Baked French Toast is Delightful

Back in March, I had the occasion to be in NYC with a small group of friends. Being the early riser that I am, I mentally jumped at the opportunity have a little warm breakfast available when people slowly made their way into the kitchen.

Thanks to a big ole chili dinner the night before, there was a perfectly stale loaf of French bread for the taking. So I turned the whole thing into a baked French Toast casserole. I wish I could say I knew what went into it but in typical fashion.... I just mixed until it looked about right. Not helpful for the future.

Mother's Day seemed like a great opportunity to give it another go. Our family loves breakfast and we also love things that have limited to zero clean-up. This dish most certainly fits the bill. Hello breakfast casserole!

Just a little jaunt to Chicago

Yes, it's been far too long in between posts. And while I know that in my own heart, it's always nice to have someone else remind me.

I got this message at work yesterday from my friend's hubs:
"tell whatjendoes that she hasn't been doing anything"

Message received.

It's been a weird and busy few weeks since I got back from Italy. I feel like I've barely been in my own apartment and space. Every where I look in my apartment is a small project that I need to work on. Even my wine rack is empty. I need to fill it.

None of these things were helped by a quick trip to Chicago last week - but the trip was pretty great none the less. Yes, it was for work... and that inevitably meant some oddly timed flights that meant for less sleep and more productive work times. But the trip reminded me of a lesson that I've learned (and been practicing) for the last year or so. Making the most of the time you have.

Ginger Margarita Swordfish with homemade butter

I love cooking for specific occasions. Cooking is great and all, but when there is a theme or purpose ... it is just a million times more fulfilling. Maybe not a million, but still.

I'm particularly proud of the themed Downton Abbey dinners and the Julia Child meals last summer. There is a chance that I still haven't stopped sweating from making that chocolate mouse.

I haven't done nearly as much cooking recently and this weekend I got right back into it. Prepping for 3 weeks of vacation, taking the vacation, and recovering from missing vacation will make a pot of Mac and Cheese more alluring than a fresh batch of english muffins. A little Cinco de Mayo helped me bust out of that rut in a great way.

Making the Butter

I almost can't believe that I made butter on Sunday. In part because I love butter a lot ... and because it was really not challenging.

I'm not suggesting that I give up store bought butter on the reg but for a special occasion .... make some butter. In fact, I can't wait to have another ladies brunch and be like "oh yes, here are some scones .... AND HERE IS SOME BUTTER... I made both".

That sounds braggy, but I really don't mean it like that.

Like many of my favorite recipes, the best part about making your own butter is that (1) it shows how much you care but (2) it also is so customizable!. Like you want chive butter? Add some chives. You want honey butter? Add some honey. The options are completely endless.

Day 17: No more sciopero for me

This post was written on the plane coming home… to America. To my family. And Eleanor, my cat.

I guess it’s fitting that my last day in Italy it rained.  That means it’s time to go home right?

Since it was a travel day, there wasn’t really much that happened except the following:

•       watched a rainy sunrise over Rome
•        got picked up in a Mercedes
•        used the last of my euros to pay for said Mercedes
•        sprinted around the Amsterdam airport

Before you start to think I was splurging on the Mercedes, it's pretty much the standard over here when you request a car in advance. I love the Waldorf but when they told me the cab to the airport would be fifty euros, I knew I could do a bit better. A little googling revealed this one service that said it was 40 flat rate. DEAL. I was slightly convinced they were going to blow me off, show up on a tricycle, or make me share with a smelly family. None of that happened. 

Day 16: Pizza and the Pope

I just spent about 20 minutes trying to take a picture of the city lights from my balcony.

I'm not sure it really went as expected. But I'll still post it for posterity sake tomorrow maybe.

Today I did everything that I had "planned" to do. It was a really great day of moving at my own speed, not rushing to anything, and seeing a bit of living history. I've been in Rome for three days now and I feel as though every day I've seen it a little bit differently.
Day 1 = hectic and very touristy. crowds galore. gave up on hotel maps, caved to google.
Day 2 = more relaxed. tried a new neighborhood. learned how challenging cabs are.
Day 3 = balanced between crowds and quiet.

There were some really great moments today, which in turn make it a great last full day in Italy. I'm not sure that I've been "accepted" here after only a few weeks but I will say I make a far more polite and acceptable tourist than some that I've seen. Highlights of today? An older Italian man squeezed my hand and I informed another tourist about an upcoming train strike. I'm like a pro at that now.

Live Update: How much jam do you want?

Just a quick post before I head out for my last full day in Italy.

I wanted to share how insane the breakfast spread is at the Waldorf Cavalieri in Rome. And yes, that is the size of a piece of toast (above). It is the biggest piece of bread I've ever seen.