Creme Brûlée French Toast

Looking for a super simple make ahead brunch idea?  You've got to try my friend Ashley's Creme Brûlée French Toast!

It's like bread pudding and creme brûlée got married.  The sweet gooey topping perfectly compliments the cakey French toast.  

Your guests will think you were up all morning preparing brunch, but really it couldn't be simpler.  My favorite kind of dish - all the love but little work!

Ashley's Creme Brûlée French Toast

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons honey (you could also use corn syrup)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar, packed

1 loaf Challah (any bread will do)

5 eggs

1 1/2 cups half and half

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon Grand Marnier

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a small saucepan combine honey, butter and sugar.  Simmer until syrupy.  Pour into a 9x13 baking pan that has been sprayed with oil.  Pour the syrup into the baking pan.  Arrange thick bread slices on top of syrup.  Whisk remaining ingredients until blended.  Pour evenly over bread.  Let sit overnight covered in the refrigerator.  It will still work if you prepare it the day you bake it.  Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.  Let cool and cut into slices.  Serve syrup side up and top with fruit.

Happy Sunday!

xo

Kelly

Decorating with Heirlooms

I absolutely cherish my family's history and any little charms that have been passed down to me through the generations.

My dear friend, Kate, picked up this book for me about decorating with keepsakes and collectibles.  

The picture posted at the top of this post is a pair of hand knitted booties sent to my mother-in-law from her grandfather in Monroe, Louisiana when she was born.  

Living with What You Love inspired me to pull the delicate booties out of storage and display this tiny slice of my children's southern heritage in our home.  

Do you feel the same way about your family's heirlooms?  What are some ways you are decorating with them?

Pick up the glass box from Nicole Miller Home at TJ Maxx and Living with What You Love at Amazon.

Enjoy your weekend!

xo

Kelly 

Steeplechase Tailgate Guide with Recipes!

My husband took me to my first steeplechase when we were newly married, and I fell in love.  If you've never been think preppy tradition mixed with tailgating, horses, a little mud and a lot of fun!

Here are a few ideas to make for your next steeplechase perfect!

1.  What to wear?

This dress!  It's always a little chilly in the spring, so I like to wear quarter length sleeves.  The ruffle collar adds the element of fancy but the stretchy cotton is comfortable enough to wear all day.

2.  You'll need boots...

Wellies are great, but I long for the waterproof Dubarry boots.  There will be mud!

3.  Prepare the perfect Bloody Mary. 

This is my husband's recipe - it's a family favorite.  These mixers would be fun too!

Andy's Bloody Mary

4.  Sustenance!  

Now you'll see some people with a whole ham and their grandmother's fine china - that can be you, or not.  I prefer to keep my tailgating simple.  These Spicy Pimento Cheese finger sandwiches are perfect for the occasion.  You will eat 100 of them - it's okay!

Bob's Pimento Cheese

5.  Make it a tradition.  

Give yourself something to look forward to each spring!  And remember all those great tailgating ideas you noted for next time!

 

The Perfect Easter

This Easter I nearly forgot to put out my kids' Easter baskets, and I think it's pretty great.

Easter preparations for years up until now meant perfect planning of Easter basket goodies, coordinating sweet Sunday outfits for my kids and endless time spent on my brunch menu.

A few weeks ago at church our pastor talked about how the week before Jesus died he washed his disciples' feet.  His message to them was that we need to take care of one another.  I've heard this message a hundred times but somehow this time it made an impression.

Now I have a billion kids, a dog and a husband, so I'm kind of stretched thin on doing for others.  But I made a big effort this week in little ways. 

Tonight I hosted a dinner for my siblings and parents.  I picked up a few toys, made meatballs and spaghetti from ingredients I thought would taste good together and called them to come over early.  I wanted to spend more time with my family and less time making things just so before they walked in the door.  Remember I'm totally Type A so I've never asked someone to come over early in my life.  I'm normally fluffing pillows and rearranging flowers up until the last minute.

We had so much fun together that I completely forgot about my kids' Easter baskets!  For the first time in ages the famous Easter basket was not the highlight of the holiday.

These past few weeks I've focused on taking care of the people in my life instead of wowing them with perfection, and it has made me heart feel full.  Finally, I think I found the secret to the perfect Easter.  Hope you can find it too!

xo,

Kelly