Recipe: O'hana Bread Pudding

STOP THE PRESS!!!!

Have you ever been to O'hana at Disney's Polynesian Resort. Well, if you have, then you know the goodness of the Bread Pudding....but if you have not, I swear to you, it's worth driving there RIGHT NOW from where ever you live :)

So, it makes my mouth water, as I type, but, I thought that it would be sinful if I did not share with you this fabulous recipe.

Now, let me tell you that I tried it, and I am not a "candy boiler" kind of person.....so I burnt it.And when I say I burnt it, I mean that I had to throw the pan away. Not kidding.



So, YOU give it a try, and just invite me over :)

Ingredients
BREAD PUDDING
5 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup sugar
8 cups french or ‘Ohana breakfast bread

1. In bowl mix eggs, milk, salt, sugar, and nutmeg. Set aside.
2. Cut bread in medium (usually 2-inch) pieces and place on cookie sheet pan. Put in 350 degree oven.
3. Bake bread until lightly toasted: about 15 minutes. Remove bread and place in egg and milk mixture.
4. Place mixture in a greased 10-inch cake pan, and bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.
5. Let stand 5 minutes; serve hot with ice cream.

BANANAS FOSTER SAUCE
4 oz sugar
4 oz brown sugar
4 oz corn syrup
4 oz unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup spiced rum
1 cup banana slices

1. Combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter, and half of heavy cream in a large pan. Bring to a boil and slowly add remaining heavy cream keeping mixture at a steady boil.

2. Add spiced rum and flambe.

3. Candy will brown slightly; cook 3 minutes until candy forms into a firm ball in cold water. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Add sliced bananas. Serve warm.

**I am also posting on the Main Street Memories blog, for my Disney followers

There goes my heart.......

I just watched him drive away. Alone.

No one in the passenger seat to remind him that there's a stop sign coming up.

No one to make sure he sees the green light turning to yellow.

No one to tell him the radio is too loud.

No one. No one at all.

Just him. Out the door. Down the driveway and out of sight.

I prayed as the tears filled up my eyes.

And, although I have such a strong faith in my Jesus, I also know the power of that steering wheel.

Sweet Jesus, keep him safe.

16 years of God's grace.....

I had no idea.....16 years ago, today.....that my life would be how it is today.

I had just absolutely no idea. I mean it. NONE.

I did not know of a loving God. I did not know of a forgiving Jesus. I did not know of a Love.....that could Love me....and forgive me.....and die for me.....

I did not know the love of sending a Son as a sacrifice.......

But.....what I did know 16 years ago today.......is that I was about to have a baby!

HOLY CRAP! WHAT?! A BABY?????????????

And.....um, excuse me.....Doctor know-it-all.....WHAT did you say? A boy????

What in this world am I going to do with a boy? What in the world do I know about boys?! Good grief.

Nothing.


I can so clearly remember it like it was just this morning.

The doctors prepping me for a C-Section.....you know.....telling me the whole drill, how it was all about to go down....and my mind racing.....not hearing a thing.

Honestly, it was a Charlie Brown Teacher WAH-WAH-WAH moment....

And I remember leaning for my sister, and I so secretly, and almost like I was confiding my darkest secret to her....I said into her ear "how am I going to love him??" and "I'm not ready to be a mother...I don't know HOW to be a mother".....and the tears just streamed down my cheeks. Not crazy crying like tears. Just the tears that come out, without you being able to do anything about it.

And, she told me "you are gonna love him and he is gonna love you...and you ARE ready to be a mother"........

And....well....this little guy......

The C-section.
The baby.
The recovery.

But, then I held him. Oh, I held him.

And I loved him. I loved him so much it made my heart hurt.

How did this happen? How did he do this to me?! I had no idea WHAT to do with him.....but I couldn't WAIT to do it.

This little guy. Good gracious. Is there anything cuter?


And, somewhere along the way.....he started growing up. He started walking and talking and running and playing.

He started having a personality. And I loved him even more. And I loved it when he loved me back. And I loved it when he told me that he did.

I learned along the way that when he went to the doctor and got a shot.....oh, I couldn't take the tears. Those days became " you can have an ice cream or happy meal or anything your little heart wants" days.....as they should!

I learned that my mom and dad were right when they spanked me and told me "it hurts me more than it hurts you".

I learned that when he fell down...and it hurt him so bad he couldn't catch his breath enough to cry.....that hurt my heart.



And as he got even bigger.....

I learned that when he spoke of Jesus, he believed every single word he said. With a child-like faith. A faith that us, as adults, need to take a lesson from.

This little guy.........wow.

I've learned that if I have a "quick math" question, I can ask him.

I've learned that the phrase "stinky boys" is an under-statement.

I've loved him every little phase along the way.

I've loved playing Legos with him, and I've learned that it's really not about the building of the lego's but about the process of "playing" with Legos...together.


And, then as he has gotten older.....I have learned that it's hard to let him go.

It's hard to let him go:
--on a trip with the GrandParents.....without me. But, man, he has so much fun, and he is making memories of a lifetime. So...I must.

--out with a girlfriend and her parents! How in the world did we come to this?! But, it's part of the process...so I must.

--over to a friend's house...that we don't really know very well, and then hear him come home and tell the stories of such a sad situation...but it teaches him that everyone has a story...and it's not always like yours...so I must.

--on a mission trip, without cell service, and hundreds of miles away. But, he is serving Jesus, and blessing others...so I must.

All of these things are the things that we have raised him for. Raised him to do. And, although they are difficult as a mom...I must let him spread those little wings :)


So, as I get ready to let my sweet baby get his Drivers License, and get behind the wheel of a car, and drive out into this world on his own.....

I can't help but be so thankful for each and every step of the way so far.

Don't get me wrong, it hurts my heart that he's not my baby any more. And it hurts my heart that he doesn't crawl up in my lap and "need" me anymore.

But, I am so excited about this new phase of his life. And I am so thankful that he still does hug me and tell me he loves me, and even sometimes, he tells me that he needs me.

And I am so excited about the phase of "young man" that he is entering.

So, Happy Birthday, sweet Mason. I love you more than you'll ever, ever know.

And, although I am thankful that Jesus set the perfect example....the example of loving a Son so much, that you let them go.....so that God's plan can be fulfilled....I have a feeling that my "praying knees" might just get worn out in these next few weeks and months and years.

She was his biggest fan....

10 years ago today, we lost sweet Kendall....and every time I see this picture. It gets me.

This was the perfect picture of her sweet spirit. How she wanted the best for everyone else. How she was so giving, and so loving.

She was so sweet and tender to me the whole time I was pregnant with Chappy. It was such a tough pregnancy.

And, she never complained about her sickness, or her aches and pains. She was just so loving. And tender. That is the best word I can find.

When I got this picture developed (yes, back in the day of film).....I could see the tears in her eyes, and honestly, it's like I could feel the joy deep inside of her.

She was her brother's biggest fan. She was his cheerleader. She always told him "love you, brother" and when she said it, she said it with the sweetest tone, and she meant it.

I know that she was so proud when Chappy "finally made it"! She was so so proud of her little brother. And that made my heart smile.

Now, when I look back, this picture is such a treasure. Just a simple reminder of just how sweet and short life is.

If I knew then, what I know now.....and that 10 years later, I would be blogging about her, instead of able to call her on the phone....I probably would've called more, and stayed longer, and...and...and....

But, I'm just so very thankful for the years I did have. And, so thankful that my hubby had a "biggest fan".....way before I came along :)

Sweet Keni, I miss you.

Will you let me be your Travel Planner?

Triton's for dinner.....

Sweet Anna was listening to our Server so intently.

The Triton’s menu. Even the menu is gorgeous!



Chap has been looking forward to this menu for um....maybe about 3 years!!! NO kidding.

He has asked and asked and asked again......please, can we go somewhere that serves Escargot.......


And, thank heavens they still had it on the menu!!!


I had the lobster macaroni. Very delicious!


Scott had this Coffee specialty...and it was delicious.

(complete with hidden mickey in the background!)

And, then, of course, when we returned to our stateroom for the night....it was turned down, and ready for slumber, even with a little bit of towel art on the bed!

All Systems Go....

Once we got on the ship, it was all systems go.

I LOVE the fact that the pool was full, but the Lifeguard was in his winter jacket! Fabulous!


Into the Beach Blanket Buffefet for lunch, and then I spotted this. I am not so sure why Ice Carvings fascinate me so much.....but....I love this Ice Sculpture.




GrandMary, I am sorry to let you know, but it looks like these people went all out on their door.....


And, then up to the Deck 9 for the Adventures Away party! These little cuties were ready for the party...and some characters!




Love these boys! Love being on this ship with them!!!!


And, I told the hubby.....it could always be worse...you *could* be volunteered to be one of these guys!



And, there’s the kids...on the upper deck!


Then, back to the room......and I spotted this in the bathroom! I think I heard the angels sing!!! I absolutely LOVE the Spa H20 that is always on the Disney Cruise. My favorite!




Ahhh, look who we spotted in the hallway! LOVE these two!



And......off we go to dinner......

***Wait....didn't we just eat lunch?! Oh my!

Our Stateroom--1064

When we arrived in our room, we had a Castaway Club Welcome Gift! How exciting! And...this little bag came in handy...lots!



And, our room. We booked a category 9.....the least expensive that was available, and I was absolutely NOT disappointed. I am certain that a Verandah Stateroom would’ve been nice to have on those port days, but honestly, we were totally fine with our Porthole Verandah, and have absolutely no regrets.



**Now, I will say, on the Disney Dream, our bed was MUCH more comfortable, but....this one wasn't too shabby....


GrandMary made this cute little Bon Voyage banner for our door! Absolutely precious!


And, then up on deck. Love the City of Vancouver in the Background. Very very cool.


I think no matter as long as I live, I can never get tired of taking this Smoke Stack photo, and every time, I am so thankful that I am on board, and even have the opportunity to take it! #blessed!


And, of course, having a little fun with these two on deck!

Welcome to Canada Place Terminal. I must admit, I was a little apprehensive, going into this “non-Disney” terminal, and hoping that the check-in process/boarding would go as smooth as is does in Port Canaveral.

When we arrived, it was beautiful. Not the same “cross-the-bridge-and-see-the-smoke-stacks” beautiful, but a very, very GORGEOUS view of the terminal and the ship at the same time.


This sign above the entry doors made me VERY happy!




Yes, We are here! Ready to proceed to checkin!!!!

And they had these cute signs (replicas of the infamous Disney Cruise Line luggage tags) everywhere! Perfect!


This is a little bit of “snobbery” but...so true. Not having to get in the “regular” line, we were more than happy to move over into the Castaway Club check-in line...about 1/2 as short...just one of the perks of being a repeat cruiser on Disney Cruise Line!





And, is there someone that can tell me WHY IN THE WORLD we did not think of these freaking cute shirts?!

And, then to the photo-op with Mickey! LOVE! LOVE!


And, the grandparents jump in! So so cute!


And, time to move closer to boarding. They scanned our Key To The World card, making it official.....we are getting on this ship!!!


I mean, honestly, even the Hand Sanitizing stations make me smile! How cute are they!




Woah! Now that is a lot of LUGGAGE!
Welcome aboard, the Flebotte Family!!!


And, welcome aboard, The Butler Family!!!
As always, I stop...and look UP....and I LOVE this "thing" in the middle of the Atrium!


And, first stop, for a photo in front of Triton’s.


Love this guy!!


Yay! Pluto arrived in the Atrium!

Ok..........off to explore our Staterooms!