Saturday, November 2, 2019

Bread Pudding on Saturday

Pineapple Guava/Feijoa from the Garden

Last night, around 12:45 a.m., actually, the electricity went off!  I was replying to some comments on my blog, when, all of a sudden, everything turned black!  At first, I wondered if a fuse blew off, because on Friday evening, gardener M had replaced the bulbs on the motion detector security light over my garage door (since A, the handyman, has not shown up to do that!) and the light kept coming on every few minutes!  I am not quite sure what is setting it off, but, it might be the branches of my neighbor's bottle brush tree, which hang down like the branches of a weeping willow tree over my driveway.  Or, maybe the garden cats set it off.

Anyway, a quick peek out of my windows showed that it wasn't just my house, but, rather, the whole block.  Fortunately, I know exactly where I keep the flashlights (or, torches, as we used to call them, when I was growing up), so I was able to feel my way to the one I keep in the family room and I went to bed, shortly after that.  I kept the nightlight switched on, so that I could tell when the power came back on.  Fortunately, it came back on at 2:30 a.m., so I didn't have to worry about food spoiling in the fridge, etc.

Yesterday had been a warm day.  But, today was cold in the morning.  I dressed warmly in a couple of layers, but, I was still cold, so, I turned on the heater and plopped myself in front of it!  Once the house warmed up, I turned the heater off.

Later in the morning, around 11:30 a.m., cousin P called.  A member of the extended family had called her, last night, saying they were going to have a post-Halloween party at Aunt T's house, inviting her and telling her to inform me, too.  Cousin P said she and her daughter will be going and said they could give me a ride.

That left me with wondering what to take to the gathering.  I have a couple of bottles of sparkling apple cider (non-alcoholic) and thought I could take them.  Then, I remembered that the person who is hosting the party had told me, last year, at another gathering to which I had taken a bread pudding, that, if ever I wished to give him a gift, to make him one of my bread puddings, as it was one of the best bread puddings he'd had since his mother died!  Well, I had all the ingredients I needed on hand. It took a few minutes to cut bread into cubes, beat four eggs and some milk (I didn't measure, but, about 2 1/2 cups) with some sugar (about 1 cup) and vanilla together,  combine it all in a buttered baking dish,  and stir in some cashew pieces.  Then, I baked it at 350 for 45 minutes until it was set:

Bread Pudding Straight Out of the Oven
It got a bit over browned because my oven tends to run hot; I probably could have taken it out after 40 minutes and it should have been fine.  It deflated a bit after sitting on the counter, of course.

Not even 10 minutes after I took it out of the oven, cousin P called.  She was sorry, but, her daughter was too tired to drive us/didn't feel like going to the gathering.  I suppose I could have offered to drive us both (cousin P won't drive), and, I might have done so if it had been a prayer gathering, even though I don't like to drive that much at night, but, not to a belated Halloween party.  It's not like the host had called and personally invited me, as opposed to telling my cousin to tell me (yes, I'm a bit picky, that way!  I normally don't accept second-hand invitations).  Instead, I invited cousin P over to have a piece of still warm bread pudding!  She came over and we ate bread pudding and chatted.  I sent a big piece home with her to share with her daughter. 

Dinner was a bowl of chicken and vegetable soup I had made, earlier.

Today, I am grateful for:
- Electricity!
- A working heater
- M dropping off another plant, a variegated iris, for my garden
- Bread pudding warm from the oven
- Cousin P visiting

Today's joyful activities were: reading, having cousin P visit, and eating bread pudding!

How was your Saturday?


24 comments:

  1. Lovely list of thankfuls!
    The bread pudding looks delicious!

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    1. Thank you, Anne.
      The bread pudding was very good. I think I could have added a little less sugar and it still would have been quite sweet!

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  2. It's always a shock when power suddenly goes off, isn't it, especially when it is unexpected. Our power went off on Friday morning and we weren't surprised as the wind had been pretty strong for hours. Many places in Ontario were affected. It was a bit disturbing as we were planning to leave for a trip, but DH got the generator going and checked the Hydro storm report on the internet and learned that our area should have power restored by 1 pm. In fact it came on at noon in plenty of time for us to set off. We do have someone checking our house when we are away, but I hope the power stays on!

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    1. Yes, it was a bit of a shock, as there was no wind or rain or anything! I'm so glad that you have a generator and your power came back on in time for you to go on your trip. Glad someone will check on your house while you are away. I hope you have a good, safe, trip and it is for something fun. :)

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  3. The bread pudding looks absolutely delicious. I can be picky that way too. :) X

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    1. It was very good. Maybe a bit too sweet for me, but, my cousin thought it was just right!

      I've been told I'm "proud" for being so picky about invites, but, it's not like people can't pick up a phone and make a quick call, these days, you know?

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  4. I'm the same with second hand invitations ... I think we'd get on well if we ever met.

    Your bread pudding look yummy, but completely different from the bread pudding my mum used to make which had spices added.

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    1. I'm glad to see that I'm not the only one who is picky about such things! :)

      I think there are probably as many variations of bread pudding as there are families. I used to add raisins to my bread puddings, but, stopped doing so because my daughter doesn't like raisins. I prefer to bake my bread puddings, but, my daughter makes individual ones in the microwave! I like my bread puddings to be sweet, but, some people make a savory version, I know, with herbs, cheese, and, maybe, some meat like ham. Once, I tried a recipe with some pears in it, which was OK, but, my mother hated it. But, some cinnamon and/or nutmeg would be good in a bread pudding. Maybe I'll add that to the next one I make. :)

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  5. Having quiet evening with cousin P eating bread pudding sounds just right. That would suit me better than a party with lots of people.

    Also, I have never seen or heard of a variegated iris. And there are iris every where around here. I looked it up and see that it will grow in my zone. I think it's going on my Christmas list.

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    1. Actually, I do prefer a small, quiet gathering to a large, noisy party.

      I'm glad that you will be able to grow variegated irises in your area. This is my first variegated iris, but, I hope it will grow well. M has brought me various other plants, over the years, that didn't do too well.

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  6. That's a good solution. I know what you mean about driving at night. It makes me nervous, as it's harder to see as I get older. Your bread pudding looks delicious!

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    1. Thank you, Stephenie. I try to avoid night driving as much as I can. Better safe than sorry!

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  7. Your bread pudding looks delicious. Thanks for telling us how you make it.

    I'm glad your power wasn't out too long.
    We are all so dependent on electricity that's for sure.

    A few years ago we had a big storm and were without electricity for 3 days.
    I made notes of the things that bothered me the most (something hot to drink being number one) and have slowly purchased simple solutions to those problems.

    Granted they are quick fixes, nothing that offers a permanent solution but it does help to have a bit of emergency preparedness doesn't it?

    Take care
    Debra

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    1. Thank you, Debra. Yes, we are so very dependent on electricity! Well done on making note of what bothered you the most and taking steps to deal with them, if there is a next time.

      My stove is gas and, although it has no pilot light and depends on electricity to start, I can turn on the gas and light it with a candle, so can have a hot drink if needed. But, I worry most about the refrigerator/freezer. I've been thinking of getting a generator, but, I am not sure if I can manage to handle it!

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  8. Oh dear, I can tolerate a lot of hardships, but being without power is not one of them. I say I would not be a good pioneer, cause I like having power. LOL You were so sweet to invite your cousin to share your bread pudding. I know it was like a warm hug after freezing. Stay warm, blessings to you, xoxo, Susie

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    1. It really would be hard to live without electricity, these days; we've become so dependent on it. It was fun having cousin over to share the bread pudding. I enjoyed chatting with her. Hope all is going well with you, Susie.

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  9. Beautiful bread pudding! I'm glad all worked out so you could share it! We lost power a couple nights ago also, due to high winds. (We have a generator though). The funny thing...is that I was asleep and we lost it at 1 a.m....and the total quiet woke me up! I'm so used to appliances/furnace buzzing around. Andrea

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    1. Thank you, Andrea. It worked out just fine. :) Too funny that the quiet woke you up when the power went out!

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  10. I LOVE bread pudding! It's one of my favourites. My friend makes a really lovely one and gives me some for my birthday and Christmas. Yum!

    Sorry about your electricity! I hate it when that happens. I call them torches too. Son bought some extras that give off lots of light so I keep them handy just in case!

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    1. I'm glad that it is finally cool enough to turn on the oven. Baking season is here! :)

      Glad you have some extra torches. I keep one in the family room, one in the kitchen, one in the bedroom (under my pillow!), and one in the car. I think the one in the car needs new batteries - I should tend to that, tomorrow.

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  11. I am with you on the second-hand invitations. I bet if you called the guy who was giving the party and who liked your bread pudding, he would have made sure you got there. If he offered to come get it the next day, I would have given him a serving to eat with you.

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    1. It's his loss and my gain! :D I had a piece of the bread pudding for breakfast! I'll offer to give his wife my bread pudding recipe when I meet them, next! :)

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  12. Your bread pudding does indeed look tempting. It's not all bad that you'll get more than your original share now. ;-)

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    1. LOL, thank you, Susanne; yes, I did have more than my original share! :D

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