This past week was our last week of school and Emily wrapped the week up with a class trip to Cedar Point with her Mansfield Christian friends. Thankfully the only rain that fell occurred early in the morning and the rest of the day was merely overcast.
And while last week offered a good many days of glorious sunshine, it also handed out several days of windblown rain drops. But dark and dreary though it might have been outside, it was far from gloomy inside. Sunday was my sister's birthday, so I busied myself making the dessert she requested_ Bread Pudding.
Bread pudding, you ask. To which I reply a hearty, "Yes!" She happens to be unconventional in her love of desserts like fruit cake, ginger snaps, and panettone, so her unconventional request for bread pudding came as no surprise.
And my unusual use of a mixture of stale bread crusts and day old donuts makes it a dessert you might just want to try for your self.
Bread Pudding
4 heaping cups of cubed bread crusts(about six) and day old yeast donuts (about four)
3 eggs
2 TBS sugar
2 TBS melted butter
3 cups milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 cup raisins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a square 8 x 8 casserole dish with butter and set aside. In a medium bowl beat eggs, sugar, and milk. In a separate large bowl mix bread/donut mixture with melted butter, spices, and raisins. Pour the egg and milk mixture over the bread mixture and stir thoroughly before pouring into casserole dish. Place in oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Pudding should be slightly firm and not runny. Cool and serve.
My reading selection for this past week intertwined itself nicely with my theme of rain as well. It was a story titled, The Pink Umbrella. This particular picture book was longer than the standard thirty-two page spread, but oh so worth the read. The story opens with Adele, a cafe owner, making flower bouquet for the tables. Flowers brought by Lucas the grocer from a nearby town.
The cafe is the center of the town's activities and Adele is the town's ray of sunshine, but everyone knows that Adele hates rainy, grey, dreary, gloomy days. Unbeknownst to Adele, someone keeps leaving behind presents in order to help her change her mind. First a pair of pink rain boots, then a pink raincoat, and finally a pink polka-dotted umbrella.
After Lucas leaves early because of rain, Adele finally realizes he is her benefactor. So she happily puts on her finery, closes up shop, and heads out into the rain. Along the way she finds pleasure in the smell of damp grass and the music of the droplets hitting her umbrella. When she happens upon Lucas and his mud stuck truck, she tells him he can wait for the rain to stop at her cafe, and she shares her umbrella. Author Amelia Callot has expertly told this tale of finding joy in all situations and recognizing love, so be sure to find a copy of this book for your self and your littles.
I hope you enjoyed a brief glimpse into my week as well as this behind the scenes look into the kidlit world. I also hope to see you here again next Monday.
Wishes for a week full of wonder! Aileen
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