Sunday Ham Loaf and Bread Pudding

I'm making Ham Loaf for dinner. It's a family favorite. My Mom used to make it in the restaurant. If you weren't there in the first 1/2 hour all you got was a thank you because it would all be sold out. I'm also making that bread pudding I made for Josh and Leslie's wedding.

Ham Loaf

1# ground ham
1# ground pork
1 eggs
1 c. crushed graham crackers
3/4 c. milk
1 can tomato soup
1 tsp. dry mustard
3/4 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. vinegar

Mix the first 5 ingredients together, shape into a loaf. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over the loaf in the pan. Bake for 45 min. to 1 hours at 350. Baste the sauce over the meat while cooking. test for doneness after recommended cooking time.

Meat can also be made into balls, browned adn placed in the sauce. Cook covered in a pan on the stove for 45 min. - 1 Hour.

this is only 1/2 the original recipe. We are lucky enough to have Fareway stores here, they sell it by the pound all ground and ready for you to take home and mix into a loaf.









Here's the bread pudding again:




Cinnamon Roll Bread Pudding:

6 -8 day old cinnamon rolls, torn into small pieces (about 12 cups)I could not find cinnamon rolls that weren't covered with frosting, so I used a very dense moist raisin bread I found at Wal-Mart in the bakery area (took 1 1/2 loaves) See photo, it's a Walmart bread.
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1 quart milk (I used heavy whipping cream because I had it on hand)
5 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter or margarine, sliced

Vanilla Sauce:
1 1/3 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar, divided
4 Egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (I used vanilla paste, it was incredibly good!)


For bread pudding, place cinnamon roll pieces in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle raisins and pecans over rolls. In a large bowl, beat milk, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until well blended; pour over rolls. Cover and chill overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Dot mixture with butter slices. Place dish in a roasting pan; fill pan with hot water halfway up sides of baking dish. Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until bread pudding is set in center.

For vanilla sauce, heat whipping cream and 1/4 cup sugar in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Combine egg yolks and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a small bowl; beat until well blended. Stir some of hot cream mixture into egg mixture; return egg mixture to double boiler. Stirring constantly, cook 8 to 10 minutes or until mixture thickens slightly and coats a spoon. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Serve warm sauce over bread pudding.

Saturday and Sunshine!!!

Today the sun is shining bright, I just put out some sunflower seeds to feed the birds. I'm cleaning, then off to the studio to make some glass beads. I got a new bead roller to make some interesting shapes. Can't wait to try it out.

I sold 10 bracelets in the past 2 weeks, so I need some more beads. I love to string but only when my house is in order and things are organized. They ahven't been all winter because I have nothing but gloom around me, I like to clean when the sun is out!!!

If it goes well I'll take some photos and post beads tomorrow.

Sourdough Madness

I have been interested in sourdough bread from time to time. It intrigues me how a starter is kept in a fridge for many years, used to make bread almost on a whim every time you want it.

What is interesting is how the starter becomes more intense and flavorful over time, all you do is feed it a little flour and water. There are some starters that have been kept alive for 50 years or more. Handed down from generation to generation. You can make your own, purchase it here....what prevented me from ordering it was the $6.95 shipping fee. $15 almost for a starter. Little too much for me....I would rather spend that money on glass for my hobby or jewelry findings.

I found a link to obtain free starter, there is a history behind the starter. I've sent off for some, thought you might enjoy the link also. It requires sending a self addressed stamped business envelope. There is quite a bit of information available in that link to help answer any questions you might have.

I first thought about the starter when I saw the ciabatta bread here.

Miss O turned 5

Miss O turned 5 last month. The birthday party was themed Fancy Nancy. I purchased quite a few things online and had them shipped to Karen's house for the party. Fairy Wings, table decorations, etc. It turned out pretty cute, the party was a success!!!

Sister breakfast and jewelry

I had a sister breakfast this weekend. Hung out at the condos in downtown Omaha. Spent a little time shopping at Cato's. I then came on home, Steve and I went to eat Chinese in Bellevue.

I have sold a total of 10 bracelets in the last couple weeks, time to get cracking on making more. I've also gotten an order for Psalm 23 bracelets. 9 of them to be exact. 8 are for birthday gifts for a woman I work with and 1 is for Donna, she was on the bus trip we took to Arkansas.

We watched a movie this weekend called "The Haunted Airman" with Robert Pattinson. The house where the film was shot resembled the Haunted house we stayed in while on the bus tour to Arkansas. However, once I looked it up I realized it was not the same house at all. However, if any of the sisters look at this photo they will see how I surmised they were the same, they are both very similar.












I'll see if I can't add a photo of the hotel after it was restored:

Andrea Guarino From Tucson

After I got all the things I wanted, I felt like "I WON!!" I'd been wanting these things for quite some time so I indulged myself, which I rarely do. The one thing I can't find a photo of is the long pendant holder I got from her, it is quite unique.

The moth wing photo is on her tutorial, but I purchased the BEAD, I already had the tutorial and the opportunity for her to teach the technique in Omaha when she was here. It is great to see her do that bead, it's one I've always loved. The galaxy bead I purchased has been cored. I just take lousy photos, so I weblifted her photos for my blog. (sorry Andrea)

The little silver beads fit on the pendant so nicely, I've always wanted them too. So I got me some.


The SEA URCHIN......that one is wishful thinking on my part, (didnt' buy it but wanted you to see it) I had never seen one in person but I wanted one so bad. I was feeling guilty after leaving her booth for spending all the money I did because I also got a Jim Moore tool. WHEW! It was fun and I intend to shop like that in another favorite's booth in the future. I hit Dolly Ahles' booth at Bead and Button..........I'm slowly making my way to the booths I want to hit. It just takes more $$$ each time. I can't control myself sometimes! And all Steve does is encourage me!!!!

Melanie Moertel's Elephant bead I got in Tucson

This little gal is from Germany, I love her work and managed to pick up this bead from her in Tucson. I also got a little 'stash' from Andrea Guarino. I went a little crazy in her booth too.

Home from Arizona

The snapdragons and pansies were in full bloom, I have photos to prove it. The palm trees were great, we were in our shirt sleeves. The first day we arrived we needed to wear our coats, it was rainy and cold, but after that the sun was shining proudly, we were soaking it up.

I got some great new beads and a few clasps, they are the most difficult things to find, but I did find some that were not like any I can find around 'these parts'.

This is a bracelet I made after returning home from Tucson, love these little beads, I added some swarovski crystals in Padparadscha. Love how it turned out. IT SOLD LAST NIGHT!!!!








Flowers in Mesa outside our hotel. The photo was a little dark because it was 11:30 at night.



















Geode we thought looked like a coffin. I'd love to have a big amethyst geode in my house, they are so pretty! This one has such a deep color.



















Outside the hotel before we went into a show. It was shirt sleeve weather for sure.











More Geodes....I just love them!!!

BOOKS on CD

I just finished:

Mitch Albom's: 'Have a little Faith'
Sarah Palin's: 'Going Rogue'
Robert Hick's: 'A Separate Country'
John Grisham: 'Ford County'

Getting ready to listen to:

Jeannette Walls: 'Half Broken Horse"

I enjoyed The Glass Castle so much by Jeannette Walls I am anxious to start her book tomorrow.

I love books on CD, makes the morning commute to work enjoyable.