The weekend is here again

Thankfully, this weekend I'm not working. While it started a little cool, things are warming up now. Hubby and Bubba are not far away at Meet the Machines, which is sponsored by a local demolition company and the local Caterpillar dealer. This is the third year Bubba has attended, and he always looks forward to seeing all the big, yellow equipment from "Peordia" (why he can't pronounce Peoria is a mystery...)

Since both guys headed out early to check out some local garage sales, I got the pleasure of cleaning the house. It is a little more placid this way, since I don't have to herd the kid, the dog and the husband from room to room as I vaccuum. Happily, I had the floors finished by the time they came back to load up for Meet the Machines.

After I got the floors cleaned, I went out to see my sister. Alas, she escaped while I was down the street at Kohls spending a gift certificate I got for my birthday. To console myself, I went out to lunch at Lenny's Sub Shop, which is about a mile from her house. I enjoyed looking at the menu, because I haven't seen many sub shops (except on the Hill) that had capicola on its sandwiches. I had the #2 Italian sub with all the trimmings, including the hot pepper relish. It was really good!

Once I got home, I made another load of bread pudding. I had tried this recipe earlier this week and Hubby and Bubba really liked it. I just added slivered almonds to the recipe I found in the Better Homes and Gardens 11th Edition Cookbook.

Bread pudding

4 beaten eggs
2 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon finely shredded lemon or orange peel (optional--I used lemon)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamon
4 cups dry french bread cubes or regular bread (I use whatever is available--today was oat bran)
1/3 cup dried tart cherries, dried cranberries or raisins (dried blueberries or a mixture also work well)
1 recipe Whiskey sauce (see below)

In a bowl, beat eggs with milk, sugar, vanilla, peel and cinnamon. In ungreased 2 quart baking dish, toss bread cubes and dried fruit. Pour egg mixture evenly over bread mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool slightly. If desired, serve warm with Whiskey sauce. Makes 8 servings.

Whiskey sauce

1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 beaten egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
1 to 2 tablespoons bourbon *

In small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugar, egg yolk and water. Cook and constantly stir the mixture over medium-low heat for 5-6 minutes until sugar dissolves and mixture boils. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon. Makes 2/3 cup sauce.

*You can substitute orange juice for the bourbon for a light, fruity sauce.

Now, since the baking and most of the laundry is done, I can sit down and read. I have a few books from the library and I'm reading The Attitude of Leadership: Taking the Lead and Keeping It by Keith Harrell. It's not a new book, but I noticed it was listed on one of our intranet sites at work as part of a service area reading list, so I reserved it online at the St. Louis County Library at 0300 one morning when I was working the night shift. So far, it is pretty interesting and very good if you need to read in short chunks like I do.

More later...stay tuned.