blueberries and hot dogs

At least I got a Father's Day post in the same week ;-) This past weekend we got to spend a lot of time celebrating Brian and the great papa and husband he is. On Saturday, we spent the morning lounging in bed watching Yo Gabba Gabba with our coffee cups (and milk sippy cup). Then we took off for a fun hamburger lunch at Char-Grill and an adventure to the RDU Observation Deck to watch the planes take off. Not quite as thrilling as one might hope, but Brian recognized the effort and spent a lot of time trying to explain "First In Flight" to Lila to pass the looooong time in between planes.

Sunday was the big day and Lila and I got up early to make Brian breakfast in bed. I decide to try a recipe I found on Pinterest, which is my newest obsession. Basically, it is a website that lets you "pin" ideas and photos and share them with friends. Comment below if you want an invitation so you too can spend every moment mumbling about pins and boards. 

Source: chef-n-training.blogspot.com via Lindsay on Pinterest

Are you drooling? Because I am drooling just looking at it. Ya'll this Overnight Blueberry French Toast was to.die.for. I will post the recipe below. Because you need it. Like you need air.

Our breakfast in bed stage was set so Lila and I walked (crawled) upstairs and met dad with a delicious breakfast, coffee and card (with oh so lovely pink marker scribbles). Brian's response as he polished off his plate in 5 minutes: "What IS this?? And more importantly, is there more??" We then headed off to church where all the men where celebrate in a "Dad Center ESPN" theme, complete with nachos being served out of the back of a truck in the sanctuary, neon green Dad sweat bands, and an awesome dad tips sermon. Lunch was a yummy German cafe with outside seating and lots of gifts for Brian and my dad.

Brian got a round of golf from my parents, some new clothes from all of us and a Durham Bulls  baseball package with a new Bulls hat, toddler Bulls shirt for Lila (he had been begging me to buy her one) and tickets to the home game on Monday. We live less than 10 minutes from this fun summer regular event and love going out for a hot dog and cold beer. Oh yeah, and the baseball game itself.

Even though it was hot on Monday, we all still enjoyed ourselves and spent some family time with our favorite hometown baseball team. And that hot dog was delicious.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

12 slices of bread, cut into cubes (french or Texas toast. I used a large loaf of soft French bread)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, cut in cubes
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
12 large eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 cups milk (I used whole milk)

Arrange half of the bread cubes on the bottom of a greased baking dish. Then layer down the cream cheese cubes and blueberries, spreading evenly. Then another layer of the bread cubes. In a bowl, mix together eggs, maple syrup and milk. Pour over the top of the bread evenly, then let sit overnight in the fridge while covered. This part is crucial cause the bread soaks up all the eggs and milk. The next morning, bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes while covered with foil. Then uncover and bake for another 30 minutes.

There is also a blueberry sauce you can make. I did not because I am lazy like that but I bet it would be delicious!
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 T cornstarch
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1 T butter

On the stovetop, cook water, sugar and cornstarch until thickened. Stir in blueberries and let simmer for 10 minutes. Add butter and stir until melted. Serve over the french toast.

My father didn't tell me how to live. He lived, and let me watch him do it.

~Clarence Budington Kelland