Anything better than a Fireman holding a baby?

I contest that there is not-unless you happen to have your own fireman and he’s holding your own baby.

I am typically not one of those girls that wants to breathe in the “smell of a baby”. Personally, I think babies emit a lot of weird odors.

And I don’t get a kick out of their fat rolls, their spit-up, their farts or their saliva.
I’m just not there yet-don’t judge. I know it will happen once I have my own-or so I’ve been told.

But until then, I can gaze upon this picture of my hot fireman-Biceps-with our sweet little nephew-who appears to be milk drunk. I do so in the quietness of my childless home and ask-is there anything better than this?

NEW-“Linky Followers”-Google is going Buh-Bye!

Hellow Google Friends-I don’t want to loose you.

As you’ve probably heard, the popular Google Friend Connect (“GFC”) is going away March 1st for non-Google blog platforms like WordPress, and it will be eventually phased out completely to be replaced by Google+. Google is phasing the “Friends” out and is not providing a service to move followers over.

Bloggers know a good “follower” tool is really needed. Those of us who use Linky Tools and know the owner/creator (Brent Riggs), realized he would be perfect for developing some kind of really easy to use “follower” system.

Introducing LINKY FOLLOWERS (www.linkyfollowers.com)

Brent has created a FREE service and he launched it on 2/4/12. You’re the first to be invited to try it out.

Keep in mind this is a new service–there will no doubt be some bugs that the test group didn’t catch. Just contact Brent (brent@brentriggs.com). He is great about fixing things fast. Don’t let a bug or an “oops” hurt your first impression. You’re being invited to be some of the first users of this great new tool, and your feedback will help him iron out any problems very quickly.

I am asking you to please click the “Linky Follow Tool“. It’s easy, quick and did I mention, free? You’ll love the tool. It’s a cool way to organize and follow the blogs you love. As soon as you have an account, please then “Follow Me”.

Please sign up to be a linky follower and then “Follow Me”! This is found on the right side bar of each of my pages right below Google Friend Connect.

Please, please, I don’t want to loose you as a follower. I need you in my life. Love-Rebekah

My latest “Together in Tulsa” Couple-Mick & Gayla

My latest couple, Mick & Gayla, are being featured in my  ‘Together in Tulsa” column online. If you don’t already know, I write for the regional paper, ‘This Land Press’. Boy, that was a lot of links….

I like to find unique couples from Oklahoma and let them tell their story. And because I am obviously so weird, the photos I take of the couple are weird.

These two were genuinely a joy to be around. They were very much still in love, even after several kids and the adoption of one precious baby girl. Mick gave up the outback of Australia to be with Gayla-but he doesn’t regret it for a moment.

Go check out their full story here: Mick & Gayla.

Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce

I love entertaining-there’s something wonderful about bringing someone into your home and fattening them up. It makes a weird lady, like me, feel good. In fact, if you are ever in the area-look me up. We’ll start off with my homemade Jalapeno Jelly, Cream Cheese and Crackers. Then, we’ll move on to a yummy Whole Wheat Pizza or maybe Sesame Almond Chicken for dinner.

Then, we’ll top off the evening with a warm, rich dessert that hits the spot-Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce. This simple dessert can be made ahead of time and is so very delectable. I don’t use that word-“delectable”-lightly, mind you.

At the end of the evening, we will both be so stuffed that a lounge by the fireplace with a gas of wine will be the only remedy.

This recipe is similar to others-however, I found that increasing the amount of raisins, cinnamon and using Mexican Vanilla takes this over the top.

Here’s what you’ll need to make Bread Pudding with Butterscotch Sauce.

For the Pudding:
4-5 Cups of Sweet Breads
-toasted and cut into 1″ cubed pieces
-or cut into cubes and dried in the oven at 300 degrees for 10 minutes
1/2 Cup of Raisins or dried fruit of your choice
2 Slightly Beaten Eggs
2 Cups of Milk
1/4 Cup Melted Butter
1/2 Cup + 2 TBS Sugar
1 tsp (heaping) Cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp Mexican Vanilla (substitute with regular vanilla, if applicable-but add another 1/4 tsp)

For the Butterscotch Sauce:
1/2 Cup of unsalted Butter
1/2 Cup Half and Half
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1 1/2 tsp Mexican Vanilla (substitute with regular vanilla, if applicable-but add another 1/4 tsp)

Combine the cubed bread pieces and raisins in a large mixing bowl.

In another medium mixing bowl, slightly beat the 2 eggs.

Add the 2 Cups of Milk.

Add the melted butter.

Next, add the sugar and stir thoroughly.

Add the 1 tsp Cinnamon.

And the 1/2 tsp of Nutmeg.

Finally, add the 1 1/2 tsp of Mexican Vanilla.

Stir thoroughly until the spices are distributed throughout the liquid.

Add the liquid mixture to the cubed bread and raisins.

Gently fold the liquid mixture in with a spatula.

Pour the bread pudding into a greased 8 x 8 pan.
Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes, or until puffy and a knife comes out of the center clean.

Now-for the Butterscotch Sauce! (Make this right before you serve the bread pudding.)

Combine everything, except for the Mexican Vanilla, in a medium saucepan and cook over a medium/low heat for 5-8 minutes or until slightly thickened. Once the liquid comes to a full boil, immediately remove from heat.
Add the 1 1/2 tsp Mexican Vanilla and stir.

Transfer the desired amount of Bread Pudding onto a plate and pour the hot Butterscotch Sauce on top.

Grab your socks (so they aren’t blown off) and enjoy!