Orange French Toast

Hello Friends! 

Checking in today to share this yummy recipe with you. It's a nice fresh citrus take on french toast. Just perfect for Spring. ;) 

I'm not even really sure where I initially found this recipe. Somewhere online. But I've had it for many years. I love to make it for dinner, but I have made it for Christmas morning breakfast before too. I didn't get any great after pics on a plate - just while it was cooking in the oven. 

You basically make a simple french toast batter, but you add in some orange juice and orange zest. This works really well with thicker bread and with cinnamon bread especially. 

However, I only had some thinner french bread on me when I made it earlier in the week for dinner and it was fine. I just couldn't let it soak as long in the batter. Then the bread is placed on greased baking sheets, but make sure well greased otherwise they will stick. Or could even use parchment paper. I increased the batter by about 1/2 more and made 12 pieces (recipe is for about 8 pieces) You can then leave them in the fridge for the day (or overnight if making for breakfast)

Then you bake them until they're nice and golden and caramelized. We had ours with some syrup, bacon and cantaloupe. Yum! I love breakfast for dinner. Don't you?  Here's the recipe:

ORANGE FRENCH TOAST

6 eggs

3/4 c. Orange juice

1/2 c. Half & half

2 TBSP sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp orange zest

Thick bread - cinnamon is great with this (about 8 pieces)

1/4 c. Melted butter

In a shallow bowl combine the lightly beaten eggs with the rest of the ingredients, other than bread & butter. Dip both sides of the bread in the egg mix and soak for 5 minutes. Place on greased sheet pans. Cover and let sit overnight (or for several hours). Uncover and drizzle with melted butter. Bake in preheated 325* oven for 35-40 minutes

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Monday Friends 

I hope the sun is shining on you today and you have great energy for the week! We had a busy weekend as Annie has been helping out a volleyball team that needed a replacement for an injured player. So we watched our girl all day Saturday play in a tourney. Yesterday was busy cleaning, helping my Mom out and Annie had friends over all day so I was cooking for all. Lol Then last night she had hockey practice for her summer team already. My sporty girl ;) 

Sun is shining here and looks like a beautiful week so let's get to it...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Looks like a much more mild week in the northwoods - yay!

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

cheddar and pumpkin seed crackers with a slice of cheese and some apple slices with hazelnut coffee

RIGHT NOW I AM:

listening to Celtic music (still in the mood post St. Patty's Day) and working on my weekly calendar

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

Beautiful sunshine and it's so nice to see our snowbanks finally going down a bit!!

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Bright and cheerful in here this morning. I didn't get my Spring decorations out this past weekend due to Saturday being so occupied, but hope to start this week and finish next weekend. ;)

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

volunteer time, errands, MD appt, help my Mom, religious education, Annie volleyball practice, get out spring decorations, other projects - outside too

 

CURRENTLY READING

I was reading Anne's House of Dreams to a resident at the hospice house previously and she sadly passed away before we could finish, so going to read the rest of it on my own in her honor (finishing it up)

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Resident, The Good Doctor, The Rookie, New Amsterdam, This is Us, Spring baking Championship, Greys Anatomy, Will and Grace, Survivor, American Idol, miracle workers

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

MONDAY:  orange french toast, bacon, cantaloupe (I didn't make it last week)

TUESDAY: whole wheat sandwich wraps, tomato or chicken noodle soup

WEDNESDAY: busy night so something easy? not sure

THURSDAY: Khao soi-style wonton noodles with zucchini & peppers (BA meal)

FRIDAY: roasted red pepper pasta with roasted broccoli & parm (BA meal)

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

scrapbook gift for a relative, craft room

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

sorry I've been such a slacker here - but I hope to share some soon ;) 

I'll do a big catch up post with several recipes

TIP OF THE WEEK:

FROM THE CAMERA

Annie and I decided to spring up our hairdos. So she chopped off 3 &1/2 inches and got bangs. And I chopped off 4 inches! And added more blonde again. We're ready for Spring break soon! 

Our girl in action this weekend ;) 

this sweet memory came up on my FB recently. Just babies!! 

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:


I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hello Friends ~ 

I hope this Monday is blessing you. It's a nice bright sunny one here today. Even among all the snow banks. ::sigh:: We got a few more inches of snow over the weekend too. Please tell me Spring will come soon! 

We had a fun girlie weekend here. The boys were in Florida (in lovely 80 degree sunshine I might add) looking at the university Aaron will be attending in the Fall. I can't believe my sweet boy is graduating this Spring already!! Sounded like they were impressed with the school and had fun catching a Tampa Bay Lightening hockey game and visiting the Kennedy Space Center too. Us Gals had fun attending Annie's hockey banquet the end of the week and then doing girlie lunch and shopping over the weekend. ;)  Now on to this week...

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS:

Sunny and 30's today and 30's with maybe some rain/snow tomorrow. But rain likely Wednesday and Thursday and in the 40's! Then cooling back  into the 30's by the weekend

ON THE BREAKFAST PLATE THIS MORNING

toast with pb and honey with a sprinkle of cinnamon and some amaretto coffee

RIGHT NOW I AM:

Listening to some praise & worship radio (just finished my prayer/devotional time), working on my calendar & menu for the week

AS I LOOK OUTSIDE MY WINDOW

As you can see - lots of sunshine even with the snow banks in the background. Had another 1/2 cup of coffee to give me more energy to tackle more projects after this post ;) 

AS I LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE

Sunny and tidy. The sunshine helps me have more energy too. I've already tackled laundry, dishes, and some vacuuming. I also browned some ribs and put them in the slow cooker for dinner tonight.  I'm over 1/2 done with the gift album I'm working on and will get it done this week so I can have my dining room table back

ON THIS WEEK'S TO DO LIST:

Bringing dinner to my FIL tonight, helping my Mom at her house and run some errands, Annie is joining a volleyball team that has an injured player out and help them finish their season so she has practice this week, religious ed, hair appts for Annie and I, a hospice volunteer informational meeting, and my usual volunteer time, finish the scrapbook I'm working on, bring in print to be framed & other home projects - basically lots of good busy this week

 

CURRENTLY READING

I was reading Anne's House of Dreams to a resident at the hospice house previously and she sadly passed away before we could finish, so going to read the rest of it on my own in her honor 

ON THE TV TODAY:

The Resident, The Good Doctor, The Rookie, New Amsterdam, This is Us, Kids Baking Championship, Greys Anatomy, Will and Grace, Gold Rush, Survivor, American Idol

 

ON THE MENU THIS WEEK:

**I decided I wanted to go back to a food subscription for a while for some fun cooking with Annie & variety. I was going to try Hello Fresh this time but discovered they don't deliver to our area. So I went back to Blue Apron. So a few meals this week will be from that. Annie is excited to follow the directions and help me cook. Love that Girl ;) 

MONDAY:  BBQ ribs, potato wedges, coleslaw, corn on the cob

TUESDAY: orange french toast, bacon, fruit

WEDNESDAY: pennsylvania dutch style chicken pot pie (BA - blue apron)

THURSDAY: seared steaks in caper butter, mashed potatoes, roasted brussel sprouts (BA meal)

FRIDAY: leftovers or out for dinner (fish fry?) - or for me maybe Lenten fasting day

WHAT I AM CREATING AT THE MOMENT

scrapbook gift for a relative, Etsy shop

NEW RECIPE I WANT TO TRY THIS WEEK:

I have several recipes I want to share and I hope to get a post or 2 up this week!!

TIP OF THE WEEK:

FROM THE CAMERA

Annie (on the left) and a buddy/fellow player at her hockey banquet

Ruby remains queen of the snow banks

Annie was motivated to do a DIY project this weekend, so she painted the side of her ladder next to her desk (leading up to her loft bed) with chalkboard paint. Pretty clever don't you think?

Annie and I have been feeling pretty zen lately as we've been into taking baths. Lol One of our fun purchases this weekend was this teak tub caddy. This was Annie's bath drawn up (& that was apple juice not wine - but she wanted to try out the wine glass holder) ;) 

Annie likes crocs, but I have never been a croc shoes person. However, this weekend they were having a sale buy one get one 40% off and I thought these sandals were actually really cute! They're waterproof (because well crocs) and thought they'd be great for me to wear by the pool on Spring break in AZ. Please excuse my non-pedi feet right now and I was wearing my sweat pants. Annie got regular crocs in lavender (because well Annie) 

some other fun purchases ...I'm thrilled the world is everything floral right now. I picked up these coasters and this spatula at Bed, Bath & Beyond

And of course some new cute fairy stuff - Annie is actually going to join the golf team at school this Spring (my Girl - I LOVE golf!) - so thought a little golf fairy in a pot would be mighty cute

I also picked up this pretty - but super functional floor mat for by the sink where I load dishes all the time. It's extra cushioned to support the feet and back

A pic hubby sent me of our boy. He's going into sound and show production at Full Sail University in Winter Park FL

Even cheap grocery store tulips bring my soul absolute joy!

PRAYER, INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OR DEVOTIONAL:



I'm linking with Sandra of Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.