's like having a fresh sugar cookie on top of your peaches!  Speaking of peaches, it called for fresh but I used canned.  Not quite the fresh peach taste but it'll do when you've got a hankerin' that needs to be satisfied.  I've found that the better brands use the more firm, fresh-type peaches and the ones canned in a lighter syrup work best.  If all I have is the heavy syrup variety, then I will rinse the peaches and cut back on the sugar just a bit.

 No cobbler is complete unless there's a nice dollop of vanilla ice cream on top.  Oh my.  Ice cream, a sugar cookie crust and peaches.  What could be better?

Note:  The original recipe calls for nutmeg but I prefer cinnamon.  I never skimp on the cinnamon and always use a nice, heaping amount.

Peach harvest is just about in full swing here in Oklahoma.  In a couple of weeks, my daughters and I are going to a peach festival in Stratford, a small town about 75 miles south of us.  The peaches are so well known that everyone in these parts call them "Stratford peaches".  That's how good they are.  Oh, happy day!  I hope to be able to buy a couple, or three, bushels of wonderful, fresh peaches.  I plan to do some canning and even make some peach butter...doesn't that sound heavenly?  I've never made peach butter before.  Have you?  If you've got a recipe that is to die for, would you share it with me?  I'd be so ever grateful.

I pray you have a wonderful, peachy keen kind of day~

Participating in these blog parties:

          

~My Dotty Swap Project~

Finally, I am able to share with you the items that I made for my part of the Dotty Swap party held by Cutie Pie Cottage!

 The requirements were three items and, of course, dots!  Jenny's favorite colors are red, pink and aqua.

 Jenny has a fur baby named Cody and so I made him a "bony" wall plaque to hold his leash.

 Large, oversized pocket potholders (big enough that her hubby could use!).  I forgot to take a picture of the contrasting fabric on the back, which happens to be stripes.  You know, in all my years of sewing I have never made potholders!  It was fun and I plan to make more.

And, lastly, the polka-dot cupcake liners wrapped with polka dot ribbon.   I had never really noticed before but there are so many cute ones out there and it was definitely hard to choose which ones I wanted.

I'm glad to say that Jenny loved the items that I gave her and that is the best part of all.

Now I'm off to do some grocery shopping...in the rain.  Sigh...but at least our pantry will be full again!

Have a happy day~
       

Going to these blog parties:
Cozy Home Party at Cozy Home Scenes
Country Homemaker Hop at My Simple Country Living
Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch
Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do

~Bar-B-Q Beef Sandwiches~

We had a family get-together over the weekend for the big game.  Like most football games, we had alot of finger type foods and I wanted to try a new recipe.  I didn't want to spend alot of time in the kitchen, of course, and so the crock pot was going to be put to good use.

I have quite a collection of cookbooks and showed you quite a few of them in my post about My Farmhouse Vignette and also about "wanting one of these" for my cookbooks, which happens to be a chicken feeder.  Oh, and I haven't had a chance to look for the feeder yet but when I do, I'll let you know. ;)

Anyway....in my collection of cookbooks I have one specifically for slow cookers...Gooseberry Patch Slow-Cooker Recipes.  It's got some great recipes in it.  (Gooseberry doesn't know me from Adam by the way).

I found this recipe called Bar-B-Q Steak Sandwiches.  The main ingredient is beef round steak but I wanted to use chuck roast.  With that in mind, I couldn't call them "steak" sandwiches so I changed it to "beef" sandwiches.  Pretty clever, huh?  Yeah, I thought so, too. ;)  It also called for hot pepper sauce, which I don't keep on hand since we don't really care for it.  So my version is minus the pepper sauce.

I didn't get pictures on Sunday of the big batch it made but, thankfully, there was plenty left over for last night.  This is just a small part of it.  Enough for me since Mr. Bill wasn't going to be home for supper.  Doesn't it look yummy?

Look at all that juicy goodness!  Like so many leftovers, it tastes just as good the second and even third time around!  Look closely and you can see the chopped onions and celery.  My daughter added several bouilion cubes to the sauce to make it a bit richer as it seemed a bit watery.

Piled high on whole wheat hamburger buns and some chips and dip on the side.  Yum!  And I had a side dish of fresh fruit from the fruit tray I bought for Sunday and forgot to put out with everything else!  Geez...I can't believe how forgetful I get these days!!

Yes, I ate both of these little babies!  They really aren't that big.  You can tell by the size of my plate.  Are you ready for the recipe?  Okey dokey...I've created my version in a printable recipe for you below.

I hope you enjoy this as much as we did~
                     

Time for a blog party or two:

Cowgirl Up at Cedar Hill Ranch

Your Cozy Home at Cozy Home Scenes