Caribbean Bread Pudding

I promised I would share this one if it turned out well. Bubba didn't care for it because it turned out a bit heavy on the rum. I'm sure, if you didn't want to use rum you could soak the raisens in water and put in some rum flavoring. I made two batches, one for Rene and his family and one for us. The recipe fills an 8"x8" Pyrex dish. I put more rum in ours........ and our bread was fresh rather than dried so it turned about a bit more moist than Bubba likes but I'll finish it! ha ha ha ha Instead of using regular bread I found a few braided loaves on the day old cart at Wal Mart and tore them into pieces instead. I also improvised on the amount of raisins because the recipe didn't say. We couldn't find coconut milk at the store so I used coconut cream and it tasted great!

16 slices week-old bread
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
1/2 cup rum (to soak raisins)
4 large eggs
2 cups evaporated canned milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup coconut milk (I used cream)
pinch allspice (optional)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 cup gold rum (to pour over top)
1/8 cup water (to pour over top)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Soak raisins in rum prior for 2 hours, or until hydrated. In large bowl tear sliced bread, in separate bowl mix milk, 1/2 cup water, brown sugar, granulated sugar, eggs, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt and coconut milk. Blend with mixer or blender until smooth. combine with bread, add raisins and butter and stir.

Place in greased Pyrex dish and into a pan of water.
Bake at 350 for 50 minutes until golden brown.
While still warm, add remaining rum and 1/8 cup water on top.
Serve hot or cold.
Great with vanilla ice cream!!!

Creator: Shahine McLaughlin

Its a BEAUTIFUL LIFE

WOW! I remember living in California for 8 years and whining because I didn't experience any good thunder storms. Once in a while it would sprinkle, they would call it a downpour, cars would pile up on the freeway and they would call it a thunderstorm. If they received a storm like this in California they would call it a typhoon, cars would pile up, houses would slide off of hillsides, neighborhoods wood flood and they would declare the entire Southern half of the state a disaster area.
Whats happening here today is a real Thunder Storm. Its loud enough to shake the coach and make you jump at times. It kicks out the power regularly and sounds like beating drums on the roof. The lightening is close enough to really flash through the windows. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! As long as the wind is not blowing and the hail is not falling, this is a very beautiful thing.

Yesterday was another awesome day in the neighborhood. I did some searching, called around and found exactly what I needed in Harrison. We went to Dey Gem Jewelers and dropped off a ring to be re-sized. Their selection of precious stone jewelry and unique designs is vast and wonderful. If I ever win the lotto there would be no stopping me in a store like that.
We then went to the Ashley Music Store. I have two old flutes I had purchased at a yard sale and on eBay which needed repair. We'll see what the repair man has to say about them after he picks them up Wednesday. He comes down once a week from Branson and takes home the non-string instruments that need repair. After Ashley we went to a couple pawn shops. There we found horse shoes for the new horse shoe pit next to the pavilion. Then I got hungry. ;-)

I had an overwhelming craving for Mexican food. I haven't had any since we came South and I was in need of some heat. Bubba knew right where to go and we headed to Hollister, MO. which is a few miles North of the state line. If you're ever in the Branson area and like good Mexican food go to Elenitas. I was impressed. I almost felt like I was back in California. The decor was very welcoming, the music very appropriate and the food was excellent. I had the camarones a la diabla (shrimp in hot sauce). I used to order that every time we went to Zendejas in Colton, CA.. Its one of my favorite dishes and I've never had it as good as it was at Elenitas. The sauce was thick, spicy and really smokey. They should market the sauce!

On the way home we stopped at Wild Bill's Travel Plaza to fuel the truck and pick up another little indulgence we've found. Once in a while I really enjoy a dark, bitter beer. At Wild Bill's we discovered Boulevard beer brewed in Kansas City. The Boulevard Dry Stout is right up my alley. Its almost black and very bitter without a hint of sweetness or creaminess that ruins a good dark beer like Guiness. Its flavorful enough and strong enough that one beer in an evening is kind of like desert. Unlike potato chips, one is all you really need. HA HA HA HA

I suppose I better get busy. Bubba is pulling out his guitar with the new song book he found yesterday and I promised Rene a Caribbean Bread Pudding. If it turns out well I'll pass along the recipe. ;-)

More later ........

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Moving day

Today we moved from space #14 to space #11. It was good practice for the future. ;-) In my humble opinion this is the best space in the park. I love the privacy, the space, the view and the fire pit. From our door there is nearly 180 degrees of open view with no other RVs. On our utility side there are coaches in spaces terraced up the hillside.

Within minutes of getting set up in this space I saw at least three types of birds in a tree out our living room window. I finally snapped a woodpecker that has been eluding me. There was another type of bird in the tree that escaped my lens but I'll catch him sooner or later. In the little field across the drive I expect we'll see more wildlife. The lady who used to be in this space saw raccoon regularly like we saw armadillos on the hillside.I raked a bit of the space and filled the fire ring with twigs. We have a small pile of fire wood and plan to enjoy a campfire one of these nights.

All in all it was another glorious day. All the photos you see were taken of our new campsite and the surrounding area.
















More later .......

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Happy Easter!

And you thought

you had a bad hair day!

HA HA HA

The one with the most toys wins!! HA HA HA

Now that we've decided to stick around for another month and the projects next to the pond are nearly completed, we've decided to try out a different location in the park. We're going to relocate to space #11. That space is the last terraced space and the most private space with lots of parking and playing space around the coach. I look forward to using the fire pit, picnic table and barbeque. In the open space across the path we've seen lots of wildlife. It also has a fantastic view of the valley through the trees. I won't get my sunset shots from the living room window but I'll likely get some shots I would have missed where we are now.

Happy Easter Everyone!
Praise the Lord; He is Risen!!!!!

More later ......

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

Another multiple post day

What a gorgeous walk! Mijo and I made a complete tour around the park. Of course, when I have my camera with me the birds hide. The rest was worth it. I would love to carbon copy this day!

The countdown has begun

If I think about, and I do think about it quite often, Bubba and I likely have more intense conversations about our future than any couple I've known. It seems our life is a bit like a roller coaster ride. We are never positive what our direction will be from month to month. We make a few 'plans' and try our best to follow through. We pray every day and search for guidance and inspiration. Some days we feel as if we're stuck under a rock but most days we feel inspired in one direction or another. We are fascinated by a mirriad of things and seem to change focus regularly. I guess our direction is defined by the old adage "the only constant is change".

I felt guilty about that for a long time. I equated it to not finishing what I started and living without a purpose. This morning I came to grips with part of it at least, seeing it as "seeding" projects. Our calling or mission may be to be instigators; starters of projects or ministries. When I was working in transportation I always felt most productive and comfortable as the 'support staff' rather than the manager. I would have all kinds of fun formulating projects and instigating them. I didn't enjoy managing things and being the leader.

This morning we were contemplating our next move. If the weather straightens out and temperatures stay above freezing daily in Shell Rock we will be headed back to Mom & Dad's on April 1st. If it doesn't look like the weather is going to cooperate we may stay here a bit longer. We've decided that, despite how much we LOVE being near family, we do not want to plant ourselves in Iowa when we're through being full timers in our RV. We don't know when that will be but are pretty sure we will end up putting down roots South of the family home. We have invested in our truck and look forward to utilizing that and spending time in many different parts of the country. If we're careful with our budget, stay at least a week to a month in each place and make sure we find Angel Food Ministries locations everywhere we go, we should be able to see as much of the country as we wish. We certainly know how to live in the RV and are looking forward to learning how to travel in it. If you're careful and look at it as a lifestyle rather than as a vacation, full timing in an RV is a much more affordable way of life than being a home owner.

Enough babbling for this morning. Its climbed back over 60 outdoors and I need some sunshine.

More later ..........

PRAY OFTEN
LIVE WELL
LAUGH OFTEN
LOVE MUCH

After the rain

Just in time for the rain, the poly on the tables protected them very well.












The pond is as full as it has ever been!

The fresh planting bed held up amazingly well to the rain. It settled but didn't wash away.