Blueberry French Toast Bake

Prepared by Heather A. for this morning's Commission breakfast. It was delicious. I recommend topping it with blueberry syrup.

(You could use frozen raspberries in this super simple brunch recipe too, and I am sure there are those that would try it with bluebarb.)

BLUEBERRY FRENCH TOAST BAKE.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 1-1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 6 eggs
• 10 slices french bread, cut into 1" cubes
• 3 oz. pkg. cream cheese, diced
• 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries (if frozen, do not thaw)
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

PREPARATION:

Generously grease 13x9" glass baking dish. Beat flour, milk, 2 Tbsp. sugar, vanilla and eggs in large bowl until smooth. Stir in bread cubes until well coated, then pour bread mixture into prepared pan.

Top evenly with cream cheese cubes and blueberries. In small bowl, combine 2 Tbsp. sugar, cinnamon, and nuts and toss to mix. Sprinkle over blueberries and cream cheese. Cover casserole tightly and refrigerate up to 24 hours. {P]Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and bake casserole, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes until golden. (Serves 8)

Spidy Sense

I sent out an e-mail to the office today:

Subject: New Staff Member

Please see attachment. I just met with him in the foyer.

This is by far the biggest spider I've ever seen outside of a petting zoo environment. I named him Spidy. (I think he is taking a dump in that picture.)

Let me tell you, I am the first to run for the (dyson) vacuum with hose attachments when I see a spider in my house. They can have the basement, but the upstairs is off limits. Yet I was so impressed with Spidy's size, I wanted him to live. I respect a spider that big. But then our IT guy removed a sandal and whacked him twice before I could suggest relocating him outside. I'm sorry Spidy. I'd like to take my shoe upside the head of our IT personnel. Note to self: Wear cleats.

In Defense of Myself and the Condiment Kitchen

Recently myself and the CondimentKitchen have been accused of "lameness" by a certain "salesperson" that we'll call Lare-bear. At first I tried to let Lare-bear's slanderous comments go, thinking well he's really out-of-touch, how could he possibly understand the purpose of a blogging community, let alone judge the merits of my humble blog? I'm not asking for any awards, but maybe an honorable mention. . . because Lare-bear my blog is good enough, it's great enough and gosh darn it, people link to me.

Another accusation of Lare-bear's, my profile picture looks 20 years old. Does it Lare-bear, does it really? Because that would make me 47 in real-life, and I guess I'm no spring chic but I don't think I appear to be 47 (Note: I am not age-prejudice, well it's touch and go with children, but based on age, I definitely have nothing against anyone over let's say 15). I don't even have crow's feet and I don't need a push-up bra (I'm not against them though); you can still get tickets to the gun show. Besides, that picture is probably from the last time I had a camera (a fun saver 4 years ago). And I still have the same hair-style anyway, but it's a timeless look. Wind-blown, like I've just stepped out of a sporty convertible and I'm on my wait to meet Malibu Ken for a half-caf, no-foam, double, skinny Latte before we head to the beach.

Exhibit-A:

| | | Best of the CondimentKitchen Posts:

I can tell a decent story:
| I Love Wal-Mart
| Anniversary Crasher
| Embarrasing Moments

I share fun links:
| Belief-o-Matic
| Ransom Note Generators

Exhibit B — Recent comments about my genius posted to MySpace by Melissa Mead:

"so i had to explain the genuis of spongebob squarepants to someone the other day. How do people not get it? I thought to myself, "geez, some people just GET it....like karen!" love ya chica:)" Source: MySpace


Exhibit C — Recent photos ( taken outside the break room, less than 24 hrs ago, geese are my witnesses) That 4th one is my Author Photo, an idea borrowed from Daniel. And the fifth one is with my Angry Eyes, an idea borrowed by Mrs. Potato Head.




Lare-bear, you are officially ON NOTICE. You'll be hearing from my lawyers as soon as I get back from the beach, capitol beach that is.

My Trip to the Nebraska State Fair

I'm going to cut to the chase with this post. The petting zoo was by far the best exhibit at the Nebraska State Fair. My favorite character was an Emu that I named Pecky Peckerson. He did get my elbow once when I wasn't looking, but honestly his pecking just warms my heart.