Paula Deen's Baked French Toast Casserole

Ingredients
1 loaf French bread (13 to 16 ounces)
8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash salt
Praline Topping, recipe follows
Maple syrup

Directions
Slice French bread into 20 slices, 1-inch each. (Use any extra bread for garlic toast or bread crumbs). Arrange slices in a generously buttered 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish in 2 rows, overlapping the slices. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat with a rotary beater or whisk until blended but not too bubbly. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.

Praline Topping:
1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and blend well. Makes enough for Baked French Toast Casserole

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I made this for a breakfast potluck at work the Monday after Easter and it was well received! It was very tasty and very easy. It was sweet enough for me that I didn't need to use the maple syrup.

FYI: The 19 worst drive-thru foods in America

The 19 worst drive-thru foods in America

Time and money are two things Americans can’t afford to waste. So it’s not surprising (though slightly disappointing) that the drive-thru is considered one of the great inventions of all time. There’s even a study to prove it. In 2005 and 2006, researchers asked 600 adults and teens why they eat so much fast food. Three of the top four responses were it’s quick, easy, and affordable. Taste came in third, with only 69 percent of respondents listing flavor as a factor in their fast-food love.

Drive-thru foods may be convenient and easy on the wallet, but they’re loaded with unhealthy fats, added sugars, carbohydrates, and sodium. Translation: They’re no bargain when it comes to your health. But jam-packed schedules and a dismal economy make the occasional drive-thru meal a part of life. That’s why Eat This, Not That! studied the open-air menu boards and compiled a list of the worst items out there, plus better alternatives. Avoid these dietary land mines and save more than a few minutes and a couple bucks—how does up to 20 pounds in a year sound?

Click: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30038585/?pg=1#TDY_MH_DriveThru

Skillet Potatoes!!

Ingredients
4 slices Bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes (about 6), thinly sliced
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
6 Tbsp. Sour Cream

Directions
COOK bacon in large nonstick skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon, reserving 3 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towels. Add onions to skillet; cook and stir 5 min. Stir in potatoes; cover. Cook on medium-low heat 20 to 25 min. or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.
TOP with cheese and bacon; cook, covered, 1 to 2 min. or until cheese is melted.
SERVE topped with sour cream.

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Made this tonight with steaks... sooooo tasty. (note to self: post recipe for AJ's Lemon Basil rub) We ate outside on the deck tonight. It hit 75 today! Too bad it's supposed to snow, yes SNOW, on Tuesday. Seriously??

White Chicken Chili

A variation of this recipe won 1st place in the chili cook off at work. It also won Fan Favorite! Make it and you will understand why....

Ingredients
6 boneless chicken breasts
3 can Great Northern Beans
2 16oz jars of Medium Picante Sauce (Pace)
1 lb monterey jack cheese, cubed
1 lb pepper jack cheese, cubed
Chili powder

Directions
Place chicken breasts in Crock Pot and add just enough water to cover the chicken).
Once chicken is cooked, shred chicken in broth (water).
Add beans and picante sauce.
Add cheeses.
Simmer until cheese has melted, stirring occasionally.
Add chili powder to taste.

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We made this on Sunday and it was sooooooo good! The only things we will do differently next time is to thaw the chicken before it is put in the crockpot. Once it thawed, we ended up having too much broth. We also did not need to add the chili powder because it was spicy enough for me! Will definitely be making this again & again.. especially football season!

12 weeks, 2 days!!

And I'm in love.

Week 10 Email from Parents.com

What's Happening This Week
Dear Meghan,

You're laughing -- then you're sobbing. You're plowing through your inbox -- but soon feel tuckered out. One word explains the extremes: Hormones. With levels constantly in flux, your moods are sure to shift too. Get how-to-deal advice from other moms and more info info on how to outsmart the mood swings below.

My Body
Those old PMS symptoms never looked so good when compared to the ups and downs you've been experiencing lately. Hang in there. The worst of the mood swings usually ease up by mid-pregnancy. For now, feel better with these 6 lifesaving mood-boosters.

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I think AJ could attest that I'm right on schedule..... Week 11 tomorrow!

Happy Anniversary to Our Home!

I almost forgot! It's our home's anniversary this weekend!

We moved into our house 1 year ago this weekend. This time last year, we weren't too sure that we were going to be able to close on it because the state of the economy was so bad and our mortgage company went belly up 2 days before we were to close!!! Luckily, our wonderful mortgage broker took care of us and here we are a year later, living the dream.