Friday, September 26, 2008

Okay, here it is...


Hello there, Here is the recipe for Cranberry Bread Pudding that you asked for. I hope that you enjoy it as much as we did. It does make quite a bit so you could probably divide it in half if you wanted. I just freeze it for an anytime treat.





Cranberry Bread Pudding

Ingredients
day-old bread to fill 9x13 glass pan (I use ½ of a 2lb home-made loaf of French)
6 tablespoons butter, melted (3/4 stick)
1 cup craisins
8 eggs, beaten
4 cups milk
1 cup white sugar
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ginger
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Rip bread into 1 inch chunks and place into an 9x13 baking pan.
3. Drizzle melted butter over bread.
4. Sprinkle with craisins, push some down into the bread.
5. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs, then add milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla beating until well mixed.
6. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 1hr 15 minutes, or until the top does not look wet and a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool, then...indulge in the dreamy wonder of this warm, rich , breakfast, desert or anytime treat!
Switching gears now...


Soooooooooooooooooooooo... Check this out. I found this in the basement of the Inn. I thought "what a cute little cabinet." It will be perfect to sit on to put on your shoes." Then I sat on it. And hit my head on the top and my butt didn't fit on the seat. And realized it was for a little person. I knew just the person. My goddaughter and niece Lilly. Lilly is my only sister Gretchen's little girl and she is such a sweet child! Anyway, I knew the cabinet would be perfect, so I worked diligently to strip every layer of red and black paint to create such a beautiful and functional "ca-bin-net", as Lilly says, for all of her shoes and "stuff."





Look at how cool this turned out! One person's junk is another one's treasure!! Now on to another treasure, another project and another day at the Inn. See ya... Tia












Monday, September 22, 2008

Scarecrow Fest



It's happening isn't it...FALL. Color change, Halloween and Festivals, like Scarecrow Fest
When I think of scarecrows, I think of the Wizard of Oz. And when I was a kid, I was terrified of that movie. I HATED IT! But I think this year, it's about time I get over the "Wizard Fear", and I have just the ticket! I'm going to make a scarecrow for the Scarecrow Festival here in Algoma in a few weeks. It will be the last "hurrah" before I get my new ankle on the 17th.
From what I understand Scarecrow Fest is a really cool event where you can enter your scarecrow for a chance to win prizes. Everyone comes and checks out the entries, eats chili, has refreshments and a ton of fun. I hear there was even a jellyfish scarecrow one year and another year someone taped up her husband to create a see-through shell for her scarecrow. My brain is working overtime right now, thinking of something to do. I love projects. So put it on your calender, October 4th and 5th at Garden Angels, located just south of Algoma at N6695 Hwy 42. (Check out the Chamber of Commerce for more information.) In fact spend a night at the Inn with my husband and I. We've decided to stay open after my surgery. Belle Isle Inn will offer a re-construction special, you know, instead of a pardon our dust deal, we'll have a pardon our continental meal deal (since I won't be doing the four course breakfasts for a good 6 weeks until my cast is off.) My husband can take care of us. He is such a good guy, my husband, and a great Innkeeper!!

I can hardly wait to get my ankle fixed. I just need $6000.00 and I'm not kidding. Things always have a way of working out don't they? Speaking of...We had a wonderful experience at Lakeside Community Church on Sunday. We've been looking for a church since we've moved to Algoma. Several people told us to give it a try and I'm glad we did. We were welcomed with open arms, and it felt really good. The upbeat music, gourmet coffee,and the message about humility were all wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! I'm going to make something to bring to church next Sunday. Some YUMMY Breakfast thing like the cranberry bread pudding I made this week.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot... I want to leave you with this one...

Reuben Dip

1 small can Bavarian sauerkraut, 1/2 brick of cream cheese, four oz sour cream , four oz Renard's onion white cheddar, 6 oz home made corned beef and some fresh ground pepper. Place sauerkraut and sour cream in a pan on medium. Add cream cheese and melt. Add cheddar in small chunks and melt. Grind in pepper. Keep warm. Toast10 slices of buttered rye bread with caraway in toaster or regular oven until golden. Cut immediately into points with a pizza cutter. P.S. The Pampered Chef Pizza cutter is the best I've ever used. Honest. Enjoy!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Labor Day in Algoma: Life's a beach!


What a wonderful Labor Day weekend at the Belle Isle Inn! Look closely in the picture above and you can see me waving, just above the guy in the red shorts. I was laboring as you can see! The weather could not have been more perfect to labor or not to labor. We had filled the cooler and headed to the beach. The water was shades of aqua, teal and blue, and was warm enough to swim and play in as you can see. The day was really warm yet the breeze off the lake was blowing pretty good so we were very comfortable. Tourists mingled with locals, walking dogs, swimming, playing volleyball, enjoying a cold drink and watching whales (not really) but that would have been cool. I met so many people including Mike who teaches at Algoma High School and his wife, and Tom, retired from Green Bay, and his friend LuWaine, among others. We romped in the waves and played with the dog who was ecstatic to dig a hole and submerge herself in the cool sand. If you've been to the Algoma beach that's great. If you've been here and haven't taken advantage of it, c'mon back! There is a special area for dogs to the south, to the north are the volleyball nets and in the middle is the great view from the Algoma Chamber of Commerce where you can use the restrooms and wash the beach off your feet. The view of the red Algoma Pierhead lighthouse was especially beautiful against the many shades of aqua lake water. I saw may people taking photographs off the decks of the Chamber during our stay the beach. I'm looking forward to many more day days at our scenic Algoma Beach.